The Armed Forces have always been an important source of trained pilots for civilian jobs. Military pilots gain valuable experience on jet aircraft and helicopters, and persons with this experience are usually preferred for civilian pilot jobs. In addition to a commercial license, pilots who have to fly in bad weather must be licensed by the FAA to fly by instruments. Pilots may qualify for this license by having 40 hours of experience on procedures and FAA regulations covering instrument flying, and demonstrating their ability to flying by school.
Most pilots are college graduates.
Many job openings are filled by pilots who have acquired their training in the Armed Forces. Other entrants are recent graduates of civilian flying schools. Most pilots are college graduates. By law, Airline pilots cannot fly more than 85 hours a month or more than 1,000 hours a year, and usually only fly 16 days a month. When pilots are away from home the airlines provide hotel accommodations and an allowance for expense.