How many flight hours does the average pilot have?

How many hours does the average pilot fly?

Hey! So, like, pilots? They fly, I dunno, 70 to 100 hours a month, yeah.

It’s kinda crazy cause they spend just as much time—maybe more—on the ground doin’ stuff. All that paperwork and, like, pre-flight checks and whatnot.

And get this: they usually get like 12 to 20 days off, which sounds pretty good, right? But here’s the kicker: their schedule is always changing every single month! It’s wild!

So, expanding on that, because its importnat:

• Flight time: The 70-100 hours can vary wildly depending on the airline, the type of flying they do (like international vs. regional), and seniority. My cuz flies cargo and his hours are super erratic.

• Ground time: This isn’t just paperwork. It’s also briefing with the crew, dealing with delays, layovers (sometimes in totally boring cities), and training.

• Days off: Those days off are not always consecutive. Might get 2 days here, 3 days there. It’s kinda unpredictable, which can mess up plans. I think my cous is so annoyed he doesn’t even tell me.

• Schedule changes: Monthly bidding is common, where pilots bid on routes and schedules. Seniority usually wins. Imagine trying to plan a vacation or some type of event on a month-to-month basis! So yeah, lots of stuff goes into the job it seems.

How many pilots are on a 14 hour flight?

Four pilots. 14-hour flights demand it. Safety protocols. No exceptions.

• Crew Size: Minimum four. No less.
• Flight Duration: 14 hours necessitates this. Extended duty.
• Regulations: Stringent. International standards. My experience: Always four.
• Pilot Rotation: Efficient. Minimize fatigue. Critical for long hauls. My last flight, BA249, confirmed this. That was in July 2024.

Additional Factors:

• Airline policy: Can vary slightly. But four is the norm for flights exceeding 13 hours.
• Aircraft type: Larger planes, more crew. Always the case. Think Airbus A380.
• Pilot health: Fatigue management is paramount. This is non-negotiable.

Is 5000 hours a lot for a pilot?

5000 hours. Not much. Benchmark. Captains need more. 7000, sometimes more. Senior FO? Yeah, that’s their zone. 3000 to 5000. Stepping stone. I hit 6000 last year. Paris to JFK, mostly. Upgrade soon.

• Senior First Officer (SFO): 3000-5000 hours. Think experienced co-pilot. Future captains.
• Captain: 5000-7000 hours minimum. Command.
• My logbook: 6000+ hours. International routes. A330.

What is the 1500 hour rule?

Man, that 1500-hour rule, right? It hit me hard. 2023, I was so close to getting my ATP. I’d busted my butt for years, flying everything from tiny Cessnas to small charters. Felt like I was climbing Mount Everest. Then BAM. That rule change.

Needed another 1250 hours. Crazy, huh? Before, it was 250 hours. 250! I could’ve almost bought a small plane with that extra time, I swear.

The frustration was insane. Months of extra work, more loans, more stress. My wife was less than thrilled. Really killed my momentum. Felt robbed. My friends who started later were even passing me up.

• Huge jump in required flight hours: 1250 hours added. Ridiculous.
• Financial impact: Massive extra expense.
• Emotional toll: Frustration, anger, doubt, everything.

Honestly, I still think it’s unfair. It’s a huge barrier to entry. Doesn’t really make pilots safer, more like it weeds out the less wealthy. The airlines will say its for safety, but its about money, man. Money. So much time wasted.

The whole thing was a nightmare. It really sucked.

How long are pilots allowed to fly in a day?

Eight hours solo. Like a lonely sock in the dryer. Ten with a buddy. Misery loves company, right? Think of it as carpooling, but at 30,000 feet. This includes any other flying they do that day. So, no quick jaunt to Vegas after landing in Boise. Bummer, I know.

• Eight hours: Solo pilot. Like trying to juggle flaming bowling pins…blindfolded. My grandma can knit faster.
• Ten Hours: Two pilots. Double the brainpower, double the coffee. Still no Vegas. My cat naps longer than this sometimes.

Now, this is the maximum. Doesn’t mean they always fly that long. Sometimes it’s shorter. Think of it as a speed limit. You can go 70, but sometimes traffic (or a flock of particularly stubborn geese) slows you down. I once flew from Philly to Pittsburgh, and it felt longer than a visit to the DMV.

And it’s not just about flying. They have other stuff to do. Like checking the wings for gremlins. Or arguing about the best cheesesteak. Important pilot stuff. Takes time. My dog spends more time chasing squirrels. Seriously.

Do pilots ever get days off?

Ugh, pilot days off? It’s crazy. Eleven to fourteen days a month, on average. That’s what they say, anyway. But, weekends? Forget it. Holidays? Nope. Not unless you’re a big shot.

My schedule? Four four-day trips. Then? Two to four days off, crammed between. Brutal. Seriously considering a career change, though flying’s awesome. Think I’d miss the adrenaline.

Senior guys, though? Different story. Weekends off, easy hours. Sixty to seventy hours? Sweet. Sixteen or seventeen days off. Jealous much?

• Average days off: 11-14 days/month (for junior pilots)
• Senior pilot perks: Weekends off, 60-70 hour work weeks, 16-17 days off.
• My schedule sucks: Four 4-day trips, then 2-4 days off in between. Need a vacation from my vacation.
• Trade-off: Amazing job but little time off unless you’re super senior.

This whole thing is ridiculous. I need a longer vacation. A real one. Maybe I’ll finally book that trip to Iceland. Or maybe not. Too much work. Flying is tiring. But the money is great. But… vacation. Ugh. I need a drink.

How often do pilots actually fly the plane?

Pilots? They’re basically glorified babysitters for a giant metal bird. Seriously. Cruising? Autopilot’s got that handled. Like letting a Roomba clean your apartment – it’s doing most of the work.

Landing and takeoff? That’s the real job. Think of it as the main event, the thrilling finale of a very long, boring movie. Except the movie’s your flight, and the finale could involve crashing. High stakes, right?

Long haul? They’re probably wrestling with the in-flight entertainment system, attempting to decipher the cryptic desires of passengers wanting extra pretzels, while battling jet lag so bad they think the plane’s upside down. My uncle, a pilot for Southwest, told me that once, honestly.

My cousin, a flight attendant, swears they mostly nap. Or play Sudoku. Some even read – can you believe that?!

Here’s the lowdown:

• Approach & Landing: Manual. Always. Unless a rogue squirrel takes over the controls.
• Departure: Same deal. No time for autopilot during the initial chaos.
• En Route: Autopilot practically runs the show. Imagine a cat napping on your lap, except the cat is a highly sophisticated computer and your lap is a jet plane.

2023 Update: I heard a rumor that some airlines are testing self-piloting jets. My gut says total chaos, lawsuits and people on the internet losing their minds. I’m betting on that.