Take your career to new heights
FedEx is the world's largest cargo airline, with more than 5,800 of the world's most skilled pilots and a fleet of more than 400 jets equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology. With incredible schedule flexibility, domestic and international routes, and competitive benefits, there's never been a better time to join the FedEx team.
There are multiple ways to become a FedEx pilot
Highly Qualified Professionals
FedEx hires highly skilled pilots who share our flight operations values of safety, integrity, leadership, and professionalism. Being a FedEx pilot is about having technical proficiency as well as demonstrating a love of flying. Explore our minimum qualifications now.
General
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university is preferred
- English language proficiency
- Proven leadership ability
- Excellent communication skills
- Accurate and timely decision making, including threat and error mitigation strategies
- Close attention to detail
- Ability to work during the day or night, including weekends and holidays
- Punctual and reliable regular attendance
- Current valid U.S. passport and any other necessary travel documents
Regulatory - (FAA, FCC, TSA, and DOT)
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate
- Current First Class Medical Certificate
- Radiotelephone Operators Permit
- Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge eligibility
- Successful completion of pre-employment drug test
- Successful completion of Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) evaluation
Flight hours
- 1500 hours total fixed-wing.
- 1000 hours PIC in jet aircraft is preferred; multi-engine turbo-prop aircraft, 12,500 pounds or greater; certain single engine turbo-prop aircraft, or combination thereof. A minimum of 500 hours PIC as described is required.
When evaluating flight hours, we consider several factors, including:
- Complexity of aircraft flown
- Nature and type of flight operations
- Recency, quality, quantity, and verifiability of flight time and associated logs
- Hours flown as PIC
- Hours flown as instructor/evaluator
College pathway
FedEx Flight Operations visits select universities, colleges, and flight schools throughout the nation. If enrolled at one of these select venues, you may be eligible to discuss your career path with one of our recruiting professionals. Otherwise, reach out to a career counselor at your school for more information on an aviation career at FedEx. If more information is needed by your school, have them contact our Flight Operations Recruiting Department.
Military pathway
Another option for becoming a cargo airline pilot is to receive your training through the military. You will need to commit to a set number of years in the service and meet other requirements such as college course work, good health, and adequate physical abilities. Keep in mind the military flight training is a rigid time schedule and what you fly is most often chosen by others.
FedEx Employees pathway
Current FedEx employees can transition their careers and pursue their dreams of becoming a pilot for either side of the business. Whether you're wanting to fly the trunk fleet or the feeder side, our tuition reimbursement program could help you get there faster. Check with your manager or HR representative for details.
Purple Runway Pathway program
Purple Runway is our industry-leading pilot development program. You can start out working for an airline in our feeder network, which is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the transportation industry. We are taking off and landing in more cities with our advanced fleet of ATRs and Sky Couriers, while also carving out a path to our wide-body aircraft for interested pilots. Our feeder network is powered by nearly 300 aircraft under 60,000 pounds maximum gross take-off weight. These aircraft serve over 250 locations around the world.
High performing organizations depend on diverse ideas to excel
FedEx flight operations work tirelessly to build, enhance, and support diversity in our crew force both internally and through our partnerships with key organizations. Click on a logo to learn more.
Your flight deck is calling
Our 13 hubs serve the most complex global air network in aviation
With our growing fleet and around-the-clock flight schedule, we're no longer a night-flying operation.
Why fly for FedEx
Safety above all
At FedEx, we put safety above all. We continuously work to lead the industry in safety management systems, data science, technology, and proactive strategies that keep our crew force and team members the safest in the profession.
With industry-leading devices, we guide the way in identifying and managing risk.
- Fire Containment Covers
- Fire Suppression System
- EVAS (Emergency Visual Assurance System)
- SAVED (Smoke Assured Vision Enhanced Display / a HUD in O2 mask)
- Portable O2 at pilot stations
- Drager CO2 monitors
- AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
- HUD (Heads Up Display) on all Boeing and MD-11 aircraft
Train with the best
Our Flight Training Department is the best in the industry, with exceptional equipment and facilities, and an incredible instructor group who provides the best possible training and keeps FedEx pilots at the top of their game.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q1: How do I apply?
