Airline pilots log thousands of flying hours

Question: What is a typical flight schedule for a pilot?

– Bob, Fort Myers, Florida Answer: It varies significantly depending on the type of flying a pilot is doing. Pilots flying very long-haul, such as LAX to Sydney, will fly only two legs during the week, while a regional pilot may make 30 or more takeoffs and landings that same week.

In recent years fatigue management has improved, but crew fatigue remains a significant issue. Pilots fly at all hours of the day and night, often crossing numerous time zones.

Q: I know a general aviation pilot who is very proud of logging 1,000 hours. How does that compare to commercial or military pilot hours? He also made me wonder about the levels and types of licenses and certifications a pilot can get. Is there some kind of bottom-to-top ranking of flight privileges?

– Bill, Cleveland

A: Airline pilots have thousands of flying hours. Your friend has good experience for a general aviation pilot.

Airline pilots often fly more than 700 hours a year, some near 1,000.

In the U.S., the progression of pilot licenses is Private, Commercial, Airline Transport. There are ratings that are added to the licenses for instrument flying, multiengine, glider, sea plane or lighter than air.

Q: How much time does it take to accumulate 1,500 hours of flying?

– Donald

A: Talking to the young men and women entering aviation via the flight instructor path, they tell me it takes two to three years to meet the 1,500 hours necessary to fly for a U.S. airline.

John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company.