I graduated one year ago with a masters degree in economics. Up to now I have been looking for a career in finance, but have not been that enthusiastic about it. One of my dreams is to fly aircraft and I have had a lifelong interest in aircraft. I would be so enthusiastic about a career as a commercial pilot. I have perfect health and eyesight. Am I suitable to become a commercial pilot? If so, what company should I apply to or what route should I take?
2006-10-09 06:56:38 · 14 answers · asked by dom462 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
The RAF has a maximum joining age of 23 for a pilot. I'm 24 :-(
2006-10-09 07:10:14 · update #1
Find an approved flight school. Take a discovery flight and see if you LOVE it. If you don't truly love to fly this profession is not for you. To get on an airline you need more than a degree. Flight time is a must. In the US you must hold a Commercial pilot rating and build a lot of hours. Most regional airlines here require 1500 hours of flight time just to be considered. Ratings that you must obtain on your way would be Private Pilot, Instrument Rating and Commercial pilot. The best way to build hours is to get your Certified flight instructor and Certified flight instructor-instrument ratings and teach flight. Also a Multi engine rating and a Multi engine instructor rating are nice to have as most companies like Multi time. Be prepared to go through about 6 months to a year of flight training depending on where you go to get it and how often you are available to fly. With a Masters degree you should have no problem with all of this. Best of luck to you. Also know it comes down to your LOVE of flight...you can't just Like it.
2006-10-09 11:37:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go take a discovery flight and see if you really like to fly. If you do, then look at flying schools in your area. I'm guessing your from England so the cost of doing it yourself is very high over there. You may consider getting your training in the states where it is much cheaper. You need to budget at least $50,000 us and that is on the very low side. Then you have to find a job. Most starting jobs pay $12-$18 thousand for flight instruction or banner towing. If you are lucky you will build your time fast and get a job at a regional airline in a year or two after your down with your training. Starting pay there is around $20-$24 grand a year. Fly there for a few years and if the majors are hiring at the time, and your very lucky, you get a job flying at the majors. Starting pay around $24 Grand. After a few years there you will finally start to make a good living. It's a long hard road to a good job for most people but if you really have the bug, it's worth it. It's not the dream job most people think it is.
2006-10-09 20:58:46 · answer #2 · answered by Doc Savage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being enthusiastic about aircraft and actually being a pilot are so different. It is a job, just like all other jobs with the good and bad. My neighbor is a commercial pilot and explains it like this: "For the first and last three minutes of the flight, the job is incredible. It is the countless hours in-between that are like sitting in a easy chair watching reruns of Leave It To Beaver, over and over and over." You would have to go to a commercial pilot school for about two to three years. Most start out working for FedEx or UPS, then after so many hours of flight, they can then apply at a airline. Military vets have priority in the job market, so be willing to transport boxes of Aunt Matilda's cookies for about 5 to 10 years.
2006-10-09 14:08:44 · answer #3 · answered by rex_rrracefab 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are interested in joining the RAF then see if you can get your age waivered. Often times there are waivers available for people who don't meet a specific criteria. Other than that the road to becoming a commercial pilot will be a long, expensive, and arduous one. That is much like saying "I want to become a doctor" or "I want to become a lawyer". The fact is, it takes a great deal of time, training, expertise, and study to master the craft of aviation. I don't mean to sound discouraging but you will face a rough road ahead of you if you move forward without some sort of funding, the RAF, or some other means to get your training and education paid for.
2006-10-10 16:07:29 · answer #4 · answered by Kelley S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you are suitable.
Best 2 options for you are to either join the airforce, and once you are done with all the required flying there, apply at an airline.
Or you can go to a flight school that gives commercial pilot training, and find your way after that. You will probabely either have to fly as a flight instructor for some time after you are done with school, and move on to airlines once you have enough hours. SOme schools have direct follow up systems with some airlines for their students. Do some research on the internet first, and wisit AOPA for additional info on flight schools
http://www.aopa.org/
2006-10-09 14:11:08 · answer #5 · answered by Timothy B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you start any training go and book a class 1 aviation medical, you can only have the first one at Gatwick, at the CAA medical centre, it will cost you 300+ but it will save you thousands in the longer term....
Then check out some schools on the net. the CAA has a list of all of the operation in the country
2006-10-10 06:06:29 · answer #6 · answered by JD417 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound fine and have two routes - the first is easier personally:
â Try to join the RAF - they will train you, pay you, pay for any extras courses (teaching) and then sponser you towads getting a job.
â Join a normal commercial company and pay to be trained, but guarenteed a job.
2006-10-09 14:00:12 · answer #7 · answered by Chεεrs [uk] 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do what u want to do just because u went to college for some thing else doesnt mean that u cant fly a plane or what not its ur chose to be what ever u wan to be. its ur fewture and ur chose. fly though is a great way to see different places and all that. but u just need to fallow ur heart and do what u want with ur life u only live once so live it up. dont be doing the same thing day after day after day.
2006-10-09 14:03:36 · answer #8 · answered by jenny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go take a flying lesson in a small plane. See if you like it. To become comm. you need hours. Some get them teaching students. You need a liscense 1st though. Only way to do it free is go in the air force, or similar
2006-10-09 14:00:47 · answer #9 · answered by bob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, to get hired as a pilot, you just need any college degree. You just now need to go to flight school and build up enough hours, and all of your ratings. It will be expensive
2006-10-10 20:45:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