A1: Pilots seeking to join the FedEx Express team may create or update a profile at https://fedex.paradox.ai/co/FedEx2/TalentCommunityPilots. When an applicant’s profile is selected from the pool for further employment consideration, an email is sent with a link to apply to an open crew member position.
Q2: Does FedEx provide work visa sponsorships for pilot applicants?
A2: No, all non-U.S. citizens must possess a Permanent Resident Card for employment with FedEx.
Q3: How often should I update my profile?
A3: Generally, whenever you have new qualifications or information to report or monthly.
Q4: What if my college degree is from a non-U.S. institution?
A4: Your degree must be evaluated for equivalency by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at http://www.naces.org.
There are several clearinghouses on this website which can evaluate and translate foreign educational credentials. A course-by-course evaluation and equivalency in terms of the educational system in the United States is required. Any NACES accredited clearinghouse is acceptable to FedEx Express and you may base your selection on cost and convenience.
All NACES accredited organizations charge a fee for this course-by-course evaluation which normally includes the cost of submitting a final report to FedEx Pilot Hiring. The fee is non-refundable and is your responsibility.
Q5: What is FedEx’s endorsement program?
A5: FedEx values its current crew members and encourages their involvement in the recruiting process. FedEx accepts endorsements from active pilots.
Q6: Do I need an endorsement from a current or retired FedEx crew member to be considered for employment?
A6: No, an endorsement is not required for employment consideration.
Q7: What is the interview process?
A7: FedEx currently has an interview process that includes remote computer-based testing and a one-day in person panel and situational-based interviews.
Q8: What if I have a question or concern that is not addressed here?
A8: Send questions or concerns to ProQuestions@fedex.com.
Regulatory
Q9: What are the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) clearance requirements?
A9: FedEx Express Pilots must be granted SIDA clearance to access secured areas of airports and are subject to the requirements of 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1544. These requirements include an employment history and passing criminal background checks, including an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check.
Q10: Are any regulatory requirements optional?
A10: No, all stated regulatory requirements are mandatory, minimum qualifications. They include: current airline transport pilot certificate; current first-class medical certificate; radio-telephone operators permit; valid U.S. passport; SIDA badge eligibility; successful completion of pre-employment drug test; and successful completion of a Pilot Records Improvement Act evaluation.
Flight Hours
Q11: How does FedEx define Pilot in Command (PIC)?
A11: For minimum qualification purposes, PIC is defined as Captain/Aircraft Commander of record, not simply the sole manipulator of the controls. FedEx considers only pilot time in fixed wing aircraft toward minimum qualifications, and does not include simulator, helicopter, flight engineer, bombardier, navigator, RIO, EWO, WSO, NFO, or Special Crew.
Q12: Does student time count toward total flight hours?
A12: Yes.
Q13: How do I account for military sorties?
A13: Only enter the number of sorties in the applicable sortie fields. A sortie is defined as a takeoff and a landing. The number of sorties will automatically be converted to flight hours based on the conversion factor of 0.30 and reflected in the flight hour summary table within your profile.
Q14: Does FedEx consider any single engine turbo-prop aircraft weight-equivalent to multi-engine turbo-prop aircraft, 12.5k lbs. or heavier?
A14: Yes, the T-6 Texan II and Pilatus PC-12 are considered weight-equivalent aircraft to meet the minimum requirements. Pilots of these aircraft, exclusive of other experience, may count this time.
Q15: Does FedEx consider any multi-engine turbo-prop aircraft to be jet-equivalent?
A15: Yes, the C130, Q400, P3, ATR 42/72/92 and a few other large turbo-prop aircraft are considered jet equivalent to meet the minimum requirements. Pilots of these and certain other aircraft, exclusive of other experience, may count this time. If an aircraft is not listed, contact us at ProQuestions@fedex.com to see if your time in it qualifies.
Q16: What about flight time in the Osprey V-22?
A16: FedEx considers it to be an aircraft equivalent to a multi-engine, turbo-prop weighing 12.5k lbs. or greater. Pilots of this aircraft, exclusive of other experience, may count this time.
Systems/Technology
Q17: What do I do if my account is locked?
A17: Please send an e-mail to ProQuestions@fedex.com indicating that your account is locked.
Start your journey to FedEx
If you would like to make a difference on a global scale while receiving top notch benefits, competitive pay, and plenty of opportunities to develop…
