How to become a pilot

Aviation is a profession that demands technical expertise, precision and a strong sense of responsibility.

Whether you’re aiming to fly commercial airliners, charter flights or emergency aircraft, becoming a pilot requires deep theoretical knowledge and hundreds of hours of hands-on training.

UNSW is the only Group of Eight university in Australia to offer pilot qualifications that integrate academic study with practical flight training. With a Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) or Graduate Diploma in Flying from UNSW’s School of Aviation, you’ll build a strong foundation in areas such as aircraft systems, flight planning and aviation transport economics, while completing around 200 hours of flight time and 30 hours of simulator training.

In this guide, we’ll break down the steps to becoming a pilot in Australia, the skills you'll need, the different career pathways available and how UNSW can help prepare you for a successful future in aviation.

What do pilots do?

Pilots are trained to operate aircraft safely and efficiently across a range of industries – from commercial airlines and freight transport to emergency services and private charters. While a pilot’s specific responsibilities can vary by role and aircraft type, all pilots follow strict protocols to ensure safe, successful flights.

What a pilot does on a day-to-day basis includes:

Checking weather conditions, flight paths and schedules
Conducting thorough pre-flight inspections of fuel, engines, hydraulics and electronic systems
Operating the aircraft from take-off to landing, while monitoring systems and communicating with air traffic control.

On commercial flights, airline pilots often work in pairs – with a captain and first officer (copilot) sharing responsibilities. But in smaller aircraft, such as private planes or helicopters, a single pilot may manage navigation, communications and system monitoring independently throughout the flight.

Airlines pilot vs commercial pilot: what's the difference?

The key difference between an airline pilot and a commercial pilot is the type of flying they do. Airline pilots operate scheduled flights for commercial airlines, while commercial pilots fly across a broader range of industries and services. The table below outlines the main differences to help you choose the right path.

Airline pilots	Commercial pilots
Airline pilots fly scheduled passenger or cargo flights for commercial airlines. They fly for major carriers like Qantas and Virgin Australia, or regional operators, like Rex Airlines. They usually work as part of a larger flight crew and follow fixed routes on a regular schedule.	Commercial pilots fly aircraft for a range of purposes outside scheduled airline services. This includes charter flights, freight transport, air ambulances, firefighting, agriculture and more. They often work independently or in small teams, flying varied routes based on demand and client needs.

What skills do you need to be a pilot?

Beyond flight training, becoming a successful pilot requires a combination of technical knowledge and essential soft skills. Pilots must be able think clearly under pressure, solve problems in real time, and work confidently in a highly regulated, team-based environment.

Some of the qualities of a good pilot include:

Soft skills

Technical competencies

Clear spoken communication

Staying calm in challenging situations

Strong situational awareness

Teamwork and coordination

Careful decision-making

Reliability and discipline

Adaptability in changing conditions

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Decisiveness and quick thinking

Advanced flying techniques

Reading and interpreting flight instruments

Understanding different aircraft systems

Radio communications

Interpreting aviation weather information

Route planning

Following safety checks and procedures

Navigation skills

Do you need a degree to become a pilot?

While you don’t need a university degree to become a pilot in Australia, it can expand your career opportunities in the aviation sector and accelerate your career growth.

To gain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), you’ll need to complete around 150 hours of flight time, along with theoretical and technical exams covering topics such as navigation, meteorology, air law and aircraft systems. If your goal is to become an airline pilot, you’ll typically require 1,500 hours of experience for entry-level roles.

UNSW provides a pathway that includes both practical flight training to become a licensed pilot and theoretical and leadership training to excel in non-flying aviation roles. The UNSW Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) prepares you for a professional flying career through academic study, simulator practice and in-air training.

You’ll train at UNSW’s Flying Operations Unit at Bankstown Airport, with access to a dedicated aircraft fleet. The program includes around 200 flight hours and 30 hours of simulator time, helping you graduate with the knowledge and experience to take off with confidence.

Steps to become a pilot in Australia

To work as a professional pilot in Australia, you’ll need a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). You can achieve this through a university aviation program or an accredited flight school, depending on your goals and background.

Once qualified, you’ll need to maintain your licence with regular flight reviews every one to two years. There’s no single way to get started. Whether you’re finishing school or switching careers, there are flexible pathways to becoming a pilot.

Undergraduate
Postgraduate

Undergraduate pilot pathway

Apply for an aviation degree
Enrol in a program that combines theory and flight training – such as UNSW’s Bachelor of Aviation (Flying).
Begin flight training and licensing
Start learning to fly and progress through your Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL), Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and ultimately your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
Build up your flight hours
Accumulate flying hours through regular practice or by taking on part-time flying roles such as a flight instructor or scenic flight pilot.
Enhance your aviation knowledge
Add relevant endorsements such as multi-engine or instrument ratings. Consider further training, such as UNSW’s Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory (ATPL) or the Managing Psychosocial Risks at Work short course.
Apply for pilot roles
Begin your career in entry-level aviation jobs or start preparing for airline recruitment.

