Yay, another new guy.
 

Well, yup. Its another one of those boring, dull, new guy question topics. Unfortunately I cannot avoid this step, even though people are really tired of answering the same things over and over again. I have just a few questions if you guys wouldn't mind helping me out a bit.

Just so you know, I'm a senior in HS and have wanted to become an airline pilot ever since I was taken into a flight deck when I was little and playing with most of all the knobs and stuff. Anyway I have an ultimate goal of becoming a pilot and wanted to find not necessarily quickest way but the best, meaning as in quality and price. So, the questions... (just a fair word of warning, I am fairly incompetent about this sort of thing so if I am wrong please feel free to correct me)

1) Can you recommend ANY college, in the NY, NJ, PA area, that has a fairly good flight school program which can carry me pretty much from beginning to end meaning getting hired with a regional.

2) Is there a way to go to college for a non-aviation or aviation degree in which right after you could sign up to become a Warrant Officer with the military and fly Rotary or Fixed Wing.

That's all I could come up with at the moment so if you would please help me out, it would be greatly appreciated!

1) Wrong question. Don't worry about being an "airline pilot". Airline pilots are just normal pilots that work for an airline. Focus on the building blocks of the different ratings and don't look too far ahead. It's an unnecessary distraction.

2) Sounds like Army ROTC. Maybe they will even pay for those first two years? You might pose this one at the military forum. I was going to say "ask the army recruiter", but that might not be a good idea....

I'd check out Jetcareers.com - Welcome and go to the home page. There are some links there that do a great job of explaining the options of how to become a professional pilot.

Welcome to APC. I was where you are back in 1979. By then, I had my PPL and IFR rating. I also had a job pumping gas at the local airport. I was also thinking about where to go to college to be a pilot. I ended up with my first two years at a community college and getting all my ratings at the local flight school. I think that those were great choices.

check out the Army WOFT (Warrant Officer Flight Training) program... you don't need college to fly rotorwing in the Army...you go to BCT (Basic Combat Training) for nine weeks, then to WOCS (Warrant Officer Canidate School), then to Flight School for about 10 months......commitment is no less than 72 months Active Duty

fixed wing slots in the Army I believe require selection boards if you are not a commisioned officer and you need like 500 TTRW 50PIC to even apply.

RW time doesn't seem to count for much in the airlines.

If you want to go Commisioned Officer through ROTC, you can usually get an Army ROTC scholarship as long as you have a good pulse.

Civilian route:

Regional Airline Pilot is not the pinnancle of aviation careers, don't rush to get there... enjoy flying and building experience. Don't worry about trying to get to regional pilot in 250 hours.... if you read these forums enough.. you'll find that all in all programs like that are a waste of good money... you may be better off going part 61, instructor, part 135, etc - you'll look back to find it a good experience.

I agree.

Have a loose end goal in mind, however stay as flexible as you can in the mean time. There is NOTHING certain in this business. Start the process and follow the path that keeps things fun.

Good luck and welcome!!

If you want to go RW then go for it, but if your ultimate career goal involves the left seat of a jet for a major airline or corporation then stay fixed wing. Definitely get your RW ratings, but do so after you're bringing in the big bucks at Southwest or UPS or whatever.

Military flying is a lot of fun, too, but make sure that the equipment you're flying lines up with your career goals. The exception would be like mine where I really didn't care. I wanted to serve my country first as a helicopter pilot and then change to a civilian airline career. Let me know if you want more info on the Army RW route and I'll help in any way I can.

The bottom line: have fun whatever you choose and whatever you fly. Most people will only get to wish they were pilots. And I encourage you to find a good mentor not just someone who tells you what to do. A mentor.

All the best to ya.

I would suggest AFROTC. More flight slots. With the WOFT Program...fewer slots, yet very competitive.

Study both the practice tests of the AFOQT and the OSB for the Army. This should prepare you for any "life changing" decisions you will make.

All the best.



atp

Actually, the Army is hurting for WO's right now. If you get decent scores on the AFAST and ASVAB, you shouldn't have too many problems.

Wow guys, thanks a lot.

In about a day I have gotten more advice and help (that actually made sence to me), than I did over the past 5 months.

But still one question. Do you guys know of a good flight school where it won't me take loans up the a*s, and that has a good program? And location doesn't matter anymore, so anywhere in the Cont. US.

