American Airlines Pilot Requirements

Paragon Flight encourages aspiring pilots to come to us for a training program as they strive to meet all of American Airline’s requirements for pilot applicants. The Paragon Flight P3 Professional Pilot Program is designed to help pilots prepare for work with an airline.

What to Expect from American Airlines

American Airlines Pilot RequirementsAmerican Airlines has high expectations of pilots. Pilots need to be skilled, safe, and professional while also enjoying the adventure and travel of the role.

The American Airlines Hiring Process:

  • Step One: Apply at pilots.aa.com.
  • Step Two: If the team approves the application, you will interview with it in person or virtual format in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • Step Three: Indoc participation comes with conditional hires to American Airlines. The two-week course prepares pilots for success with the company.
  • Step Four: Ground/sims will prepare you for the airframe assigned during indoc.

As with any other airline, American Airlines requires that pilots have a multi-engine ATP certificate and 1,500 hours of total time in the sky. Paragon Flight can help all interested pilots meet these requirements.

Pilot candidates for American Airlines need to be leaders in flight and operations. These expectations guide the structure and implementation of Paragon Flight’s P3 Program.

The P3 Professional Pilot Program at Paragon Flight

Get a head start on your training by signing up to participate in the P3 Professional Pilot Program at Paragon Flight. This program allows participants to complete training that would otherwise require more than two years in fewer than ten months.

P3 Breakdown:

Stage One: Private Pilot License (PPL) – WEEKS 0-10

  • Foundational course
  • The most important stage of aviation education
  • Development of good habits and best practices as a pilot
  • Permits single-engine flight in visual conditions.

Stage Two: Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) – WEEKS 11-18

  • Preparation for flight using avionics, radios, communication, and navigation systems of aircraft
  • Skill used regularly by professional pilots
  • Permits flight in non-visual conditions.

Stage Three: Commercial License, Single Engine and Multi-Engine (CSEL and CMEL) – WEEKS 19-30

  • Prepare to fly single-engine and multi-engine aircraft professionally
  • Training to high mastery levels
  • Requirement for any acceptance of compensation for flight services.

Stage Four: Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – WEEKS 31-38

  • The final stage of the P3 program
  • Preparation to train novice pilots in single-engine aircraft
  • It is an ideal entry point for pilots since it provides a path to log flight hours while working as a pilot.

To participate in the P3 Program, you’ll need to meet all of the following prerequisites:

  • Age – at least 18 years old
  • Education – high school diploma or GED (some college preferred)
  • References – one personal + one professional character reference
  • Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) – clear
  • FAA record – clear
  • Criminal background check – passed
  • Cognitive and behavioral evaluation – passed
  • FAA Medical Certificate – 1st Class
  • Language – English, fluent speaker, and literate reader and writer
  • Availability – full-time, able to participate in 4-5 flight lessons and 10-20 hours of ground training weekly
  • Qualities – leadership, drive, good moral character.

Click here to sign up for the Paragon Flight P3 Professional Pilot Program and begin the journey to complete all of the requirements to become an American Airlines pilot. You can also reach us directly by phone at any of the following three locations:

  • Fort Myers, FL – (239) 747-0056
  • Punta Gorda, FL – (941) 900-3131
  • LaGrange, GA – (706) 903-9337.