Attn: Resident r3v pilots

[walktheboard]

My dad asked me this morning if I would rather use the money for my tuition, for a pilots license. It's sort of a childhood dream of mine to become a pilot. I've flown before and it's a feeling that I'm willing to sacrifice for. I'm wondering how necessary a degree would be if I were looking for work as a pilot.

[nbio]

see if you can find a junior college that offers an associates program along with the flight training, depending on what you'd like to do. or, pick up a job at an FBO working line service and try to work out a discount on rentals. Part 141 schools (mostly educational institutions such as colleges) have a minimum 190 hours to get your commercial certificate, while Part 61 (the local flight school at your airport's FBO) requires 250 hours.

Best of luck

[Vedubin01]

I went though the Delta Academy in Sanford FL. Honestly if you have not flown or know anything about it, Id recommend a Discovery Flight to see if you like it.

Right now, its not a good time for pilots. They are really taking only pilots with a crap ton of hours and or college degrees in certain areas.

IF you are really wanting to do this and go to a 4 year school, I say get a degree in Meteorology. You would be much more likely to find work.

Also dont expect to make much the first few years. In and around the $25k range. But it only goes up from there.

The cheapest way is go Military, but you are also going to have to have a 4 year for that unless you want to fly helicopters.


But it is super rewarding, but expensive as all hell. Unless you are rich and money is no object, I would not say just get your pilots license for the fun of it. It will cost you to stay current.


Thats coming from a CFI/II MEI pilot myself.

[Dj Buttchug]

get a degree in aeronautical science. then get a job. thats what my friend did and it worked out well for him

[Zasz]

Aerospace engineer. Then you can work on cars or planes, or just fly planes after putting enough hours in.

[walktheboard]

Thanks for the feedback all

[Adrian_Visser]

^Wtf, you have no idea what you're talking about.^

[walktheboard]

me?

[z31maniac]

Ok state has a flying program, look into it. I believe it's well past $100k in tuition all said and done. And that was when I was in school 2002-2003.

I'm sure it's REALLY expensive.

[thearkitekt]

Basically youre looking at ~$60-$120k in cost to become a "professional" pilot. To just learn how to fly and be a "weekend warrior" youre looking at ~$8000. The weekend warrior would allow you to fly a small plane, take friends, and go places, day or night.

If youre looking to get paid to be a pilot youll be on a long and hard road. Youre going to invest 4 years into school to combine a degree in aviation with your pilots licenses. Youll be buying ~190 hours out of pocket, then after that you'll have to "build time" in order to get to the next job.

There are several ways to build time:

1: flight instruct. this is the BEST way to build time. It teaches you about aviation and refines your flying skills in a safe and fun environment.

2: tow banners. This is the easiest way to get killed. Ive had several close friends who are no longer with us that cut their margins too close and didnt make it.

3. tour flights/sky divers. Harder to get these jobs, and like banner towing airlines dont really honor this as valid time.

So after school assuming you flight instruct youll be looking at ~$17-$20,000 / year. Basically youll be qualifid for food stamps the first few years. Expect to instruct for 1-3 years to build time. Most airlines want 800+ hours of total time, and 200+ hours of multi engine time. If you want to go charter or corporate route they expect 1200+ hours.

Airlines will pay shit at the beginning as well, expect around $22,000. some are more some are less. Most of these companies will bump the pay $10,000 after the first year.

Charter jobs pay better to start, expect somewhere in the $30ks.

Corporate jobs vary in pay and are the hardest to get.

The direction of your career is entirely your choice. If you want to fly a big shiny jet, go airlines. Its a job of get in, shut the door and fly. Charter will be more interesting missions with varying destinations. Corporate is about the same, but youll be flying the same passengers around most of the time. with corporate youll be expected to clean the plane (most likely), pick up catering, that kind of stuff, where the airline guys wont do that.

If you have any questions let me know.

[Vedubin01]

^^^ good info there!

[giantkeeper]

tttoon on here is a pilot. I won't tell you what it is he fly's though. That's our secret

Follow your dreams, and kudos to dad for asking what you want and trying to help!

Oh, and I'm in a career full of degrees (and I don't have one).

Whether or not you have one seems to make the most difference when you are looking for a job. Certainly does not mean you know more having it, or that you will be better, but it certainly helps get your foot in the door.

Helps with pay as well.

[tttoon]

Yup most of what has been said is pretty much on the money. Most people I know at work got a degree in an aviation related field too, or do a combined type of deal like Embry-Riddle. A few got a degree in something unrelated. After that, the most used career progression right now is instructing to 1500-2000 hours (3 years at 20-30k), then 3 years at a regional airline where you will start out making (much) less money than the instructing paid, make it to captain there and then hope to get in with a major.

