August 14, 2008
What can I do to begin a career in piloting commercial planes?
I don't mean to give out any personal information, but I'm in high school and I live in southern California, fyi.
So, what can I do to pursue a career in commercial piloting?
Do I have to go to a certain school?
Are there any piloting schools around California?
Are there any important requirements that I should know?
I would love to work with aeronautics, and especially pilot a plane, but I've never seen any female captains or pilots in the commercial flighting industry, only flight attendants and such. This kind of puts me down. I'm a bit skeptical about what should I do in life, but I don't want to give up so easily.
And this is based on my experience, so no offense to anyone.
Hey, I personally know a female captain in an important airline! It's true that there aren't many, but there are more & more female pilots in commercial aviation.
I don't know about California, but the steps are often the same to become an airline pilot.
You have to pass your PPL (you can start now), then after school, your CPL and ratings. You can then apply to an airline, and once on a job continue on to do an ATPL, so you can eventually be promoted to captain.
Look up these abbreviations on the 'net if you don't know them.
Don't give up, if it's what u really want to do, you'll be able to!
P.S. I'm studying to do the same thing, it's loads of fun, you'll see…
Filed under Are You a bit Skeptical? by Melissa Coleman
Comments on What can I do to begin a career in piloting commercial planes? »
Hey, I personally know a female captain in an important airline! It's true that there aren't many, but there are more & more female pilots in commercial aviation.
I don't know about California, but the steps are often the same to become an airline pilot.
You have to pass your PPL (you can start now), then after school, your CPL and ratings. You can then apply to an airline, and once on a job continue on to do an ATPL, so you can eventually be promoted to captain.
Look up these abbreviations on the 'net if you don't know them.
Don't give up, if it's what u really want to do, you'll be able to!
P.S. I'm studying to do the same thing, it's loads of fun, you'll see…
References :
Study what you have a passion for. If it's your goal to become an airline pilot, then all they require is some sort of 4 year degree and specific pilot experience. The degree can be in anything. It's just to show that you can be taught and have dedication. They really just want to see those flight ratings. You will be good to go after your private, instrument, multi-engine and commercial lic./ratings are obtained. You are looking at a min. of $40,000, especially if you are flying in California, and that is just for flying, not your degree. You'll have to do an internet for college aviation programs, but if you are looking for just an aviation flight school (non-college related), many decent sized airports have them. Just call out there or drive and ask them. They are usually a name ___ Aviation or F.B.O. Good luck!
References :
im a flight instructor
Get a four year degree in an engineering field. Then join the Air Force and become a cargo/transport pilot.
The the fastest, almost sure fire way to doing what you want.
Probably 90% of commercial pilots out here (men and women) are ex-military. My wife works for an airline, and she tells me she doesn't know a single pilot for their airline that didn't have prior military service.
When an airline is hiring, and looking through resumes, which do you think will usually catch their eye? The person who just graduated from civilian training, or the person just leaving the military with thousands of hours of flight time?
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Miltary training would be the best and most economical but it is also the hardest physically and does require a 4yr degree to go in as officer. I work for large shipping operation and know several female captains and ones with 15-20 yrs experience are making $300K a year. Right now you need to concentrate on your education and stay out of trouble as FAA does not allow pilots with criminal record. If your high school offers some type of aviation program this would be a good idea also
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