This article will take you through the skills needed to become a pilot in Kenya, the education requirements, expected salary and job opportunities related to this career.

Who is a Pilot?

A pilot is a person who controls a flight by operating its directional flight controls. Pilots fly aircrafts such as airplanes and helicopters. They transport people and cargo from one area to another in a certain schedule.

Most flights always have the pilot who is the captain and a co-pilot who offers offer any assistance to the pilot.

In case you would like to become a pilot, here’s what you need to have to succeed in this occupation.

• Possess the required education and training
• Acquire certification
• Acquire work experience
• Join pilots association
• Stay current

Degree Required to be a pilot

Degree related to engineering, aircraft operations and aeronautics, aviation
Education, field of study B+ in KCSE with B+ in Physics, Mathematics, English and Geography.

Pilot salary in Kenya

The lowest pilots in Kenya are paid Ksh 150,000 and the best part with 2.8million monthly.

Pilots Responsibilities

Pilots are tasked with; Transporting people and cargo from one area to another, making adjustments as far as weather changes are concerned, ensuring that all flight safety systems are working efficiently, informing the crew and passengers about journey progress, informing the management about any flight or flight path challenges, Carrying out pre-flight checks of instruments, engines and fuel.

Steps to becoming a pilot in Kenya

• pilot training

The basic requirement of landing a piloting job is a bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the distance to be covered, masters and PhDs can be preferred. It’s important to enroll in an aviation or aeronautics program that has been approved by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

• Certification

To start off your career as a pilot, you should have at least an Airline Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL). This certificate will increase your level of landing a job. To obtain an employment, you should train with Kenya Civil Aviation Authority after which you obtain a Private Pilot’s License (PPL) and later Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL). You will be expected to complete a certain number of hours to qualify for the next step in the career.

• Work experience

You will be required to undergo a number of different tests and training before you are employed. Once employed as a pilot you will be able to work for the government as well as private organizations which own aircrafts.

• Trade association

Joining a group of fellow pilots will open more doors to different job ventures, you can benefit by getting more networking venues, continuing learning scholarships or industry updates.

• Stay current

Being active on industry updates, new technologies and attending various conferences keeps you informed and this increases your chances of grabbing new opportunities very fast.

Aviation Training Schools in Kenya

The best schools for aviation are; Nairobi Aviation College, Kenya school of flying, Epic Aviation College, Kenya Aeronautical College, East Africa School of Aviation, Flight Training Centre, Ninety Nines Aviation.