There are many careers in aviation. Some take place behind the scenes, making sure the luggage is on board, the plane’s engines are running safely, and the airplane is scheduled for takeoff.
However, the most well-known careers are those of pilots and flight attendants. The roles are extremely different in their education, responsibilities, and salary. Both the pilot and flight attendant are responsible for ensuring passengers get to their destination safely.
Pilot
Working with a multitude of aircrafts, such as airplanes and helicopters, pilots are responsible for safely operating and controlling the aircraft from one destination to the other. They may work in airline or commercial settings, perform rescue operations, fly charter flights, or simply carry cargo or passengers from one destination to the next.
What Pilots Do
Airline pilots fly for commercial airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule. They also fly aircrafts for search and rescue operations, fighting fires, chartered flights, aerial photography, and even applying agricultural materials to crops.
Duties of commercial and airline pilots:
- Inspect the plane prior to taking off
- Check the plane’s balance and weight
- Fuel the plane
- Deliver flight plans to air traffic control
- While in flight, keep in contact with air traffic control
- Make sure all systems are in check during flight
- Be able to handle changes in the weather
- Navigate the aircraft using the available equipment
Becoming a Pilot
Operating any aircraft is an adventurous and unique job. There are many moving parts to master when flying an aircraft — it takes a lot of training and skill.
Licenses and certificates you will need (via bls.gov):
- Student pilot certificate
- Private pilot license
- Instrument rating
- Commercial pilot license
- Multi-engine rating
- Airline transport pilot certificate
In a little more detail, here is the basic breakdown of the path you'll likely take to becoming either a commercial pilot or an airline pilot. The exact requirements may vary depending on your program.
Commercial Pilot:
- You need your high school diploma.
- To get your commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), you must be at least 18 years old and complete a certain number of hours of flight training.
- To become a commercial pilot, you’ll head to flight school. These pilot programs can sometimes be found at community colleges or trade schools. There are also independent, FAA-certified educators teaching out of aviation-only schools.
- Typically, 250 hours of flight time and 1,500 hours of ground school are required, which you will keep detailed record of.
- You’ll need to start out as a commercial pilot before becoming an airline pilot. The minimum flight hours for many commercial positions is 500.
- Many commercial pilots begin their careers as flight instructors or charter pilots in order to gain more experience and instrument ratings.
Airline Pilot:
- If you’re an airline pilot, you must earn the Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
- To get a job with a major airline, you will need to have thousands of flight hours on record.
- There are hundreds of FAA-approved flight schools, as well as other two- or four-year programs, available.
- The Federal Aviation Regulations are stringent. You must attend a ground training program lasting 6-8 weeks.
- Aside from training and licensing regulations, you’ll also need to practice and master certain maneuvers, which will be tested a few times per year.
- Instrument ratings are another factor if you want to fly through clouds or conditions with limited visibility, or to carry passengers over 50 miles at night. You must have at least 40 hours of instrument flight experience plus 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command.
Once you have earned enough flying hours, you can apply to either a commercial or airline job. You will be required to take a physical, and may need to undergo psychological/other evaluation, along with drug testing.
As pilots advance in their career, the main factor airlines consider is seniority. You can, however, become a captain by getting your air transport pilot's license, which demonstrates cross-country, night, and instrument flying experience. This requires passing additional FAA written and practical exams. You can also acquire more flight ratings, which correspond to the types of aircrafts you can fly.
Pilot Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, commercial pilots made an average wage of $138,010 in 2023. There are other perks to being a pilot, as well. Many pilots can get free or discounted travel for you and your family members. You also usually don’t have to worry about paying for food or accommodations when you are scheduled for overnights and layovers — many airlines cover these costs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that by 2032, demand for pilots is expected to increase 4 percent, which is about average growth for all occupations.
Flight Attendant
Main Article: Flight Attendant
Pilots get passengers safely to their destinations, but flight attendants make sure that the guests are comfortable during the flight and prepared in case any emergencies arise.
What Flight Attendants Do
A flight attendant's responsibilities are not limited to ensuring the comfort of passengers. Flight attendants also play a significant role in the safety and security of airline passengers as well.
Responsibilities include:
- Demonstrate safety procedures
- Make sure seat belts are on properly
- Check that carry-on baggage is safely stored in the overhead compartments
- Handle food and beverages
- Monitor passengers, watching for suspicious or offensive behavior
- Provide basic emergency care
- Meet with the crew prior to takeoff to discuss anything necessary about the flight
Become a Flight Attendant
To become a flight attendant, you won’t need to go through years of school in order to achieve a rewarding career. If you know that being a flight attendant is the career for you, here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Get your high school diploma, or a GED equivalent.
- Many employers prefer a college education and degree, though it is not required.
- Go through a flight attendant certificate program where you’ll be trained in first aid and safety, emergency procedures, aircraft design, crew resource management, and standard airline operations.
- Be prepared, because you’re going to be taking quite a few tests, both written and hands-on, which you’ll need to pass in order to receive your proficiency certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.
- You must be certified to work on a specific type of plane.
- Yearly training is expected to maintain your certification status.
Once you’re hired with an airline, you can generally expect:
- Around 3-6 weeks of additional training, specific to the airline that hired you.
- After the initial training, you will receive the FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency.
- From there, you’ll likely be placed on call or in reserve status. You must be able to report to the airport on short notice to fill in. This status will last one year.
- Once this reserve status period is complete, you will be on monthly assignments. As your seniority increases, you may have more control over which routes you service.
- Career advancement is based on seniority as well. The longer you’re with the airline, the more your status will advance.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that flight attendants made an average salary of $70,980 in 2023, with the top 10 percent earning closer to $104,100 or more. You'll be spending around 75-100 hours a month in the air. Not only can you receive perks such as free or discounted travel, but you can also get to travel all over the world!
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the number flight attendants will increase 11 percent by 2032, this growth is much faster than that of the national average!
Can You Complete an Aviation Degree Online?
The road to a career in aviation can be long, especially for pilots. While you can complete a bachelor’s degree online, the rest of your schooling and training must be completed in person. Aspiring pilots are required to complete a certain amount of flight time in order to obtain licensure. In addition to 250 hours of flight time, airline pilots must obtain 1,500 hours for a transport pilot certificate, and 40 hours of instrument flying experience in-air and through simulation.