If you do not get a degree (4 year equivalent) you will face problems making the step from regionals to majors, since all majors I know of require a degree. I haven't heard of an unrelated degree being a problem, so if you want to keep the options open that may be a good idea to do.

If you can make it work financially it's a great job though, hardly feels like work most of the time. I'm in the instructing phase right now but will probably return to Europe where the career path is a little different.

[Roland H]

My dad asked me this morning if I would rather use the money for my tuition, for a pilots license. It's sort of a childhood dream of mine to become a pilot. I've flown before and it's a feeling that I'm willing to sacrifice for. I'm wondering how necessary a degree would be if I were looking for work as a pilot.

You WILL need the degree, unless you want to be stuck at a regional for life. My CFI has 10k hours, is a regional captain, and is working on getting his degree so he can move up.

see if you can find a junior college that offers an associates program along with the flight training, depending on what you'd like to do. or, pick up a job at an FBO working line service and try to work out a discount on rentals. Part 141 schools (mostly educational institutions such as colleges) have a minimum 190 hours to get your commercial certificate, while Part 61 (the local flight school at your airport's FBO) requires 250 hours.

Best of luck

Avoid aviation programs and 141 schools, 190 hours vs 250 hours is quite minimal, and you'll save more money by doing 250 hours via part 61 in a flying club than you will by doing 190 in a 141 school.

Basically youre looking at ~$60-$120k in cost to become a "professional" pilot. To just learn how to fly and be a "weekend warrior" youre looking at ~$8000. The weekend warrior would allow you to fly a small plane, take friends, and go places, day or night.

If youre looking to get paid to be a pilot youll be on a long and hard road. Youre going to invest 4 years into school to combine a degree in aviation with your pilots licenses. Youll be buying ~190 hours out of pocket, then after that you'll have to "build time" in order to get to the next job.

There are several ways to build time:

1: flight instruct. this is the BEST way to build time. It teaches you about aviation and refines your flying skills in a safe and fun environment.

2: tow banners. This is the easiest way to get killed. Ive had several close friends who are no longer with us that cut their margins too close and didnt make it.

3. tour flights/sky divers. Harder to get these jobs, and like banner towing airlines dont really honor this as valid time.

So after school assuming you flight instruct youll be looking at ~$17-$20,000 / year. Basically youll be qualifid for food stamps the first few years. Expect to instruct for 1-3 years to build time. Most airlines want 800+ hours of total time, and 200+ hours of multi engine time. If you want to go charter or corporate route they expect 1200+ hours.

Airlines will pay shit at the beginning as well, expect around $22,000. some are more some are less. Most of these companies will bump the pay $10,000 after the first year.

Charter jobs pay better to start, expect somewhere in the $30ks.

Corporate jobs vary in pay and are the hardest to get.

The direction of your career is entirely your choice. If you want to fly a big shiny jet, go airlines. Its a job of get in, shut the door and fly. Charter will be more interesting missions with varying destinations. Corporate is about the same, but youll be flying the same passengers around most of the time. with corporate youll be expected to clean the plane (most likely), pick up catering, that kind of stuff, where the airline guys wont do that.

If you have any questions let me know.

Agree, except for the banner towing/jumper flying not being "legit time". Most large airlines won't consider as well as CFI time, but regionals will, and that's all that really counts.

Yup most of what has been said is pretty much on the money. Most people I know at work got a degree in an aviation related field too, or do a combined type of deal like Embry-Riddle. A few got a degree in something unrelated. After that, the most used career progression right now is instructing to 1500-2000 hours (3 years at 20-30k), then 3 years at a regional airline where you will start out making (much) less money than the instructing paid, make it to captain there and then hope to get in with a major.

If you do not get a degree (4 year equivalent) you will face problems making the step from regionals to majors, since all majors I know of require a degree. I haven't heard of an unrelated degree being a problem, so if you want to keep the options open that may be a good idea to do.

If you can make it work financially it's a great job though, hardly feels like work most of the time. I'm in the instructing phase right now but will probably return to Europe where the career path is a little different.

I'd avoid schools like embry riddle and others, they are wayy too expensive and leave you with a worthless aviation degree.

Best to get the cheapest degree you can, or an engineering degree or something that will pay $50k/year right out of college, and do instruction on the side through a flying club, part 61, with an instructor. (That's what I'm doing now).

PM me with questions if you want, I'm going through it right now.

[Vedubin01]

Avoid aviation programs and 141 schools,

can you tell me where you can go from having 0 hours to sitting right seat in 18 months in a regional airline?