Approximately 60 percent of those who earn a student pilot certificate never earn a higher pilot certificate (e.g., private, recreational, or sport). And many more drop out before ever obtaining a student pilot certificate—placing the overall dropout rate at an estimated 70 to 80 percent.
Prepared pilots are more likely to pass. In 2021, FAA data showed that 78% of all PPL pilots passed on their first attempt. In that same year, 79.5% of pilots passed their commercial pilot checkride, and the pass rate for CFI checkrides was 77.9%.
The FAA official numbers, which compares the number of student pilot certificates issued against the number of private pilot certificates issued, puts the number of successful students at 44%.
Although fatalities are uncommon, commercial pilots experience one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities of all occupations.
In any case, the position is a rare privilege in the US, with commercial pilots accounting for just 0.05% of the population. With this in mind, how exactly can you join this rare club? Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.
You can hold a commercial pilot certificate as young as 18 years old, but most airlines require applicants be at least 21 years old, which is a prerequisite for the Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
Being a pilot can be stressful at times. It requires immense concentration, quick decision-making, and a lot of patience. A pilot is responsible for the well-being of all crew members and passengers on board, and they sometimes have to fly under unpredictable conditions.
As a result, many pilots fly with incomplete understanding and control, sometimes contributing to our LOC-I statistics. These early flight lessons are where an educator has the greatest opportunity to make a difference and move the needle on safety, but it is also the hardest job in aviation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median U.S. pilot salary at $211,790 in 2022. This means 50% of pilots earn more than this, and 50% earn less. However, there are pilots working for major airlines making more than $700,000 per year.
These surveys revealed that well over 50% of the surveyed pilots experience fatigue as impairing their ability to perform well while on flight duty.
To be able to enter a pilot course it is necessary to have the high school education or higher. It is not necessary to have specific courses or conduct entrance exams, but knowledge in the areas is always an asset. The pilot course is demanding and requires a lot of dedication from the students.
Sadly, this is very common. According to research done by aviation advocacy groups such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the National Association of Flight Instructors, and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, the dropout rate for learner pilots is around 80 percent.
The team conducted a survey of more than 1,000 pilots worldwide in 2019 and found that 18% had moderate depression and 80% moderate burnout.
In general, most student pilots take two or three flight lessons a week (about an hour of flight time each). That means, if they consistently stick to that schedule, they will reach the 65 hour average in about 26 weeks, or a little over six months.
By far the most popular reason that people don't fly is lack of money. Flying is expensive, and many become overwhelmed with the idea of spending so much money, or just can't see how they'll pay for it all. But there are ways to fund flight training, including scholarships, loans and other various financing programs.
There are many reasons why becoming a pilot is worth it. For starters, it's a career that offers great freedom and flexibility. Pilots can travel all around the world and experience different cultures, climates, and landscapes.
Once a pilot is working for an airline, their life is sure to include significant time away from family and friends. This includes holidays, which can be some of an airline's busiest times for transporting passengers, which translates into a higher demand for pilots to operate those flights.
“The ups and downs are constant, and we fly at all different times of the day,” Deitz says. “It's a stress on your body.” Takeoff and landing are the trickiest parts of a given flight, requiring all of a pilot's attention and mental energy. Heart rate increases during those windows, studies show.
Security lines, lost baggage and delayed flights are some of the reasons travelers say they find hopping a plane is more stressful than going to their day job, according to a recent survey. “It's just not a routine most people are comfortable with,” said Melanie Lieberman, senior travel editor at The Points Guy.
Being an air traffic controller is an extremely high-stress job, with workers responsible for the movement and direction of thousands of lives onboard commercial and general aviation aircraft every day.
Or do they age more quickly, since they're subject to less gravity? Scientists have done the math, and it turns out that frequent fliers actually age the tiniest bit more quickly than people with both feet on the ground. But not to worry, the difference is so small, you don't have to worry about extra wrinkles.
In this interval, the pilot data show an 18.6 percent deviation from the general rate. From these data, we can con- clude that the average age at death of pilots is about 61. The average age at death of the gen- eral male population in the 50-74 age group is approximately 63.
Excitement. Many people choose to become pilots because it can be an exciting experience. Some people may enjoy the feeling of being in control of an airplane and getting to see the world from above.