International student
#1
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I am 15 and will complete my Igcse next year during summer. I want to pursue my career as an airline pilot in the USA. I would also like a degree in aviation as there's a better chance of getting hired. Which college or flight school should I attend to? Can I get hired into an US airline? Is the living cost very high?
If USA isn't a good option which country should I go to become an airline pilot?
If USA isn't a good option which country should I go to become an airline pilot?
#2
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
The US probably offers the best opportunity to become an airline pilot...assuming that you have or can acquire right-to-work here.
Entry-level requirements and standards at the regionals are remarkably low, and there will be a strong demand for the foreseeable future. If you move beyond the regionals to the right major airline at a relatively young age you can have a very comfortable life, financially speaking.
A degree in aviation is not a requirement, nor does it give you a competitive advantage in hiring. An aviation degree from an aviation college is typically more expensive than a similar degree at a public school. It's also useful to have a degree in a different field in case you have a medical problem or get furloughed later in life.
The one advantage an aviation degree offers is that you can get hired as an airline pilot with only 1000 hours flight time (as opposed to the normal 1500 hours). Whether this is worth the added cost (likely tens of thousands of dollars) of an aviation college is up to you. I tend to think not in most cases because working as a CFI you can get that additional 500 hours in about six months.
Before you look into specific schools you need to determine what path you want to take...part 61, part 141, or aviation college.
Entry-level requirements and standards at the regionals are remarkably low, and there will be a strong demand for the foreseeable future. If you move beyond the regionals to the right major airline at a relatively young age you can have a very comfortable life, financially speaking.
A degree in aviation is not a requirement, nor does it give you a competitive advantage in hiring. An aviation degree from an aviation college is typically more expensive than a similar degree at a public school. It's also useful to have a degree in a different field in case you have a medical problem or get furloughed later in life.
The one advantage an aviation degree offers is that you can get hired as an airline pilot with only 1000 hours flight time (as opposed to the normal 1500 hours). Whether this is worth the added cost (likely tens of thousands of dollars) of an aviation college is up to you. I tend to think not in most cases because working as a CFI you can get that additional 500 hours in about six months.
Before you look into specific schools you need to determine what path you want to take...part 61, part 141, or aviation college.
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