Postgraduate pilot pathway

Enrol in a postgraduate aviation program
If you already hold a degree in another field, you can transition into aviation through a program like UNSW’s Graduate Diploma in Flying. This course is designed for career changers and covers the core theory and practical training needed to become a pilot.
Start flight training and licensing
Begin your training with the Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) and progress through the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) to earn your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). You'll study aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, air law and other key aviation topics.
Build flight hours and experience
Accumulate the flight time required for your CPL and continue to log hours through supervised training, flying roles or flight instruction.
Add endorsements and specialisations
Depending on your goals, you can complete additional ratings, such as multi-engine or instrument flying, or expand your knowledge through short courses or airline preparation training.
Enter the aviation industry
Once qualified, you can move into general aviation roles such as charter flying, flight instruction or aerial operations and work towards the experience needed for airline or specialised aviation careers.

Mapping your career in aviation

A career in aviation can take you in many different directions. Pilots work across general aviation, passenger airlines, private charters, tourism, emergency services, freight and agricultural operations.

With experience, you can progress into senior flying roles, become a flight instructor, or move into training, recruitment or airline management. Some pilots eventually become captains or specialise in specific types of operations.

Here’s a look at where your flying career could take you:

Sector	Responsibilities
Passenger airlines	Operate scheduled flights for commercial airlines; follow fixed routes and safety procedures; work with larger crews.
General aviation	Fly small aircraft for charter services, private clients or aerial survey work; often operate independently.
Tourism	Provide scenic flights and air tours for visitors; focus on passenger experience and local knowledge.
Emergency services	Support medical evacuations, search and rescue or firefighting operations; fly in challenging conditions.
Freight operations	Transport cargo across regional, national or international routes; often fly at night or outside peak hours.
Agricultural flying	Operate low-level flights for crop spraying, pest control or aerial seeding; often in rural areas.
Flight instruction	Train new pilots in simulators and real aircraft; help them prepare for licences and check flights.

FAQs about becoming a pilot

The time it takes to become a pilot depends on your goals and the training pathway you choose.

At UNSW, the Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) takes three years to complete and includes around 200 hours of flight training. This prepares you for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and entry-level flying roles. Full-time students in vocational programs may progress through their licences in as little as one to two years, though timing can vary based on factors like weather, flight hour availability and personal commitments.

If your goal is to become an airline pilot, you’ll typically need to log at least 1,500 hours of total flight time before being eligible for most major airlines. UNSW aviation students also have the opportunity to participate in Qantas’s Q-ACE – the Qantas Aviation Career Enrichment Program. This program helps prepare aspiring airline pilots for direct entry employment opportunities after completing their university studies.
Yes – international students can study to become a pilot in Australia through accredited aviation programs like those offered at UNSW. However, you’ll need to ensure your student visa permits flight training and meets the required study conditions.

To enrol at UNSW, you must also meet the university’s English language requirements. Additionally, if you plan to become a commercial pilot, you’ll need to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) English language proficiency standard, as English is the global language of aviation.

If you're planning to work as a pilot outside Australia, make sure the qualifications you earn here are recognised in the country where you intend to fly. Different aviation authorities may have their own licensing and conversion requirements.
Pilots are in high demand in Australia and globally, with strong job growth expected over the coming years. In Australia, employment for pilots is projected to grow by 31.4% over the next five years (Seek, 2025), making it a career path with excellent job security and long-term prospects.

Salaries vary depending on your experience, aircraft type and sector. In Australia:

Commercial pilots typically earn between $100,000 and $120,000 per year
Helicopter pilots earn around $100,000 to $115,000 per year
Senior airline pilots and captains can earn $200,000 or more, especially with major carriers

A degree from UNSW can help you maximise your earning potential. UNSW graduates earn the highest median salaries among graduates of Go8 universities (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2024), and the university has been recognised as producing Australia’s most employable students for seven years in a row (AFR Top100 Future Leaders & Graduate Employers Awards, 2020–2026).
Not sure if a career in aviation is right for you? If you’re passionate about flying, enjoy a challenge and are comfortable taking on responsibility, becoming a pilot could be a great fit.

Pilots need strong focus, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. You must be able to stay calm under pressure, especially when handling unexpected situations or navigating difficult conditions. You should also be prepared for long or irregular hours and for a significant commitment to flight training and technical study.

But for those drawn to the skies, it’s a rewarding career that offers the chance to see the world from a completely different perspective.

How UNSW will prepare you for your career as a pilot

UNSW offers one of Australia’s most comprehensive aviation education experiences, combining academic learning, professional flight training and industry integration. With 30 years of experience, the UNSW School of Aviation is recognised for producing skilled, safety-focused pilots and aviation professionals.

UNSW is the only globally ranked university in Australia operating its own Air Operator’s Certificate, giving aviation students access to real-world flight operations and in-house training facilities. Our programs are developed in partnership with leading aviation organisations and delivered by experts who’ve held senior roles in airlines, air traffic services, safety boards and government agencies.

At our Flying Operations Unit (FOU), you’ll gain hands-on experience with our fleet of training aircraft, which includes Diamond DA40s and Piper PA44s. You will also use advanced flight simulators and training systems designed to replicate real-world flight operations.

Second-year Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) and Graduate Diploma in Flying students also have the opportunity to take part in Q-ACE – the Qantas Aviation Career Enrichment program. This program provides mentoring, skills development and direct insight into airline recruitment, helping students transition smoothly into professional flying roles.

Launch a career as a pilot at UNSW

Kickstart a career in the skies with the undergraduate Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) or the postgraduate Graduate Diploma in Flying. Learn more and apply today.

Bachelor of Aviation (Flying)

Graduate Diploma in Flying