Making a career change to aviation: What you need to know

Making a career change isn't easy, but for many, it's the best opportunity to fulfill dreams they've had since childhood.

Few choices are as impactful or life-changing as making a career change to pilot. Whether you've worked in a classroom, corporate office, hospital, or government setting, making a career change to become a pilot opens a world of travel and opportunity.

Why adults are changing careers to aviation

Age should never stop you from reaching your goals. The average age of someone currently in flight training sits somewhere in the late 20s to early 30s. However, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, many pilots switched careers in their 40s and 50s.

The average age for someone looking to make a career change to pilot is 39. With a pilot shortage on our hands and many pilots retiring at age 65 (over 15,000 a year), it's the perfect time to change careers into aviation!

For all these reasons, Acron Aviation Academy has worked with hundreds of adults looking to change careers and receive the training needed for commercial aviation. With well-structured programs, funding opportunities, and partnership with airlines, launching your new career could be an ideal decision, no matter where you're coming from.

Common pilot career backgrounds

Considering whether your former occupation translates to becoming a pilot? Most likely, it does. The AOPA notes that the most common previous occupations of pilots include:

• Engineer/IT
• Teacher/Professor
• Military
• Mechanic/technician
• Entrepreneur/accountant
• Firefighters/EMTs/first responders

These careers foster comparable key competencies translatable to the cockpit: communication, multitasking, working well under pressure, and problem-solving.

How adults can make the career change to pilot

Are you new to the aviation world? Making a career transition doesn't mean starting from scratch, per se. You’ll complete the required variety of certifications and logged hours needed in succession. The typical ladder includes:

• Private Pilot License (PPL): The first license obtained, focusing on basic operation
• Instrument Rating (IR): Grants the ability to fly in less than aesthetically pleasing visibility
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Required to receive payment for flying
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII): A common opportunity to build hours and get paid while teaching
• Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): The ultimate accomplishment to fly for airlines

Acron Aviation Academy provides access to the above on a single campus, with a scheduled, uninterrupted curriculum, top-of-the-line simulators, instructors, and planes. Students attending full-time can complete the ladder in as little as 12-18 months.

What changes when you go from a 9-to-5 job to a career as a pilot?

Aviation not only provides a career, but also a new lifestyle. For those looking to start flight training as an adult, making a career change into piloting is the perfect escape from a normal, everyday 9-to-5 life.

Most days at work, you’ll be at 30,000 feet with a view out the window. Of course, with lifestyle changes come lifestyle challenges, but most pilots welcome the added freedom and excitement.

• Non-traditional work schedules: While pilots may work weekends and holidays, they also get extended time off when they're not on duty, and some can bid for certain schedules as they gain seniority.
• Ability to travel: Commercial pilots routinely travel to other cities, and often enjoy free or reduced cost flights for themselves and their families.
• Work in dynamic, high-responsibility areas: Rather than working in cubicles, pilots operate in ever-changing, high-responsibility settings where no two routines are ever the same.
• Opportunity to relocate: With aviation, there are opportunities to live in different locales or at least choose a base of operation that suits one's lifestyle.
• Make a difference: Pilots provide services that connect people and deliver resources over great distances, and many pilots enjoy the respect that comes with the career. 

While some changes may seem daunting, those who aspire to a career in aviation often appreciate the lifestyle change. Every day is different, practical skills are mastered, and the reward factor is unmatched.

How long does it take to become a pilot?

A Commercial Pilot License can be achieved in an average of 12 months, longer for part-time training (up to two years). Students at Acron Aviation Academy often become Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) while building hours toward their ATP.

The Acron Aviation team collaborates with each prospective student to craft a timeline suitable for their needs, whether they're leaving their job and can dedicate full time to training or entering the road to aviation gradually with a flexible schedule.

What is the cost and is there financing?

For those looking for how to start flight training as an adult, training and its associated costs can range from $70,000 to $100,000, and the return on your investment is remarkable.

Acron Aviation Academy supports those looking to change careers with funding options, reimbursement partnerships with airlines, and G.I. Bill eligibility for veterans. We offer a structured payment plan and financial aid guidance so students never have any unforeseen financial concerns down the line.

Pilot demand and salary expectations

Now is the best time to become a pilot:

• 30%+ of current pilots are between 50-64 years old, which means they will soon retire.
• Boeing has estimated the demand for more than 617,000 new pilots by 2035.
• Delta and American Airlines hire hundreds annually.

Those training to become pilots now will enter one of the most stable and highest-paying roles within transportation. When starting as Certified Flight Instructors, entry-level salaries range from $25,000 to $50,000, while also building hours.

Once you move onto regional airlines, salary ranges are between $60,000 and $90,000. By the time you’re a Senior Captain of a commercial airline, you're earning a salary of over $200,000.

Is it too late to become a pilot?

Absolutely not. While the FAA mandates airline pilots retire at 65, there's never an age limitation on when someone can learn to fly. We have many adult students learning how to start flight training as an adult in their 40s and 50s who establish successful careers with 10-20 years of flying ahead of them.

If you are fit and healthy and willing to put in the effort and time to learn, it's never too late to follow your dreams. At Acron Aviation Academy, we accept all ages looking to take that leap into aviation.

Why Acron Aviation Academy is the perfect option for your career change to pilot

Switching careers is a big step, but Acron Aviation Academy will be with you every step of the way to make sure your transition is as seamless, fast, and successful as possible. For example, you'll enjoy:

• 100+ training aircraft and FAA-certified simulators
• FAA Part 141 flight training syllabus for efficient advancement
• Direct connections with airlines and assistance with career placement
• An on-campus community that welcomes older, second-career students
• Financing options and considerations for scheduling flexibility

During your pilot journey from first Discovery Flight through to your final checkride, our team is here to help you succeed.

Take the leap into a career in aviation

Making the career change to pilot is not just a job change; it's a new lifestyle. But with the right education, support, and services, anyone at any age can find success in the air.

If you're ready to learn more about how to start flight training as an adult, Acron Aviation Academy is here to provide support every step of the way. Reach out for more information or schedule a visit today to determine if an aviation career is right for you.