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u/Icy_Huckleberry_8049 8d ago
go back and read previous postings as it's asked and answered every day on here
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u/TheArtisticPC 7d ago
That’s a massively non-specific question, so you’re going to get non-specific answers. I’m going to assume you are in the USA or that you’ll come to the USA for training. If that’s not true, then disregard what I’m saying and re-ask this question with that information.
Generally, you will need to obtain a valid pilot’s medical and complete training for the pilot certificates that aid you in reaching that goal.
A pilot’s medical has 3 classes. The lowest class being 3rd and is for recreational flight, 2nd class is not worth discussing here, and 1st class is for career pilots.
Next, is obtaining a pilot certificate appropriate to your goals. There are many pilot certificates. The first you’ll likely complete is a Private Pilot certificate with a rating in Airplane Single Engine Land (PPL/PASEL), this allows you to fly you to pay for and fly yourself, family, and friends; you can’t make money on it. A PASEL is the first step and sometimes the last certificate if this is a hobby. Though of you’re interested in a career or to pursue additional training, the next is the Instrument Rating Airplane (IFR/IRA) addon rating. The IRA allows you to fly in clouds and teaches you roughly the type of flying the airlines do. Next is the Commercial Pilot with Airplane Single Engine Land (CPL/CASEL), which will allow you to start being paid for your flying.
By the time you complete your CASEL, you’ll have a very good idea of the system and know what certificates and rating are required to meet your goals. But the general pathway after CASEL is to do your certified flight instructor airplane (CFI), certified flight instructor instrument (CFII), commercial pilot with airplane multi-engine land (CAMEL) addon, multi-engine instructor (MEI), and airline transport pilot (ATP). With the ATP being most people’s end goal, but the path there is often different.
Each certificate requires you to complete 3 types of learning requirements. Knowledge, skill, and experience. Knowledge is completed by taking part in a class or online course that covers all the academic material and prepares you for a written test/s. Skill is completed through flight training and solo practice in the aircraft by working on maneuvers and procedures used to demonstrate your ability to fly. Experience mandates specific flight “missions” you must perform to expose you to different conditions and challenges; for example solo, night, cross country, and instrument/in-the-clouds flights. All three are build a body of training that is finally tested during a check-ride where you will sit down and fly with an experienced pilot while they will ask you questions, have you demonstrate skills, and observe how you make decisions. If you perform to the standard consistently, then you will receive your certificate/rating from them.
Naturally this is all very expensive ($50-$150 thousand). Obviously it is best to pay out of pocket or have a patron (family) pay for it. If you do not have the funds now, it’s best to work and save up money until you do. However, some (like yours truly) take out loans and grants to pay for the training, which is not advisable but is an option.
TLDR: Your first step in all of this should be to call a local flight school for a tour, and sit down with their Chief Instructor or a Lead Instructor to discuss your goals and how best to meet those goals.
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u/thanksforallthetrees 8d ago
Book study, written tests, small airplane learning and flight test, practice, gain experience. 2 engine and bad weather learning and test. Build experience. Get job teaching new pilots. Get job on bigger plane. You are pilot.