I'm almost 14, and am looking forward to becoming an airline pilot. I thought I would go to flight school and college at the same time so I could start getting hired as soon as possible. Is this a good idea?
-I would like to hear from an experienced pilot, or someone currently in flight school.
If you can find an instructor who's willing, and you can figure out how to pay for it, you could start taking flight lessons right now. You can fly solo under an instructor's supervision at age 16, and get your private license at age 17.
There are several good colleges and universities in the USA that offer flight training programs if you want to go that way. Start doing some Internet searches for flight schools and research schools and available programs.
You can also get information on flying and learning to fly from the Experimental Aircraft Associaton (EAA) or the Airplane Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA)
#1 by aviophage on June 11th, 2009
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A lot of people have done it that way, Zach. There are several ways. You must do well is school, make really good grades, and be prepared to enter college and secure a degree in math, science, or engineering.
The most sure way of going on to fly for the major airlines is to go into the military. Get into ROTC in college and get your commission. All military pilots are commissioned officers with college degrees.
When they rotate out of the military after 6 years or so, the airlines are waiting to hire them, because they have demonstrated competence and maturity, and have lots of flight hours.
The other way is to go to college and secure a commercial airman certificate and all the ratings from a certified flight school. You can do both things at once, but you will have to really work hard.
Then you will fly 5-10 years in charter and flight instruction, and/or corporate or air cargo. If you don't go through the military, the best thing you can do is get a job with a heavy air cargo operation flying heavy machinery on overseas routes. You will need your ATP rating and 1,500 hours to look for a job like that, but it will make it easier to transition to the major airlines.
Good luck.
References :
retired airline captain
#2 by JetDoc on June 11th, 2009
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If you can find an instructor who's willing, and you can figure out how to pay for it, you could start taking flight lessons right now. You can fly solo under an instructor's supervision at age 16, and get your private license at age 17.
There are several good colleges and universities in the USA that offer flight training programs if you want to go that way. Start doing some Internet searches for flight schools and research schools and available programs.
You can also get information on flying and learning to fly from the Experimental Aircraft Associaton (EAA) or the Airplane Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA)
References :
http://www.youngeagles.org/programs/youngeagles/info.asp
http://www.aopa.org/
#3 by Kevin H on June 11th, 2009
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its a great idea.. if you want to work for a major airline, then you'll need a degree in something.. it doesnt matter what degree you get as long as its a 4 year degree.. but something having to do with aviation would probably benefit you the most.. theres a few universities out there that offer flight training.. i went to Western Michigan University and got a degree in Aviation Flight Science.. going to school and taking flight lessons is not difficult at all.. especially if you just really love to fly.. learning everything you need to know will come naturally but you will still need to study your stuff.. going to a university program like WMU can open a lot of doors for you when you graduate.. you will meet a lot of people that can open doors for you.. most of the professors have extensive airline careers..
References :
recent WMU grad and pilot