Commercial Pilot Jobs in Kentucky
Cities in Kentucky with Aviation Schools:
- Ashland
- Bellevue
- Berea
- Bowling Green
- Brooks
- Buckner
- Burlington
- Burnside
- Calhoun
- Calvert City
- Cold Spring
- Corbin
- Covington
- Coxs Creek
- Crescent Springs
- Crestview Hills
- Crestwood
- Elizabethtown
- Fern Creek
- Florence
- Fort Campbell
- Fort Mitchell
- Fort Thomas
- Frankfort
- Georgetown
- Goshen
- Harrodsburg
- Hebron
- Henderson
- Highland Heights
- Hillview
- Hodgenville
- Hopkinsville
- Jeffersontown
- Jonesville
- Lexington
- Lexington-Fayette
- Louisville
- Lyndon
- Madisonville
- Mayfield
- Middletown
- Midway
- Morehead
- Mount Sterling
- Mount Vernon
- Mt Washington
- Murray
- Newburg
- Newport
- Nicholasville
- Okolona
- Owensboro
- Paducah
- Pleasure Ridge Park
- Radcliff
- Richmond
- Winchester
Commercial Pilot Jobs Kentucky

Kentucky Commercial Pilot Salary - How Much Do Commercial Pilots Make?
Commercial Pilot Benefits

Depending on the company you work for, as a commercial pilot you may be eligible to receive health insurance, life insurance, and disability benefits, along with retirement plans and "per diem" pay for longer trips, but these benefits are fairly rare for most commercial pilot jobs.
Seniority Affects Pay
As a new commercial pilot, you can expect to make entry level pay, fly older, less sophisticated aircraft, and fly less desirable routes and schedules. New commercial pilots typically must "pay their dues" in this role in order to accumulate the required hours to apply for better jobs and move up the career ladder into higher paying jobs. Get more information about commercial pilot training.
Pilot Training - What you need to know to fly for a living

Commercial pilots with two years of college or more have an advantage over pilots with only a high school diploma. However, many operations do hire pilots with only a high school education. Pilots who have degrees in aviation-related fields like aeronautics have a better chance of landing a job. If you want to become a commercial pilot, there are two routes to take: military or civilian training. Military training is only a viable option for people with top grades and a four year degree, as competition for military flying slots is fierce, to say the least. The majority of new commercial pilot training occurs at flight schools, flight academies, and colleges with flight training programs.
Where to Find Commercial Pilot Training Near Kentucky
Most schools, academies, and colleges offer pilot training for people with no experience. These programs will have a base price for earning all the required licenses and ratings to become a commercial pilot and begin building your flight hours to find a job. Keep in mind that the quoted price is for people who progress at the "average" rate, so the price can go lower or higher, depending on your personal progress.
Building Commercial Pilot Hours

Since you will need to build flight hours after earning your licenses and ratings, it's important to find a flight school or academy that offers jobs to its graduates. This way, assuming you are professional in your approach to flying and the flight training environment, you are virtually assured of having your first "commercial pilot" job after graduation, and have a chance to build those flight hours and experience you need to move on to your next position. Learn about commercial pilot jobs.
As a commercial pilot, you will be required to take additional training and check rides periodically, depending on the type of operation you work for, and the type of aircraft being flown. Ongoing training is a reality for all commercial pilots.
FAA - A History of Airplane Structures Facts for Kentucky
More powerful engines were developed, and airframe structures changed to take advantage of the benefits. As early as 1910, German Hugo Junkers was able to build an aircraft with metal truss construction and metal skin due to the availability of stronger powerplants to thrust the plane forward and into the sky. The use of metal instead of wood for the primary structure eliminated the need for external wing braces and wires. His J-1 also had a single set of wings (a monoplane) instead of a stacked set.
Little Known But Important FAA Facts
FAA Centers of Excellence - Mission and Vision: The Department of Transportation addresses University Transportation Centers of Excellence in a report dates June 10, 1991 and the FAA has adopted the definition, purpose, and mission as stated.
Commercial Pilot Jobs Kentucky
Commercial Pilot License - Which License and Ratings Will You Need?
