Becoming a Corporate Pilot
Corporate pilots typically fly small passenger airplanes for businesses and other chartered flights. During these flights, you could transport company employees to business meetings, deliver cargo or packages, and much more!
Take a Free Young Eagles Flight
EAA’s Young Eagles Flight Program
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For youth ages 8-17
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FREE introductory flight given by a local EAA chapter or individual EAA member in your area
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Young Eagles are given a pre and post flight review of the interior and exterior of the airplane, safety instructions, and an overview of airplane controls and operations
-
A 15-20 minute flight
Find a Young Eagles Flight
YoungEaglesDay.org
Register for a Young Eagles flight using EAA's online registration tool.
AeroEducate Calendar of Events ›
Find a Young Eagles rally or other youth events in your area.
Set Yourself Up for Success
You can start preparing to become a corporate pilot now:
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Start talking to your high school guidance counselor as early as your freshman year and let them know that your dream is to become a corporate pilot. They can help you identify courses you can take to set you up for success in your future flying career, as well as helping to find training, scholarships, or colleges and universities best suited for you.
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You can start flight training at any age, although you must be 16 years old to solo and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate.
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Join or get involved in your local EAA chapter.
-
Actively volunteer with local civic or school organizations.
-
Keep working on AeroEducate badging and new activities to learn more about aviation.
Options for Flight Training
Professional Flight Training
One of the fastest paths to becoming a working corporate pilot is through professional flight training. These programs are often intense and require you to follow a strict curriculum. These programs allow you to complete the course and become a corporate pilot on a set schedule at a pre-determined cost.
You can find professional flight training through local certified flight instructors (CFIs), a professional flight training school, or your local vocational or technical college.
Post-Secondary Education with Professional Flight Training
If you’re thinking of attending a college or university, start by seeking out and applying for scholarships.
Attending a college or university while working on your pilot certificate can give you top-notch instruction, networking opportunities, life-changing internships, and career placement that you may not otherwise have access to by going through professional flight training alone. You can also attend a college or university that offers an aviation focused degree. These degree programs typically encompass flight training as part of the core curriculum. Upon graduation you will have earned a degree and pilot certificate.
Some companies may also seek out or prefer pilots with a degree, as it shows your dedication to learning new things, your well-roundedness, and your perseverance.
Military
Flying in the military is not only a great way to serve your country, it’s also a great way to get your flight training paid for and earn valuable experience.
For more information about military piloting options, visit our Military Pilot Pathway page.
Gaining Experience
In many cases, corporate flight departments will hire entry-level pilots to fly “right seat” as co-pilots with just a commercial certificate and an instrument rating, and may not require the airline transport pilot certificate. Regardless, you have a better chance of getting hired if you can show some experience under your belt, so consider spending some time as a flight instructor, or look for other pilot jobs such as flying freight, and more.
Corporate Pilot Career
Once you have the appropriate certification and experience to fly, you’re ready to start looking for jobs as a corporate pilot! Take a look at the Aviation Job Search on the EAA Website for information about open flying positions.
Give Back
If you have the opportunity, inspire youth just like yourself to be involved in flight by giving back to your aviation community with your continued involvement in your local EAA Chapter.
Take a Free Young Eagles Flight
EAA’s Young Eagles Flight Program
-
For youth ages 8-17
-
FREE introductory flight given by a local EAA chapter or individual EAA member in your area
-
Young Eagles are given a pre and post flight review of the interior and exterior of the airplane, safety instructions, and an overview of airplane controls and operations
-
A 15-20 minute flight
Find a Young Eagles Flight
YoungEaglesDay.org
Register for a Young Eagles flight using EAA's online registration tool.
AeroEducate Calendar of Events ›
Find a Young Eagles rally or other youth events in your area.
Set Yourself Up for Success
You can start preparing to become a corporate pilot now:
-
Start talking to your high school guidance counselor as early as your freshman year and let them know that your dream is to become a corporate pilot. They can help you identify courses you can take to set you up for success in your future flying career, as well as helping to find training, scholarships, or colleges and universities best suited for you.
-
You can start flight training at any age, although you must be 16 years old to solo and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate.
-
Join or get involved in your local EAA chapter.
-
Actively volunteer with local civic or school organizations.
-
Keep working on AeroEducate badging and new activities to learn more about aviation.
Options for Flight Training
Professional Flight Training
One of the fastest paths to becoming a working corporate pilot is through professional flight training. These programs are often intense and require you to follow a strict curriculum. These programs allow you to complete the course and become a corporate pilot on a set schedule at a pre-determined cost.
You can find professional flight training through local certified flight instructors (CFIs), a professional flight training school, or your local vocational or technical college.
Post-Secondary Education with Professional Flight Training
If you’re thinking of attending a college or university, start by seeking out and applying for scholarships.
Attending a college or university while working on your pilot certificate can give you top-notch instruction, networking opportunities, life-changing internships, and career placement that you may not otherwise have access to by going through professional flight training alone. You can also attend a college or university that offers an aviation focused degree. These degree programs typically encompass flight training as part of the core curriculum. Upon graduation you will have earned a degree and pilot certificate.
Some companies may also seek out or prefer pilots with a degree, as it shows your dedication to learning new things, your well-roundedness, and your perseverance.
Military
Flying in the military is not only a great way to serve your country, it’s also a great way to get your flight training paid for and earn valuable experience.
For more information about military piloting options, visit our Military Pilot Pathway page.
Gaining Experience
In many cases, corporate flight departments will hire entry-level pilots to fly “right seat” as co-pilots with just a commercial certificate and an instrument rating, and may not require the airline transport pilot certificate. Regardless, you have a better chance of getting hired if you can show some experience under your belt, so consider spending some time as a flight instructor, or look for other pilot jobs such as flying freight, and more.
Corporate Pilot Career
Once you have the appropriate certification and experience to fly, you’re ready to start looking for jobs as a corporate pilot! Take a look at the Aviation Job Search on the EAA Website for information about open flying positions.
Give Back
If you have the opportunity, inspire youth just like yourself to be involved in flight by giving back to your aviation community with your continued involvement in your local EAA Chapter.