How to Become an Airline Pilot in 2024

The complete guide on how to become an airline pilot in 2024. Discover how to pass the selection process with our online resources.

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How to Become an Airline Pilot in 2024

A complete guide on how to become an airline pilot in 2024. Discover how to pass the selection process, with our online resources.

“…If you can answer the questions in these guides then there is no doubt that you will pass, I did!” – Naomi C. TrustPilot
How2Become Reviews 5 Star Rating from TrustPilot

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WANT TO BECOME AN AIRLINE PILOT?

This online guide has been created by a current serving airline pilot with a major UK airline. He has over 5,000 flying hours and is a flying instructor… expert tuition does not get better than this!

This guide is created by a serving pilot and flying instructor and is guaranteed to drastically improve your understanding of becoming an Airline Pilot with any of the major UK airlines.

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Airline Pilot Careers

The exciting thing about the airline industry is the fact that it’s a global one. For you, this means that you have a variety of flying opportunities on offer. Here is a typical career pattern that you may wish to follow:

  • FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (FI)
  • TURBOPROP FIRST OFFICER- COMMAND TURBOPROP
  • 737/A320 FIRST OFFICER- COMMAND JET
  • LONG HAUL A330/747 FIRST OFFICER
  • PROMOTION TO CAPTAIN

Starting as a flying instructor is a good beginning as ‘low hour’ pilots have the chance to build their hours and gain valuable experience. Allow us to give you the low down on how to become a Flying Instructor.

PASS THE AIRLINE PILOT RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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We guarantee that our How To Become an Airline Pilot online resources will teach you how to navigate the different elements of the selection process. The package contains 120+ pages of recruitment information, tests which will guide you through each of the different elements of selection, including the application form, the interview, and more.

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PASS THE AIRLINE PILOT RECRUITMENT PROCESS

become an airline pilot

We guarantee that our airline pilot online recruitment resources will teach you how to navigate the different elements of the selection process successfully. The package contains 120+ pages of recruitment information, tests, and top tips which will guide you through each of the different elements of selection, including the application form, the tests, the interview, and the more.

Start Preparing Now 👉

THE ROLE OF AN AIRLINE PILOT

The job of a pilot comes with heavy responsibility and personal commitment. Stringent training courses have to be passed followed by recurrent training every six months in order to maintain the relevant licence required for the job.

There is more to the role than just flying the plane, which has to be done safely and economically, and tasks can typically include:

  • Ensuring all information on the route, weather, passengers and aircraft is received;
  • Using that information to create a flight plan which details the altitude for the flight, route to be taken and amount of fuel required;
  • Ensuring the fuel levels balance safety with economy and supervising the loading and fuelling of the aircraft.

This guide is created by a serving pilot and flying instructor and is guaranteed to drastically improve your chances and teach you how to become an Airline Pilot with any of the major UK airlines!

  • Ensuring all safety systems are working properly;
  • Briefing the cabin crew before the flight and maintaining regular contact throughout the flight;
  • Carrying out pre-flight checks on the navigation and operating systems;
  • Communicating with air traffic control before take-off and during flight and landing;
  • Ensuring noise regulations are followed during take off and landing;
  • Understanding and interpreting data from instruments and controls;
  • Making regular checks on the aircraft’s technical performance and position, on weather conditions and air traffic during flight;
  • Communicating with passengers using the public address system;
  • Reacting quickly and appropriately to environmental changes and emergencies;
  • Updating the aircraft logbook and writing a report at the end of the flight noting any incidents or problems with the aircraft.

HOW TO BECOME AN AIRLINE PILOT – ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lee Woolaston is currently a Flying Instructor and Captain with a Major UK Regional Airline. He currently flies the Embraer 135/145, a modern regional passenger jet airliner. He has approaching 5000 flying hours total time (3500 with the Airlines) and holds a JAR-FCL ATPL.

Prior to the flight, pilots check flight plans, ensure that the aircraft’s controls are operating efficiently and calculate the required fuel for the flight. They are also responsible for checking the weather conditions and briefing cabin crew.

