Commercial Pilots Licenses Needed To Earn An Income As A Pilot

What Licenses Do I Need To Earn An Income As A Pilot?
Ask which careers are the most rewarding and lucrative and somebody will definitely pop in commercial pilot as the answer. Well, no doubt it is rewarding and lucrative, but do not disregard that in order to become one, you have to be extremely serious and passionate about it. Becoming a pilot is never a career you just can master overnight. It takes a lot of hard work and skills to become one, and definitely a long period of training time before you are all set to fly high to reach your dreams.
Basically, the licenses you need depend on what flying career you wish to pursue.
First of all, there are general prerequisites that you should be able to meet before you can start the program. The minimum age to take flying lessons is 17 for most countries. {Some countries you can start at 16}
In some countries like India, a completed 10+2 level or equivalent with Mathematics and Physics subjects are compulsory. Physical fitness is also mandatory. There are specific authorized medical examiners who perform physical examination and where you obtain your medical certificates. And obviously, you have to have good vision. One eye should be a perfect 6/6 while the other can go imperfect up to 6/9 but still correctable to 6/6. Most countries require you to perform an English Comprehension test.
In some countries, trainees are required to appear for oral and written aptitude and theory examinations on Aviation and Regulations.
After passing mentioned requirements, one can apply for the Student Pilot License (SPL). The next step is to attain the Private Pilot License (PPL).
The Private Pilot License (PPL) enables you to fly small aircraft and carry passengers with you, but you do not receive payment (and cannot charge for it). In the United States, almost all flying jobs require an associate or bachelor degree which doesn't have to be aviation related so the aspiring pilot completes one before they start the private pilot training.
From the SPL, the trainee will be given a chance to finally fly. At first, the flying lessons are conducted with the instructor accompanying you but after about 10-15 hours of dual flying, you can get to fly solo! The average flight time required to obtain a PPL is around 60 hours; at least 35 hours of dual, 20 hours of solo, and 5 hours of cross-country flying. Again, you still need to get a medical fitness certificate and pass the ground examinations.

If you wish to be an airline pilot and earn a living from it, you have to continue training to get your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and instrument ratings. To become a co-pilot, you will need some 250 hours total of flying time; 150 hours solo, 25 hours cross-country, 10 hours instrument flying, and 5 hours of flying at night. Aside from the theoretical exams and papers, you may need to obtain your flight radio operators license and radio telephone license. Bear in mind you will need to meet the requirements for an Airline Transport Transport Licence to fly larger aircraft. This requires additional theory exams.
To work as captain or even higher positions, you may consider additional licences or ratings. To hold an ATP you will need to complete another Aviation exams.
To enhance your employment opportunities, you may consider completing the Certified Flight Instructor Rating (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instruments (CFII), Multi-Engines Instructor (MEI) ratings and complete a clock total of 1,500 flying hours to obtain the Airline Transport Pilot's License which is the highest aviation license available.
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