How to become a commerical pilot?

Question

So I am about a year into college and was thinking about a career in aviation. I don't care about being a big airline pilot, just something like a small airline/sightseeing type pilot for now(just in that area.) What are the benefits of a college degree in aviation? Could I just get my commercial license and be something like a bush pilot without any college? How much would it cost/take to get my commercial license and what is the job outlook with it. Please don't copy and paste information of jobs sites, I really am just looking for personal experience in the subject.
Thanks!

Also, if I just go to college and complete the degree with all the required flight training and time, does that mean I can get jobs flying aircraft? Or would I still need to go through Flight school?

Answer 1

Hello,

There are several advantages to having a college degree when becoming a pilot -- To be hired by any airline, you are required to have a college degree -- it doesn’t matter what it is in as long as you have one.
If you can't get a job as a pilot anywhere, you have your degree to fall back on.

You would need to get lots of ratings and certifications to be a commercial pilot, all which can be acquired by attending a flight school and undergoing training. It costs about 40,000 to 100,000 dollars to do this. Then you need to spend lots more (or work as a flight instructor) to build up flight hours flying -- the more you have the more likely you will be hired by an airline) (but in your case if you want to work for a small airline (like Cape air for example, you probably don't need to build up as many hours)
As far a job outlook, it can be difficult to get a job. There are thousands of pilots applying, and maybe only 50 positions being filled (for example) (and then it will be even harder now if they up the forced retirement age to 65 from 60)

So, it is relatively tough to get into the flow of things, and airline employment is solely based on seniority (how long you have been working for the company) , you need to get your training done fast so you can get started out at an airline as soon as possible. It will take several years for you to get up to a position in the airline where you can pick your line and maybe even be promoted to captan, so the sooner you can start the better.

Answer 2

You can get your private license, commercial license, instrument rating and multi-engine rating all within one year. Just costs money and takes quite a bit of time. Job market is tough because there are plenty of people out there who want to get flying jobs. There are a couple universities which specialize in training pilots. Best bet would be to contact them...they probably have a handle on the job market as well. I got my licenses over space of 2 years...but this was after I had graduated from graduate school and was working in a non-aviation field. Made enough money to fly as a hobby...but that was many years ago and I don't think I could afford it now. I stopped flying about 10 years ago...just lost interest.

Answer 3

Yes, you can get your commercial license and be a bush or cargo pilot without college or university. You would have to take flight training though and it is possible to do within a year. Approx. price in Canada is about $ 36,000.00. The advantage of going through the College Aviation is that the major airlines look for the aviation education first.
Good Luck with your choices of your future.

Answer 4

A few years ago you wouldnt have been able to fly in the military, but the regulations recently changed and now the requirement is 20/20 vision with correction. Contact lenses arn't allowed but for fighter pilots they make custom helmets to hold your glasses in place. The military may accept laser eye surgery but you should research that more as I believe it has to be done a certain way. You must also have frequent eye exams to maintain 20/20 vision with your correctional lenses. As for being a private or commercial pilot, you should check the F.A.R.'s for specifics. I think the rules are pretty loose for that and if you don't qualify, the FAA Administrator can make an exeption for you.

Answer 5

look into civil air patrol go vist a meeting near you and they can get you scholarships and stuff also help you learn cap.gov
i myself am a cadet member but hey if your older than 21 you can be a senior member so look it up they will get you intouch or try sinclaur college its flying i think it might just be in ohio i dont know look it up to.

Answer 6

Learn to fly