The Role of Women in Aviation

You're not too old to become a pilot

You're not too old. You're not weak. You're not alone. Right now, airlines across the world are actively hiring pilots, and they desperately need more women in the cockpit. In 2024 alone, United Airlines hired over 500 new pilots to meet surging demand. For 2025, those numbers are climbing even higher as the global pilot shortage intensifies. The average age of a new pilot entering the industry? Just 35.2 years old—proof that it's never too late to start.

Women like you are shattering the glass ceiling in aviation. The old stereotypes are gone. Airlines don't care about your background—they need skilled pilots who show up ready to fly. With fewer women currently flying commercially (just 6.8%), but a surge of female trainees entering flight schools (15.03%), the industry is changing fast. This creates a perfect window of opportunity: less competition, targeted recruitment programs for women, signing bonuses, and airlines actively seeking diverse talent. Regional carriers paid bonuses in 2023 just to fill seats; in 2025, major airlines are following suit. Your timing couldn't be better—the skies are calling.

Begin Flight Path →

Key industry numbers

Aviation faces severe pilot shortage. Airlines prioritize skills over gender. Only 6.8% commercial pilots are women, but 15.03% new trainees are female. By 2032, industry needs 12,000+ pilots.

Metric	Status	Benefit
Female commercial pilots	6.8%	Less competition
Female student pilots	15.03%	Fastest growth
Pilot shortage	12,000+ by 2032	Job security
New pilot age	35.2 years	No age barrier
EasyJet trainees	13% (growing)	Airlines recruit women

Essential requirements

• Age: 17+ (fly until 65)
• Medical: Class 1 ($500–$1,000, 1–2 weeks)
• English: ICAO Level 4 (+6 months if needed)
• Education: High school + math
• Vision: Correctable 20/20
• Physics: 4–6 week bridge course

Medical note: Disclose mental health history early—many women approved.

License progression

Start at Pelican Flight School.

• SPL: 3–4 weeks, $2,000–$3,000 (solo basics)
• PPL: 6–9 months, 60–80 hours, $19,800–$25,000
• Instrument Rating: 4–6 months, 50 hours, $8,000–$12,000
• CPL: 3–4 months, 250–300 hours, $34,400+
• CFI: 2–3 months to 1,500 hours, $5,000–$8,000
• Multi-Engine: 1–2 weeks, 20 Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
• , $3,000–$5,000
• ATP: 2–3 weeks, 1,500 hours, $3,000–$5,000

Real cost breakdown

Total pathway to ATP: $86,995–$116,995 over 36–48 months. Per flight hour: $150–$200 (simulators cheaper than aircraft).

License/Rating	Cost Range	Flight Hours	Timeline
Private Pilot License (PPL)	$19,800–$25,000	60–80 hours	6–9 months
Instrument Rating	$8,000–$12,000	50 hours	4–6 months
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)	$34,400+	250 total hours	3–4 months
CFI Certification	$5,000–$8,000	1,500 total hours	2–3 months
Multi-Engine Rating	$3,000–$5,000	20 hours	1–2 weeks
ATP Certification	$3,000–$5,000	1,500 total hours	2–3 weeks
TOTAL PATHWAY	$86,995–$116,995	1,500+ hours	36–48 months

Funding for women pilots

• Wizz Air She Can Fly: 50% training covered. 3-year contract. €4,500–€5,500/month starting. Apply by Jan 31, 2025.
• United Aviate: 50% female target by 2030. Covers tuition + living. $5,500–$6,500/month starting. Rolling applications.
• Boeing Pilot Pathways: 25–100% grants based on need.

Apply through flight schools like Pelican Flight School.

General funding options

• Scholarships: Women in Aviation International, EAA ($2,000–$10,000)
• Payment plans: 12–36 months, 0% interest (ATP, Epic, CAE)
• Loans: 5–8% interest (~$1,500/month for $89k/72 months)
• Credit unions: Aviation-focused, lower rates
• GI Bill: Full coverage + stipend for veterans
• Employer sponsorship: Airlines sponsor ground staff/flight attendants

Money you'll make

Build hours as CFI while earning $36K–$108K/year. Airlines pay $4,500–$18,000/month as First Officer to Captain.

Year	CFI Salary (Monthly)	Charter Extra	Annual Income
Year 1	$2,500–$3,500	$500–$1,000	$36,000–$54,000
Year 2	$3,000–$4,500	$1,000–$1,500	$48,000–$72,000
Year 3	$3,500–$5,000	$1,500–$2,000	$54,000–$84,000
Year 4–5	$4,000–$6,000	$2,000–$3,000	$72,000–$108,000

Airline	Year 1 FO (Monthly)	Year 5 FO	Captain (10+ years)
Regional (SkyWest)	$4,500–$5,500	$6,500–$7,500	$12,000–$14,000
Major US (United)	$5,500–$7,000	$8,500–$10,500	$15,000–$18,000
European (Lufthansa)	€4,500–€6,000	€7,000–€9,000	€14,000–€18,000

Charter pilot income

Type	Hourly Rate	Hours/Month	Monthly Income
Light Aircraft	$150–$250	40–60	$6,000–$15,000
Mid-Size Jet	$300–$400	40–80	$12,000–$32,000
Heavy Jet	$400–$600	50–100	$20,000–$60,000

Your timeline to captain

• Month 1–2: Medical + school selection ($500–$1,000)
• Month 2–14: PPL + Instrument + CPL ($62,200–$71,400)
• Month 14–18: CFI + Multi-Engine ($8,000–$13,000)
• Month 18–48: Build 1,200 hours as CFI ($105K–$210K earned)
• Month 48–60: ATP + airline hire ($4,500–$6,000/month)

Total: 5 years to Captain, $30K–$60K out-of-pocket

Start your IFR training →

 

Real women results

Maria, Age 38 (Part-Time Path)

Started part-time in 2019 while working as a manager. Took 4 years to get CPL. Spent 2 years as part-time CFI while keeping main job. Hired by Southwest at age 44 (2023). "It was hard juggling two jobs, but I didn't want to lose income." Now First Officer earning $6,200/month. On track for captain by 2027. Total investment: $95,000. Timeline: 6 years. Verdict: "Slower, but I had income the whole time. No regrets."

Priya, Age 41 (Career Pivot)

Left teaching job to pursue aviation full-time. Applied for every scholarship (got rejected from Wizz Air, accepted to Boeing Pathways grant: $20,000). Personal loan: $70,000. Intensive 30-month training. Hired by United Airlines at age 44 (2024). First Officer salary: $5,800/month + per diem. "I was terrified leaving teaching, but my income has doubled in year one. By captain, I'll earn 3x what I made as a teacher." Total investment: $70,000. Break-even: 1.5 years. Verdict: "Wish I'd done this 10 years earlier."

Next steps this week

Action	Cost	Timeline	Deadline
Medical exam	$500–$1,000	1–2 weeks	ASAP
Wizz Air application	Free	2–3 hours	Jan 31, 2025
United Aviate	Free	2–3 hours	Rolling
Pelican Flight School	Free consult	30 min	Now
Deposit	$3,000–$5,000	1 day	Feb 28

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