Airline Pilot: Commonly Asked Questions

To be eligible to fly airliners for a commercial airline, you will need to hold an ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License). However, getting to this stage will take a considerate amount of commitment and funding, as pilot training can cost up to £90,000 plus.

To be considered for pilot training you will be required to have at least 5 GCSEs and 2 A Levels. Maths and physics are desirable subjects, as the training requires a good level of understanding in these.

There are a number of routes for training you can take which include the following: Integrated training – This is a full-time course which takes about 18 months to complete and is a mixture of classroom-based tuition and flying time in the cockpit. This is the most expensive route and will cost between £80,000 and £90,000 to undertake.

You can also take what they call Modular training which allows you to take the same course, but in smaller chunks, more of a pay as you go model. Although more affordable, the cost is still considerate and will also involve more studying at home, potentially this route could take longer depending on your personal circumstances, especially if you are working to fund the training. This route could also require you to already have a PPL (Private Pilot’s License) so please check with the course provider first.

In some circumstances you may be fortunate to receive partial or full sponsorship from an airline to fund your training. However, as you can imagine the competition for spaces would be fierce, so you would have to prepare comprehensively to be successful with this entrance. Also, the number of places depends on how well the industry is performing and how busy the airlines are. Based on the current climate and the downturn in international travel restrictions due to the pandemic, there would not be much scope currently. That being said as we start to move out of restrictions in large parts of the globe, we would expect more sponsorship opportunities to become available in the near future. It is certainly worth checking airline company websites for information on any opportunities and what their eligibility criteria is.

Before applying for any course, there is one thing you should most definitely consider. All commercial pilots will be required to pass a class one Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) medical. If you are unable to pass this medical, you will not be eligible for the ATPL, regardless on how well you do in the training.

Dependent on the route you could take up to two years and beyond to gain your ATPL. You would still need to apply for roles within a commercial online, which could take longer depending on available roles. If you are lucky enough to be sponsored by an airline, this could be a minimum of 18 months to become a qualified airline pilot.

There is no maximum age for becoming an airline pilot. However, please bear in mind that the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots is 65. This is enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority and must be adhered to. So, considering the cost and the length of the training, this should be a career you consider from your late twenties or thirties. Possibly, something you would not want to consider approaching your twilight years of your working life.

Becoming an airline pilot is very difficult, expensive and time consuming. As you can imagine the role of an airline pilot is a safety critical role, so you will have to undertake an extremely difficult and comprehensive training course to ensure that you are fully qualified to fly commercial airliners, responsible for the safety of the crew and passengers and the competence to take control of a multi-million-pound aircraft. Regardless of the difficulty, this is no reason to be put off. As once you have achieved your goal the benefits and salary are excellent. Also, having the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world and be paid for it at the same time, will be extremely appealing to many of us. 

The salary will largely depend on the organisation and the size of the aircraft you are flying. When starting you can expect a salary of around £30,000 pa. As your career progresses you can earn up to £50,000 as a first officer. Captains can earn considerably more, again depending on the size of the operator, for a large airline a Captain can earn £150,000 per annum.

The Shift Pattern and Salary

  • Must hold a CPL or a PPL with all the CPL (or ATPL) theoretical knowledge exams passed
  • Must hold a valid SEP rating
  • Minimum of 30 hours flight training
  • 25 hours dual instruction
  • 5 hours may be as mutual flying with another FI applicant to practice flight demonstrations
  • 125 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 40 hours tuition
  • 78 hours teaching practice
  • Final Skill Test with a Flight Instructor Examiner, comprising ground lectures and an airborne flight test.

As a qualified Airline pilot you will fly passengers and/or cargo on long or short-haul flights. As a general rule, the aircraft that you will pilot is operated by two pilots. The first pilot will be the captain who has overall command of the aircraft, while the other pilot carries out a supporting role and will normally be referred to as the first officer. In order to avoid fatigue and tiredness the two pilots will share the flying of the aircraft. Whilst one of the pilots is controlling the aircraft the other one will be completing logs and paperwork and also be communicating with air traffic control. The captain has the overall responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft including crew and passengers.