To become a commercial pilot in Kentucky, you need to be at least 18 years old (although you can earn your private pilot's license at 17, you must be 18 or older to get your commercial pilot license) and get at least a third class FAA medical certificate. The medical certificate ensures that you are in good overall health, have good vision (corrected or uncorrected is okay) and don't have any disabilities which could affect your ability to fly, although the FAA may grant a waiver for individual cases. Learn about commercial pilot jobs.
List of Licenses and Ratings
Commercial pilots typically hold some or all of the following licenses, ratings, and certificates, depending on the operation:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical First Class - Certificate
- Private Pilot - License
- Commercial Pilot - License
- Instrument Pilot - Rating
- Multi-Engine - Rating
- Type Rating - Rating specific to the type of aircraft being flown, if necessary
The Road to a Commercial Pilot License
The first license you earn is private pilot. Next, most people get their instrument rating, and then go on to the commercial pilot license. Some operations don't require an instrument rating. However, possessing the rating is always beneficial both for piloting skills and getting jobs. If you'll be flying multi-engine aircraft (and you probably will), you'll need to earn a multi-engine rating, and, if flying larger aircraft (over 12,500 pounds gross weight) or turbo jet aircraft, you'll also need a type rating for that specific model or family of aircraft. Many companies offer type rating training specifically for this purpose. Get more information on commercial pilot training.
Kentucky Commercial Pilot License Tests
Most, but not all, FAA licenses and ratings require that you pass written, oral, and practical (check ride) tests given by approved testing centers and designated examiners.
Accelerated Flight Training - Condensed training helps pilots retain info, earn more ratings, and get jobs
No matter how you look at it, flight training is a lengthy process. There are many new things to learn and hundreds of flight hours to gain. When it comes down to it, flight training can only be condensed so much before it bumps up against regulations. This presents a bit of a problem to someone looking to start a career in aviation. Training costs money, but it's going to be a while before flying will pay. So what's the best solution? Accelerated training. Accelerated flight training offers some notable benefits including being good for career pilots, quick progression through ratings, and increased job placement opportunities. Great for Career Pilots
Accelerated training is great for career pilots. It allows the student to condense their training into a few weeks or months rather than years. This works by allowing the student to fly multiple lessons per week while also taking consolidated ground school. The nature of the training typically demands the student train like a full-time job--eight hours a day, five days a week. This is great for someone who's looking to get started with a career in the quickest amount of time. It's unfortunately not so great for someone who can't devote more than a few hours per week.
Most accelerated training programs function similarly to military training in that students alternate between flying and classroom instruction before entering a phase of longer flights. Some accelerated programs even dispatch students and aircraft on a series of long flights that are intended to provide a large amount of flight time and allow the student a more varied cross-country experience.
Quick Progression Through Ratings
This type of training is primarily designed to fast track students to ratings. Rather than taking six months to obtain a private pilot certificate or an instrument rating, it can take as little as fourteen days. How can you take something that takes six months and effectively learn it in fourteen days? Attend ground school and flight training eight hours per day. The bottom line on all flight training is the more you do it, the more you retain. Accelerated programs are based on this concept and their success stems from the fact that their students are immersed in flying so much that they can't help but learn.
Job Placement Opportunities
Most of the larger accelerated flight training schools offer job placement to graduates. They have agreements with some airlines and often directly offer employment to some of the graduates. This is a great asset to someone looking to break into the aviation career field. When considering job placement agreements, some schools offer actual job placements while some offer guaranteed interviews. Either is better than nothing no matter how you look at it. It's debatable, but the single biggest employer of many accelerated flight training program graduates is often the schools offering the programs. After all, they need flight instructors to teach their students and someone who's familiar with the program is a great asset.
As you can see, for someone trying to launch into an aviation career, accelerated flight training has a number of benefits. Even people that are just trying to get several ratings at once can benefit from an accelerated program. So if you're looking for a flying career and you have time to devote to training, consider an accelerated program.
Helicopter History for Ashland
Modern Day Military Pilot Training for Ashland: The Rotary Wing training at Rucker began in the Department of Rotary Wing Training. The first four weeks in the Basic Instrument Division at Shell AAF (originally designed as a Fixed Wing Field). The student went from there to the Advanced Instrument Training Division at Hanchey AHP. At Hanchey we used the TH-13T helicopters instrument trainer, and later, the Huey (UH-1).
