How Can I Become An Airline Pilot??

Question

Thank you for looking. I have decided that I wish to become an airline pilot and want to pursue that as a career. I am 19 years old and was wondering if anyone knws of any good schools here in southern california? Also what are the steps you recommend I make? In order to become an airline pilot would I have to attend a college for 4 years, or just train and get hours? What colleges do you reccomend? Please help any answers are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Below you will find my response to your question from the other post.

But my changes would be (based on answers I've seen here):
In the US, there are not really any airline "sponsor" programs like they have in europe. The closes thing is to PAY to attend an ailine academy (such as the Delta Academy) and you MAY be offered an INTERVIEW. And for the Delta Academy it won't be at Delta, but PERHAPS one of it's regionals such as Comair, ASA, etc....

Now, as in my other post:

That's a tough question are there are MANY different paths. You have to pick the one for you, and "fly" that course.

First off, college. Not all airlines require a degree. Several of the "regional" airlines don't require a degree. However, most of the "majors" do. So where do you want to end up? Charter flying and other corporate flying has a policy on a per-company basis. But if you have it, it may put you ahead of someone who doesn't.

Air Force. I tried that and it backfired for me. It's not guaranteed, and you'll be committed to them for no less than 10 years. Are you prepared to devote that time? Not to mention you'll be IN the military and may have to deploy, fight, and possibly pay the ultimate sacrifice. It may be for you, it may not.

If you do chose college, then the question is do you chose an "aviation university" or not. Aviation University's not only include Embry Riddle but several others to include some like Auburn University and others that escape me (WAR EAGLE!!!). OR, you can choose to attend an "airline academy" which will be independent of a 4 year degree but will have you ready from start to ready for an airline interview in XX number of days/months.

Or you can do what I did (which may not be the preferred) which is to obtain all the required certifications one rating at a time until you have it all ('cause you know they all cost MONEY!!!!).

Anyway, to be competitive for a regional airline right now you will ultimately need (in terms of flight experience) your Commercial Multi Airplane license with an Instrument rating at probably AT LEAST 600 hours of flight time of which 100 hours should be in a multi-engine airplane.

If you go to one of the academy's be prepared to spend around $25,000 up front (or within a few months) to get that commercial multi.... Other wise, if you obtain the licenses/ratings as you go the following will become familiar terms to you:
-- Private Pilot License
-- Instrument Rating
-- Commercial License
-- Multi-Engine license/add-on
-- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
-- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)
-- Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)
-- Multi-Engine Flight Instructor (MEI)

I would also recommend www.aopa.org to investigate learning to fly. If you do go to a local flight school, I recommend something called a "Discovery Flight."

The list goes on. If you want to ask specific questions, feel free to send me an email.

By the way, learning to fly in southern California will probably cost you more than some other part of the country (and I base that assumption on the cost of living there --- I used to instruct in the Washington DC area and it was true there).

Answer 2

To work for one of the major airlines you are required to have a college degree. There are a couple of different routes you can take (1) you can attend a college or university that has an aviation program, so you get your education and work on your ratings etc.. all at once. There are a bunch of schools out there that offer aviation programs. Embry-Riddle, University of North Dakota are just a few that are the more prominent schools - but doe some research because there are quite a few schools out there. (2) You can attend a regular college or university and work on your rating on your own at a local flight school. A good way to find a local flight school is to go to the AOPA website http://www.beapilot.com/ they have a great database of schools out there.

Hope this helps and good luck, you have chosen a great career!!!

Answer 3

All airlines recommend a 4-year degree of some sort... Some flat out won't interview you if you dont have it... It doesnt matter what you get your degree in so if you want to major in general studies and fly in the afternoons after school... thats fine... some schools take Arizona State for example has a commercail aviation major designed to get you in with an airline and that works great too... just get lots of hours and a degree in somthing... GRADES DO MATTER!

Answer 4

Unless you have a lot of money the Air Force is the best way. I don't know how it works over there but here in the UK you have to either pay for it yourself (about £150,000) or get accepted on a sponsorship scheme from one of the Airlines (small number of places and very stiff competition). Even if you were to get a sponsorship, these days you still pay for it yourself in the long run. They ask for a sort of deposit of around £70,000 to cover the cost of training (you don't actually give them the money but you have to prove you are good for it, confirmed load application, house remortgage ect). If you fail to complete the course for any reason they make you pay. If you complete the course you are usually locked into a contract to work for their company for a set amount of years and they take the training cost out of your pay. It's not the cushty job it used to be.