Best way to become an airline pilot?
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
Best way to become an airline pilot?
Hi,
My name is Hamzah and I’m almost 18 years old. Becoming a pilot has been the dream for me since I can remember. Over the past year I’ve been searching the ways of how it can be done.
In your opinion what is the best way to go from zero to a pilot flying for the majors? From A-Z including every single detail that’s going to save me time and money and any recommendations that you figured out after trying out yourself. And I am an American citizen, if that’s going to help you answer the question, since some of the advice would depend on the country I live in.
And please don’t mention the military path, as I know it is the best way, but not considering it.
Thank you,
Hamzah
My name is Hamzah and I’m almost 18 years old. Becoming a pilot has been the dream for me since I can remember. Over the past year I’ve been searching the ways of how it can be done.
In your opinion what is the best way to go from zero to a pilot flying for the majors? From A-Z including every single detail that’s going to save me time and money and any recommendations that you figured out after trying out yourself. And I am an American citizen, if that’s going to help you answer the question, since some of the advice would depend on the country I live in.
And please don’t mention the military path, as I know it is the best way, but not considering it.
Thank you,
Hamzah
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 144
Hi,
My name is Hamzah and I’m almost 18 years old. Becoming a pilot has been the dream for me since I can remember. Over the past year I’ve been searching the ways of how it can be done.
In your opinion what is the best way to go from zero to a pilot flying for the majors? From A-Z including every single detail that’s going to save me time and money and any recommendations that you figured out after trying out yourself. And I am an American citizen, if that’s going to help you answer the question, since some of the advice would depend on the country I live in.
And please don’t mention the military path, as I know it is the best way, but not considering it.
Thank you,
Hamzah
My name is Hamzah and I’m almost 18 years old. Becoming a pilot has been the dream for me since I can remember. Over the past year I’ve been searching the ways of how it can be done.
In your opinion what is the best way to go from zero to a pilot flying for the majors? From A-Z including every single detail that’s going to save me time and money and any recommendations that you figured out after trying out yourself. And I am an American citizen, if that’s going to help you answer the question, since some of the advice would depend on the country I live in.
And please don’t mention the military path, as I know it is the best way, but not considering it.
Thank you,
Hamzah
There's no single best way. The best path for you has to do with A LOT of factors.
Have you ever flown before? At the controls, not as a passenger.
What kind of financing/savings do you/your family have?
What are your college plans?
How did you do in High School?
Do you have any medical/criminal/mental health history?
Why do you have such a strong aversion to the military path?
Have you ever worked a regular job before? What have you done?
What are your expectations? How much income do you think you'll make as a pilot and how soon do you think you'll be making it?
Answer these and I'll offer some specific advice for you.
#4
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Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
This is like the 4th thread you've started asking for the same type of information.
There's no single best way. The best path for you has to do with A LOT of factors.
Have you ever flown before? At the controls, not as a passenger.
What kind of financing/savings do you/your family have?
What are your college plans?
How did you do in High School?
Do you have any medical/criminal/mental health history?
Why do you have such a strong aversion to the military path?
Have you ever worked a regular job before? What have you done?
What are your expectations? How much income do you think you'll make as a pilot and how soon do you think you'll be making it?
Answer these and I'll offer some specific advice for you.
There's no single best way. The best path for you has to do with A LOT of factors.
Have you ever flown before? At the controls, not as a passenger.
What kind of financing/savings do you/your family have?
What are your college plans?
How did you do in High School?
Do you have any medical/criminal/mental health history?
Why do you have such a strong aversion to the military path?
Have you ever worked a regular job before? What have you done?
What are your expectations? How much income do you think you'll make as a pilot and how soon do you think you'll be making it?
Answer these and I'll offer some specific advice for you.
1. BA to work in major airlines?
2. How much should I spend on flight school?
3. Help me find the right flight school.
You’ve said that this is the 4th thread I’ve posted about the same type of information and then started answering my question, so I don’t see the logic in that. Anyways.......
I haven’t taken the control of a plane.
I’m looking for something good, so let’s say I go to a flight school and pay 50k instead of 80k and don’t get hired, what’s the point? So I would rather know what my situation will be after completing a certain course. Meaning that money isn’t the most important factor, it’s what will I do afterwards.
College is part of the question, should I go to college first and then start flight school or go to flight school and get a job at a regional airline and then get an online degree?
I can answer your question “why do you have such aversion from the military path?” With I’m just not the type for military, part of it is that I would be involved in “ killing people” and I’m not the type for military if that makes sense.
I did ok in high school, I always took physics and math.
No medical/criminal/mental health history.
I have worked a normal job.
