How Should I Become A Pilot? — Civil Aviation Forum

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How Should I Become A Pilot?

Texasflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 79 posts, RR: 0
Posted (8 years 7 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 1822 times:

I'm a college student right now currentyl enrolled in a pre-med program. I have a 3.9 GPA but with competition being what it is today I may or may not make it into medical school. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what I could do now or later to become an airliner pilot if I don't get into medical school.

We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. Thomas Jefferson

9 replies: All unread, jump to last

KYIPpilot From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 1383 posts, RR: 7
Reply 1, posted (8 years 7 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 1794 times:

Do a search of this site. All the info you need has been discussed and it is there.

"It starts when you're always afraid; You step out of line, the man come and take you away" -Buffalo Springfield

ATLhomeCMH From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 770 posts, RR: 4
Reply 2, posted (8 years 7 months 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 1699 times:

One of the best ways to become is a pilot is to go into the military as an officer and get into a flight program...I know the Marine Corps' PLC (Platoon Leaders Course) program can assure you a flight contract and a slot in Pensacola's flight school (upon completion of Officer Candidate School and The Basic School) if you have a high GPA, excell in physical fitness and do well on the ASTB test.

Any of the military aviation programs are excellent...that's what I wish I had done in the Marines instead of being a ground-pounder Smile

"The most terrifying words in the Engligh language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"-Ronald Reagan

September11 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 3623 posts, RR: 23
Reply 3, posted (8 years 7 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 1679 times:

I can not become an airline pilot because of my disability. I have 100% hearing loss. But hey, it is OKAY to pretend that I am piloting a passenger jetliner.

(day dreaming of taking off a plane)

Airliners.net of the Future

KCmike From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 537 posts, RR: 0
Reply 4, posted (8 years 7 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 1634 times:

you could start from scratch getting your PPL and move forward from there.
Now that i think of it...Do you need a college degree to fly for a Commercial Airliner?

mike

Dustoff

Flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 6298 posts, RR: 6
Reply 5, posted (8 years 7 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 1597 times:

No you dont need a college degree to become a commercial pilot. But you get alot better chances of getting a job with a major if you do.
If you dont go to the military than the second best way is go to a flight academy. Delta Academy Mesa academy etc.. You find which one is best and this should take some time. Than there you should get all your ratings up to a Commercial Multi. And your CFI would be good too. Than you become a CFI and log hours for atleast a year. If you know some people maybe you could FO in a charter or something. It really takes alot of work. and money.
Right now if I chose to try to become a Commercial pilot I am either looking at going to UND or some aviation affiliated college and get all my ratings in those 4 years and than CFI. Or go to Mesa Flight Academy and get a job with Mesa since if you pass there standards you have a 96% chance of getting in the FO seat of a CRJ or 1900 with in a year with only 350 hours.
Its a rough road to become a commercial pilot. With the Civil way you be lucky to make more than $22,000 in the first few years. But the hard work really pays off when you get in the flight deck of and CRJ and than 737 and than 757 and one day who knows a 777 747 A380! Thats whats its all about. Getting paid ( Not much money) for something you love.

"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)

CB777 From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 1216 posts, RR: 4
Reply 6, posted (8 years 7 months 4 days ago) and read 1442 times:

How many years would it take to be a commericial airline pilot without going to the military.

CB777

WERNAIR From Austria, joined Aug 2003, 164 posts, RR: 14
Reply 7, posted (8 years 7 months 4 days ago) and read 1430 times:

In the US I think you need at least ~1000h logged flight time to become a commericial airline pilot.
Here in Europe some airlines take pilots with about 400-500 hours and you will be trained in within a year if there is a need of pilots...

Wernair Photography

JMChladek From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 331 posts, RR: 0
Reply 8, posted (8 years 7 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1404 times:

Well, first thing I would do would be to get an FAA pilot physical and medical certificate. That way, you know that physically you are able to fly. If you fail, then the expense wasted isn't the same as it would be if you plunked down a crapload of cash from a student loan to do this. I've heard of guys who started flight training, then had to put the brakes on after getting well into their lessons because of a red flag when they finally did get their medicals.

IAHERJ From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 677 posts, RR: 8
Reply 9, posted (8 years 7 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1396 times:

Get the 4 year degree. It sounds like you are anyway. People who continue to argue that you don't need a degree are either willing to accept a small regional for lifelong employment or corporate or some freight companies. The airline jobs you want in either passanger or freight all require a degree unless you really have something else going for you. With the degree, you have something to fall back on if the airline thing goes South as it is today for many pilots. There will be jobs flying airliners next year and in 10 years. If you are truly dedicated to a career in the airlines and stick to your guns, you will be successful. If you go in half hearted about it, you will be lucky to make it to the big show. It takes many years of suffering, hard work and heart breaking setbacks before you live a comfortable life piloting Boeings or AirBus aircraft around the sky. Speaking of the sky; it is not falling. The industry will transform and stabalize here in the U.S. in a few years and you might just be timed right for the next hiring wave. Good Luck!!!

IAHERJ

Actually flown: EMB-120 EMB-145 B717 B737 B757 B767

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