Cargo Airline Pilot Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Cargo Airline Pilot

Best Schools to become a Cargo Airline Pilot in U.S. 2024

Utah Valley University

Orem, UT

In-State Tuition:$5,614
Out-of-State Tuition:$17,174
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:39%
Total Enrollment:43,099

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, FL

In-State Tuition:$1,968
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,402
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:35%
Total Enrollment:30,057

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

West Mifflin, PA

In-State Tuition:$16,995
Out-of-State Tuition:$16,995
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:57%
Total Enrollment:541

International Air and Hospitality Academy

Vancouver, WA

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:133

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV

In-State Tuition:$6,840
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,840
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:55%
Total Enrollment:48,668

L3Harris Flight Academy

Sanford, FL

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:N/A
Cargo Airline Pilot Job Description:
  • Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
  • Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used.
  • Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Cargo Airline Pilot

Job Duties for Cargo Airline Pilots

  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.

  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.

  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.

Technologies and Skills Used by Cargo Airline Pilots

Data base user interface and query software

  • Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC
  • CoPilot Flight Planning & E6B

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Cargo Airline Pilot

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Cargo Airline Pilot

FAQs About Becoming a Cargo Airline Pilot