Commercial Pilot vs Airline Pilot: Differences and Salary Comparisons
The terms ldquo;commercial pilotrdquo; and ldquo;airline pilotrdquo; are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences between the two. This article explores the distinctions between these roles and the salaries associated with each. While commercial pilots generally earn a decent income, airline pilots hold a more prestigious position, along with higher compensation.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
To become a commercial pilot, you need to accumulate at least 250 hours of flight experience. With this certificate, you are qualified to undertake various flying activities such as towing banners, crop dusting, or piloting corporate jets. The CPL opens many opportunities for non-airline flying, though it may not always match the salary of an airline pilot. Additionally, pilots who already have an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license might earn an extra thousand dollars or more per year.
The commercial pilot certification is significantly lower in terms of flight time requirements compared to the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license. The ATP license, which enables you to fly scheduled airline flights, requires 1500 hours of flight time, or 1000 hours if you obtained that experience while serving in the military. The ATP license is more rigorously tested and is associated with a higher salary.
Differences in Roles and Salaries
The distinction between commercial and airline pilots extends beyond just flight hours and licensing requirements. A commercial pilot can be at any stage of their career, from a newly-qualified pilot with 250 hours of flight experience to a fully-qualified airline pilot who is also a commercial pilot. Therefore, it is impossible to generalize about the role and salary of a commercial pilot in comparison to an airline pilot who, by the way, also holds a commercial pilot certificate.
A commercial pilot might fly a helicopter and earn around $100 per hour. However, these pilots do not work for airlines and their operations are regulated under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 135, which governs commercial aircraft operations such as on-demand and air taxi operations. In contrast, airlines operate under FAR 121, which provides regulations for large air carrier operations.
While a commercial pilot is eligible for a variety of jobs and might earn quite a bit, it is important to note that the non-airline jobs that compensate as well as a full-time airline captain are few and far between. The pay gap between commercial and airline pilots is due to the complex nature of airline operations, requiring a larger skill set, higher standards of training, and more rigorous certification processes.
Conclusion
In summary, the differences between a commercial pilot and an airline pilot are significant, with airline pilots requiring more extensive training and meeting higher standards. This results in higher salaries for airline pilots compared to commercial pilots. If you are considering a career in aviation, understanding these distinctions can help you make informed decisions about your career path.