Aeroplane Pilot Career

To become a commercial aeroplane pilot you need a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). To get this you must:

be at least 18 years old
pass a Class 1 Medical Examination
hold a current NZ Private Pilot Licence (which you can get when you are 17)
pass written exams
complete at least 200 hours' flying time
satisfy the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) fit and proper person requirements
pass the English Language Proficiency test.
You can then work as a scenic pilot, or a flying instructor (on the same type of planes as you learned on).

You need additional hours and/or qualifications to fly as an agricultural pilot, fly by instrument, or fly bigger types of aircraft, such as turboprops, or jet-engined planes.

Pay for aeroplane pilots varies depending on their position, the type of plane they fly, the route they travel, their length of service, and the employer.

Entry-level, charter pilots usually work part time, on call, and are paid an hourly rate rather than an annual salary.
Agricultural pilots start on between $50,000 and $70,000 a year, and a few may earn as much as $150,000.
Pilots starting out on domestic routes (as first officers) get about $40,000 on turboprops and $80,000 on jet aircraft. They can progress to a maximum of about $110,000 when working as a captain.
Pilots starting out on international routes (as first officers) start on a training rate of about $80,000, rising to $92,000 when they qualify. As captains, they can earn up to $300,000.

Source: Air New Zealand Aviation Institute