how hard is it to become a navy pilot
Flying an aircraft may seem like a daunting task to perform, especially if you're a beginner. And more so ever, so many youngsters and career-oriented people have shown interest in becoming a pilot. Plus many ponder upon one question that is "how hard is it to become a pilot" and rightly so.
Flying is a responsibility only passionate pilots know of despite the many perks and status recognition that comes with it. You need to gain so much to become a pilot. And again, you don't need to be talented to become a pilot.
Because if you're determined enough to become a pilot, then there are some things you would need to consider. Many of which are flight hours, flight school, private pilot license, and so on.
But fret not! Because we have crafted this article in detail to help answer how hard it is to become a pilot.
Why should you become a pilot?
Entering the field of aviation might be exciting for some, and thrilling for others. But, there are more reasons to join this field compared to how hard it is to become a pilot.
Let's look at some reasons why becoming a pilot is a thing for you to consider.
Salary and perks
This aviation career is most looked at for its salary and perks. A pilot can earn between $40,000 to $300,000 salary yearly depending on experience and seniority.
Not to mention, the perks that a pilot is blessed with are enormous. For example, staying in lavish hotels and getting discounted tickets for working in an airline.
Cockpit and view
Working at a pen-pushing job, sitting in a cubicle is rather boring. But, sitting inside a cockpit with a view of the sky is an exciting and thrilling experience only pilots can have!
Being a pilot, the view isn't the only exciting thing, but it's also the flight controls. And, a new pilot needs to be experienced and fully trained to control them.
First solo flight
Your first solo flight is when you're equipped with experience and knowledge, and it's your turn to show off your skills. It will be a moment of pride when you will land completing your first flight.
Aviation knowledge and practical
Your flight school will equip you with the knowledge necessary to fly an airline. Plus, you will be able to apply this learned knowledge by getting trained as a pilot. And at last, you will feel accomplished flying a plane after acquiring a private pilot license.
Qualifications to become a pilot
First things first, becoming a pilot isn't that hard as it may seem. Why? Well because if you're keen on getting the education required for becoming a pilot, you will think otherwise.
Since anyone can become a pilot with or without a degree, there are some rules. And those qualification rules are different for the type of pilot you want to become.
You will need to learn how to fly and that can only happen if you get the education required.
Some airlines require an associate degree of two years in the aviation field while others may require a bachelor's degree. Depending on the type of aviation field you're pursuing, your degree can be of any type.
For example, if you plan to become an airline pilot, you might need to acquire a bachelor's degree. Plus, you don't need to take any aviation degree; however, if you're passionate then you can do so. There are some college degrees offering courses like aerospace engineering.
But the good news is that you can get into an aviation career path with any engineering degree of four years!
Moreover, a bachelor's degree or a college degree can significantly increase your chances of becoming a pilot easily.
How hard is ground school?
Once you're done with your school and college, you can begin your career as a pilot. But, it's not that easy because it requires training – known as ground school training.
Ground school is where you will be taught aviation subjects and will be given flight training. It prepares you with theoretical subjects about aviation and how to fly a plane.
It's not that hard to pass aviation subjects if you're a hard-working and diligent student. The main purpose of this ground is to provide you with the knowledge necessary to fly a plane.
Another reason why ground school is important is that it prepares you for passing your knowledge test. Your knowledge test for aeronautical theory makes you prepare for written, oral, and other aviation exams and certifications.
Keep in mind that whatever you're taught in ground school is approved by the FAA. Aeronautical courses that you can be taught under flight instructor at your ground school. And that flight instructor can be an authorized one or can be your instructor teaching you how to fly a plane easily.
How hard is flight school?
Flight school prepares you for practically flying a plane. After you're equipped with theory knowledge of aeronautical subjects, you're taught flight lessons for practice.
There are two parts to flight training schools, Part 61 and Part 141 that are the basis of your training. For instance, Part 141 flight schools may require a structured syllabus that you will be taught. And your Part 61 flight school can mainly depend on what your flight instructor has to teach you.
It may seem hard to fly your first solo, but that's why you're being trained practically. Before you can fly your pre-solo, your instructor teaches you procedures and maneuvers of flying a plane safely.
For example, you will be able to showcase your knowledge of performing take-off, landing, and more maneuvers.
Once your instructor evaluates your performance, you will be allowed to fly solo for the very first time sitting in a cockpit.
Is a student pilot certificate hard to acquire?
The first type of certificate or license that you will require is a student pilot certificate. This will be the first step pivotal for a new aspiring pilot. Additionally, it's not that hard if you can comply with some rules and standards authorized by the FAA.