Being a pilot for me isn’t about the money it’s about doing what I love, meaning that money isn’t my motive behind wanting to become a pilot.
As of the time of how long would it take me, not less than two years. The fast track programs like the ATP one aren’t for me.
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 144
I’ve posted three threads previously, which are:
1. BA to work in major airlines?
2. How much should I spend on flight school?
3. Help me find the right flight school.
You’ve said that this is the 4th thread I’ve posted about the same type of information and then started answering my question, so I don’t see the logic in that. Anyways.......
I haven’t taken the control of a plane.
I’m looking for something good, so let’s say I go to a flight school and pay 50k instead of 80k and don’t get hired, what’s the point? So I would rather know what my situation will be after completing a certain course. Meaning that money isn’t the most important factor, it’s what will I do afterwards.
College is part of the question, should I go to college first and then start flight school or go to flight school and get a job at a regional airline and then get an online degree?
I can answer your question “why do you have such aversion from the military path?” With I’m just not the type for military, part of it is that I would be involved in “ killing people” and I’m not the type for military if that makes sense.
I did ok in high school, I always took physics and math.
No medical/criminal/mental health history.
I have worked a normal job.
Being a pilot for me isn’t about the money it’s about doing what I love, meaning that money isn’t my motive behind wanting to become a pilot.
As of the time of how long would it take me, not less than two years. The fast track programs like the ATP one aren’t for me.
1. BA to work in major airlines?
2. How much should I spend on flight school?
3. Help me find the right flight school.
You’ve said that this is the 4th thread I’ve posted about the same type of information and then started answering my question, so I don’t see the logic in that. Anyways.......
I haven’t taken the control of a plane.
I’m looking for something good, so let’s say I go to a flight school and pay 50k instead of 80k and don’t get hired, what’s the point? So I would rather know what my situation will be after completing a certain course. Meaning that money isn’t the most important factor, it’s what will I do afterwards.
College is part of the question, should I go to college first and then start flight school or go to flight school and get a job at a regional airline and then get an online degree?
I can answer your question “why do you have such aversion from the military path?” With I’m just not the type for military, part of it is that I would be involved in “ killing people” and I’m not the type for military if that makes sense.
I did ok in high school, I always took physics and math.
No medical/criminal/mental health history.
I have worked a normal job.
Being a pilot for me isn’t about the money it’s about doing what I love, meaning that money isn’t my motive behind wanting to become a pilot.
As of the time of how long would it take me, not less than two years. The fast track programs like the ATP one aren’t for me.
Most of your answers were evasive. Saying that money doesn't matter means you're either not approaching this from a mature adult perspective or that you honestly have no idea how to fund these plans and just hope it'll work itself out. It will if your family is wealthy, it won't otherwise.
Saying you want to do something you love after claiming you've never been at the controls of an aircraft is a major red flag. Go to a local flight school and ask for a 'discovery flight'. Do this now. Like, right now. Leave the computer, get up and go actually fly a plane. Then come back and we can continue this conversation.
Until you've actually flown, please stop posting questions about being a pilot.
#6
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
Your English makes me think you're a foreign national or that at least English is not your first language. This isn't an issue, but your work status will be. Are you a US citizen, can you legally work in the US without a sponsor at this point?
Most of your answers were evasive. Saying that money doesn't matter means you're either not approaching this from a mature adult perspective or that you honestly have no idea how to fund these plans and just hope it'll work itself out. It will if your family is wealthy, it won't otherwise.
Saying you want to do something you love after claiming you've never been at the controls of an aircraft is a major red flag. Go to a local flight school and ask for a 'discovery flight'. Do this now. Like, right now. Leave the computer, get up and go actually fly a plane. Then come back and we can continue this conversation.
Until you've actually flown, please stop posting questions about being a pilot.
Most of your answers were evasive. Saying that money doesn't matter means you're either not approaching this from a mature adult perspective or that you honestly have no idea how to fund these plans and just hope it'll work itself out. It will if your family is wealthy, it won't otherwise.
Saying you want to do something you love after claiming you've never been at the controls of an aircraft is a major red flag. Go to a local flight school and ask for a 'discovery flight'. Do this now. Like, right now. Leave the computer, get up and go actually fly a plane. Then come back and we can continue this conversation.
Until you've actually flown, please stop posting questions about being a pilot.
Do medicine students go do a surgery to see if they like it or not and then decide if it’s for them or not, or they just feel like it’s the dream job for them.
I don’t have rich parents and you don’t have to in order to become a pilot, I know lots of pilots who took loans to pay for flight training. I’m just trying to figure out what’s the acceptable range.
It’s not up to you to tell me to stop asking questions, if you don’t like them, just don’t answer.
