Is Anyone Here A Pilot ?

P

preachtokill1032

Joined
Aug 18, 2005
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Single engine planes, helicopters, 747s. It doesn't matter. I just wanted to know what the lessons were like and how long it took to complete the courses. I want to take classes to become a pilot and want to know what to expect. All my life I've wanted to become a pilot and now I can finally take that step towards fullfilling that dream, but I just want to know what it's like and whats required as well as feedback from anyone who flies.




Andrew
 
I don't fly, but my brother does.

It took him almost 8 years before he got where he is now, and that is a job as a corporate pilot for a manufacturing company.

He went to college, and got his aviation degree, and spent a few years getting additional flight training so he could fly business jets, turbo props, fly passengers, instruct, ect. it took him that long because of not only the cost of the initial college, but flight training as well. He had to work during college, and skip quarters because he was out of money.

He finally did it, and has been working as a corporate pilot since 2001. Prior to that, he was a flight instructor for a few years for a flying service, and he still instructs on the side.

From what I've seen and heard from my bro, it takes patience, time, and money to get where you want to be. You have to log LOTS of flight hours to be certified in different areas, and that gets expensive if you have to pay for the training yourself. My bro wanted to fly for the airlines, but he doesn't think he ever will; he's getting too old, and he enjoys his current job way too much.
 
You have to have lots of time and lots of cash when you start down this road. The best way is through the military, if that is an option for you.
 
About 80 hrs and $10,000 will get you to a private pilots license. Minimum hrs are around 40; but, it's your tail we are talking about, so it is worth doing it slow and getting it right. But, if you are thinking about doing this as a career, then you are looking at 1500 hours plus, on progressively expensive equipment. The military would be a good bet; but, I would start with the FAA physical to see if you might even be qualified to consider going there.

n2s
 
Thanks for the insight guys, but what kind of classes are we talking about ? Are they like drivers licence classes in the sense that it's a whole lot of book stuff/written stuff then shadowing with a pilot taking notes, then trying it yourself ? Is there alot of math involved ? (man I hope not, that's my worst subject) does getting a pilot licence automatically get you a job with anywhere involving planes ? Things like that guys. Thanks for the feedback :thumbup: .




Andrew
 
No, you don't automatically get a job once you are licensed. You have to apply just like anywhere else, and it will be difficult until you have man, many hours of actual flight time logged.

I explained how my brother did it; he went to college, and got an aviation degree. Part of that included having his private pilots license, as well as the ability to fly passengers in a 6 seater or less when he graduated. He then had to log many, many hours in various sized private planes before he received his instructors license. Then, he was able to start his commercial license training, and that required many more hours in the air, as well as classroom time.

I know that you can go to an aviation service at the airport, pay the fees, and take private pilot training from them.

You start out getting your private pilots license. Then, you move up the ladder as you log flight hours, and take classes. It isn't easy, or cheap. And it takes many, many years to get to the top.

If you want to do it, start now. if you can train and fly the required hours non stop, you should have your commercial license in about 8-10 years.

You could also join the military and start there...........
 
Assuming you have the deep pockets to progressively train up to your Airline Tranport license (above Commercial license), you'll need lots of hours in high performance aircraft. Those type of aircraft (multi-engine turbine) are not available for rent, and if they were you'd be looking at $1,000/hour and up. Even a C-172 rents for over $100/hr these days. Most Airline pilots let Uncle Sam pay for their training and experience vis-a-vie cargo, AWACs, refueling aircraft and other fixed wings that are equal or similar to large civilian aircraft. It's one thing to get your license, it's another totally to gain the necessary experience in larger 'complex' aircraft that you'll need for an airline job.

I started flying at 15 1/2. You need to start early but don't neglect your college degree. Though the FAA doesn't require any formal education (outside of flight training) to fly jumbo jets, the airlines do. The degree is basically a resume thinner during the hiring process so that's a must if you really want to fly professionally.

I definitely say GO FOR IT, but have a long term plan on how to reach your goals. Contact a few airlines, ask them what their current hiring requirements are then develop a plan to reach that level (at a minimum). When I was 16 years old I had a job interview with Western Airlines for a pilot's position, and the one thing they told me was to get that college degree if I hoped to come back for another interview (and hiring) next time around when I was older!

Good luck!
 
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