Military Transition
Making the transition from military pilot to civilian airline First Officer can
be challenging if you don't know where to start. In the following section
we will explain the basic FAA certification requirements needed to fly for a
civilian airline, and how to obtain those ratings using your military experience
as the grounds for issuance. Aslo explained are some special
considerations for military members of the reserves and national guard.
What's Needed To Fly For a Major U.S. Airline?
To fly for any one of the Major U.S. air carriers a military pilot will need to
have as a minimum, the following:
- FAA Commercial pilot's license, Multi-Engine Land, with Instrument privileges
and no centerline thrust restrictions, as in the case of fighter pilots.
- A Valid FAA First Class Medical
- A FCC REstricted Radio Opperator's License
- Proper documentation of flight experience, logbook/flight record of flight time
and military aviator designation
In addition to these minimums most airlines will require a FAA Airline Transport
Pilot (ATP) rating in Multi-Engine airplanes and typically 1000 hours Pilot-In
Command (PIC).
Converting Your Military Ratings to Civilian
Converting you military aviator designation to civilian pilot certificates is a
simple process. You will be issued, based on your experience and
designation, a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with single or multi-engine
Instrument privilages. The type of aircraft you flew determines the singel
or multi-engine issuance (F16-single, B52-multi, F18-multi with centerline
thrust restriction). To complete this transfer of military to civilian
pilot certificates you will apply with the FAA based on miliatry competence
which fall under the FAR regulation 14CFR 61.73.
Requirements for the ATP rating
To gain additional competitiveness in the interview selection process it is
necessary to obtain an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating. This is
the certification level in the civilian world that allows a pilot to act a
Pilot-In-Command (PIC) of an Airline aircraft. The following are the
minimum requirements:
- Valid, Unexpired U.S. Passport
- ATP Written Exam
- Current FAA Medical
- 23 Years of Age
- Military Experience per FAR 61.73 or a Commercial Pilot's Certificate with
Instrument Privaleges
- Flight Time:
1500 Hours Total Time
500 Hours Cross-Country
100 Hours Night
75 Hours of Actual or Simulated Instrument Time, of which 50 must be in
Airplanes
250 Hours PIC, Airplane
Other considerations
Comming Soon!
Questions and Answers
If you have a question or concern about your transition to Commercial Airline
Pilot please take time to email us your questions. Many other aviators probably
have the same question and we want to addres as many common issues as possible.
Contact Us