Helicopter Fun Facts for Ashland
Eurocopter - EC635: The EC635, the military version of the EC135, is Eurocopters 3-ton class, twin-engine helicopter. With its highly sophisticated observation equipment, long endurance, wide array of communication systems and large variety of armament,
Helicopter History for Bowling Green
Modern Day Military Pilot Training for Bowling Green: After completing Primary helicopter school at Fort Wolters, now we go to the Advance Helicopter Training portion.
Helicopter Fun Facts for Bowling Green
Eurocopter EC135: Get more out of your helicopter with just two little letters: i and e. The EC135 i-Pac Retrofit and the new e Upgrade are available to enhance your EC135.With this new improvement package
Helicopter History for Covington
Post Vietnam Era Military Pilot Training: From 1971 to 2004, SUPT-H at Fort Rucker primarily operated as an Army owned and controlled program. In 2004, the training remained at Fort Rucker, but the Air Force mission required changes in the training program and the Air Force assumed ownership/responsibility for conducting SUPT-H.
Helicopter Fun Facts for Covington
Eurocopter EC145: The Ultimate, Multi-Role Helicopter In operations on land and at sea, the EC145 is at the top of its class in the medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter category. With up to 12 seats for pilots and passengers.
Helicopter History for Elizabethtown
Post Vietnam Era Military Pilot Training: The Training unit moved to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico during the first quarter of 1976. Pilot qualification in the MH-60 began in 1991. The H-3 was phased out in 1992.
Helicopter Fun Facts for Elizabethtown
Eurocopter Dauphin: The AS365 N3+ belongs to the Dauphin family, which is well known for its unique design. This medium helicopter has proven its ability to perform any kind of mission, anywhere in the world. It even excels in the most severe climatic conditions, such as high altitudes or hot temperatures.
Helicopter History for Fern Creek
Vietnam Era Military Pilot Training: The first Air Force SUPT-H students began attending Army sponsored helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker in 1971. In April 1971, the 1550th ATTW was activated at Hill AFB, Utah. After initial training by the Army, the pilots were upgraded for Air Force missions in the UH-1, CH-3, or H-53.
Helicopter Fun Facts for Fern Creek
Eurocopter EC175: The best medium twin for the future of helicopters. Designed with our customers, the EC175 sets new standards for all your missions. Ingeniously optimized.
Aviation History for Florence and Fun Facts for Florence
Modern Day Military Pilot Training for Florence: Candidates for flight training can be no younger than 18 and no older than 32 when they begin their training. They must pass a special Flying Duty Medical Examination, FDME 1/A, which is available to candidates who have passed the Flight Aptitude Selection Test. The FDME includes body-size requirements, such as a sitting height of 40.15 inches or less and arm reach of 64.56 inches or more. Vision, hearing, pulse, blood-pressure and laboratory tests are also required.
Helicopter Factoid for Florences for Florence
Helicopter Factoid for Florences for Florence
Eurocopter Superpuma: The AS332 L1 is a twin engine medium-weight civil helicopter equipped with a new avionics glass cockpit.Its operational characteristics and its large cabin explain its success particularly for passenger transport.
Aviation History for Frankfort and Fun Facts for Frankfort
Bell Helicopters - 412: The Bell 412 reliably performs in the most extreme climates on the planet every day. Its expansive cabin can be configured to accommodate either cargo or personnel. Its wide opening 7.7 ft. doors accommodate forklift loading into a 220 ft cabin. It seats 13 passengers and 2 crew in a cabin adaptable for any mission.
Helicopter Factoid for Frankforts for Frankfort
Eurocopter EC120: Everything you need rolled into a handy little package.The EC120 B, also known as the Colibri (Hummingbird), is a 1.7 ton, single-engine aircraft designed for mission flexibility.
Aviation History for Georgetown and Fun Facts for Georgetown
Bell Helicopters - 412: The Bell 412 reliably performs in the most extreme climates on the planet every day. Its expansive cabin can be configured to accommodate either cargo or personnel. Its wide opening 7.7 ft. doors accommodate forklift loading into a 220 ft cabin. It seats 13 passengers and 2 crew in a cabin adaptable for any mission.
