The aviation job market presents a significant hurdle for newly qualified pilots aiming to secure positions with major commercial airlines. Achieving mastery in the skies requires spending extensive hours in the cockpit.
But do you know why accumulating flight hours is so vital, and why does this process present such a challenge for less experienced pilots? Furthermore, is there any prospect for low-time pilots to earn a salary from flying activities?
Table of Contents
How many flight hours do you need to become a pilot?
A pilot’s career progression relies significantly on the number of flight hours they have accumulated. With each hour logged in the cockpit, pilots gain invaluable skills in maneuvering different types of aircraft, navigating diverse weather conditions, and tackling all unexpected challenges in flight. These hours play a pivotal role for aspiring pilots in meeting regulatory requirements when obtaining essential certifications and ratings. The flight hours reflect the level of the pilot’s experience and can either help or hinder in securing higher-paying positions at major airlines.
Aviation authorities impose minimum flight hour thresholds for various types of pilot licenses. For instance, commercial pilots in Europe must adhere to licensing standards established by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These standards describe the theoretical training and set a minimum level of flight hours required. It is important to note that each kind of pilot license corresponds to a different minimum amount of flight hours.
For example, to become a commercial pilot in Europe, a person must first enroll in a flight school and obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL). To acquire the PPL, the pilot needs to complete approximately 100 hours of theoretical study and at least 45 hours of practical flight training. During these 45 hours, the student pilot typically performs 94 take-offs and landings. However, most often, cadets complete the course within 50–70 hours of practical training.
In addition to obtaining the PPL, newcomers to the aviation industry must also acquire a type rating suitable for the aircraft they intend to fly. The PPL authorizes pilots to operate only those aircraft that are equipped with a single-piston engine.
Following the acquisition of the PPL, aspiring pilots must also pursue a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), which marks the next stage in their long journey toward getting employment in the airline. The CPL demands completing more comprehensive training than a PPL. Pilots aiming for the CPL must earn a minimum of 200 flight hours and pass all related exams. In parallel, they must acquire a Multi-Engine Rating (MER) to operate aircraft with multiple engines, which means that the pilot needs to earn an additional minimum of 25 flight hours.
However, it would be inaccurate to claim that obtaining the CPL and MER marks the halfway point to becoming a commercial pilot in Europe. After obtaining this license, the pilot must further pursue an Instrument Rating (IR). This rating enables the aviator to fly in instrument conditions, such as during periods of low visibility. To acquire the IR, the pilot must add another 25 flight hours to his logbook.
Can you be a co-pilot with CPL?
The freshly licensed pilots may hold a misconception that obtaining the CPL and acquiring the minimum of flight hours automatically grants them access to any flying job in any commercial airline. Unfortunately, this assumption is far from reality.
The CPL only enables the license holder to operate small piston aircraft commercially, accommodating up to nine passengers. Possessing a CPL opens doors to various career paths such as private jet piloting, flight instruction (with further training), agricultural flying, or serving as an air ambulance pilot. And while there might be some exceptions, acquiring a CPL does not ensure immediate employment as a commercial airline pilot.
To achieve this, the pilot usually needs to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and fill in his logbook with a bunch of additional flight hours.
What is a low-time pilot?
Most pilot roles in commercial airlines require a full ATPL combined with a significant number of flight hours on hand. To obtain the full ATPL, which theoretically opens doors to all employees, the pilot must accumulate at least 1,500 flight hours. This amount should include a minimum of 500 flight hours as a multi-pilot in transport or commuter aircraft, at least 250 hours as a Pilot in Command (PIC), a minimum of 200 hours on cross-country flights, at least 75 hours of instrument flight time, and a minimum of 100 flight hours of night flight experience as PIC or co-pilot.
However, building that amount of flight hours is an expensive and time-consuming process. In a positive scenario, when personal and economic circumstances do not affect the pilot’s career, it may take at least two years to accumulate the desired 1,500 flight hours for the full ATPL. Nevertheless, the 1500-hour requirement should not make any pilot feel unemployable.
The good news for aspiring commercial airline pilots is that, in some cases, having a frozen ATPL license is enough to get into the front seat of a commercial aircraft. The frozen ATPL indicates that the pilot has passed all necessary exams but has not yet reached the minimum requirement of those desired 1,500 flight hours. In this scenario, the pilot is categorized as a low-time or low-hour pilot. To ‘unfreeze’ the license, the aviator must acquire the flight hours they lack.
Can a low-time pilot get a job in an airline?
For decades, many major European airlines have been upholding strict requirements of minimum experience level. They have been insisting on thousands of flight hours as a pivotal condition in the pilot recruitment process. Despite that, there are carriers that provide employment opportunities for both experienced and less experienced pilots.
Certain European airlines offer jobs to low-time pilots with frozen ATPL. Most commonly, these airlines run their own flight school training programs, which are designed to help low-hour pilots build the necessary flight experience. Such programs are often fully funded by the carrier. By investing in low-time pilots, these airlines aim to cultivate a pool of skilled aviators tailored to their specific operational needs.