There are some eligibility rules you need to consider before you can acquire your student pilot certificate. Eligibility rules state that you must be 16 years of age and proficient in the English language. You need to have a good command of speaking English as it's deemed important in the field of Aviation.
In addition to that, you might need to apply for a student pilot certificate. You can submit that application to FAA Flight standards such as FSDO or any FAA pilot examiner.
Please note that you are required to undergo a medical test, which is a part of this eligibility rule. So, it's important to visit Aviation Medical Examiner and acquire your medical certificate.
In most cases, you get your both certificates – aviation medical certificate and student pilot certificate from the aviation medical examiner's department.
How hard is it to become a pilot? Take a look at different pilot licenses
As soon as you're done with obtaining your student pilot certificate, you're good to go for the next step. There are pilot licenses for different flight purposes. And just like any other vehicle license, these pilot licenses allow you to choose whichever your flight goal is.
It's not that hard to obtain certain pilot licenses if you've decided the type of pilot you want to become. Moreover, without adequate flight training, no one can pass other licenses. So, you should know which type of pilot license is your main goal.
These pilot licenses are also known as pilot certifications and are issued by the FAA. Each pilot license comes with its category, class, and ratings. These ratings allow pilots to have certain permission for performing flight operations.
There are many types of pilot licenses that you can obtain depending on the type of pilot you want to become.
Sport pilot license
With this pilot license, you can begin your flight career being a hobbyist aviator. Sport pilot license allows you to fly light sport aircraft under FAA standards without a medical certificate.
This sport pilot certification comes with some restrictions though. You can fly aircraft in your local area and at lower altitudes. Plus, you will be allowed to carry one passenger while restricted from flying at night.
It's most easily sought pilot license as it requires 20 hours of flight experience. In addition to that, you will need to be 17 years old and proficient in the English language.
Bear in mind your student pilot license will be useful in obtaining this license.
Recreational Pilot License
This is the same purpose license for flying with similar restrictions as a sport pilot license. There is, however, one thing that makes this licensing step ahead is that you can fly a little larger aircraft.
Under FAA rules, you can obtain this license by having 30 hours of flight experience, holder of a student pilot license.
And not to mention, you must pass a written and practical tests for exhibiting your aviation knowledge.
Private Pilot License or PPL
If you aim to operate a large aircraft such as a commercial airline and private airline, then this can be your stepping stone. A private pilot license is authorized by the FAA and has a couple of restrictions removed.
A private pilot license or PPL leads you to obtain other licenses more easily. LPP is the kind of license that can help you advance in your aviation career. For example, you can be trained so well that you can easily obtain a commercial license.
You must be a holder of a student pilot license with 35-40 flight experience and can pass written and practical tests.
Having a PPL doesn't compensate or pay you for flying an aircraft, but it prepares you for flying professionally.
Commercial Pilot license or CPL
This license is the pathway to getting paid as a pilot. You can get hired for working as a pilot through this CPL. Some of the jobs that you can work as are tour pilot, banner towing pilot, and so on. Also, CPL is issued through FAA and there are certain rules that you will need to abide by.
To obtain CPL, you will need to have flight experience of 250 hours and must be a holder of a private pilot license. Plus, you will need to pass certain exams that test your expertise in aviation and hold a medical certificate.
And, of course, you need to be proficient in the English language and must be of age 18 years old.
This is where your ground school knowledge plays role in. So, it's better to be prepared for all things necessary to become a pilot of your choice.
Is it hard to become an airline pilot?
A person who wants to become an airline pilot must face the reality. That is becoming an airline pilot and earning good compensation comes with big responsibilities. An airline pilot is responsible for carrying passengers and cargo, and flight safety is their concern.
Learning about technical aspects and having theoretical knowledge about flying a plane is easier. But gaining experience, logging more flight hours, training and other costs can be a big issue for prospective pilots.
Moreover, you might need to work as a flight instructor to gain experience and even instrument rating equips your better experience.
FAA requires you to have an ATP certificate that is an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Plus, some airlines require a bachelor's degree in whichever field. Moreover, a person must have an instrument rating certificate and must have 1,500 flight hours.
Even age is considered here for a pilot to be 23 years old. Since most of your time will be spent gaining experience and more logged hours, age does seem to be not a big issue.
Keep in mind that military aviation pilots have an edge against those trying to gain experience elsewhere. Because it eases the burdens of cost and prepares you for flying large aircraft.
How to gain flying hours?
Before you can obtain your pilot license, you need to log a great number of flying hours. And gaining experience might seem hard for beginners and aspiring pilots. But, it's not that hard, anyone can do so by putting in some efforts.
Moreover, if you aim to fly as a commercial or airline pilot, then you will need to log more extra flight hours. And it's not a piece of cake!
