Airline Pilot how-to

How to Build Flight Hours Toward the ATP

Hours are the biggest hurdle.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Hours are the biggest hurdle. In short: earn; teach; fly, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Earn a CFI.

  2. Teach students.

  3. Fly charter or banner tow.

  4. Log every hour.

  5. Get multi-engine time.

  6. Apply to cadet programs.

Safety reminders for airline pilots

  • Follow checklists
  • Respect fatigue rules
  • Maintain medical fitness
  • Use CRM

ATP · First officer · Captain · Type rating · ATC · IFR: see the full airline pilot glossary.

More airline pilot how-to guides

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