How to Become a Cargo Pilot : Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to work as a cargo pilot, it is one of the best job choices available today. Cargo pilots tend to have a higher number of flight hours, a slightly more flexible schedule than passenger pilots, and make an average salary that is two to three times greater than that of passenger pilots.
However, this is not an easy career path, it will take serious discipline, investment of time and money, and other things to complete the journey of becoming a cargo pilot.
Now let’s take a look at each step of becoming a cargo pilot:
Table of Contents
1. Verify that you meet the following basic qualifications before beginning your journey:
Age: Minimum Age Is 18 Years Old But Maximum Age Can Be 40 – 45 Years Old (Some Airlines Accept Age Up To 55 Years Old)
Educational Qualification: The Minimum Educational Requirement Is 12th Grade Pass With Physics And Maths Subjects, However A Bachelor’s Degree Is Not Required But Will Be Helpful For Your Career As A Cargo Pilot.
Medical Requirement: Class 1 Medical Fitness Should Be Achieved (Meets DGCA Or FAA Standards) And Vision Should Be 20/20 (With Or Without Correction) And No Known Heart Problems And Mental Health Should Be Stable.
Language Skills: Must Have ICAO Level 4 English Language Skills. If You Do Not Have Good Command Of The English Language, Start Practising As Soon As Possible.
2. School Selection
As an aspiring pilot in India, you must train with a DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) approved flying school. Here are a few of the best:
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) – Raebareli
- Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy – Hyderabad
- Bombay Flying Club – Mumbai
- Chimes Aviation Academy – Amritsar
Alternatively, many pilots receive their training outside of India (in the USA, Canada or NZ). While the cost to train in India ranges from approximately ₹25 to ₹40 lakhs, the cost of training outside India ranges from approximately ₹35 to ₹60 lakhs (USD equivalent).
You will eventually be required to have both a CPL (commercial pilot license) and an ATPL (airline transport pilot license) to work as a pilot for a cargo carrier.
3. The Training Process
PPL (Private Pilot License) – You need between 40 and 50 hours of flying experience to obtain your PPL. During this phase, you will learn all of the basics involved with flying. The cost of this course varies between ₹8 to 12 Lakh.
CPL (Commercial Pilot License) – In order for you to get your CPL, you must have at least 200 flight hours logged (which includes 100 hours as a PIC) before you can officially begin working in an airline environment.
IR (Instrument Rating) – An IR allows you to fly in clouds, at night, or without visual contact (only via instruments). An IR is important if you plan on working for a company transporting freight.
Multi-Engine Rating – If you intend to fly a twin-engine aircraft, you must obtain a multi-engine rating.
Type Rating : A type rating is required in order to operate large volume cargo airplanes such as the Boeing 737, 747, 777 and Airbus A330. This is by far the most expensive portion of your training (approximately ₹15 – 30 Lakh).
All in all, the average time frame for completing your 250 to 300 total hours of flying experience and receiving your type rating is two to four years from beginning your initial training to achieving your desired result.
4. Entry into Cargo Airlines
The recruitment of cargo pilots is very different from that of passenger carriers because recruiting is mostly based on experience and accumulated flying hours. Some major cargo operators in India are:
- Blue Dart Aviation
- Air India Cargo
- SpiceJet Cargo (occasionally)
- FedEx, DHL, UPS (Internationally)
For the most part, these companies require at least 1,500-2,000 flying hours for all positions. You might be able to get hired at a small cargo company or a freighter company (for example, Air Charter Services) where you could accumulate 500-800 flying hours and then apply to be a pilot at one of the larger, more established airlines.
5. Compensation and Lifestyle
Starting Salary Indian: 120,000 to 180,000 per month
After Five Year: 300,000 to 500,000 per month (777 or A330)
International Carriers (FedEx, UPS): 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 and approximately $15,000 to $30,000)
Lifestyle: You can expect to work long range flights, with 4 – 5 working days a schedule, followed by 3 – 4 days off; and you will be away from your family for long periods, but the pay is excellent.
6. Challenges and Advice
The challenges that you may face while trying to get an airline pilot license (CPL) are:
- Creating a financial plan. Most people use loans from banks or charter companies to fund their training. You will have to provide collateral for the loan (usually your house) to get the loan approved.
- The age limit for becoming an airline pilot is 30 years old or less. Most airlines prefer younger pilots and will not consider older pilots.
- There are thousands of students who receive their CPL each year and there are very few opportunities for pilots to work in the cargo industry.
Once you are ready to become an airline pilot, here is a advice on how to get to a cargo position.
Advice : Start as a first officer with a regional airline. Once you have 1,000 hours of flight time, get your type rating and transfer to cargo.
Last Reflections
Becoming a Cargo Pilot is not just your dream but also your working blueprint. If you work diligently at least two hours every day and meet all requirements for obtaining your Private Pilot’s License (PPL) in less than six months and Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) in less than three years, you will likely be working somewhere as a Commercial Pilot by the age of 28-30 years old.
however, it is important to remember that there are no shortcuts in aviation which means you need to put forth effort and do not give up, and you’ll be able to enjoy flying 40,000 pounds of merchandise from New York City to Dubai.
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What are the basic requirements to become a Cargo Pilot in the United States?
The basic requirements for becoming a cargo pilot in the United States are:
1. an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate;
2. a valid First-Class Medical; 1,500 hours of total flight time (may be less depending on education/military qualified under R-ATP);
3. multi-engine and Instrument ratings;
4. English-speaking proficiency.
5. FedEx/UPS have additional requirements – valid passport and have authorization to work in the USA.
What is the wage for Cargo Pilots in the United States?
Cargo Pilot salaries vary greatly depending on position from $80,000-$120,000 a year, feeder/Part 135 / entry level pilots.
In addition, full-time First Officers with FedEx/UPS can earn between $100,000-$150,000 their first year. Senior Captains at FedEx/UPS can exceed $250,000-$350,000 or more.
Additionally, senior Captains that bid for widebody aircraft in 2026 could earn $450,000 or more with overtime.
Is a college degree required to be a Cargo Pilot?
No, there are no FAA requirements for a college degree, but many major cargo carriers such as FedEx/UPS prefer to hire college graduates. A college degree, especially an Aviation degree, helps in getting hired and may qualify you for lower ATP time (1,000-1,250 hours) under the Restricted ATP (R-ATP).
