How to become a pilot: steps, cost and timeline
Whether you want to fly for fun or fly for an airline, every US pilot follows the same ladder of FAA certificates. Here is each step, what it costs, and how long it usually takes.
Updated October 2026
The quick version
| Goal | What you need | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fly for fun | Private pilot certificate | About $14,000 to $22,000 |
| Get paid to fly | Commercial pilot certificate (usually with an instrument rating) | Roughly $45,000 to $70,000 from zero |
| Fly for an airline | Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, 1,500 hours | About $85,000 to $130,000 from zero |
| Fly drones for work | Part 107 remote pilot certificate | The FAA test fee plus study materials |
You are not alone: the FAA counted a record 370,286 student pilots at the end of 2025, nearly three times the number in 2016.
Step by step, from zero to airline
- Get an FAA medical certificate. If an airline career is the goal, get a first class medical before you spend money on training, so you know you qualify. Airline pilots need a first class medical.
- Get a student pilot certificate through your flight school or instructor (you must be 16 to fly solo in an airplane).
- Private pilot certificate. At least 40 hours of flight time under Part 61 (most people need more), the FAA knowledge test, and a checkride. You must be 17. Start studying with our free FAA written test questions.
- Instrument rating. Teaches you to fly in clouds by reference to instruments: 40 hours of instrument time and 50 hours of cross country time as pilot in command.
- Commercial pilot certificate. 250 hours total time and age 18. This is the first certificate that lets you be paid to fly.
- Flight instructor (CFI). Most pilots build hours toward airline minimums by teaching, which also sharpens your own flying.
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).Normally 1,500 hours and age 23. A restricted ATP is available with 750 hours for military pilots, 1,000 hours with a qualifying aviation bachelor's degree, or 1,250 hours with a qualifying associate degree.
How long does it take?
A full time student at an accelerated school can reach commercial pilot and CFI in about a year. Building to 1,500 hours as an instructor usually takes another one to two years, so two to four years from zero to airline is common. Part time students take longer but can keep working while they train.
How people pay for it
- Flight training loans offered through many large flight schools.
- Scholarships from organizations like AOPA, Women in Aviation International, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) and many local flying clubs.
- The GI Bill can cover approved training for eligible veterans.
- Airline pathway programs that offer tuition help or a conditional job offer in exchange for a commitment.
Not ready for the full path?
The Part 107 drone certificate takes one knowledge test and no flight hours, and it lets you fly drones for work. Try our Part 107 practice questions. If you mainly want to fly for fun, see how BasicMed can replace a traditional medical once you are certificated.