About a Career in Aviation
What Factors Can Prevent You from Becoming a Pilot?

Becoming a commercial pilot is an exciting opportunity for many people who find joy in flying. While nearly anyone can get a drivers’ license, a commercial pilot license has some strict stipulations. From health concerns to random drug tests, here is a list of just some things that might prevent you from becoming a commercial pilot. Keep in mind that regulations change often and many of the issues below, except a few, are at the discretion of a human being just like you, and may not be as black-and-white as it seems. Additionally, regulations vary from country to country, so those looking to become international pilots or pilots outside of the United States may encounter different requirements.
UNDER-AGE
In the USA, according to the FAA, you must be at least 18 years of age before obtaining your commercial pilot license. If you are under 18, you may still obtain a private pilot’s license and start logging your hours, studying, and developing your skills so you can become a commercial pilot as soon as possible. A student pilot also cannot perform their first solo before age 16

INSUFFICIENT FLIGHT HOURS
To become a commercial pilot, you must have logged a certain number of flight hours. According to FAA requirements, you must have at least 1,500 hours of flight time to captain a commercial airplane with your ATP certification. To become a long-haul pilot, you often need 5,000 hours of flight time, which will take years to achieve. The specific requirements may vary from airline to airline, so keep in mind that you might not land the perfect job after completing your 1,500th hour. It’s important to research the requirements of the airlines you would like to work with for guidance.
MEDICAL PROBLEMS
Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy. Before obtaining a pilot’s license, you will be required to pass a medical examination by a qualified Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

They will determine your current state of health and issue your medical certificate being either Class I, Class II, or Class III. If you do have any medical issues that are considered “red flags,” don’t automatically give up all hope on becoming a pilot and instead speak with a pilot advocacy group. Many medical evaluators may use their discretion to determine if a health condition will or will not be considered a risk in the cockpit. Many people who have their health under control with approved medications can still become pilots. The ultimate goal is to provide a pathway for passionate and qualified pilots into the cockpit without putting their or others’ lives at risk.
COLOR BLINDNESS
While pilots without 20/20 vision can fly with contacts or glasses (and a spare pair of glasses just in case!), other vision problems may prevent you from qualifying to become a pilot. One in twelve men and one in 200 women have some degree of color blindness. It is not an uncommon occurrence, especially for men. During your medical exams, you will be tested for colorblindness. Keep in mind that not all colorblindness is the same severity. If you do not pass the color assessment, you may still be able to fly. You may be limited today flying, have other restrictions, have to complete additional training, or it may be decided that the limitations of your color vision will not affect your ability to fly. If you do have some trouble with colors, becoming a commercial pilot is not completely out of the question, so do further research to determine if it is still a viable career for your situation.

credit: quora.com
MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
Commercial pilots under the age of 40 typically receive a physical examination every year, and pilots over 40 go through these examinations every six months. However, pilots are not always evaluated on their mental health. Being a pilot is extremely mentally grueling. There is the stress of non-routine flights, the pressure to always be performing at 100% and having hundreds of lives in your hands, working odd hours, constantly changing time zones, being away from your family and friends, unhealthy or irregular meals, lack of exercise, etc. Events happening outside of work can also have negative effects on your mental wellness. Thankfully, many airlines understand that pilots are people, not machines, and have the resources for pilots dealing with mental illness. That said, when applying for a new job or going through the process of receiving your commercial pilot certification, you may experience career setbacks for experiencing certain mental disorders.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
FAA regulations require a pilot to have “good moral standings,” and they take this pretty seriously. Airlines looking for pilots to hire take it even more seriously. Unfortunately, those with criminal records will have a tough time obtaining their ATP license, but it might not be impossible. Often, it will depend on the number of marks on your record, the nature of the crime, and the amount of time that has passed.
A misdemeanor charge for letting your car insurance lapse ten years ago can likely be overlooked for someone with an otherwise clean record. However, several DUIs in the last few years or a felony assault charge will be a different story. If you want to become a commercial pilot and are worried about your past, it is first important to know exactly what your criminal record shows. It is easy to forget certain things that may come upon a background check.