Pass the Airline Pilot Selection Process. First Time.

Crafted for everyone, no matter your skill level or background, this guide was made to help you achieve one goal: become an airline pilot.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

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Pass the Airline Pilot Selection Process. First Time.

Crafted for everyone, no matter your skill level or background, these resources were made to help you achieve one goal: become an airline pilot.

Customer Success Stories

Having helped 100s of aspiring airline pilots for over 16 years, it is no wonder our customers love us…

“I’m just at the beginning of my aviation career, and this has given me the help and direction I need!” – How2Become customer

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“I found this guide very informative and easy to read. The guide contains useful advice that could help many prospective airline pilots save lots of time and money.” – How2Become customer

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“This is the stuff you really need to know! Packed with superb tips and resources throughout.” – How2Become customer

“Yet again I got the job with how2become. This is the 2nd time I have used How2Become and the 2nd time I have got the job…” – C. H. – Trustpilot

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WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR CAREER PACK?

Complete guidance to ensure you pass the ENTIRE Airline Pilot recruitment process

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Insider advice on how to complete the application form, including sample questions and answers

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Previously successful application form responses that you can use to develop your own winning application

Revealed – avoid the common pitfalls that most applicants make

How you will be assessed Icon

Discover exactly how you are assessed throughout the entire selection process (hint: understanding this will allow you to know exactly how the assessors want you to act at every stage)

A complete breakdown of the airline pilot tests and how you MUST prepare if you wish to succeed

Sample Airline Pilot interview questions and guidance on how to answer each one of them for the interview

The importance of ensuring you meet the minimum eligibility requirements (and understanding the role of an airline pilot – hint: you will need to demonstrate this!)

Time-saving strategies and score-boosting methods verified by our panel of recruitment experts

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How to get fit and be able to pass the fitness test and medical test

FREE BONUS!

FREE BONUS

150-Page Interview Skills Insider’s Guide

FOR A LIMITED PERIOD ONLY we are able to give you our powerful 150+ page ‘Interview Skills’ online resource free of charge.  It is the perfect guide to help you prepare for the tough airline pilot interview!

Interview Skilss | Sample Interview Questions and Answers Guide How2Become
  • All of the most common (and not so common) interview questions you are likely to face, broken down.
  • Full and detailed answers to every question – ensure you always have the perfect answer!
  • How to use the STAR method to come up with your own winning answers that match the experience, values, and skills the interview assessor is looking for.
  • Created by interview panel experts and packed full of insider advice.

Important: This insider’s guide cannot be purchased individually anywhere else and is exclusively available as a limited-time bonus!

Worth £9.99, Yours FREE

Contents

120-page How to Become an Airline Pilot Online Guide (Lifetime access)

110-page Airline Interview Preparation Online Workbook (Lifetime access)

130-page Speed, Distance and Time Tests Online Workbook (Lifetime access)

100-page Fuel Calculation Tests Online Workbook (Lifetime access)

150-page Interview Skills Online Guide (Lifetime access)

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Features

You don’t just get advice on what to do. We will show you exactly how to pass the Airline Pilot recruitment process.

Airline Pilot Recruitment Guide Features

Your 120-Page Guide To Success.

Our best-selling guide in a compact, accessible, online format to hold your hand throughout the entire airline pilot selection process.

Created By Experts. Made For You.

With over 16 years of history behind us, we are the leaders in airline pilot recruitment advice. So whether you want to understand the scoring criteria, learn what must go on your application form, recognise what not to say at the interview, or practice and pass the recruitment tests, you can access it all at your finger tips, today.

