Airline Pilot onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: ATP certificate, First-class medical (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: flight management systems; autopilot; electronic flight bags; radios
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Airline Pilot training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Follow checklists
Respect fatigue rules
Maintain medical fitness
Use CRM
Shadow an experienced airline pilot through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: build flight hours toward the ATP
Supervised practice: prepare for an airline interview
Supervised practice: use crew resource management on the flight deck
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Plan flights: independently
Inspect aircraft: independently
Fly aircraft: independently
Communicate with ATC: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, ATP certificate)
Discuss the career path: Flight Instructor → Regional First Officer → Major Airline First Officer
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Build Flight Hours Toward the ATP
Prepare for an Airline Interview
Use Crew Resource Management on the Flight Deck
Aircraft operation
Navigation
Weather
ATC communication

How to measure onboarding success

Units per hour or stops per day versus target
Pick, scan or delivery accuracy
Incidents and equipment damage
30- and 90-day retention

How Airline Pilot training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Airline Pilot Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Airline Pilot Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Airline Pilot Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Airline Pilot Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)