How To Become A Pilot Or Airline Pilot
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Becoming A Pilot - Your Guide To a Career In Aviation
Founded in 2021, Beyond Aviation has quickly become Southern New Jersey’s leading aviation school. With decades of military, airline, and general aviation flying experience, it is a leader in its field.
Over the past few years of operation, the school has trained pilots entering the Air Force and various college ROTC programs, as well as active military personnel and veterans. Our program is also an excellent starting point for students enrolled in a two —or four-year degree who wish to reduce the cost of tuition by completing their PPL with us prior. Conveniently located just outside Philadelphia and at the Atlantic City International Airport, we are a short 35-minute drive from Philly and easily accessible from Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, and Mercer Counties in NJ.
Presently, Beyond Aviation is a Part 61 FAA-approved flight school, and we anticipate being awarded our FAA Part 141 certificate in mid-2024. (Please reach out to us for details regarding Part 61 vs. Part 141 flight schools and the pros and cons of each). We use the highly regarded, FAA-approved syllabus published by Gleim and incorporate the best training practices we were taught as both military and airline pilots. This approach creates a structured, well-defined training environment that encourages safety and proficiency. Our number one goal is to create safe, proficient pilots.
All Beyond Aviation’s flight instructors are actual school employees. This is an important distinction, as many schools and flying clubs hire instructors as contractors. This approach is detrimental to students, making maintaining flight and syllabus standards challenging when someone isn’t your employee. We offer a robust staff of instructors, many of whom have been flying and instructing for decades, and new instructors who are energetic and anxious to share their newly acquired knowledge. Every flight instructor we hire goes through an extensive in-air and ground indoctrination process. This ensures standardization for our students and increased safety.
Step One - Private Pilot License
15 to 18 weeks; 40 hours (FAA minimum) national average 60-70 hours
A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the most sought after type of pilot certification. In the United States, a Private Pilot License is actually called a Private Pilot Certificate and is similar to what a driver's license is for automobiles. By earning a private pilot license, you can legally fly an aircraft. Private pilots are trained to navigate small aircraft by themselves. Flight training includes aircraft maneuvers, navigation, emergency procedures and cross-country flight planning. The Private Pilot License typically takes 3-4 months depending on an individuals schedule.
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Step Two - Instrument Rating
7 to 14 weeks; 40 hours
An Instrument Rating is the next logical step in your journey. It is essential for anyone who is looking to pursue a career in flying, and will allow you to fly into a wider variety of weather conditions under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), refine your ability to use the flight instruments, and enable you to fully utilize the National Airspace System. This program can take two to three months to complete.
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Step Three - Commercial Pilot Certificate
26 to 54 weeks; 250 hours
Want to make a living as a pilot? Then you need to get a commercial pilot certificate. While not a ticket to an airline job right away, a commercial pilot certificate allows you to earn money as skydiving, photography, or pipeline patrol pilot among other entry-level aviation jobs. Your commercial certificate will not, however, allow you to become an airline pilot. For that, you will need an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP).
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Step Four - Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
8 weeks; 80 hours of ground 10-20 hours of flight
With your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certifications, the student becomes the teacher! You need 1500 hours to be able to work for an airline and gain your ATP, so becoming certified as a CFI will allow you to get experience in an aircraft and work towards your future career goals. Best of all Beyond Aviation will hire you to flight instruct with us, upon completion!
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Step Five - Multi-Engine Add-On
1 to 2 weeks; 12 hours
This add-on will allow you to fly multi-engine aircraft that are able to fly faster and further than most single-engine aircraft. This rating can be added to both Private and Commercial certificates, although a Commercial add-on is the most common for career track students.
Step Six - Work for an Airline
1 - 2 Years; 1500 Hours
Congratulations, you did it, you hit 1500 hours. Now is the time to start applying to the airlines. The staff at Beyond Aviation is happy to assist with interview prep, resume writing and referrals.