Flight Training

For starters, the training you'll receive at flight schools will prepare you to sit for your commercial pilot's license. To qualify for the license, you'll need about 250 hours of flying experience, along with 20/20 vision (with or without glasses), good hearing, and no physical handicaps that could impair your performance. You'll also need to pass a written test, which covers principles of safe flight, navigation techniques, and FAA regulations. The practical exam allows you to demonstrate the fruit of your flying experience.

That's not all. If you dream of becoming an airline pilot, you'll need more than your commercial pilot's license -- you'll have to earn your airline transport pilot's license, too. To earn this license, you'll need at least 1,500 hours of flying experience, including night and instrument flying, and you'll need to pass FAA written and flight exams.

And, in order to fly in low visibility, you'll need flight training by instruments. To be rated by the FAA, you'll need at least 40 hours of flight training by instruments, which you can earn at flight schools. You'll also need to pass a written exam on procedures and FAA regulations, and demonstrate your ability to fly by instruments.

The flight training doesn't end once you're on the job, either. New pilots typically undergo three to six weeks of ground school and simulator training and 25 hours of initial operating experience. Even experienced pilots take part in flight training and simulator checks throughout their career.

The extensive flight training will pay dividends, though. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, civilian aircraft pilots and flight engineers held about 106,000 jobs in 2004. And earnings of airline pilots are among the highest in the nation -- in May 2004, median annual earnings of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were $129,250. Median annual earnings of commercial pilots were $53,870, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $110,070.

With the proper flight training, you can watch your career take off.

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