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 832
If you want to eventually fly for a major airline, a college degree is required. The quickest way to that goal is this.
Get all of your ratings through CFII and AMEL. Start instructing and then enroll in college while you're instructing. You'll be building time while you're in college and if it takes you 4 or so years to graduate, you should have enough flight time by then to get on with a regional airline.
Fly for a regional for a few years, and you'll be qualified to work for a major.
Assuming at least a year or more to get all of your ratings, then 4 years of college, then another 4 or 5 at a regional, you're realistically looking at about at least 10 years from start until possibly hired by a major.
There is no quick way to do it or short cuts. You have to have a degree, and you have to have the flight time. Just like there's no way to become a doctor in a couple of years, there's no way to become an airline pilot in a couple of years. An incompetent pilot can kill a lot more people than a doctor.
Get all of your ratings through CFII and AMEL. Start instructing and then enroll in college while you're instructing. You'll be building time while you're in college and if it takes you 4 or so years to graduate, you should have enough flight time by then to get on with a regional airline.
Fly for a regional for a few years, and you'll be qualified to work for a major.
Assuming at least a year or more to get all of your ratings, then 4 years of college, then another 4 or 5 at a regional, you're realistically looking at about at least 10 years from start until possibly hired by a major.
There is no quick way to do it or short cuts. You have to have a degree, and you have to have the flight time. Just like there's no way to become a doctor in a couple of years, there's no way to become an airline pilot in a couple of years. An incompetent pilot can kill a lot more people than a doctor.
#8
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
If you want to eventually fly for a major airline, a college degree is required. The quickest way to that goal is this.
Get all of your ratings through CFII and AMEL. Start instructing and then enroll in college while you're instructing. You'll be building time while you're in college and if it takes you 4 or so years to graduate, you should have enough flight time by then to get on with a regional airline.
Fly for a regional for a few years, and you'll be qualified to work for a major.
Assuming at least a year or more to get all of your ratings, then 4 years of college, then another 4 or 5 at a regional, you're realistically looking at about at least 10 years from start until possibly hired by a major.
There is no quick way to do it or short cuts. You have to have a degree, and you have to have the flight time. Just like there's no way to become a doctor in a couple of years, there's no way to become an airline pilot in a couple of years. An incompetent pilot can kill a lot more people than a doctor.
Get all of your ratings through CFII and AMEL. Start instructing and then enroll in college while you're instructing. You'll be building time while you're in college and if it takes you 4 or so years to graduate, you should have enough flight time by then to get on with a regional airline.
Fly for a regional for a few years, and you'll be qualified to work for a major.
Assuming at least a year or more to get all of your ratings, then 4 years of college, then another 4 or 5 at a regional, you're realistically looking at about at least 10 years from start until possibly hired by a major.
There is no quick way to do it or short cuts. You have to have a degree, and you have to have the flight time. Just like there's no way to become a doctor in a couple of years, there's no way to become an airline pilot in a couple of years. An incompetent pilot can kill a lot more people than a doctor.
Do you advise me to get an online degree or a normal college degree?
Aslo, can you tell me what you think about this program of a flight school located in Snohomish: https://www.snohomishflying.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/US-Professional-Course-Costs-April-2019.pdf
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 832
Thanks for the answer!
Do you advise me to get an online degree or a normal college degree?
Aslo, can you tell me what you think about this program of a flight school located in Snohomish: https://www.snohomishflying.com/wp-c...April-2019.pdf
Do you advise me to get an online degree or a normal college degree?
Aslo, can you tell me what you think about this program of a flight school located in Snohomish: https://www.snohomishflying.com/wp-c...April-2019.pdf
I looked at the flight school costs, and $54k for your ratings sounds reasonable. It will cost more than that, because that's the minimum number of hours, and no one does it in the minimum. And you'll still have to get your CFII.
#10
At the present time you don’t really have the insight to know if being a pilot is right for you or not. As a previous poster suggested, take a discovery flight or similar to start developing adequate understanding and insight into the CAREER to see if you wish to pursue it (and perhaps determine if you have an aptitude for it) BEFORE expending vast amounts of borrowed resources on a career path you might find you neither like nor are particularly good at.
THAT is the advice most of us would give and if that sounds to directive to you I’m sorry, but advice is by its very nature directive.
ad·vice
/ədˈvīs/Submit
noun
noun: advice; plural noun: advices
1.
guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.
"she visited the island on her doctor's advice"
synonyms: guidance, advising, counseling, counsel, help, direction, instruction, information,
/ədˈvīs/Submit
noun
noun: advice; plural noun: advices
1.
guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.
"she visited the island on her doctor's advice"
synonyms: guidance, advising, counseling, counsel, help, direction, instruction, information,