How can i become a pilot what are my options?

Question

please help me understand how i can become a commercial pilot for a living and what the best route would be.. im about to turn 18 soon, i live in CT and was thinking about joining the air national guard to get started but i really have no clue how to go about this step by step anyone know my best bet?

Answer 1

Ryan,

The best route really depends on you. If you want to go to Embry Riddle or The Univ of Ohio for a degree in aviation AND learn to fly at the same time, that would be great!!

Another option, would be just to go to a flying school in CT and learn that way. You'd first get your private pilot's license, then instrument rating, and commercial. To get the commercial license, you'd need a minimum of 250 hours (not too hard to get but it does sound like a lot!). (The private pilot's license requires 40 hours but the average is closer to 80 or so.)

You will also need to pass some written exams for which you'll have to do some ground study. Not very hard but complicated at times. You can do that work on your own or in a class.

If you need more information, please e-mail me as I'm a commercial pilot working on my instructor's license.

Good luck!! I'm sure you'll love flying.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

STAY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM EMBRY RIDDLE , OR ANY OTHER ORGANIZED FLIGHT SCHOOL.

Now that thats said, log in the AOPA.org website and join as a student pilot. You will get a 6 month subscription to plane n pilot or flighttraining magazines free. You will also be able to access a list of CFI's (certified flight instructors). Get on the phone and call a few of them. You want to locate a freelance instructor with access to either a cessna 150 , 152. or 172. Once found, you can rent the plane and hire the CFI for about 130 an hour or less. You'll need at least 40 hours (min) of training, some with the instructor and some solo. Most get licensed around 55-60 hours.
Best of luck, its a fun hobby (although expensive).

Answer 4

There are many ways to get your pilots license. I my self went to the local airport and got mine that way. That only goes so far. There is a college that i know has a degree where you get your multi engine commercial rating when you graduate. Although it is expensive but you also get a bachelors degree. The college is Embry Riddle Aero Univ. Another way is get a degree in anything and apply to one of the armed forces officer program and they will train you to be a pilot that way. The army offers a chance to fly with just a associates degree. The Marines (where I am) is just like the other services, bachelors degree. The only thing is that you are not guranteed that fighter pilot glory, you have to score high enough on testing. If you dont want to go the military route then look in the phone book or online for a local aero club and find out if they are offering pilots licencing. You will have to start out at the bottom getting your solo then single engine private then working up to multi enging then on to commericial rating. This could take a couple of years and cost quite a bit of money. When I got my private licence I had spent over four thousand dollars and took aprox nine months. I had heard that UPS will hire you and you can apply for there pilot program and fly that way but I personally haven't looked into it. I do have a friend who is a commericial pilot teacher but he lives in FL I could ask if your intersted. I hope this helps you in your endevor.

Answer 5

Air Guard usually wants you to have some sort of degree. The gov't will help pay for the degree. If your grades are good enough to get admitted to a college that has an engineering program you should be able to get in no problem (or not TOO much problem). I'd talk to an Air Guard recruiter esp regarding the college benefits, etc., they can set you up pretty good, and the Air Guard flying should help set you up for a commercial flying career if that's what you want, or if you change your mind you'll still have alot of options because of the engineering degree you'll have.

Answer 6

Well, if you are going to plan on flying commercially, you better get a loan for around 150K, because that is what you will pay for all of the training through ATP and jet time. Yes, you will have quite a bit of debt, so make sure this is what you want. The military doesn't get you your ratings. Military ratings are different, so you will still pay for the FAA equivalents. There are programs for military pilots to convert, and flight time is flight time, to its not entirely bad route to go. You could go the route of a COMAIR academy or whatever the US Air version of it is. They will get you through an ATP, while you work there teaching students how to fly. Then you will get a shot at working for them in the regionals, which is a decent deal if that is how you want to do it.

Answer 7

Well my answer is pretty much the same as everyone elses... your options are pretty varied.. You can check out local flight schools around there to at least get your private and maybe instrument ratings.. You can join the military... You can go to someplace like Embry Riddle or Flight Safety but I think you need to have a private first for that but that would get you on a fast track to commercial and multi. I just went to the local airport here in Kennesaw, GA and got my private which is probably going to be the easiest way. Like the other guy said check out beapilot.com or aopa.org, both very good info sites and have lists of schools as well.

Answer 8

You may want to subscribe to this blog which will walk you through all steps in becoming a pilot from first flight to obtaining your commercial rating. New entries are added weekly: http://360.yahoo.com/private_jet_charter

Answer 9

Check out www.beapilot.com. Its a good website with lots of info. You can look up local flight schools and it also has a form to fill out that will get you an introductory flight for $59 (a pretty good rate!) at lots of participating schools.

Answer 10

go to a pilots school provided by your local airport get your license that way