In this article, you will be getting to know some of the qualifications you need to be a pilot, and a perfect one at that. Nurturing one’s career can be compared to taking care of a baby from infant.
All an infant needs are what a person’s career needs. And, each specific field demands unique abilities, focus, strength and power. Hence, there are some qualifications or qualities which anyone must have before you think you can become it.
Becoming a pilot can also be some difficult venture that you will have to be intentional about. Else, if you don’t take many of the few important things that you may need to add to the process seriously, you might not end up landing the job or building the career to its acceptable maturity stage.
The aviation industry is a very lucrative industry as it has various specializations, some of which are those who fly jets, or war planes, etc. In this very professional field, one can either be an aircraft pilot or aviator who on the other hand is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls.
Annually, due to the indispensability of the career status of pilots in the modern world, there will always be a constant need for them. For instance, there were 290,000 airline pilots in the world in 2017 and aircraft simulator manufacturer CAE Inc. forecasts a need for 255,000 new ones for a population of 440,000 by 2027, 150,000 for growth and 105,000 to offset retirement and attrition : 90,000 in Asia-Pacific (average pilot age in 2016: 45.8 years), 85,000 in Americas (48 years), 50,000 in Europe (43.7 years) and 30,000 in Middle East & Africa (45.7 years).
To therefore become a pilot and be a successful one at that, below are the qualifications you need to be a pilot anywhere you find yourself in the globe:
- You must be at least 15 years old to go solo and 17 years old before you can obtain your Private Pilot License
- You need to have a Student Pilot License which requires you to be at least 16 years old, pass relevant exams, obtain a medical certificate clearing you to fly, get an endorsement from a licensed flight instructor and be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
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- A minimum of a Class 2 medical certificate obtained from an approved aviation medical examiner. We can assist you in making the relevant appointments
- Must pass all theoretical SACAA exams
- Meet the English Language Proficiency standards
The Commercial Pilot License allows you to enter the commercial world of aviation. You will be able to carry passengers or cargo across the globe.
- You need to be at least 18 years old
- Valid Private Pilot Licence
- Valid Night Rating
- Total of 200 hours of flight time (CPL)
- Class 1 medical certificate
- Meet the English Language Proficiency standards
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Multi-Crew Pilot Licence
This is a new concept and restricts pilots to working for a particular airline and a particular type of aircraft. BALPA does not recommend this route unless you have a clear job offer once you finish your training. The training can take less time but your options are much more restricted.
Others Are:
- Completed secondary education: budding pilots are required to have completed secondary education (high school), ideally achieving a pass in English, mathematics and physics at GCSE.
- Medical certification: you’ll need an examination to test your hearing, eyesight, coordination, and overall health. Upon successful completion, you will receive a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate. All pilots are required to have this certificate throughout their flying careers.
