Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

These programs offer an immersive, structured training path that is often in partnership with the airlines. Key Takeaways Cadet pilot programs offer a path to becoming an airline pilot with guaranteed employment. Training quality varies between programs, with major airlines offering better resources. Join a major airline.

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

APRIL 28, 2025

Becoming an airline pilot is an exciting and rewarding journey but its also a significant investment of time, effort, and money. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the updated costs, timelines, financing options, salary outlooks, and career pathways for aspiring airline pilots in 2025.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

If you dream of flying small airplanes on weekends or piloting commercial airliners with hundreds of passengers, you need certain pilot licenses to reach your aviation goals. Recreational Pilot License (RPL) A Recreational Pilot License lets you fly aircraft with only 180 horsepower or less during the day and in good weather.

Pilot

Flying Magazine

JULY 30, 2025

Whether in person or online, ground school provides the essential theoretical knowledge required to pass the FAA written test, which is necessary for obtaining a private pilot certificate, an airline transport pilot certificate, and every certificate and rating in between. The knowledge exam is a prerequisite for your practical test (i.e.,

Checkride

Inflight Pilot Training

JUNE 20, 2025

Every detail—from pre-heat cords for cold-weather ops to glass-wall views of the ramp—has been intentionally designed to reflect a first-class aviation environment. Our streamlined processes—from aircraft dispatch to checkride coordination—ensure that your momentum never stalls.

Pilot

Flight Training Central

JULY 14, 2025

The aviation industry has long debated the minimum flight hours required for pilots to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, a prerequisite for serving as a pilot in command at major airlines. for military pilots or graduates of approved aviation programs) allow for reduced minimums—known as a Restricted ATP.

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 24, 2025

To earn a Part 61 certificate, you need the required flight hours, pass written exams, and complete a practical test or checkride. Testing includes FAA written exams and checkrides, and there’s a biennial flight review requirement. At Leopard Aviation , we operate under Part 61. Add Part 107 once you’re comfortable.

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 23, 2025

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours , but most students log 50 to 70 hours before they’re ready for the checkride. Checkride fees : Range from $500–800 for a PPL exam. Ground School Ground school covers aviation theory, navigation, weather, regulations, and more. Ready for Takeoff?

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 30, 2025

Youll learn how to navigate, communicate with Air Traffic Control, interpret weather, and conduct instrument approaches to airports, all without relying on whats outside your window. This rating adds an entirely new dimension to your skillsetand makes you a true all-weather aviator. What Is an Instrument Rating? Flight canceled.

Pilot

AOPA

JULY 21, 2025

Latest News Magazines Videos Podcasts Webinars Media Room Contact Us Newsletters Training & Safety Training & Safety Embark on a journey of continuous learning: from prepping for checkrides, perfecting instrument approaches, to proficiency flights. Enhance your aviation skills here! Enhance your aviation skills here!

Tail

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 23, 2025

From big-name universities to airline academies, flight schools, and fast-track programs, options are everywhere. Look for instructors with varied experience—airline, military, or corporate. These institutions feature large fleets, airline-style training formats, and a strong campus experience. Top Training Programs Overview 3.1

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

When you search for flight instructors near Mesa, you’ll find that consistent good weather means fewer lesson cancellations and more time in the air. Industry Backgrounds : Some instructors are airline captains, others are corporate pilots, and all have logged thousands of flight hours. Evenings and weekends to fit work or school.

Checkride

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

Your flight instructor will use his or her judgment to deem you ready for a checkride, or practical test. Do you want to become an airline pilot or do you want to fly for fun? Location – Pick a place with good weather all year round, if possible. Part 61 or Part 141? It depends. The number one factor is your goal.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

The requirement applies to private, commercial, and airline transport pilots, as well as flight engineers and navigators who fly internationally. While not a ticket to an airline job right away, a CPL allows you to earn money as a skydiving, photography, or pipeline patrol pilot among other entry-level aviation jobs. What does it take?

Pilot

AOPA

JULY 8, 2025

Latest News Magazines Videos Podcasts Webinars Media Room Contact Us Newsletters Training & Safety Training & Safety Embark on a journey of continuous learning: from prepping for checkrides, perfecting instrument approaches, to proficiency flights. Enhance your aviation skills here! Enhance your aviation skills here!

Checkride

Northstar VFR

MAY 16, 2024

By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI Technology in aviation has advanced tremendously since the early days of flying, but one thing has not changed: the weather. Perhaps one of the reasons is that the abundance of weather products available on the internet, TV, handbooks , etc. You should have your personal weather minimums written down.

Weather

Flight Training Central

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

With a nice weather forecast, you decide you are going to fly instead and save a lot of travel time. The opposite of private carriage is common carriage which requires a Part 119 authorzation (Air Carrier Certificate) issued under Part 135 for charter operators or Part 121 for airlines. Can you expense this flight to your company?

Checkride

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

A Big Surprise from a FAA Inspector Air Facts Journal The FAA employs Air Carrier Operations Safety Inspectors to oversea airline operations. Our passenger flight was getting a checkride from the FAA. At the time of this flight, I was Chairman of the Airline Pilots Association Training and Standards Committee.

