SOCAL Future Pilot
 

Im 26 years old living in southern California 15 miles west of Los Angeles. So i live smack down the middle of Brackett Field, El Monte airport, and Fullerton Municipal. Still deciding where i want to train at....

I have an associates degree in business and will be taking classes to get my bachelors which i will plan on getting within 3 years. Ive always wanted to fly since i was a kid but never really thought it was a possibility for me until recently.
Ive saved up a considerable amount of money from my previous job and am willing to put it all in on flight training because i love flying and want to fly as a career. Im not trying to do this fast or slow, just the right way. I havent chosen a particular flight school yet still deciding.

What im aware of by researching this site is that you need a PPL,instrument, CPL and then CFI for 1500 hours.
How should i be able to obtain all of these through part 61 or 141? I heard i should get my PPL at a part 61 and rest at a 141.

Ive done the math and the cheapest schools cost atleast $45,000 for the 250hrs, and thats just for flying with instruction. Does that sound right? average $110 for rental and $50 for instruction.

Basically what i want to become is a long haul legacy pilot. Preferably working out of LAX or Incheon. but Ill work anywhere. I want to fly the big planes such as 747, A380 and whatnot. Im absolutely willing to work at a regional and pay my dues to start. Money wouldnt be too much of an issue as i am single and do not plan to get married in the near future. I wouldnt mind marrying a flight attendant haha

So what are the best schools in my area? How does one become an airline pilot?

If anyone can chime in it would be much appreciated.
If any angelenos out there help a fellow brother out!

I would do part 61 unless you are a military vet with GI Bill, or attending an aviation university program. In the later case, you can get an R-ATP with less tha 1500 hours, and get to a regional sooner (1000 hours for BS degree). Part 61 typically has lower hourly rates, and is a more flexible program which will likely save more time and money. The prices you mentioned sound reasonable for SOCAL. DANGER: Never deposit any large sum with a flight school (except a large university). They often go out of business with no notice. Also, you have more leverage if the quality is not to your liking. If they offer a large discount for money up front, you would have to weigh that risk vs. their reputation, and how long they've been around.

I would get your PPL on the side, before you quite your job. Do some recreational flying and see how you like. Then start on the instrument rating, if you're digging that then you can quit your job and commit to training.

When selecting a school, DO NOT trust the managers or take their word for anything. Talk to other current or past students (you can find them here on APC), or hang out on the ramp or parking lot at the school.

For airline career advice, come here or talk to someone who has been at a regional for a few years, or been at a major for a few years. Student pilots, CFI's, junior regional pilots don't know enough about what's going on. Senior major guys (especially ex-military) are usually out of touch with today's industry conditions. Ideally you should talk to people who are competitive and have apps in to majors, or have recently been hired at a major.

If you lived 15 miles WEST of Los Angeles, you would live in the ocean... (Many residents are mistaken as to which way is North, primarily due to the abundance of South facing beaches...)

Hey thank you for your advice!! I feel like part 61 is the way to go from what am researching too but other people tell me to do 141 if i want to go to airliners. Maybe because it is approved curriculum, not sure.

And i totally get what you're talking about with senior major guys... My dads close friend works for a major in Asia flying around the world and he couldnt really give me any solid advice except to become an airline cadet.

Hey thanks for the laugh and catching my typo hahaha
I meant east!

No. I've trained and taught both 61 and 141. You're going to get the same CFI's either way, and the "structured" course just means that you have to keep doing lessons to complete the syllabus even if you've already mastered the skill.

The idea that 141 is better, or preferred by airlines is marketing BS, they don't care. If you do a full university degree 141 program (4-year), some majors may give an extra point for that. Far more important that the school has satisfied students.

Which people are telling you this? Employees of 141 schools? Nobody in the airlines should be telling you this.

EVERYBODY you talk to in the flight training world is either...

a) Inexperienced and Clueless, or
b) Lying

If they were talented and experienced, they would probably be airline pilots, not CFI's or flight school managers.

Aviation is really weird in that most instructors are very new to the industry, inexperienced and unproven. Rare to find an airline pilot working as a CFI (for several good reasons).

Oh yeah, and don't fly in the Banning Pass on a stormy day. Even if your CFI wants to.


Except for jetblue, no US airlines has a cadet program like they do overseas.

Good, glad to hear it was a Typo. You wouldn't believe where students end up going sometimes... And to Rick's comment about the passes. They can be Mr. Toads wild ride or worse for a light plane, especially when a strong high pressure system is present, doesn't need to be an actual storm. That is also why I am a big proponent of pre solo spin recovery training. Some students don't want it as it might scare them. My answer is that you will be scared much more if you find yourself in a spin and don't know how to recover from it.

The LA basin is a great place to learn to fly. You will also get to experience Big Bear and Catalina, all of which will teach valuable lessons.

Best of luck and fly safe