About Cleared to Dream

Cleared to Dream is a project of ALPA’s Education Committee designed to inspire today’s youth to become the next generation of airline pilots. The resources on this site will help you navigate through your choice to join our crew.

Every day, more than 5 million people travel by air. Helping them reach their destinations safely and securely are professional airline pilots. You can join them by becoming a professional airline pilot, traveling the world connecting people and goods!

Now is the perfect time to get ready for takeoff. Professional airline pilots are in high demand, and the job outlook remains positive for the foreseeable future. It’s an exciting, challenging, and rewarding career. Plus, the office views can’t be beat.

It takes hard work and dedication to become a professional airline pilot. To acquire the skills and training necessary, there are many paths from which to choose—the most common being college, flight training school, and the military.

You can start preparing at any age—from grade school to college and beyond—and the pages in this site will help you navigate the process. Also consider talking with the pilot on your next flight, taking a discovery flight, visiting your local airport, building and flying a model airplane, and doing other activities to learn more about aviation.

Fasten your seatbelt; you’re now Cleared to Dream.