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Flight Training

Creation date: Jul 12, 2026 4:25am     Last modified date: Jul 12, 2026 4:25am   Last visit date: Aug 22, 2026 1:23pm
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Jul 12, 2026  ( 1 post, 1 reply )  
7/12/2026
4:25am
Alex Rom (alexgan326)

Hi everyone! I’m seriously considering changing careers to become a commercial pilot, but I'm finding it hard to get a clear picture of what the actual timeline and financial path look like. How long does it really take to go from zero hours to landing an airline job? Are the starting salaries at regional airlines worth the high training costs? I want to make sure I have a realistic outlook before committing. Thanks for any advice or shared experiences!

 

4:26am
Serg Goreliy (serggoreliy)

Hey! I was in your shoes not long ago and found a lot of conflicting info online. What really helped me clear things up was a guide called pilot salary and career path . It breaks down the career stages perfectly, from being a flight instructor to becoming a major airline captain. What I liked about it is that they don't just give you vague numbers; they show actual 2026 salary data, like how regional first officers are now starting around $95k–$130k, which made me feel much better about the investment. It also gives a detailed breakdown of the hourly math and how flight hours translate to pay scales. Definitely check it out if you want a realistic, non-sugarcoated view of the aviation timeline. It helped me map out my finances completely.