All aspiring pilots across the country must overcome numerous hurdles on their path to becoming professional pilots. One hurdle that they must all surmount is obtaining 1500 flight hours. Many pilots become flight instructors as a means of obtaining these hours. But is this the only option, and is it right for everyone?

A New Flight Hour Requirement

In 2013, US President Barack Obama signed a bill into law that required all airline pilots to have an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP). In doing so, it increased the minimum hour requirement for new airline First Officers (FO). Prior to the regulation change, FOs were only required to have a Commercial Pilot Certificate (CAX) with a multi-engine rating, while Captains were required to hold an ATP certificate.

In the US, only 250 flight hours are required to obtain a CAX certificate, meaning that aspiring pilots would need to build an additional 1250 hours before they could begin their career as an airline pilot, as pilots who attend Part 61 schools are required to obtain 1500 cumulative flight hours before obtaining their ATP certificate.

The Solution

When the flight hour requirement first changed, thousands of pilots were left scrambling to find ways to obtain a sufficient number of flight hours. In time, a handful of different methods became more popular than others as pilots flocked to various low-time jobs. Some of the most popular of these jobs include banner towing, aerial survey, and flying skydive or cargo feeder operations. While there is a wide variety of low-time pilot jobs, the most popular of these jobs is flight instructing.

Once a pilot obtains their CAX rating, they are qualified to undergo flight instructor training. Once they obtain their Certified Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI), they can start teaching students. During flight instruction, both the student and instructor can log the flight hours.

Do All CFIs Work for Flight Schools?

CFIs may work independently as freelancers, or they can work for a flight school. Each has its pros and cons, but which option is best largely depends on the person and their circumstances. Independent CFIs will typically earn more money per flight hour, but are responsible for obtaining their students on their own. This leaves many independent CFIs constantly looking for more students as they frequently struggle to fill their schedule.

CFIs that work for a flight school tend to make less money per hour, but are generally far busier than independent CFIs. Here at Axiom Aviation, our CFIs are able to take on as many students as they request and can build their flight time quickly. While it is hard to say how long someone will spend building time as an independent CFI, here at Axiom, most CFIs have their 1500 hours in under two years.

Should I Become a CFI?

The path to the airlines is unique to all who follow it. For some, becoming a CFI is an essential step along their journey. For others, it is a step they never take. Being a CFI is both incredibly challenging and rewarding, but it is not for everyone. Those who become CFIs are able to master the concepts they learned throughout flight school as they teach the same material they learned to countless students. In doing so, they not only become better teachers but better pilots. On the other hand, many people do not enjoy teaching and instead choose to obtain their hours by other means.

Ultimately, the decision to become a CFI is rather personal. But for many, it is the most consistent and streamlined way to build the required hours to fly for an airline. However, it is not the only way, as many airline pilots today have never been flight instructors.

​Frequently Asked Questions

Why do so many pilots choose to become a flight instructor?

Many pilots become a flight instructor because it is one of the most consistent and reliable ways to build the 1500 hours required to qualify for an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. CFIs can log hours on every training flight, often building time faster than in other low-time flying jobs.

Is becoming a flight instructor the only way to reach 1500 hours?

No. While becoming a flight instructor is the most common path, many pilots build hours through banner towing, aerial survey, skydiving operations, cargo feeder routes, and other low-time pilot jobs. A flight instructor role is popular—but not mandatory.

Do all flight instructors work for flight schools?

No. A flight instructor can work independently or through a flight school. Independent CFIs may earn more per hour but must find their own students. Flight school instructors usually fly more consistently, which helps them reach their hour requirements more quickly.

How long does it take to build 1500 hours as a flight instructor?

This varies by school and student volume. At Axiom Aviation, most flight instructors reach their 1500-hour requirement in under two years due to steady student demand and flexible scheduling.

Is becoming a flight instructor right for everyone?

Not necessarily. Some pilots love teaching and enjoy reinforcing their own skills through instruction. Others prefer non-teaching flying jobs. The best choice depends on personal preference, career goals, and lifestyle.

What are the advantages of becoming a flight instructor before joining the airlines?

CFIs gain deep mastery of aeronautical knowledge by teaching it repeatedly. This leads to stronger fundamentals, better confidence in the cockpit, and a smoother transition into airline training. It is one of the most structured ways to gain experience.

Can I still become an airline pilot if I never work as a flight instructor?

Yes. While the flight instructor path is popular, plenty of airline pilots earned their hours through other types of flying. A CFI certificate is common—but not required—for an airline career.

Interested in becoming a CFI or starting flight school? Give us a call at 262-297-4568. Or email us at info@flyaxiom.com