Direct Entry Pilot Jobs

Direct entry means joining an airline or operator directly at captain or first officer level, instead of coming through its cadet scheme or an internal upgrade. Employers expect direct entry pilots to be licensed, current and ready for type or line training quickly, so these roles ask for far more experience than entry level jobs.

Among direct entry listings that state a minimum, the median is 3,500 hours total time, and the middle half runs from about 2,500 to 4,000 hours. More than nine in ten ask for at least 1,500 hours. Listings that state a pilot in command minimum have a median of 1,500 hours PIC.

Yes, but they are a small share, because almost all direct entry listings are captain roles. The first officer listings ask for less, with several between 500 and 1,000 hours, often on the A320, 737 or ATR. Some still want a type rating, while others take non type rated pilots who meet the hour minimums.

Often. About seven in ten direct entry listings that say whether a type rating is needed ask for one already held. The rest do not require it in advance, so read each ad to see how type training, its cost and any bond are handled.

Rarely. Only a small share of the direct entry listings on this page say they offer visa sponsorship. The visa sponsorship pilot jobs page lists the roles across AeroScout that do.

Start with the jobs that match your hours now. Our analysis of entry level pilot jobs shows which employers hire at 250, 500 and 1,000 hours, and what else they ask for.