Checkride

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Avtech proFLIGHT This app is a high-quality weather tool for the professional flight crew. ProFLIGHT uses the actual flight route and time combined with the Met Office’s Global 10KM Weather model to produce a tailored weather forecast based on the most up to date information.

Weather

Pilot's Life Blog

MAY 6, 2025

At Leopard Aviation, we guide you through every stepfrom your first flight to your final checkride. Your training will include: Dual instruction with an instructor Solo flights Cross-country flights Night training Ground school A final checkride with an FAA examiner We guide you through every phase, from the written test to the last landing.

Pilot

Flight Training Central

MAY 3, 2024

There’s always more knowledge to be learned and studying to be done in preparation for your next lesson or even your checkride. Are you looking to make it a simple hobby, flying around with one friend within your local area, or are you looking to earn your spot flying big iron in the airlines?

Checkride

Air Facts

MAY 15, 2024

A related point is that flight training isn’t something you can fake; there are real checkrides and real consequences for not meeting standards. Good luck cheating on the crosswind landing portion of your Private checkride, much less a type rating checkride. Flying clubs and airport events create a sense of community.

Checkride

Northstar VFR

APRIL 28, 2024

After flying for over half a decade and counting, I have gotten a grasp of the life of a pilot from student to airline pilot. Certified Flight Instructor Becoming a Certified Flight instructor is a difficult road and it gets even more difficult after the checkride. However for me, like many, it was a job and my main source of income.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 14, 2025

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours for a PPL, but students usually take around 5570 hours before theyre ready for checkride. Exam and Checkride Fees When it comes to exams, there are also a couple of costs to keep in mind. The Practical Exam (checkride) can range from $500 to $800 , depending on the examiner and location.

Pilot

Northstar VFR

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI Youre walking through the airport terminal and see the airline pilots strolling by with a Starbucks in hand and rollaboards in tow. As we know, the grass isnt always greener on the other side, and the airline or freight pilot life isnt for everyone. You might think to yourself, Wow, thats the life!

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

MAY 6, 2025

Understanding Accident Statistics: It’s true that accident rates are higher in general aviation compared to commercial airlines. Commercial airlines operate under stricter regulations and have more resources for training and maintenance, contributing to their lower accident rates.

Weather

WayMan

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate: The highest certification, necessary for airline pilots. Purpose : Required for airline captains and first officers in commercial airlines. Purpose : Paid flying jobs, including charter services and banner towing. Minimum Age : 23 years. Flight Hours : 1,500 total hours.

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

MAY 30, 2025

With the right apps, pilots can check weather, plan routes, improve radio communications, log flights, simulate flying scenarios, and even listen in on real-time ATC traffic. Best Apps for Aviation Weather 1. Best All-In-One Pilot App 4. ForeFlight Overview : ForeFlight is the most comprehensive EFB on the market.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

JULY 3, 2024

The FAA issues several different pilot licenses, from student pilot to airline transport pilot. Weather As pilots, we must constantly be aware of the weather and how it is changing around us. This course will teach you about the basic weather systems, phenomena, and risks associated with them.

Pilot

Airline Reporter

MARCH 13, 2024

Since the last time, I’ve completed my first biennial flight review, which is a mandatory mini-checkride done every two years with a flight instructor, that’s designed to verify that a pilot has properly maintained both their flying skills and regulatory knowledge. I honestly miss the structure of flight training.

Weather

Air Facts

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Our experimental C172 proved itself capable of demanding flight training missions, with both private and commercial pilots training and successfully passing their FAA checkrides in our V8-powered C172, at a fraction of the cost compared to using stock C172 aircraft. Fast track needed safety enhancements for use in certified aircraft.

Firewall

Pilot's Life Blog

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

This license allows you to fly in good weather conditions and is often the first step for those wanting to pursue aviation further. Instrument Rating (IR) The Instrument Rating (IR) is an advanced certification that enables pilots to fly in a broader range of weather conditions.

Pilot

Pilot Job Central

OCTOBER 1, 2023

Unlock your pilot career with airline pilot cadet programs. Whether you are aspiring pilot looking to kickstart your aviation career or a recent flight school graduate, modern airline pilot cadet programs can be a fit for your pilot career goals. Table of Contents What is an airline pilot cadet program?

Pilot

Flight Training Central

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

Airline pilot requirements and mandatory retirements have significantly impacted the pool of eligible candidates and, in many cases, have left flight departments at a shortage of qualified applicants. But there are multiple pathways to consider if the airline flight deck beckons.

Pilot

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 4, 2022

Everyone starts as a private pilot so that is where we will start Private Pilot license Commercial pilot license Instrument rating Multi engine rating Certified flight instructor certificate Certified Instrument flight instructor certificate Airline transport pilot So how does it work? That is the limitation of this certificate.

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 26, 2024

However, it does not qualify the pilot for a job at a major airline, which requires an airline transport pilot (ATP) license. Key skills include navigating through various weather conditions and handling unexpected situations that may arise during the flight.

Cargo

Northstar VFR

JULY 2, 2023

As you go from student pilot to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), you will need different experiences for each rating. Or aspirations to work for an airline? They have different weather requirements, pilot experience requirements and pilot duty times, amongst other things. Part 121: This is all the airlines.

Federal Aviation Regulations