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✓ SILVER Access to the UK’s No.1 Airline Pilot Career Guide and Bonuses
✓ Fully up-to-date for the 2024 selection process!
✓ 120-page How to Become an Airline Pilot Online Guide (Lifetime access)
110-page Airline Interview Preparation Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
130-page Speed, Distance and Time Tests Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
100-page Fuel Calculation Tests Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
✓ 150-page Interview Skills Online Guide (Lifetime access)
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✓ GOLD Access to the UK’s No.1 Airline Pilot Career Guide and Bonuses
✓ Fully up-to-date for the 2024 selection process!
✓ 120-page How to Become an Airline Pilot Online Guide (Lifetime access)
✓ 110-page Airline Interview Preparation Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
130-page Speed, Distance and Time Tests Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
100-page Fuel Calculation Tests Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
✓ 150-page Interview Skills Online Guide (Lifetime access)
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions

Simply put, this training works and is proven to help people like you to successfully become an airline pilot. As a lifetime access Airline Pilot guide member, you will not only benefit from our flagship 120-page ‘How to Become an Airline Pilot’ guide (which has sold 1,000s of copies) but you’ll also get access to a dynamic portal of content that we update frequently with all the very latest information, practice material, and strategies that are helping people across the UK airline pilots. With 1,000s of customers frequently thanking us for the career success we have helped them gain, and 16 years’ experience in providing recruitment and assessment centre training, you can rest assured knowing you are getting the best pilot training material on the market.

This resource is to designed to help anyone looking to become an airline pilot and conquer the gruelling selection process.

It is ideal for those just staring out at the application stage, who want an “over-the-shoulder” guide to passing each stage of the process.

If you have already begun the selection process, then you’ll be able to pick up this guide from the exact stage you are at and follow the step-by-step guidance to passing the entrance tests, the interview process and more with confidence.

Whatever stage of the process you are at, you can be confident you’ll have all the strategies and tools you need to succeed.

Yes! With the Airline Pilot careers guide you will be able to access training that has been helping applicants successfully become airline pilots for over a decade.

At How2Become.com we like to do things a little differently. Instead of just giving you access to guides which explain how the selection process works, and what you need to do to pass, we teach you HOW to do it also. For example, we don’t just provide you with sample interview questions, we provide winning sample responses and step-by-step guidance on how to create your own successful answers. Whether you are thinking about applying, or you are half way through the selection process, this guide will ‘hold your hand’ step-by-step. Here is a full list of everything you will get within this resource.

You will get unlimited access to all of the content contained within these resources with no time restrictions! We understand that applying to the prison service can be a long and stressful experience, that is why we want to take away that worry – you will get access whenever you need, whether it’s just for a week, or for a year, you will have full access to the ‘How to Become a Prison Officer’ resource whenever you need it. You will also have access to all future updates we make to this guide, ensuring you are getting the latest guidance.

When we launched How2Become.com we wanted to ensure our content would help as many people as possible no matter where they are, and we are achieving just that! We sell our resources to every country in the world, with 1000s of customers in the USA, UK, India, Australia, Africa and more! All of our content is either written or spoken in English, with the content designed to be as universal as possible unless otherwise stated. Our ‘How to Become a Prison Officer’ guide is designed specifically for the UK prison service.

Whichever option you choose, you can be confident you are getting the latest and highest quality training to become an airline pilot. All packages contain our flagship 120-page airline pilot guide, plus the bonuses listed on this page.

In addition to the above the Gold package contains our airline interview preparation workbook.

The Platinum package contains all of the above plus our Speed, Distance and Time tests online workbook and Fuel Calculations tests online workbook.

As soon as your order is complete you will be able to access all of the guides, training resources via your How2Become account! You can use any smart phone, PC, Mac, or tablet to access your materials.

Yes, absolutely! We get 100s of testimonials and comments each month from those that have used our training, thanking us for the help it has given them.

Having created recruitment guides for the last 16 years, we know how often selection processes change. That is why we keep close ties to those “in the know” and we regularly update our content. You will get the latest and best strategies to enable you to become an Airline Pilot.

WHY BUY WITH HOW2BECOME?

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Firstly, these guides are created by us and our team of experts – we have all the answers to your questions and will help you succeed (like we’ve been doing for the last 16 years), we update our material frequently and you can contact us at any time with any questions you have.

Secondly, we provide exclusive bonuses with all our products that you won’t find anywhere else. These bonuses include free guides, powerful online testing suites and more!

Finally, our guides and training just work. Take a look at our TrustPilot page where you will see our rating of 4.9/5. There, our customers share their positive buying experiences and more importantly the time-saving success our resources have given them.

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