Airline Career Flight School

Ready For a Career as an Airline Pilot?

Choose Your Starting Point

Routes to Become a Career Airline Pilot

Becoming an airline pilot is a road that starts with getting your Private, Instrument and Commercial Pilot ratings. Once completed with these ratings students typically have 250 - 300 of total flight time. The requirement to fly "jets" is 1500 total hours.... how do you get there?

Our accelerated path to Southern is one way and the other is becoming a Certified Flight Instructor. JA Flight Training offers all Instructor ratings and hires our Instructors from from within.

Airline Pilot Salary:
How Much Do Pilots Make?

In the United States, the average annual salary for pilots is approximately $105,928, although this figure can significantly vary depending on factors such as experience, the type of aircraft they operate, and the airline they work for. To illustrate, pilots employed by major airlines like Southwest and Delta may earn as much as $549,000 and $526,000, respectively.

The median salary for U.S. pilots in 2022 stood at $211,790, indicating that half of all pilots earned more than this amount while the other half earned less. Some pilots at major airlines even commanded salaries exceeding $700,000 annually.

It's important to note that these income figures can fluctuate based on a range of factors.

Requirements To Become an Airline Pilot

To become an airline pilot, you must first enroll in a school certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). You will start by obtaining a private pilot's license and progress to a commercial license while also earning instrument and multi-engine ratings. This requires both ground schooling and many hours of flight time with an instructor.

Once you obtain your commercial license, you can begin flying for paid positions in industries such as agriculture and tourism while working toward your final rating, which allows you to fly for commercial airlines. For those with no prior experience, this process typically takes about two years to complete. However, accelerated programs are available for individuals who already hold a pilot's license.

While a bachelor's degree is not mandatory to become an airline pilot, having one may make you a more competitive candidate. The expectations for pilots vary between airlines, with some requiring more experience as a commercial pilot than others.

How To Choose the Right Flight School

Selecting the right flight school is crucial for your journey toward becoming a professional pilot, as it lays the foundation for your career. If you're exploring flight schools in Illinois, J.A. Flight Training, conveniently located in Sugar Grove, not far from Downers Grove, IL, stands out as an excellent choice for aspiring airline pilots.

At J.A. Flight Training, we take immense pride in our exceptional instructors and a variety of financial options, ensuring you have all the resources necessary to pursue your dream of a professional flying career. We also strive to connect our graduates with job opportunities immediately after completing their training. Whether you aim to earn a bachelor's degree while training to become a pilot or are seeking guaranteed employment upon graduation, we offer a program tailored to your specific needs.

Google Reviews

Achieving and maintaining a consistent record of 5-star reviews demonstrates the school's dedication to delivering top-notch aviation education and creating a supportive environment for students to thrive. 

Love training at Ja flight training. Great people and the best instructors. The airplanes are very well maintained, highly recommend.

Faisal Sweiss