some1 please explain how cadet programs work
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
some1 please explain how cadet programs work
hi everyone,
i am 28 years old and i got my cpl from a school in south africa in 2011. my license is now expired but i have about 225 hours(no multi engine time)
i live in US now and have a green card and i am thinking about getting a US pilot license and hopefully getting a job with the airlines. If you guys can help me with what my options are. i am willing to invest some money in my training but need some guidance as i want to go the most safer route to get a job so my money does not go to waste. i heard about airline cadet programs but i am not sure how they work so if someone can please explain the details about how these programs work and what i need.i just want to be eligible for one of these cadet programs as i have no issue with signing a contract with any company as long as i get to fly. and i also do not want to be a flight instructor because i dont think i am fit for it.
thanks for the help in advance..
i am 28 years old and i got my cpl from a school in south africa in 2011. my license is now expired but i have about 225 hours(no multi engine time)
i live in US now and have a green card and i am thinking about getting a US pilot license and hopefully getting a job with the airlines. If you guys can help me with what my options are. i am willing to invest some money in my training but need some guidance as i want to go the most safer route to get a job so my money does not go to waste. i heard about airline cadet programs but i am not sure how they work so if someone can please explain the details about how these programs work and what i need.i just want to be eligible for one of these cadet programs as i have no issue with signing a contract with any company as long as i get to fly. and i also do not want to be a flight instructor because i dont think i am fit for it.
thanks for the help in advance..
#2
There is only one true cadet program in the US (Jetblue). It is very selective and costs $100K. You can google that.
Some pipeline programs are developing, but those will all involve working as a CFI to get to 1500 hours, then a regional job, then flow to a major.
The US does not allow airline pilots with less than 1500 hours, so you either have to CFI, or work in the general aviation industry (traffic watch, charter, pipeline, etc). Actually there are a few small scheduled operators who use SIC's with less than 1500 hours. You would then need to go to a jet regional after that to build jet experience.
The most low-risk path would be to get the 1500 hours, then get hired by an AA wholly-owned regional... those have guaranteed flow to AA. Not risk-free, but once you finish training at the AA regional, you're pretty much set. That will take longer to get to a major (the flow program delays you for the convenience of AA), but at least it's guaranteed.
US aviation careers are not structured like the rest of the world, it's more like the wild west. And new-hire airline training is not six months like most other places, it's 6-8 weeks (veeery long study days, and high stress).
Some pipeline programs are developing, but those will all involve working as a CFI to get to 1500 hours, then a regional job, then flow to a major.
The US does not allow airline pilots with less than 1500 hours, so you either have to CFI, or work in the general aviation industry (traffic watch, charter, pipeline, etc). Actually there are a few small scheduled operators who use SIC's with less than 1500 hours. You would then need to go to a jet regional after that to build jet experience.
The most low-risk path would be to get the 1500 hours, then get hired by an AA wholly-owned regional... those have guaranteed flow to AA. Not risk-free, but once you finish training at the AA regional, you're pretty much set. That will take longer to get to a major (the flow program delays you for the convenience of AA), but at least it's guaranteed.
US aviation careers are not structured like the rest of the world, it's more like the wild west. And new-hire airline training is not six months like most other places, it's 6-8 weeks (veeery long study days, and high stress).
#3
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
There is only one true cadet program in the US (Jetblue). It is very selective and costs $100K. You can google that.
Some pipeline programs are developing, but those will all involve working as a CFI to get to 1500 hours, then a regional job, then flow to a major.
The US does not allow airline pilots with less than 1500 hours, so you either have to CFI, or work in the general aviation industry (traffic watch, charter, pipeline, etc). Actually there are a few small scheduled operators who use SIC's with less than 1500 hours. You would then need to go to a jet regional after that to build jet experience.
The most low-risk path would be to get the 1500 hours, then get hired by an AA wholly-owned regional... those have guaranteed flow to AA. Not risk-free, but once you finish training at the AA regional, you're pretty much set. That will take longer to get to a major (the flow program delays you for the convenience of AA), but at least it's guaranteed.
US aviation careers are not structured like the rest of the world, it's more like the wild west. And new-hire airline training is not six months like most other places, it's 6-8 weeks (veeery long study days, and high stress).
Some pipeline programs are developing, but those will all involve working as a CFI to get to 1500 hours, then a regional job, then flow to a major.
The US does not allow airline pilots with less than 1500 hours, so you either have to CFI, or work in the general aviation industry (traffic watch, charter, pipeline, etc). Actually there are a few small scheduled operators who use SIC's with less than 1500 hours. You would then need to go to a jet regional after that to build jet experience.
The most low-risk path would be to get the 1500 hours, then get hired by an AA wholly-owned regional... those have guaranteed flow to AA. Not risk-free, but once you finish training at the AA regional, you're pretty much set. That will take longer to get to a major (the flow program delays you for the convenience of AA), but at least it's guaranteed.
US aviation careers are not structured like the rest of the world, it's more like the wild west. And new-hire airline training is not six months like most other places, it's 6-8 weeks (veeery long study days, and high stress).
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2012
Posts: 352
Yep, that is basically it. I really would consider being a CFI as that is 90%+ of the jobs available for someone with less than 1,200 hours.
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,885
Most cadet programs look for you to be a CFI at an affiliated partner school because CFI tends to be the quickest way to get to 1500hrs. If you’re unwilling to be a CFI you’ll have to find a way to get to ATP mins on your own and apply directly to a regional.
#6
There are very few cadet programs in the US, and they are brand-new so nobody really knows how well they work. They will all involve working as a CFI, because it is illegal to be an airline pilot with less than 1500 hours (unless you attended certain 4-year aviation universities, or flew in the military).
#8
Very desperate. If you have a clean background, 1475 total time, and 25 ME you are 100% guaranteed a regional job. You need 50 ME for the ATP, but can get the last 25 ME in the sim during training.
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