By enrolling in these training programs, pilots can, in some cases, secure a job with the airline with only a total of 250 flight hours. With as little as 250 flight hours, the holder of frozen ATPL may apply for the role of First Officer or co-pilot. In contrast, external candidates for the First Officer positions are typically required to obtain a minimum of 500 flight hours.
However if the low-time pilots do not want to join the airline through a training program, they might have to accept a contract with a carrier that is not their first choice. This is often done to keep gaining flight hours until they meet the requirements of other major airlines, which low-time pilots plan to join later.
Low-time pilot jobs that build flight hours
Even though building flight hours may seem to be a daunting task, there are various ways for low-time pilots to gain the needed experience. Each opportunity presents a valuable chance for less experienced aviators not only to hone their skills but also to acquire new competencies and inch closer to the desired role in the flight deck of a commercial aircraft.
Flight Instructor job
The flight instructor role is one of the most popular choices for low-hour pilots seeking to accumulate flight hours. To become a flight instructor, the low-time pilot must hold at least CPL (or a frozen ATPL) and have logged at least 250 flight hours. This role provides the opportunity to continue earning flight hours while mentoring cadet pilots and assisting in their skill development. Furthermore, flight instructors consistently update their knowledge of procedures which is a valuable practice when seeking employment with a commercial airline.
Given that a Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) typically flies between 60 to 80 hours per month, it may take up to 1,5 years to hit the goal of 1,500 flight hours.
Glider towing pilot job
The role of a glider towing pilot is another option that can help in building flight hours. This role involves attaching a tow rope to the glider and then safely guiding it into the air until it reaches the desired altitude. Glider towing pilots require excellent flying skills and precision to ensure the safe takeoff and release of the glider. To get this temporary role, the low-time pilot often needs to join glider clubs or flight schools.
Many takeoffs and landings are guaranteed, and this increases the pilot’s chances of finding an airline job faster.
Skydiving pilot job
What could be more thrilling than a job that is both fun and demanding, offering low-hour pilots the chance to rack up flight hours at lightning speed? As a skydiving pilot, the aviator not only performs countless takeoffs and landings but also sharpen his skills in precision flying and multitasking.
It definitely could be called the ultimate adventure in the sky!
Ferry flight pilot job
A ferry flight pilot job involves the transportation of aircraft from one location to another. For low-time pilots, ferry flight opportunities provide valuable experience and the chance to accumulate flight hours. However, customers for such services are usually private owners or small companies. Therefore, before getting this job, low-hour pilots will likely be asked to provide referrals from previous ferry flight clients.
Banner towing pilot job
A banner-towing pilot is responsible for flying an aircraft equipped with a banner towing system, which consists of a long banner attached to the aircraft by a tow line. These pilots fly over some designated areas, such as beaches, sporting events, or festivals, towing advertising banners that promote businesses, events, or messages.
Even though this job may not be as enjoyable or demanding as flying skydivers, it still builds additional hours.
Arial survey pilot job
Aerial surveying companies often hire low-time pilots to conduct terrain mapping, wildlife monitoring, and other environmental surveying missions. It can be one of the opportunities to accelerate the process of earning hours, as these missions often take a long time to complete.
By taking this role, pilots not only fill their logbooks but also develop their ability to follow precise flight paths to ensure accurate data collection.
Agricultural pilot job
While not as widely popular in Europe, the role of an agricultural pilot can be an exciting opportunity to get the logbook filled in with flight hours. The missions seem to be straightforward, with low-hour pilots flying low and slow over farm areas that require treatment.
Air ambulance pilot job
The role of an air ambulance pilot is both challenging and rewarding in terms of flight hours. In this position, low-time pilots collaborate closely with medical personnel to transport critically ill or injured patients from accident scenes, remote locations, or between medical facilities.
Due to the nature of the role, air ambulance pilots frequently work flexible and unconventional hours. Moreover, some companies offering this service may also require pilots to obtain specific instrumentation ratings.
Sightseeing pilot job
Operating sightseeing flights may sound more like an entertaining activity than a serious job, but for low-time pilots, it is another chance to earn hours while exploring iconic landmarks and navigating diverse terrain and weather conditions. Sightseeing pilots not only need to have excellent flying skills but also may need to demonstrate their communication skills. In this role, it is sometimes necessary to provide commentary or interesting facts about the sights below to enhance the passengers’ experience.
It can be an enjoyable role for low-hour pilots who derive satisfaction from sharing the beauty of the world from above with others.
Shortcut to 1,500 flight hours
What is the fastest way to build the commonly required minimum of 1,500 hours? The fast track to this largely hinges on the financial resources and time the low-hour pilots have at their disposal.
Renting or owning an aircraft can be an ideal choice for some, as it offers pilots the freedom to accumulate flight hours on their own terms. While owning an aircraft may not always be feasible, when it is, it provides the flexibility to fly whenever and wherever one desires, without being tied to a strict schedule.
Flying is often seen as an exhilarating yet expensive hobby, right? But embarking on a flying career can be equally rewarding!