The number of days a pilot works per month can vary significantly depending on the type of pilot job. In general, airline pilots tend to work longer and more irregular hours, while corporate and commercial pilots may have more regular schedules. However, all pilot schedules are regulated by strict guidelines to ensure safety.
Typical Pilot Work Schedules
Here is an overview of typical work schedules for different types of pilots:
Airline Pilots
Airline pilots typically work 14-16 days per month on average. However, their schedules can vary widely month to month based on trip assignments. According to federal regulations, airline pilots cannot be scheduled for more than 100 flight hours per month. This works out to approximately:
- 14-16 days for long-haul or international pilots
- 18-20 days for short-haul or domestic pilots
Within those days, the number of hours worked each day depends on the length of flights assigned. Long-haul trips may only have one takeoff and landing in a 16-hour duty day, while short-haul pilots may fly 5+ legs in a 14 hour day.
Corporate Pilots
Corporate pilots who transport executives and personnel typically work 8-14 days per month. They do not have the same restrictions on duty time as airline pilots. Corporate pilots may fly roughly 5-10 hours per duty day depending on the needs of the business.
Commercial Pilots
Commercial pilots who provide services like emergency medical transportation, aerial surveys, crop dusting, etc. generally work 10-18 days per month. Their schedules vary based on seasonal demands.
Here is a table summarizing typical pilot work schedules:
| Pilot Type | Typical Days Worked per Month |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilots | 14-20 days |
| Corporate Pilots | 8-14 days |
| Commercial Pilots | 10-18 days |
Factors That Determine Pilot Schedules
There are several key factors that determine how many days in a month a pilot will work:
Federal Aviation Regulations
The FAA and other aviation agencies set legal limits on pilot duty time and rest periods. For example, airline pilots cannot be scheduled for more than:
- 8 hours of flight time in any 24 hour period
- 100 hours of flight time per month
- 1,000 hours per year
After a certain number of hours flown, pilots must be given a mandatory rest period. This impacts how scheduling is done.
Type of Operations
The type of flying a pilot does affects work schedules. Long-haul and international trips need longer duty days to account for travel time. Short-haul pilots fly shorter segments so can be scheduled for more days.
Staffing Requirements
The overall staffing requirements of an airline or operator determine schedule needs. More pilots are needed to cover peak travel times versus lower seasons. Large airlines need reserve pilots available every day to cover absences.
Union Contracts
For unionized airlines, the labor contract will specify limits on days and hours pilots can be assigned. This balances company requirements with fair scheduling practices.
Operational Needs
Unique needs like weather, maintenance, chartered flights, etc. can alter the number of pilots needed on certain days. Schedules are rarely static month to month.
Pilot Seniority
At major airlines, the most senior pilots get preferred schedules and more days off. Junior pilots tend to get stuck with less desirable schedules.
Typical Pilot Work Schedule Models
While every airline and operator schedules pilots differently, some common scheduling models include:
Reserve Scheduling
Pilots are assigned on-call “reserve” days to fill in for short-notice absences. Junior pilots often have reserve duty, sometimes up to 20 days a month.
Bid Schedules
Pilots can bid to “hold” certain schedules based on seniority. Bids allow pilots to have more regular schedules month-to-month.
Trip Trade System
Pilots can trade or swap trip assignments with others to accommodate preferences while still meeting minimum staffing.
Preferential Bidding System
Airlines assign schedules but pilots can indicate days they prefer to work or avoid. Requests are granted in seniority order.
Flexible Scheduling
Corporate, charter, and commercial pilots may have irregular on-demand schedules dictated by business needs.
Typical Pilot Work Hours
In addition to tracking days worked per month, pilot schedules are determined by tallying overall duty hours and flight hours.
Here are typical ranges for monthly pilot duty and flight hours:
| Pilot Type | Typical Monthly Duty Hours | Typical Monthly Flight Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots – Long Haul | 90-110 | 65-80 |
| Airline Pilots – Short Haul | 100-120 | 75-90 |
| Corporate Pilots | 100-130 | 50-80 |
| Commercial Pilots | 120-150 | 80-110 |
These ranges account for both time spent flying and time on duty, which includes pre- and post-flight responsibilities. The maximum flight hours are strictly regulated, while companies have more leeway to schedule duty hours.
Typical Pilot Duty Days
While pilots may only fly for a portion of each work day, their duty periods can often span 12 hours or longer. Here are some examples of typical duty day schedules:
Airline Pilot Long-Haul Duty Day
- 06:00 – Arrive at airport, pre-flight briefing
- 07:00 – Flight departs for 10 hour trip
- 17:00 – Arrive at destination, post-flight checks
- 18:00 – Crew heads to hotel
This totals a 12 hour duty day even though only 10 hours were spent flying.
Airline Pilot Short-Haul Duty Day
- 05:00 – Arrive at airport, pre-flight briefing
- 06:00 – First 2 hour flight departs
- 09:00 – Second 2 hour flight departs
- 12:00 – Third 2 hour flight departs
- 15:00 – Fourth 2 hour flight departs
- 18:00 – Return to home base, post-flight duties
This totals a 14 hour duty day with 8 total flight hours.
Corporate Pilot Duty Day
- 07:00 – Arrive at airport, pre-flight inspection
- 08:00 – 2 hour flight to transport executives
- 11:00 – 2 hour return flight
- 13:00 – Post-flight duties, aircraft cleaning
- 15:00 – Return to home base
This is an 8 hour duty day with 4 hours of flight time.
Pilots may have 1 or 2 duty periods scheduled per day depending on flight time limitations and minimum rest rules.
Regulations for Pilot Fatigue Mitigation
To ensure pilots are well rested, aviation regulations mandate:
- 10 hour minimum rest period between duty periods
- 8 hour rest opportunity during multi-day trips
- No more than 6 consecutive days of work
- At least 24 consecutive hours off per week
- Restrictions on being able to report for duty with less than 12 hours off
These types of rules force airlines to schedule pilots for adequate rest, which balances the number of days worked in a month.
Impact of Pilot Shortages
Pilot shortages in recent years have impacted monthly schedules. With fewer pilots to cover trips, the average number of duty days per month has increased. Some ways this has manifested:
- Junior pilots working up to 20 reserve days a month
- Pilots maximizing 100 hour monthly flight caps
- More pilots working on scheduled days off for overtime
- Trips delayed or cancelled due to pilot duty limits
This illustrates how macro-level trends influence pilot scheduling and monthly work patterns.
Becoming a Commercial Pilot
For those considering becoming a professional pilot, here are some steps to get started:
Obtain Required Licenses
You will need to earn certifications like a private pilot’s license, instrument rating, and commercial pilot’s license. Most airline pilots have an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
Build Flight Hours
Extensive flight experience is required, often 1,500+ hours for major airlines. You can build hours as a flight instructor or commercial pilot.
Complete Degree Programs
Many pilots earn aviation-related bachelor’s degrees. This provides necessary technical groundwork for aviation careers.
Apply to Airline Programs
Major airlines hire pilots who complete structured training programs. Regional airlines are another common career path.
Preparation is extensive but being a professional pilot offers exciting travel opportunities and career satisfaction!
Conclusion
In summary, the number of days airline pilots work per month ranges from 14-20 on average, depending on factors like:
- Federal rest regulations
- Type of airline operations (long vs short haul)
- Seniority and bidding processes
- Schedule models like reserves or preferences
Corporate and commercial pilots tend to fly 8-18 days monthly. Total duty hours range from 90-150 per month across pilot roles. Careful scheduling balancing safety, regulations, and pilot needs is crucial to successful airline and aviation operations.