If you do have a criminal record, start making reparations for it now to limit its effect on your future career. Along those lines, know when a career as a pilot is not going to be an option so you can decide on a different career path.
DRUG TESTS
A failed drug test is a big issue for commercial pilots and can prevent you from securing a job that you are otherwise qualified for. Pilots are subjected to frequent and random drug testing and alcohol screening, so it is essential to not use recreational or unapproved prescription drugs while employed or while job searching. Pilots who live in states where marijuana is legal may fail drug tests if marijuana is found in their system, even if they have not used it recently. There is also the informal rule of “eight hours from bottle to throttle,” which is a reminder for pilots to not drink alcohol within eight hours of flying. In short, consider how important it is for you to pass drug or alcohol tests when deciding what to put in your body and when. It takes a long time to become a pilot and only a few seconds to lose your license.
Sources:
Cover Photo: https://connect2local.com/l/888498/c/5002280/3-medical-issues-that-can-prevent-you-from-becoming-a-pilot
https://www.preventive.com/health-services/workplace-examanations/faa-medical-certification.html
What Can Disqualify You From Becoming A Commercial Pilot?
The European Aviation Medical – Class 1 and Class 2
https://www.ebiinc.com/what-does-a-background-check-consist-of/
https://www.quora.com/Why-are-color-blind-people-not-allowed-to-become-pilots
About a Career in Aviation
A glance over business aviation

Business aviation is essential for many companies of all sizes and types. This article we will discuss some of the benefits of business aviation and its customers, and the most distinctive air jet.
What is business aviation?
Business aviation is a part of general aviation that relies on using airplanes and helicopters, piston-powered propeller-driven airplanes, turbine-powered turboprops, and turbo for business purposes. Most business aviation aircraft have seats for no more than six people and fly on average trips under 1,000 miles, and others fly more than 1,000 miles. To make it more flexible and comfortable it is provided with phones, mobile connectivity, and high-speed internet access. Business aviation has a vital role in the international economy and jobs opportunity.

Benefits of the business aviation
Among many benefits of the business aviation industry; is saving customers’ time and increasing their productivity by reaching several destinations without any cancellations or delays, transporting equipment that companies don’t have the ability to transport easily, and customers’ flexible movement according to the schedule and time they want and charity activities and transport of organs, blood, and injuries in case of accidents. Business aviation contributes to supporting countries’ economies directly through manufacturing airplanes and airport-related jobs, the industry employs 1.2 million people As well that it contributes indirectly through transporting goods, services, and maintenance operations. The average U.S economic output of Business aviation is $150 billion.
Corporate Angel Network (CAN)
More than 500 American companies contribute to the (CAN) corporate angel network, which means that they leave empty seats on their planes for cancer patients to receive the best possible care by traveling to specialized treatment centers across the country. Since its beginning in 1981, about 60000 flights were arranged for patients and their families.
Customers of business aviation
- Most businesses’ customers are wealthy individuals, sportsmen, politicians, and entrepreneurs
- Cargo, mails, and parts
- Direct use
- Transporting suppliers
- Transporting customers
- Charity support by businesses who give help by offering charity support. For example, they may offer patient transportation to far-off treatment centers when care isn’t urgent. Medical personnel and supplies can also reach otherwise inaccessible disaster areas using business aircraft.

Crew members
The commercial crew members start flight preparations in the already awaiting aircraft. Business pilots have other ground handling-related tasks to fulfill before entering the flight deck for documentation and other procedures. The quality of business aviation service is very notable. While in commercial aviation crew members barely talk to passengers, pilots talk significantly to customers and greet outside and continue to keep the contact throughout the flight if they need to.

Bombardier as business jets leader
Bombardier is a leader in aviation, working in manufacturing, designing, and building the most distinguished global business jets. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5000 aircraft in service with variable charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. on 30 March 2022 Bombardier delivered the 100th Global 7500 to Vista Jet (global business aviation). The number of deliverers will be 17 in the Vista Jet fleet at the end of 2022.
What about the Global 7500:
The global 7500 combines all the advantages of a business aircraft including fast crew speed, high cruise altitude, short airfield operations, and low cabin altitude available on converted airliners such as a full kitchen a permanent bed, and a stand-up shower. The global 7500 aircraft have the longest maintenance intervals of any business jet on the market. It can travel 7700 nautical miles range, joining cities such as New York to Hong Kong and San Francisco to Sydney. The global 7500 aircraft carried out the longest city pair flight in history when it flew from Sydney to Detroit at an astonishing distance of 8225 nautical miles. Being both the fastest and the slowest business jet in its class, the most stable takeoff and landing speeds. The global 7500 is what’s referred to as the best of the best.
Sources
- https://www.aerotime.aero/
- https://www.mebaa.com/
- https://www.floridatechonline.com/
- https://nbaa.org/
- https://www.jetsetmag.com/ (Cover Image)
About a Career in Aviation
How to Recognize the Type of Commercial Airplanes – PART#1

Have you ever been sitting in the airport waiting for your flight whilst watching planes of different sizes taxiing, taking – off, and/or landing in front of you? Did that ever make you wonder what type of planes are these? And how specialists differentiate between them?
About a Career in Aviation
Have you ever thought to become a flight instructor?

