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How to Become an Airline PilotSo, you want to know how to become an airline pilot? We've all seen them. Those folks in the pressed white shirts, epaulets, tie and shiny gold wings. Strolling through the airport with their suitcase after a long cross-country flight. So, how did they get to where they are now? How much flight training did they have to go through? Did they have to go to college and get a degree? These are some of the questions that I will try to answer here in order to help you understand how YOU can become that airline pilot!
How About Education?
One accomplishment which I am very proud to have been involved with in the last few years is the establishment of an aviation education program at our local High School. Being involved with this project has given me an opportunity to talk with hundreds of high school kids about careers in aviation.Over and over again, the discussion always gets back to the education path needed to accomplish the career path goals. The temptation in this very volatile market is gloss over the need for higher education, enroll in flight school with promises of a direct path to the Captain's seat. Things are rarely as rosy as the four color magazine ads make it seem. The fact of the matter is: A college education is still very important! There are numerous colleges and universities now with excellent aviation degree programs. Most are fully accredited with opportunities for financial aid and have knowledgeable counselors ready to answer your "how to become an airline pilot" questions. And, one does not necessarily need an aviation related degree - as long as you get a degree in something! Can you get an airline pilot job without a college degree? Probably yes. Are you going to be as successful in your career as you could be without that degree? Most emphatically not. What About Accelerated Flight Training Programs?Accelerated flight training programs are great for the person who is training for a single rating or pilot certificate. I question how effective these accelerated programs are for longer term students. Seems most people just can't keep up that kind of pace for more than about 6 weeks max in my observation.On the other hand, spreading the flight training out over long periods of time is worse! I can almost guarantee that the person who starts out taking only one or two lessons a week with the goal of becoming an airline pilot will either accelerate the pace at some point or will end up not finishing their training. Recommended pace for ZERO to 300 hour commercial pilot? I've seen it done in just over 3 months but for most people, I would say a 5 to 6 month program is a good pace which will keep the student fully engaged - maximized learning curve. Some will need even a little slower pace. How Do I Start the Process?I can here you saying: "So, I sill have so many questions on how to become an airline pilot. Where do I start? Who can I talk to?"There is no way in this brief article that I could possibly address all of the various questions that one might have about how to become an airline pilot. I would encourage you to continue browsing the other pages and articles on this web site for starters. Also, contact the various flight schools you will find in my flight school directory. Don't just sign up for the first one you talk to or visit. Contact SEVERAL flight schools. Better yet: VISIT several flight schools and if possible, talk to the other students there. Flight training represents a huge investment. Probably one of the largest single investments you will ever make. Do your due diligence. Shop around. Ask questions. Lot's of questions!
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