1. Pilot Training is only the First Step

It is a common misconception that pilot training is all a pilot needs to be safe and proficient in the air. This isn’t always the truth. Pilot training is essential, but it is only the starting point.

Pilots need to continue building their skillset by flying as much as possible. Pilot training will provide a solid foundation for pilots to build on, but it is only the beginning of that pilot’s journey. Pilot training is a lot like building your house on solid ground; it likely won’t collapse, but it can still be improved upon indefinitely.

2. Practice Makes Perfect

A pilot’s skillset will naturally improve the more time that they spend flying. With each flight hour logged, you become that much more proficient. You get better at handling a plane safely, flying with precision and accuracy, and become even more comfortable in the skies. The more you fly, the more varied flight conditions you get to experience, the better you respond to situations like getting caught in bad weather or flying in and out of tight spaces.

3. Certificates, Ratings, and Endorsements

There are over 20 different types of certificates, ratings, and endorsements that airplane pilots can earn in the United States! Each one requires a certain number of hours logged, and each rating has its minimum hours. For a pilot to get a new certificate or rating, they need to complete the required flight hours and pass that checkride. This is a daunting task, but it is a necessary one if you want to progress in your aviation career.

4. To get Work, you first need Experience

To get a job as a pilot, almost every company will require that you have a certain number of hours logged. This is because airlines and other aviation companies don’t want to hire anyone who isn’t a safe and capable pilot; and you can’t become a safe and capable pilot without a hefty quantity of flight hours. Most companies won’t even look at your application until you’ve got a certain amount.

5. Pilot Salaries Increase with Experience

One of the benefits of building flight hours is that your pay will go up. The more experience that you have as a pilot, the more valuable and in-demand that you will be. Pilot salaries increase with experience because pilots who are experienced can take on more responsibilities and fly in more challenging conditions. So flight experience is one of the most valuable assets that you can have in your career in aviation.

6. It’s just so Fun!

Many people dream of being a pilot from a young age and rarely does that dream disappear. Pilots love to fly because it is a fun and exhilarating experience. There’s just something about being in the air that just makes you feel alive. Pilots get to see the world from a different perspective, and it’s truly an amazing feeling. When you’re up in the air, the worries of the world below seem to disappear. Flying is a joy that can’t be put into words; it’s something that you have to experience (and continue to experience) for yourself!