Educational only. Confirm this with your CFI (certified flight instructor), an AME (aviation medical examiner), and each program. We are not the FAA, a flight school, or an airline. Full disclaimer

Grease the JourneyGrease the Journey: the smooth path from zero hours to airline pilot.
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Milestones

Work top to bottom. The quiz can move a cadet application earlier when a program stops at a private certificate.

Before you spend

  1. 1. FAA First-Class Medical

    Get this FIRST. Ascend and JetBlue require it just to apply, and a medical problem found after you've paid for lessons is costly. If you… Show more

    Get this FIRST. Ascend and JetBlue require it just to apply, and a medical problem found after you've paid for lessons is costly. If you have ADHD, anxiety, medications, or other history, talk to an AME before booking the exam.

  2. 2. Discovery flight

    A cheap first lesson to confirm you love it before committing tens of thousands.

  3. 3. Passport & FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit

    Most cadet programs require a passport; several (Delta, PSA, Frontier) want the FCC permit.

  4. 4. Pick your path & financing

    Cadet program vs. independent; Part 61 vs. 141; degree or not. Use the Programs and Financing tabs.

Private Pilot

  1. 5. Student Pilot Certificate

    Required before you solo. Your CFI or school submits it through IACRA.

  2. 6. Private Pilot knowledge test (PAR)

    The written test. Ground school helps.

  3. 7. First solo

    Big confidence milestone.

  4. 8. Private Pilot certificate

    Your first license. Many cadet programs (Southwest, JetBlue, Ascend) require you NOT to go past this before applying.

Instrument

  1. 9. Instrument rating

    Fly in clouds by reference to instruments. Needed for every airline job.

Commercial

  1. 10. Commercial Pilot certificate (single-engine)

    You can be paid to fly. United Aviate and SkyWest Pathway eligibility starts around here.

  2. 11. Multi-engine rating (commercial)

    Required by Piedmont's cadet program and every airline.

Instructor

  1. 12. CFI (Certified Flight Instructor)

    The usual paid way to build hours. Delta Propel requires you to be actively instructing.

  2. 13. CFII (Instrument Instructor)

    Envoy's Cadet Instructor stage and most schools want it.

  3. 14. MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor)

    Lets you teach in twins and log valuable multi time.

Hour building

  1. 15. Join a regional cadet program

    Envoy/PSA (with a private license), Piedmont (at 500 hrs). Gets you bonuses, a paid ATP-CTP, and a no-interview class seat.

  2. 16. Reach Restricted ATP or full ATP minimums

    1,500 hrs for full ATP; R-ATP at 1,000 (aviation bachelor's), 1,250 (associate's/partial), or 750 (military).

Airline ready

  1. 17. ATP CTP course

    Required before the ATP Multi-Engine written. Envoy, PSA, Piedmont, Frontier pay for it for their cadets.

  2. 18. ATP Multi-Engine knowledge test (ATM)

    Take within 60 months of your ATP checkride.

  3. 19. Airline application & interview

    Update your logbook, resume, and PRD record. Cadets often skip this interview.

  4. 20. ATP certificate & First Officer!

    Usually earned with your type rating during airline training. You made it.