i want to be a commercial airline pilot for southwest or something, and i was told that i would need 3000 hours, how do i do that? what kind of flight school would i go to. i already have my single engine license.
Pilots generally obtain their initial licences ('licenses' for folks in the U.S. which I'm assuming you are 
) from flight schools. This often includes getting a multi-engine rating and multi-engine instrument rating, which will usually take 20-40 hours of flight time depending on how quickly you do your ratings.
Once pilots gain these initial ratings, they gain the rest of their 3000 or more hours by working for smaller charter and regional airlines. Once they gain experience and hours, pilots will usually move up to bigger and faster aircraft. Depending on the economy and how quickly a pilot gains hours, it will usually take 5-10 years of working to gain the experience required to get hired by a major airline like Southwest.
Good Luck!
James Ball
Commercial Pilot and author of "So, You Want to be a Pilot, Eh?"
http://www.piloteh.com
http://www.piloteh.blogspot.com
#1 by Richard on June 11th, 2009
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Joined the military and be airforce or navy pilot (free training) but you need to have excellent academic score and hold a B.A. or higher degree related with engineering or good skills with math.
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#2 by Mike B on June 11th, 2009
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You need to get your multi-engine license first, then put in 3000 hours.
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#3 by J Ball on June 11th, 2009
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Pilots generally obtain their initial licences ('licenses' for folks in the U.S. which I'm assuming you are
) from flight schools. This often includes getting a multi-engine rating and multi-engine instrument rating, which will usually take 20-40 hours of flight time depending on how quickly you do your ratings.
Once pilots gain these initial ratings, they gain the rest of their 3000 or more hours by working for smaller charter and regional airlines. Once they gain experience and hours, pilots will usually move up to bigger and faster aircraft. Depending on the economy and how quickly a pilot gains hours, it will usually take 5-10 years of working to gain the experience required to get hired by a major airline like Southwest.
Good Luck!
James Ball
Commercial Pilot and author of "So, You Want to be a Pilot, Eh?"
http://www.piloteh.com
http://www.piloteh.blogspot.com
References :
#4 by flywithchicks on June 11th, 2009
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Typically people don't get 3000 multi-hours just from training…unless you just have unlimited funds to keep paying for all the flight time. They get their hours up from flying either as a flight instructor (going to take a while to get 3000 multi though), fly for a commuter airline, or maybe a check hauler or small cargo airline. That way you're getting paid to fly (not a lot) and getting in the flight time.
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#5 by Mark on June 11th, 2009
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You get multiengine time flying for a charter operation or a commuter air carrier.
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#6 by Jason on June 11th, 2009
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First: You'll need far more than 3000 hours for Southwest to consider hiring you. More like 8-10,000 hours.
Second: They won't even look at you unless you have AT LEAST 1500 hours of Pilot-in-command time operated under part 121 (scheduled airline) in an airplane that weighs more than 20,000 lbs. You need to be a captain at another airline (or spend about 20 years in the military) for this to happen.
Third: You cannot buy a job at SWA. You need to get a job at another airline, put in your time, learn the ropes, and then apply.
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#7 by chaos3000 on June 11th, 2009
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Hello, let me go straight to the point.
No flight school will provide you the hours you need to be in SouthWest Airlines. Remember, a regular multi-engine aircraft (Like a Seminole, or an Aztec) is not the same as a Turbo-Prop Multi-Engine aircraft (Like a King Air or a Beech 1900). Schools usually provide you with the "Regular" multi-engine aircrafts since it is a lot cheaper.
SouthWest Airlines looks for more (actually, much more) than 3,000 hours at least in a Turbo-Prop Multi-Engine aircraft, not in a regular Multi-Engine. So unless you have unlimited money, the only way to get those hours is by going to smaller regional airlines first, and becoming captain in those regionals for a few years until you meet the required times. THEN you might have a CHANCE to be part of southwest airlines.
Hope this helps!
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