How to become a commercial airline pilot
Official title: Commercial airline pilot
Also called: Air transport pilot, Aircraft captain (air transport), Airline pilot, Commercial aircraft pilot, Co-pilot (airline), First officer (commercial airline), Second officer (commercial airline), Captain, First Officer, Air transport pilot, Aircraft captain (air transport), Co-pilot (airline)
Commercial airline pilot operates and navigates commercial aircraft along planned routes, during take-offs and landings to transport passengers, mail or freight. He/she prepares flight plans, conducts pre-flight checks and briefings, and communicates with air traffic controllers for flight clearance. He/she oversees the safety and security of crew, passengers, and freight on board.
Main tasks
- Applying knowledge of principles and practices of flying in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work
- Preparing and submitting flight plan or examining standard flight plan flying and navigating aircraft in accordance with established control and operating procedures
- Controlling the operation of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment and ensuring that all instruments and controls work properly
- Examining maintenance records and conducting inspections to ensure that aircraft are mechanically sound, maintenance has been performed and that all equipment is operational
- Signing necessary certificates and maintaining official records of flight
- Obtaining briefings and clearances before flights and maintaining contact with air traffic or flight control during flight
How to become one
Commercial airline pilot typically holds the CAAS Commercial Pilot License (CPL), CAAS-approved Aircraft Type Rating, CAAS Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) and CAAS Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or their equivalent.
Ways in
- Licence or registration: Pilots of Singapore-registered aircraft need a pilot licence from CAAS, such as a commercial or airline transport pilot licence for paid flying. You train at an approved training organisation, pass the licence tests and hold a valid aviation medical certificate. Law: Air Navigation Act 1966. Regulator: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) (https://www.caas.gov.sg).
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $166,536 a year. The middle half earn $139,128 to $204,036 a year.
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
- Aircraft pilot (excluding commercial airline and air force)
- Flying instructor (excluding air force)
- Flight engineer
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Questions people ask
How do I become a commercial airline pilot?
Commercial airline pilot typically holds the CAAS Commercial Pilot License (CPL), CAAS-approved Aircraft Type Rating, CAAS Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) and CAAS Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or their equivalent.
How much does a commercial airline pilot earn in Singapore?
Median full-time pay is $166,536 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $139,128 to $204,036.
Will AI change the work of a commercial airline pilot?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
- Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat): Singapore Standard Occupational Classification (SSOC) 2024 (SSOC 2024 (definitions and index updated 2026-06-24)), Singapore Open Data Licence, retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026