How to Become an Airline or Commercial Pilot Students often use
flight simulators to learn how to fly. Many pilots learn to fly
in the military, but a growing number now earn an associate’s or
bachelor’s degree from a civilian flying school. All pilots who
are paid to transport passengers or cargo must have a commercial
pilot's license and an instrument rating. To qualify for a
commercial pilot’s license, applicants must be at least 18 years
old and have at least 250 hours of flight experience. Education
and Training Military veterans have always been an important
source of experienced pilots because of the extensive training
and flight time that the military provides. However, an
increasing number of people are becoming pilots by attending
flight school or taking lessons from a Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) certified instructor. The FAA certifies
hundreds of civilian flight schools, including some colleges and
universities that offer pilot training as part of an aviation
degree. In addition, most air