The aviation discovery platform
Find your path in aviation.
Connect with pilots, flight schools, professional training, aviation courses and career resources — all from one place. Whether you are planning your first lesson or your next type rating, start here.
- Pilot specializations explained
- Training paths compared
- Free aviation resources
Start exploring
Everything aviation, in one place
Six ways into the platform — pick the one that matches where you are in your aviation journey.
Find Pilots
Discover pilot specializations, experience levels and professional profiles across airline, corporate, helicopter and instruction roles.
Browse pilotsAviation Schools
Explore flight training organizations and aviation academies — and learn how to evaluate fleet, instructors and accreditation before you commit.
Explore schoolsAviation Courses
Find training and certification categories — from private pilot and instrument rating through type ratings and airline preparation.
Browse coursesPilot Resources
Practical guides on becoming a pilot, choosing a school, medical requirements, interviews and building a flying career.
Open resourcesAviation Community
Connect with aviation enthusiasts, student pilots and professionals in discussion categories built around real aviation topics.
Visit the forumAviation Blog
Guides, articles and industry content covering flight training, pilot careers and aviation knowledge.
Visit the blogPilot specializations
Every kind of flying, one platform
Aviation careers take many shapes. Explore the main pilot categories and what each path involves.
How it works
Three steps to your next move
Explore
Discover pilots, flight schools and aviation training options organized by specialization and goal.
Compare
Understand qualifications, licence requirements, training paths and what separates one option from another.
Connect
Take the next step in your aviation journey — reach out, join the community and keep learning.
Training paths
From first lesson to the flight deck
The major milestones most professional pilots pass through. Names and requirements vary by country — your national aviation authority has the final word.
Student Pilot
First lessons, ground school basics and your first solo flight.
Private Pilot Licence
Fly light aircraft for personal travel and build core airmanship.
Instrument Rating
Fly in cloud and low visibility by sole reference to instruments.
Commercial Pilot Licence
The qualification that allows you to be paid to fly.
Multi-Engine Rating
Operate aircraft with more than one engine — a step toward most career flying.
Flight Instructor
Teach new pilots while building experience and flight hours.
Type Rating
Qualify on a specific airliner or large aircraft type.
Airline Preparation
Interview, simulator assessment and airline transport pilot requirements.
Aviation schools
Training organizations for every goal
A directory of flight schools is in development. In the meantime, explore the main categories of training organizations and how to evaluate them.
Reading & community
From the aviation blog — and beyond
Long-form guides live on the blog; community stories and updates live on Storify. Both are part of the Best Pilots Now platform.
From the Aviation Blog
Articles and guides on flight training, pilot careers, aircraft knowledge and the aviation industry — written for pilots and future pilots.
Stories on Storify
Aviation stories and community updates — shorter, more personal content from around the Best Pilots Now community.
Join the aviation conversation
Questions about training, careers or aircraft? The community forum collects discussions by topic — from student pilots to airline flight decks.