You can gain flight hours through flight school or private training under FAA standards. These are, however, costly options if you're starting as a beginner.
You can, however, go for other alternatives to gain flight experience and log flight hours. For instance, military schools provide you with the ground to train yourself and equip you with flight experience.
Medical requirements for becoming a pilot
For becoming a pilot whether it's for recreational purposes or compensation purposes, you need to be healthy and fit. And your health is what decides if you can become a pilot working for large airlines.
Almost every pilot license requires a medical certificate except for a sports license pilot. But, again you need to be sure of your health requirements with your medical examiner before going solo.
Under FAA rules and regulations, you need a certified medical certificate for earning your pilot licenses. It's obviously because a fit person can operate an aircraft and won't pose harm to oneself or others. So, these medical requirements are deemed necessary.
Before you invest money and efforts in acquiring a pilot license of your choice, consider the following factors. These factors may decide if you're eligible for becoming a pilot, and what to expect when you're a medical examiner's office.
Medical certificates
Since there are many types of pilot licenses available, the FAA has made sure that every license meets the requirements of certain medical certificates.
Third Class medical certificate
You can go with this type of certificate if you're a student pilot or a recreational pilot. Once you're deemed fit and healthy, you can continue with your flying as a hobbyist.
Second class medical certificate:
You can apply for this medical certificate if you aim to obtain a private pilot's license PPL. This type of medical certificate allows you to fly light aircraft.
First-class medical certificate:
This type of medical certificate is mainly issued to those who are aiming to obtain a commercial pilot license. A commercial pilot becomes eligible to work as a salary-paid pilot.
Medical examination
Once you've decided which medical test you'd go through, your medical examiner will prepare you for conducting necessary health requirements.
Third class medical examination
This medical exam is the easiest one and would only take some time. Your examiner will conduct tests such as checking for your general health, follow-up questions of your medical history. Not to mention, the most important part of this test will be to conduct a vision and hearing test.
Second class medical examination
The second class medical exam is quite similar to the third-class medical exam, however, with some exceptions. For example, there might be some standards set for vision and other detailed health requirements.
First-class medical examination
This medical exam is the extensive and hard exam being conducted in the sense that you'd be left feeling tired. There's not only one test that you'll go through, rather there will be a few tests that will determine your health status.
You will go through a couple of tests such as a general health exam, ECG, Vision test, Hearing test, color blindness test. There will be other tests as well, for example, your examiner may take a urine sample.
All this will check your health status and may detect any ailment that can come between your way of obtaining a medical certificate.
Medical disqualifiers
Even if you feel that you're fit and healthy, you may need to re-check because aviation medical rules might dictate otherwise. There are some ailments and medical conditions that prevent you from obtaining a medical certificate.
Here are some of those ailments and health conditions.
- Epilepsy
- Psychosis
- Substance Abuse
- Bipolar disease
- Allergies
- Asthma
Other than all these factors, some of the factors that you might encounter are costs. Aviation medical examiners charge prices for each appointment depending on the type of medical exam.
How hard is it to become a pilot? Costs and finances
Becoming a pilot is not only about hard work, considering the amount of investment and costs associated with it.
Pilot training costs can be a bit more expensive depending on the type of training you're enrolled in. Flight schools are expensive and require you to pay as long as training is in process. These costs may include airplane rent fees, instructor's hourly charges, and pilot gear costs.
You can, however, do research and paperwork to manage your finances to become a pilot under budget. Not to mention, you might need to choose a flight school that offers scholarships to ease your finances.
Always choose a flight school training that is under your budget and covers all other flight aspects. These flight aspects can help you gain flight hours and training required to become a pilot.
Pilot Aptitude tests
Some flight schools and aviation academies take pilot aptitude tests to prepare you for the skills necessary to become a pilot. These pilot aptitude tests are used to assess whether or not you have the capability to become a pilot
These similar tests are conducted in major airlines for new pilots looking to get hired. Pilot aptitude tests ensure that you're ready to enter the professional field as a pilot after flight school graduation.
And, that's why some people take these pilot aptitude tests and practice them. Some of the pilot aptitude test areas include assessing your logical thinking, memory, eye-hand coordination, and so on.
Is there an age limit for becoming a pilot?
There are no such age restrictions for becoming a pilot so it's not that hard to start your aviation career.
You can acquire your student pilot license at the age of 17 years old, which is a minimum age limit.
Moreover, airline recruiters in the USA prefer you to be around 35 or younger to be hired. And the maximum age is at least 65 years old.
So, you can start your career as a pilot working for commercial airlines or you can become a pilot hobbyist!
how hard is it to become a navy pilot
Source: https://transitlite.com/blog/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-pilot/
Posted by: johnsonthearle.blogspot.com
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