✈️ How to Become a Pilot in the U.S.: The Complete 2025 Step-By-Step Guide
- ATA Flight School
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Becoming a pilot is one of the most rewarding paths you can pursue, professionally or personally. Whether your goal is to fly recreationally on weekends or build a career with a major airline, the steps to get there can feel confusing at first. The truth is, the process is very achievable when broken down into clear stages, and thousands of new pilots earn their wings every year.
This guide walks you through exactly how to become a pilot in the United States in 2025, the licenses you’ll need, the training timeline, costs, FAA requirements, and what to expect at each stage. It is written with the insight of active flight instructors and based on real student experiences in South Florida’s training environment.
1. Understand the Different Pilot Pathways
Before you begin, you should understand the major types of pilot licenses and where they lead. There isn’t just one “pilot license”, there are several, each unlocking new privileges.
Student Pilot Certificate
The first credential every aspiring pilot obtains
Allows you to solo once your instructor endorses you
No flying passengers
The most common starting point
Allows you to fly for personal use, day/night, almost anywhere
Cannot be paid to fly
Required before almost any advanced training
Allows flying through clouds, low visibility, and IFR conditions
Essential for safety and professional flying
Allows you to be paid as a pilot
Required for jobs such as cargo, tour flying, corporate, etc.
The most common way pilots build hours
CFI → CFII → MEI progression
Fastest and most affordable path to the airlines
Required to fly for airlines
Minimum 1,500 total hours (exceptions apply)
The typical pathway looks like this:
PPL → IR → CPL → CFI → 1,500 Hours → Airline
Before your first solo and ideally before serious training, you must obtain an FAA Medical Certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
Medical Classes
Class 3 — required for Private Pilot
Class 2 — for Commercial Pilots
Class 1 — required for airline pilots
Most students start with Class 1 or Class 2 to avoid surprises later.
What the exam checks:
Vision and hearing
Cardiovascular health
Mental health history
Medications
General physical condition
You can find local AMEs through the FAA database.
A discovery flight is a short introductory lesson where you actually take the controls under supervision. It serves several purposes:
Confirms whether flying feels right for you
Helps you understand the training environment
Allows you to meet instructors and tour the school
Gives a taste of what aviation learning feels like
Most schools apply the cost of the discovery flight toward future training if you enroll.
These refer to FAA training structures.
Part 61
More flexible scheduling
Great for busy adults
Perfectly valid for all licenses
Part 141
More structured curriculum
FAA-approved syllabus
Allows international students under M-1 visas
Slightly lower hour requirements for some ratings
Most students succeed under either, but 141 can provide more predictable pacing if you want a faster timeline.
Your first major milestone is the Private Pilot License.
PPL Requirements
Minimum 40 hours flight time (realistic average: 55–70)
FAA written exam
Oral exam
Checkride (flight test)
Training Breakdown
A well-structured program includes:
Ground Training
Aerodynamics
Weather theory
Navigation
Regulations
Airspace
Aircraft systems
You can complete this in-person or online, but having instructor support greatly speeds up mastery.
Flight Training
Includes:
Pre-flight inspection
Basic maneuvers
Takeoffs and landings
Slow flight
Stalls
Navigation
Emergency procedures
Solo flights
Cross-country flights
How Long Does PPL Take?
In South Florida’s optimal weather: 1-2 months full-time or 2-6 months part-time.
6. Pass the FAA Written Exam
The written test is a 60-question multiple-choice exam administered at an FAA testing center. Most students finish it halfway through their PPL training.
Study resources include:
FAA handbooks
Ground school courses
Instructor-led classes
Test prep banks
Scoring 70% or higher passes you, but most flight schools encourage aiming for 85%+.
7. Solo Flight — Your First Major Milestone
Once your instructor verifies your skills and judgment, you’ll perform your first solo flight. This moment is life-changing.
You must demonstrate competence in:
Takeoff and landing control
Pattern management
Safety procedures
Emergency handling
Your instructor endorses your logbook, and you’re cleared to fly alone within defined parameters.
8. Complete Cross-Country Training
You’ll complete several flights to other airports, including a long cross-country of at least 150 nautical miles. This builds navigation skills and confidence.
Topics you’ll master:
Flight planning
Weather interpretation
Fuel calculations
Radio communication
Diversion planning
9. Pass Your Checkride
The checkride includes:
Oral exam
Flight test
The examiner evaluates your:
Knowledge
Judgment
Procedures
Maneuvers
Safety
Upon passing, you officially become a Private Pilot.
10. Move On to Advanced Ratings
If your goal is a career in aviation, your next steps are:
Teaches you to fly in low visibility and solely by reference to instruments.
You’ll learn:
IFR navigation
Approaches
Holds
ATC communication
Weather interpretation
This rating dramatically increases safety and employability.
Enables you to get paid to fly.
Requirements:
250 total hours (Part 61)
190 hours (Part 141)
Advanced maneuvers
Long cross-country flights
Complex or technologically advanced aircraft (TAA)
The fastest way to build hours to reach the 1,500-hour ATP requirement.
CFIs typically gain:
600–1,000 hours per year
Professional communication skills
Deep mastery of aviation concepts
This step is both financially smart and professionally strategic.
Once you reach 1,500 hours, you can sit for the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) exam and apply to regional airlines. Many pilots achieve this within 18–30 months after earning their CPL through CFI work alone.
Some alternative hour-building options:
Banner towing
Pipeline patrol
Aerial mapping
Sightseeing tours
Ferry flights
Right-seat safety pilot work
12. How Long Does the Full Journey Take?
Depending on your pace and commitment:
Recreational Pilot: 1–4 months
Career Pilot (CPL): 10–16 months
Airline Pilot (ATP eligible): 2–3 years
South Florida’s weather and airspace allow training to move faster than in much of the country.
Approximate ranges (varies by school):
License | Estimated Cost |
PPL | $6,990-$9,400 |
Instrument Rating | $6,990-$9,975 |
Commercial License | $7,350-$11,600 |
CFI/CFII | $3,000-$5,000 |
Total investment from zero to CPL is typically $40,000–$65,000.
14. Common Misconceptions About Becoming a Pilot
“I need perfect vision.”
False — glasses and contacts are generally allowed.
“I need a college degree.”
False — recommended but not required for regional airlines.
“Training takes many years.”
False — with consistent scheduling and good weather, you can progress quickly.
“Flying is unsafe.”
False — general aviation is highly regulated, and modern training is extremely structured.
15. Tips for Succeeding as a New Student Pilot
Fly 2–4 times per week to maintain muscle memory
Study a small amount daily
Use flight simulators for practice
Stay ahead on weather and navigation knowledge
Keep a positive mindset — everyone struggles at first
Ask instructors questions early and often
Success is about consistency, not talent.
16. Is Becoming a Pilot Worth It?
Absolutely, if flying excites you, the lifestyle and career opportunities are unmatched.
Pilot careers offer:
Competitive pay
Travel benefits
Job security
A respected professional identity
A lifelong skill set
Even recreational pilots describe flying as the single greatest joy of their life.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a pilot is a structured, well-defined process. With the right flight school, supportive instructors, and consistent training, students progress faster than they expect. What seems intimidating at first becomes second nature after just a few weeks of hands-on experience.
If you’re ready to explore aviation seriously, your next step is simple:
👉 Schedule a discovery flight👉 Speak with an instructor👉 Tour the aircraft and facility
Everything starts with that first small step into the cockpit.