how old do you have to be to fly a commercial plane

How Old Do You Have to Be to Fly a Commercial Plane?

Flying a commercial plane is the dream of many aviation enthusiasts, young and old. But, before you can take to the skies as a commercial pilot, you need to meet certain age requirements. In this article, we’ll discuss the minimum age requirements for flying a commercial plane and other important details you need to know.

Minimum Age Requirements for Commercial Pilots

The minimum age requirement to obtain a commercial pilot license in the United States is 18 years old. This means that you must be at least 18 years old to fly a commercial plane as a pilot in command.

However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. For instance, you can start working as a commercial pilot at the age of 16 if you have a student pilot certificate and are flying for a commercial operation. In this case, you can only serve as a co-pilot and must be under the supervision of a licensed pilot.

Similarly, if you want to start your training to become a commercial pilot, you can start as early as 16 years old. However, you will need to wait until you are 18 years old to take the commercial pilot license test.

Age Requirements for Other Flying Positions

If you are interested in other flying positions, such as a flight attendant or air traffic controller, the age requirements are different.

For flight attendants, there is no minimum age requirement. However, most airlines prefer applicants who are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

For air traffic controllers, the minimum age requirement is 18 years old. However, you must also pass a medical exam, background check, and other qualifying tests before you can work as an air traffic controller.

Training and Education Requirements

To become a commercial pilot, you must have a commercial pilot license, which requires extensive training and education. You must also have a minimum of 250 hours of flight experience, including 100 hours of pilot-in-command time.

To obtain a commercial pilot license, you must first obtain a private pilot license and then complete additional training and education. You must also pass a written exam and practical flight test.

In addition to the license and flight experience requirements, commercial pilots must also have a high school diploma or equivalent and be fluent in English.

Conclusion

Flying a commercial plane is a dream for many aviation enthusiasts. However, before you can take to the skies as a commercial pilot, you must meet certain age and licensing requirements. The minimum age requirement to obtain a commercial pilot license is 18 years old. However, there are exceptions for co-pilots and student pilots. If you are interested in other flying positions, such as a flight attendant or air traffic controller, the age requirements are different. Regardless of your career path in aviation, extensive training and education are required to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.