Helicopter Factoid for Georgetowns for Georgetown
Bell 206L-4: The 206L-4 features a high-inertia two-bladed rotor system, while the patented suspension system delivers an incredibly smooth ride. The 206L-4 can hold up to seven passengers, very comfortably, and the club-passenger seating allows for face-to-face conversations.
Aviation History for Henderson and Fun Facts for Henderson
The Bell Huey II: The Huey II Modernization Program is the only OEM approved UH-1H performance upgrade available today. The Huey II combines all new commercial dynamic components with the reliable Honeywell T53-L-703 engine, leading to an increase in hover performance in hot conditions.
Helicopter Factoid for Hendersons for Henderson
Bell Helicopters - 407: The Bell 407 integrates reliability, speed, performance, and maneuverability with a cabin configurable for an array of missions and payloads. Its Rolls Royce 250-C47B turbine FADEC engine delivers exceptional hot & high performance with the ability to cruise at 140 knots (259 km/hr).
Aviation History for Hopkinsville and Fun Facts for Hopkinsville
Auto rotation: This attribute of helicopters makes them safer than airplanes in many ways. Auto rotations are a principal technique taught to all helicopter pilots and they are continually practiced and perfected throughout a helicopter pilots career.
Helicopter Factoid for Hopkinsvilles for Hopkinsville
Bell Helicopters - 407GX - In the new 407GX, the superior performance of the 407 reaches a higher level. Its Garmin G1000HTM flight deck provides critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and safety. It's just one more way the 407GX offers enhanced performance for every mission.
Aviation History for Jeffersontown and Fun Facts for Jeffersontown
In 1863, the French writer Ponton D'Amecourt was the first person to coin the term \helicopter from the two words helico for spiral and pter for wings. During the mid 1500's
Helicopter Factoid for Jeffersontowns for Jeffersontown
Bell Helicopters - 429: The Bell 429 delivers 155kt speed with a state-of-the-art cockpit featuring single pilot IFR and WAAS precision approach capabilities. Its cabin is exceptionally spacious with seating for up to eight passengers and can be reconfigured for any number of different missions.
Aviation History for Lexington-Fayette and Fun Facts for Lexington-Fayette
In 1784, French inventor, Launoy and Bienvenue created a toy with a rotary-wing that could lift and fly and proved the principle of helicopter flight. French inventor, Etienne Oehmichen built and flew a helicopter to a distance of 1 km in 1924.
Helicopter Factoid for Lexington-Fayettes for Lexington-Fayette
Bell Helicopters - 429: The Bell 429 delivers 155kt speed with a state-of-the-art cockpit featuring single pilot IFR and WAAS precision approach capabilities. Its cabin is exceptionally spacious with seating for up to eight passengers and can be reconfigured for any number of different missions.
Aviation History for Louisville and Fun Facts for Louisville
Igor Sikorsky designed and built the first military helicopter named XR-4. He delivered it to Colonel Franklin Gregory of the U.S. Army. n 1958, Igor Sikorsky's rotorcraft company made the world's first helicopter that had a boat hull and could land and takeoff from water. It could also float on the water.
Aviation Facts and Figures for Louisville
The terms “speed” and “velocity” are often used interchangeably, but they do not have the same meaning. Speed is the rate of motion in relation to time, and velocity is the rate of motion in a particular direction in relation to time.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Madisonville for Madisonville
In 1944, American inventor Stanley Hiller, Jr. made the first helicopter with all metal rotorblades that were very stiff.The Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the Army Black Hawk helicopter which features an upgraded communications and navigation suite.
Aviation Facts and Figures for Madisonville
Helicopter Jobs: Some helicopter pilots land high-flying careers by working with television programs or motion picture production companies. Others spend most of their work day with their feet on the ground by working as flight instructors.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Newburg for Newburg
There are two types of helicopter engines, one is Turbine engine and second is Piston Engine. The very first piloted helicopter was invented by Paul Cornu in 1907, however, this design was not successful.
Aviation Facts and Figures for Newburg
Becoming a commercial helicopter pilot may require additional training, according to an employer's requirements. The amount of time it takes to complete training depends on the student's available time and money, as well as scheduling constraints of the flight school.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Newport for Newport
A helicopter can rotate to 360 degree while hovering. The emplty weight of Mi-26 is 28,200 kg. Helicopter is also known as Chopper.
