How to get a pilot's license?
I live in Memphis Tn. I having been thinking about getting a commercial airline pilot's license but I am not exactly sure how to start. I am not joing the air force so please do not consider me joining the military. I also have a few questions! Can I just go to college such as Middle Tennessee State University to major in aviation (professional pilot) and become a pilot that way, or will I have to go to a flight school?
Aircraft - 4 Answers
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1 :
No major airline requires to get an aviation degree - They just require "any" 4 years degree - Too bad you will not go the military way - That gives you 75% chance to be hired by majors - As civilian, chances to be hired by majors are slim - And flight training costs are staggering -
2 :
It really isn't to difficult to obtain your private pilot license (PPL). Hear are the steps that you will have to take to get your license without going into the military... 1. Go to your local airport or call and schedule a discovery flight (first lesson you get where instructor will get you familiar with the airplane. 2. About 6-16 lessons or flight hours in you will do something called a solo. Which is when you will fly the plane for the first time but you will stay close to the airport "the pattern" 3. About 25-35 hours through you will do a solo cross country (which is not acually to another country) where you will simply fly by yourself to another airport and back. 4. Take a written test. 5. Take a oral test with a different flight instructor will ask you a series of questions while in the plane with you. 6. Take your checkride which you go up with the person that gave you your oral test and show them various menuvours. 7. YOU GET YOUR LICENSE the time from your discovery flight to getting your license will end up costing around 5000-6000$ realistically and the process will take about a year or 2. You have to have 40 hours to get your license but most get it in 50-60. And you will have to look at the college, all are different but you don't have to go to a flight school. For instance, I go to western michigan and they have a amazing flight program but I didn't have anything to do with it because its really expensive so I became an instructor at a local airport to build up my hours. All you have to do is have 250 hours of flight time for your commercial and a few little things. If you have any questions feel free to email me at tylerkeeter@yahoo.com
3 :
Get a 4-year degree in whatever interests you. Start taking flight lessons at a local flight school and work your way up from PPL to ATR. You'll have about $90,000 in costs plus whatever college costs. Your competition for the few seats available will be ex-military whose training and experience will far exceed yours. Good luck with the HR at the airlines.
4 :
You can either got to a college for both an aviation degree and flight school (this is generally the most expensive way) or you can attend any college and while going to school and or summers get your Pilot Certifications (this is the most economical way). In the end, all the airlines care about are that you have the Pilot Certification needed for the job, you are professional and a safe pilot - no degree needed for the commuter airlines (such as SkyWest, American Eagle) but you will definitely want a degree for the Major Airlines (such as American, United, SouthWest). When picking out a flight school - professionalism, maintenance and the quality of the instructor staff really matter. Do just go with the cheapest school - really pick an academy that will give you quality instruction. I suggest part 141 flight school (these are FAA approved) part 61 can be anything from a freelance operation to a professional outfit -but why find out if they are professional the hard way - stick to the ones approved by the FAA and go with 141.
