Earning your airline pilot license is a major milestone, but it is only the beginning of your professional journey. Understanding the next steps after flight training helps you plan your career, build experience, and move efficiently towards becoming an airline pilot.
Building flight hours and experience
After completing your commercial pilot training, the next step is gaining the flight hours required for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. This usually means building up to 1,500 total flight hours, although some pathways may allow for reduced requirements.
Many pilots build these hours by working as Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs). This allows you to continue developing your skills while gaining valuable experience in real-world conditions. Others build hours through charter flying or aerial survey work.
This stage is where pilots refine their decision-making and build consistency in the cockpit.
Preparing for airline eligibility
As you approach the required flight hours, the focus shifts to preparing for airline operations. This includes completing the ATP-CTP (Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program), which is required before taking the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ATP written exam.
ATP-CTP introduces advanced concepts such as high-altitude operations, jet performance, and crew resource management, helping pilots transition into a multi-crew airline environment.
Once complete, pilots can take the ATP written exam and continue progressing towards airline hiring.
For more information on ATP-CTP at Skyborne, visit: https://skyborne.com/us/atp-ctp/
Starting your airline career
After meeting ATP requirements, pilots can start applying to airlines. New hires typically start as Second Officers, operating as part of a multi-crew team and gaining experience in airline operations.
Airline training includes type rating on a specific aircraft, followed by simulator training and supervised line flying before operating scheduled flights.
From there, your career progression depends on experience, performance, and industry demand. Over time, pilots can:
- Upgrade to Captain
- Transition to larger aircraft
- Move to major or international airlines
Choosing the right pathway
The steps after earning your pilot license can vary depending on your training pathway and career goals.
Choosing a flight training school that supports you beyond initial training makes a meaningful difference.
At Skyborne, every student matters. Our academy is designed to help pilots train, instruct, and start their airline career all within 18 months. Are you ready to be next?
To learn more about pilot training pathways at Skyborne, visit: https://skyborne.com/us/
For questions about training or applications, visit: https://skyborne.com/us/contact-skyborne-today/
