Guide How to Become a

Commercial Pilot
The First Step Towards Your
Financial Freedom
Why wasn't there
a better time to
become a pilot?
1 2023
8,000 pilot shortage

Annual shortage of 8,000 pilots

currently, expected to increase
to nearly 30,000 by 2032. This
is due to a combination of pilot
retirements and increasing
demand for air travel.

2 2025
34,000 pilots shortage
More than 34,000 newly trained pilots
needed by 2025. The FAA predicts that
air travel demand will continue to grow
at a rate of 4.3 percent per year, even
as more than 4,100 pilots per year retire
in the US alone.

3 2030
14,500 pilot shortage
14,500 pilots will be needed each year
through 2030. This is according to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to
a combination of pilot retirements and
increasing demand for air travel.

4 2032
128,000 pilots needed
North America will need 128,000 pilots.
This is according to Boeing, which
forecasts the production of aircraft and
crews required to operate them around
the world.
Charting Your Course:

Navigating the World of Pilot Salaries

according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

$57,000 $392,000

Regional vs. Major Airlines
Most pilots begin their careers with a regional airline that iss affiliated with
a major airline, flying as a First Officer for about two years and earning
around 2,000 additional flight hours. Depending on market demand and
their own abilities, they may become a Captain at the regional airline or
move on to a major airline as a First Officer. Salaries at regional airlines
range from $82,000 to $191,000 for a Captain, while salaries at major
airlines range from $97,000 to $392,000 a year.

$13,000,000

Seniority and Role.

A pilot's salary also depends on their seniority and role within the airline.
For example, at regional airlines, a First Officer can earn $56,000 in their

Up to $13,000,000 first year, while a senior captain can earn nearly $400,000 annually. The
typical career progression for a pilot leads to total career earnings of
about nine million dollars.

Pay Increase
at Regional
Airlines
Due to the current pilot shortage, many regional
airlines are rapidly increasing pay. For instance,
American Airlines' regionals Envoy and PSA
recently increased pay by 50%. This has led to a
significant increase in pilots' salaries compared to
pre-COVID times, with regional airlines offering an
86% increase.
86%A significant
increase
NO MORE
TIME FOR
WAITING

“As a former A320/A330 captain and

airline training manager, I am excited to
tell you that becoming an airline pilot
has never been so promising and
rewarding. There is strong job demand
and serious pilot shortage.”

Captain Tony Shen

The market has never
President of Wayman Aviation Academy
valued pilots as highly
before, and this is just
the beginning.
BECOMING A COMMERCIAL PILOT:
YOUR PATH TO THE SKIES
3-6
months
Private Pilot
Instrument
Certificate
Learn to fly a single-engine
airplane with basic flight
maneuvers, navigation and
flight planning skills.
Introduction to aviation
regulations and safety.
3 2-4
week
 months
CFI
Instrument
Learn to teach instrument
flight with advanced
instruction techniques,
instrument procedures and
techniques, and enhance
communication and
leadership skills.
2-4
3-6
months
Commercial
Rating
Learn to fly using only
instruments with advanced
navigation techniques and
weather analysis skills.
Proficiency in instrument
flight rules (IFR).
12-18
Multi-Engine
Instructor
Learn to instruct in multi-
engine airplanes with
advanced instruction
techniques, multi-engine
airplane systems and
procedures. Enhance
communication and
leadership skills.
3-6
months
Certified Flight
Pilot License
Advance flight maneuvers
and procedures, crew
resource management,
navigation, flight planning,
and multi-engine airplane
operations.
3-6
months
Gain
Experience
Flight instructing is a great
way to gain the quality and
relevant flight experience
necessary to meet the
requirements of the Airline
Transport Pilot (ATP)
certificate.
months
Instructor (CFI)
Learn to teach others how to
fly, develop instructional
techniques and strategies.
Enhance communication and
leadership skills, and gain
flight hours while earning a
living as a CFI.
months
Airline
Pilot Job
Upon meeting the
requirements of the ATP
certificate, you will meet the
hiring minimums of most
regional airline pilot jobs.
 Can I become a pilot in AN airline?
Age
Candidates must meet the following age
requirements
US citizens/residents must be at
least 17 years of age
International students must be at
least 18 years of age.
Have adequate hearing
Language Skills
Candidates must meet the following
language requirements
You must be able to read, write, 

