Airline pilot in front of commercial aircraft

Category Pilot

Is now a good time to become a pilot?

Pilot job application typewriter

The aviation industry, like many others, has seen its fair share of turbulence over the past few years. The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, but now, as the world begins to soar again, the perpetual pilot question arises — Is now…

Do pilots need visas?

Passport showing stamps but no visa

The short answer: Yes. Airline pilots, like other international travellers, are often subject to visa requirements, which can vary significantly depending on the destination country and the specific circumstances of their travel. However, that doesn’t mean that pilots (and their flight…

How many planes do pilots fly?

Aircraft overflying airport with many different types of parked planes

The Short Answer: Typically, commercial pilots are certified to fly only one aircraft type at a time. Modern jet aircraft are such complex machines that most pilots are only allowed to fly one type at a time. This means that…

Pilot licences: ATPL vs commercial pilot differences

UK flight crew licence and explanation of the different types of pilot licences

The world of aviation is full of acronyms and confusing terms, and the licensing requirements are no different! An aspiring airline pilot will collect licences ranging from a PPL, CPL, potentially even an MPL, before ending up with a “frozen”…

Is there a weight limit for airline pilots?

Man stood on weighing scales at a medical exam

I would like to become a pilot but I currently weigh 300 lbs. Will this be an issue? Reader question — FBN This is a question that frequently pops up from aspiring aviators, and revolves around a sensitive subject —…

Why do pilots have height requirements?

Measuring tape: why pilots have height requirements

Piloting an aircraft is a demanding job that requires a specific set of skills, training, and physical attributes. One aspect of these physical attributes that often raises questions is the height requirement. Many aspiring pilots wonder if their height might…

Airline pilot schedules

An explanation of airline pilot schedules and rostering codes

What’s the reality behind a pilot’s work schedule? Do airline pilots have a dream job with an envious work-life balance? Or are airline rosters a hard slog with endless jet lag? Today, we’re going to demystify these schedules by breaking…

How many check-rides can you fail?

How many checkrides can pilots fail in their careers?

If you don’t like exams, being a pilot is unfortunately not for you! The path to becoming a commercial pilot is a challenging one, fraught with rigorous training, high-stakes examinations, and the inevitable possibility of failure. Aside from aptitude tests,…

Can pilots have long hair?

Clean shaven pilot with short haircut and bald pilot with beard

Can pilots have long hair? Having covered pilot’s stripes, uniform standards, and even beards — there is still one question we keep getting asked! “Do airline pilots have to have short hair?” So, in this article, we’ll provide an overview…