How to Get Your Ratings
- Private Pilot (PPL)
- Instrument
- Commercial
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
- Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII).
- Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI).
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Schools - Part 61 and Part 141
Civilian Flight Training
To be hired as a regional airline pilot you must have an Airline Transport Rating (ATP ) Certificate from the FAA. FAA Part 61 requires 1500 hours or you can get an R-ATP if you attend an FAA Part 141 School.
There are many different pathways to accomplishing that:
- Colleges or universities
- Local airports with a local flight school or fixed base operator
- Dedicated training centers
The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are separated into different parts.
The site below has a good summary of the differences between Part 61 and PART 141 which refer to different types of flight training environments.
Scholarships
Getting your flight ratings is very expensive, but there are more than 1 million dollars in scholarship money to help you achieve your dreams.
Flight Training and Post-Secondary Scholarships
EAA invites those who are interested in pursuing flight or a career in aviation or aviation-related/STEM fields. We encourage individuals who are well-rounded, involved in their school or community, and interested in the world of aviation to apply for an EAA Scholarship.
Scholarship awards are a major benefit of membership in Women in Aviation International and help members reach their goals and advance into the aviation and aerospace careers they have always dreamed about. Scholarships include funding to further members' interests in aerospace engineering, aviation maintenance, flight training, helicopter ratings, dispatch, and professional development.
10 tips for a winning scholarship application.
The Daedalian Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Order of Daedalians. A 501(c)(3) organization, the main purpose of the organization is to inspire young Americans to pursue careers as military aviators, via college scholarships, flying instruction and other educational opportunities. We support students who have demonstrated the desire and potential to become a commissioned military aviator (pilot, navigator, combat systems officer, Naval flight officer, air battle manager, astronaut, RPA pilot, or flight surgeon).
The Ashton Johnson Memorial CloudDancer Scholarship is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on serving veterans who want to pursue a career in aviation. Our primary goal is to empower veterans to pursue aviation as a post-military career. In remembrance of Ashton Johnson and his dream of obtaining his private pilots license, scholarships awards will be available for veterans to obtain their private pilots license.
Military
If you join the military, you have many different ways to get your flight ratings.
- Go to an Academy -get a $400,000 education for free
- Join ROTC - go to the college of your choice on the taxpayer's dime
- Join the National Guard - serve concurrently and get your seniority number started with the airlines and fly part-time for the Guard
Military Flight Ratings are different than FAA flight ratings but can be converted. The time flight requirement towards the FAA ATP is reduced.
Along with many other requirements, the AFOQT is a test you will need to take to determine if you are eligible for a pilot slot.