Which pilot license is best?

The airline transport pilot (ATP) is the most advanced pilot certificate one can obtain, and it's necessary for those who want to fly commercial airliners for a living. All commercial airlines now require a pilot applicant to have an ATP certificate.



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For instance, Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $222,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $205,000. The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000.

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Traditionally a pilot at a regional airline might start out earning less than $50,000 per year, but get hired on by a major airline and that goes up quickly into the six figures, and well over $300,000 for senior captains flying widebody aircraft overseas. Some earn over $400,000.

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No particular age is considered the “best” age to become a pilot. In the U.S., you can earn a student pilot certificate beginning at age 16, a private pilot certificate at age 17, and commercial pilot at age 18 — but these are minimums, not maximums!

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A first officer, who helps the captain navigate, has a starting wage of $64.92 per hour, going as high as $156.09 after 10 years. Captains start at $158.45 per hour and go up to $258.30 per hour after 11 years. If they are flying the larger planes, those on the 737 top out at $222.51 per hour after 11 years.

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To work in the U.S., Canadian pilots must have a high level of experience and be sponsored by an American employer.

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Job security and remuneration
In terms of job security, becoming a pilot is a very safe bet. With the world's ever-growing population, the demand for air travel will only increase. As a result, pilots will always have a job to go back to. According to the Boeing market outlook, by 2041, Europe will need 449,000 pilots.

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  • Long and sometimes unpredictable hours. Pilots work different numbers of hours depending on several factors. ...
  • Training. You need a lot of training to be a pilot. ...
  • Flight school and training can be expensive. ...
  • Stress of the job.


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Some 80% of student pilots voluntarily withdraw from training before gaining even a basic pilot licence, according to a study conducted for the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

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