For many people, learning to fly is a dream come true. But have you ever considered teaching flying? To be a flight instructor?
A flight instructor is someone who instructs others on how to fly planes. Specific powers allowed to holders of a flight instructor certificate differ by country, but in general, a flight instructor helps an aviator improve or evaluate his or her knowledge and skill level to obtain a higher pilot’s license, certificate, or rating.
Job duties
Flight instructors are in charge of teaching students how to fly in a range of situations, utilizing several roaches such as textbook education, simulators, and actual flight training. Ground-school classes are used by flight instructors to teach students the fundamentals of flying an airplane as well as to assist them to prepare for the written test they will face when applying for their pilot’s license.
They frequently use simulators or dual-controlled planes to introduce students to the experience of flying an aircraft after they have completed their textbook education. Finally, to finish their training, they accompany their students on live flights. Examiners, or check pilots, are some instructors that fly with applicants or pilots to ensure proficiency.
Flight instructors create curriculum to teach students in a classroom setting, lead training flights, assess student proficiency, track student progress, and experiment with innovative teaching approaches. They are in charge of teaching students about aircraft systems, operating procedures, handling crises, issue analysis, aircraft navigation, radio operation, and aerodynamics, among other topics.

Job requirements
Before seeking to become Certified Flight Instructors, most pilots must have either Commercial Pilot Certification, which takes 250 flying hours or Airline Transport Pilot Certification, which requires 1,500 flight hours. To become a flight teacher, you must be at least 18 years old, be able to communicate clearly in English, and have a pilot’s license for the type of aircraft that is appropriate for the flight instructor rating you desire.
Other requirements apply, such as completing knowledge and practical tests and demonstrating a certain number of total flight hours. A flight instructor must be certified in the aircraft type that will be utilized for student instruction. For specialty aircraft like helicopters, the flying instructor must have at least five pilot-in-command hours.
The Advantages of being a flight instructor
- The ability to work freely. International students who want to be flight instructors have two options: work for an educational institution or start their flight school. This is a very appealing alternative for flight instructors who want to be more self-sufficient and work for themselves. The company will thrive and become extremely profitable with luck and talent.
- Being a teacher has many perks. The thrill of giving knowledge to their students is the first response most flight instructors give when asked what they enjoy most about their jobs. Any teacher or instructor can attest to the thrill of watching a student “understand” something they’ve been taught. This is true for flying instructors as well. It’s tremendously fulfilling to know that you’re in charge of someone else’s education.
- Earn money by flying. The ability to earn a living as a pilot is the most significant and satisfying reason to work as a flight instructor. No one would pursue a pilot’s license if they didn’t enjoy flying, and the chance to make a profession doing something you enjoy is something that not many people are fortunate enough to have.
- You are at home every night and generally one weekend day. For many airline pilots, being at home rather than going away regularly is preferable. Are you willing to spend up to 12 nights a month away from your home, family, and friends? This works well for some people, but it may place a strain on their family life for others.
This beside some other advantages as:
- Instructors in aviation are in high demand.
- Getting to know people.
- Highly valued position.
- Acquire experience.
- Challenging

Types of flight instructor certificates
- CFI (Certified Flight Instructor): A single-engine aircraft flight instructor.
- A flight instructor who teaches instrument flying is known as a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII).
- A multi-engine instructor (MEI) is a multi-engine aircraft flight instructor.
Aviation growth and the need for flight instructors
Over the years, the aviation sector has seen an increase in global pilot demand, which has resulted in a strong need for training aircraft and simulators in flight schools. Many airlines, on the other hand, are experiencing pilot shortages, which are hurting their everyday operations. Flights lasting more than 12 hours usually necessitate a crew of four pilots. However, due to a pilot shortage, numerous airlines are still flying such long-haul trips with three pilots. The lack of educated pilots to meet the ever-increasing demand is predicted to drive demand for pilot training around the world.
During the forecast period (2022-2027), the civil aviation flight training and simulation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 15%.

Sources :
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_instructor
- https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/flight-instructor-job-description-duties-and-requirements.html
- https://www.internationalstudent.com/study-aviation/ten-reasons-to-pursue-flight-instructor-career/
- https://www.goflyaviation.com.au/latest-news/five-reasons-for-becoming-a-flying-instructor/
- https://atpflightschool.com/become-a-pilot/airline-career/flight-instructor-certificate.html
- https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4756859/civil-aviation-flight-training-and-simulation
- https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4756859/civil-aviation-flight-training-and-simulation
- Main Image credit: www.aeroexpo.online
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