and speak English
You should have an intermediate
English proficiency level of 4 on a
scale of 1 to 6 according to the ICAO
standards (International Civil Aviation
Organization).
Health and Medical
Requirements
Candidates must
Be in good mental and physical health
Be permitted to wear eye-glasses
Not be color blind
Certain conditions like seizures, epilepsy,
and diabetes may disqualify you
Hold a 1st class FAA medical certificate.
International students may undergo FAA
medical exams upon arrival in the US."
Education
While a degree is not currently required
by most airlines, a high school diploma
or equivalent is typically expected.
Research flight School
When researching flight schools for your airline pilot training, there are several key factors to consider:

Wayman Aviation Flight

Flight

Academy, Florida School 2 School 3

Accreditation and Licensing FAA 141 & 145

Certifie
Ensure the school is accredited and licensed, ACCET, accredited
ensuring quality education and recognized and approved by the
Florida department
qualifications. of education

Established over 35
Reputation and Experience years ago, this flight
Look for established schools with experienced school is highly
regarded for its long-
instructors and successful graduates. standing presence and
expertise.
for US student
Training Programs for International
student
Check if the school offers programs that align College Degree
with your goals and meet airline requirements. progra
Individual Program

Financial Options Payment Plan

Sallie Mae 100%
financing

Accelerated Options Fast Track to an airline

pilot career, 6 months
ahead of the traditional
route

Career Support Flight instructor job

interview guaranteed
5 partnership airline
Alumni flying in most
world-wide airlines

Recommendations and Reviews

Research student and alumni reviews for insights 145 Reviews

into the training experience and graduate success.

1:4 student/flight
Special Notes instructor rati
in house FAA testing
Centr
No hidden Fee
Airline oriented
training and SMS
program
Cost

Effective
An accurate assessment

of a fair price can only

be made once you have

thoroughly examined the

capabilities, reputation,

and experience of the

flight school.
Explore Wayman Aviation Academy
programs

Professional Pilot ’D
Associate s egree
Program Program

$47,450 $63,826 9
$ 7,368

from Zero to CPL

from Zero to CFI/II
from Zero

10 months 15 months 24 months

Earn a FAA Commercial Pilot Obtain FAA Commercial Pilot Licence

Licence by Accelerated Express- with CFI, CFII, R-ATP
track 10 Months Progra Gain ATP license with 1,250 hours
Study and Work Earn an Associate's Degree
Assured job interview post-program
Earn $60k+ as Flight Instructor
International Students Program
Start your airline career 6 month
U.S. Students Program earlier

U.S. Students Program

At Wayman, we take
pride in offering the
most affordable flight
training tuition in the
region.

We strive to make
flight education and
training accessible by
maximizing the
utilization of benefits.
Wayman Aviation

Academy Fleet

Wayman Aviation is a fully licensed FAA Part 145 Repair Station with Airframe, Engine, Instrument and

Radio capabilities, an accreditation which is extremely difficult to attain and sets Wayman Aviation

apart from most other general aviation maintenance providers.

40 aircraft 50+ Flight Instructors

Piper Seneca Cessna 172S G1000 Skyhawk Cessna 172R Skyhawk

Cessna 172 Classic Skyhawk Cessna 152 Tecnam 2006T

Why Choose Wayman
Aviation Academy?
We have a proven record of 33 years of experience and thousands of alumni flying around the world.
Start your training in beautiful Miami, Florida USA, with 350+ sunny flying days a year. We are one of
the best Flight School in the USA.
NEXT STEPS

be the next
airline pilot
Whether you're a beginner in flight training or looking to make a switch from
another school, we're here to demystify the world of aviation education. Our
experienced team is ready to assist you in gaining a solid understanding of
the training experience and setting you up for success.

Application Admission Training Proccess Airline Pilot

Submit your Get accepted Experience rigorous Pursue a career as
application for into the flight pilot training an airline pilot
enrollment training program

Invite you to meet our admissions online

https://wayman.edu/application/

or

Book your free private tour

of Wayman Aviation Academy

https://wayman.edu/private-tour/
U.S. Students