FLYWING AVIATOR'S ASSOCIATION
How Pilots Advance Through the Ranks
The article talks about how pilots advance from student to full captains and the required experience levels for each stage
AVIATION ARTICLES
Boniface Kipchumba Mibei
3/3/20252 min read
Becoming an airline captain doesn’t happen overnight. It requires years of training, experience, and accumulating flight hours. Pilots typically progress through a structured career path, earning more responsibilities - and stripes on their epaulettes - along the way. Let’s break down how pilots climb the ranks from cadet to captain.
1. Training Phase: Cadet Pilot (One Stripe)
How to Get Here:
Enroll in a flight school to obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL) and then a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
Complete ground school training, simulator sessions, and practical flight experience.
Gain an Instrument Rating (IR) and, in some cases, a Multi-Engine Rating (MER).
Some airlines have cadet programs, where trainee pilots are recruited and sponsored for training.
Flight Hours Required: 0–250 hours
Role & Responsibilities: Learning and developing fundamental flying skills under supervision.
2. Junior First Officer or Second Officer (Two Stripes)
How to Get Here:
After obtaining a CPL, pilots may be hired by airlines as Second Officers (SO) or Junior First Officers (JFO).
They begin flying as part of an airline crew but mostly assist with monitoring systems and handling communication.
Some airlines require new pilots to start with short-haul domestic or regional flights before advancing to long-haul operations.
Flight Hours Required: 250–1,500 hours
Role & Responsibilities:
Assists senior pilots with flight operations.
Handles navigation and radio communication.
Learns from experienced pilots to build confidence in real-world flight situations.
3. First Officer (Co-Pilot) (Three Stripes)
How to Get Here:
Once pilots gain experience and meet airline requirements, they are promoted to First Officer (FO).
They now sit in the right seat of the cockpit alongside the captain.
At this stage, pilots continue to accumulate flight hours and may qualify to operate larger aircraft.
Many First Officers start with short-haul routes before moving to long-haul international flights.
Flight Hours Required: 1,500–4,000 hours
Role & Responsibilities:
Fully qualified to operate the aircraft but still under the captain's command.
Takes control of the aircraft during takeoff, cruise, and landing as assigned.
Ensures pre-flight and post-flight checks are done correctly.
4. Captain (Four Stripes)
How to Get Here:
After several years as a First Officer, pilots can undergo captain training and an assessment process.
Airlines require at least 3,500–5,000 flight hours before considering a First Officer for captaincy.
A First Officer must pass a command upgrade course and demonstrate strong leadership and decision-making skills.
Some captains start with regional aircraft before being promoted to wide-body jets for long-haul flights.
Flight Hours Required: 3,500+ hours (varies by airline)
Role & Responsibilities:
Pilot-in-Command (PIC)—has the final say on all flight decisions.
Ensures the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft.
Oversees flight planning, weather conditions, fuel management, and emergency handling.
Leads and mentors junior pilots.
5. Senior Captain or Training Captain (Rare Five Stripes System)
How to Get Here:
Some captains advance to senior or training captain positions, where they train new pilots.
Airlines may require over 10,000 flight hours for this role.
Senior captains might also work in flight safety, operations management, or airline leadership.
Flight Hours Required: 10,000+ hours
Role & Responsibilities:
Trains and assesses captains and first officers.
Oversees standard operating procedures within the airline.
May be involved in airline policy-making and safety management.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Captain?
The timeline varies depending on several factors, including the airline, pilot performance, and demand for captains. However, a typical career progression looks like this:
Final Thoughts
Becoming a captain is a long but rewarding journey that requires dedication, skill, and patience. Each stripe on a pilot’s epaulettes represents their experience and responsibility in the cockpit. While the path to captaincy can take over a decade, the end goal of commanding an aircraft makes it all worthwhile.