The 1,500-Hour Rule in Airlines: What It Means

The article explains the 1,500-hour rule for US commercial airline pilots, introduced in 2010. Candidates must log at least 1,500 flight hours, including 500 hours of cross-country flights, 100 night hours, and 50 hours on a specific aircraft class. After obtaining a license, pilots undergo continuous oversight: three takeoffs and landings within 90 days, annual medical exams, and tests for alcohol and drugs. The material is based on a SlashGeer publication and comments by retired captain Richard J. Levy.

The article clarifies the 1,500-hour rule established by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2010. According to this regulation, candidates for an airline transport pilot license must log at least 1,500 hours before being entrusted with a passenger flight. The flight time is structured: at least 500 hours of cross-country flights, 100 hours of night flying, 50 hours on a specific aircraft class, and no more than 100 hours may be accumulated in a simulator. After obtaining a license, pilots remain under constant oversight: they must perform at least three takeoffs and landings in the last 90 days, otherwise they are sent for retesting and simulator training. Annual medical exams and regular random tests for alcohol and drugs are also mandatory. The FAA limits maximum flight time and prescribes rest breaks for the crew. The material references a SlashGeer publication and comments by retired captain Richard J. Levy. The article is informative in nature and contains no evaluations.

The 1,500-Hour Rule in Airlines: What It Means