Aviation Facts and Figures for Newport
The fundamental laws governing the action of air about a wing are known as Newton’s laws of motion. Newton’s first law is normally referred to as the law of inertia. It simply means that a body at rest does not move unless force is applied to it. If a body is moving at uniform speed in a straight line, force must be applied to increase or decrease the speed.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Nicholasville for Nicholasville
Igor Sikorsky is considered to be the \father of helicopters not because he invented the first. He is called that because he invented the first successful helicopter
Aviation Facts and Figures for Nicholasville
Helicopter Flight Training for Nicholasville You should expect to divide the total cost of training up over about 10 months, with most of the cost being in the first 6 months, as this is when the majority of flying is being done.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Okolona for Okolona
Mil V-12 is the largest helicopter ever build but never put into production. Helicopter can not hover in downward direction.
Aviation Facts and Figures for Okolona
Italian inventor Leonardo Da Vinci made drawings of an ornithopter flying machine that some experts say inspired the modern day helicopter.
The FAA-8083-21A is the FAAs primary resource for helicopter operations knowledge; it is essential reading for applicants preparing for the exams for private, commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter class rating.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Owensboro for Owensboro
The first practically successful rotorcraft (the Autogiro) was built by the Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva, in the year 1923.
Aviation Facts and Figures for Owensboro
The FAA-8003-21A - In addition to a basic introduction to the helicopter, readers will find chapters on aerodynamics, flight controls, systems, performance, ground procedures, basic and advanced flight maneuvers, emergencies and hazards, attitude instrument flying, night operations, and aeronautical decision-making.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Paducah for Paducah
The first fully functional helicopter ever built is the Focke-Wulf Fw 61. It was built by Henrich Focke and Gerd Achgelis. It was first flown in the year 1936.
Aviation Facts and Figures for Paducah
The FAA-8003-21A: Previously titled Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21 / AC 61-13B), this new 2012 edition is designed for use by flight instructors, pilots preparing for a helicopter rating FAA Knowledge and Practical exam, and helicopter-rated pilots wishing to improve their knowledge.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Pleasure Ridge Park for Pleasure Ridge Park
In 1951, an American aeronautical engineer Charles Kaman modified his Kaman K-225 helicopter with the turboshaft engine. This modified Kaman K-225 became the world's first gas turbine-powered helicopter.
Aviation History for Pleasure Ridge Park and Fun Facts for Pleasure Ridge Park
Maintenance and mechanical-related accidents account for only a small percentage of all helicopter accidents, perhaps as low as 10 percent in the case of Robinson helicopters. Nonetheless, it is a straightforward matter to start by investigating whether or not the helicopter was legally maintained by the operator.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Radcliff for Radcliff
Over 3 million lives have been saved by helicopters in both peacetime and wartime operations since the first person was rescued from the sea in 1944.
Aviation History for Radcliff and Fun Facts for Radcliff
Like all civil aircraft in the U.S., the helicopter must have had a annual inspection within the preceding 12 months, signed off by an FAA-certificated mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA) or by an FAA-approved Repair Station. If the most recent \annual was signed off January 12 2011 for example the machine is legal to fly through January 31 2012. Similarly the helicopter's transponder must have been tested in accordance with the FARs (e.g. 91.413) within the preceding 24 months.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Richmond for Richmond
Helicopters can be flown across oceans if additional fuel is made available or in-flight refueling is employed. The biggest helicopter was the Russian Mil Mi-12 Homer of 1968 which could lift 40,204 kg up to 2255 m.
Aviation History for Richmond and Fun Facts for Richmond
Watervliet Arsenal is an arsenal run by the United States Army in New York, on one of the banks of the Hudson River. Believe it or not, it is the oldest such place that is still active, with close to two centuries of continuous
Helicopter Fun Facts for Winchester
The fastest helicopter is the Westland Lynx, which flew at 402 km/h on 6 August 1986. The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil.
Newton's Law of Motion
According to Newton’s law, since air has mass, it is a body. When an aircraft is on the ground with its engines off, inertia keeps the aircraft at rest. An aircraft is moved from its state of rest by the thrust force created by a propeller, or by the expanding exhaust, or both. When an aircraft is flying at uniform speed in a straight line, inertia tends to keep the aircraft moving. Some external force is required to change the aircraft from its path of flight.