Go to college where you want to go, aviation related or not. Enjoy your 4 years and get your training on the side at a local FBO. No employers care about big named flight schools that everyone has heard of. This will keep your costs down and you will still enjoy the "college experience."

If you are determined to major in aviation (many here will advise you not to) then look into Purdue or Auburn.

I gotta agree atlmsl....as far as the first paragraph goes!!!;)

On the other hand, take a look at what jobs are going to be in demand. I know of two; Healthcare & Finance. There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a B.S. degree in Hospital Administration along with your CPL w/ME rating. Good luck to you.



atp

I cannot emphasize this enough.

If you are interested in the military look into ALL services...those slots are hard to come by so don't limit your options. Like someone said, helos are fun, but if you want to be an airline or corporate pilot try to do FW in the military.

Also look into the air national guard/ usaf reserve...this is a very good deal for a career pilot because you can pursue civilian and military careers in parallel, and because you will know in advance what aircraft type you will be assigned (no getting locked into helos for ten years).

ROTC or the academies are good financial deal, but the downside is that you will be obligated for military service even if you do not get a flight slot for whatever reason. If your priority is flying over military service, doing guard/reserves after college is safer.

I agree with atlmsl, too, regarding your education. Just focus on that and don't worry about going to a school that has aviation as a major.

I did that back in '89 when I attended Central Washington University's flight program, but when I ran out of money before my senior year I decided to fly in the Army and then use my VA benefits to finish my education at ERAU. But that was only because already had so many credits toward that major that it only made sense to finish it up instead of wasting time starting all over on another major.

Another option if the military still interests you: Ask different recruiters to set you up with appointment for you to "interview" pilots from local military units (no matter what branch of service) to help you make an informed decision regarding WOCS / WOFT, AF, Navy, MC or even Coast Guard. You might find you just want to stay civilian. Just don't sign anything with a recruiter unless you're sure it's what you want to do.

Make sure that you want to be a Marine first and foremost though if you decide to pursue this route. You will end up doing a lot of *extra* stuff that Marines do before (and during) your Marine career - so you need to know that. (e.g. - 6 months of (mainly) infantry training before even starting flight school)

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I'll have to disagree with Rickair here on one point.........serving your country should never be considered a downside. Even if you just come in to serve for the minimum time without a flight slot (4 years) - you will have done more for your country than most others can boast.

USMCFLYR

I just graduated from H.S. and I am in the same spot as you. For a while I was not sure whether i wanted to go to a college for aviation, directly into the military, or just get a non-aviation related degree and get my ratings while in college.

Well I kinda went in between it all...My idea is to go to UMD for Aeronautical engineering. I don't see my self in any other industry but I didnt want to go for a 'professional pilot' degree, because I didnt want to end up laid off and not having a job to turn around to.

If a health issue comes up and your no longer able to fly, you need something to fall back on, that is why I choose a different degree. I will get my ratings as I go to school at a private airport. It will also be a hell of alot cheaper since I am not going out of state, and paying a college for my ratings.

In the end I plan on going to the military. But either way, Airlines do not look at your degree as much as they do experience and what not. If you have the experience and a B.S. degree then you are qualified to get a job.

But if you really would like to attend college for an aviation degree, as said above Purdue and or Auburn. I understand what position you are in and it's not easy to decide on what you want to do, Ive been switching my ideas around every other month, and I finally think I found something im gonna stick with.

You have time though, research alot and take the advice from the pilots on this board. They know which is the best direction to go in.

Hope this gives you a different point of view.

I was in your shoes four years ago. Got into Embry Ridde, turned it down. Too much is riding on an aviation degreee. Get a degree in something else and then get your licenses in addition to it so if you do lose your medical, you'll have something to fall back on.

I'll have to disagree with Rickair here on one point.........serving your country should never be considered a downside. Even if you just come in to serve for the minimum time without a flight slot (4 years) - you will have done more for your country than most others can boast.

USMCFLYR[/QUOTE]


I agree about the service, it's a good thing and will be good for you. I didn't get the flight slot, but 22 years later I'm still participating.

But you need to realistically assess your personal desires and motivations. I worked out fine as a non-pilot, but not everyone does...we don't need any more bitter junior officers who are just counting the days. If that's going to be you, best not to get involved in the first place.

If you sign on the dotted line, be fully committed. But don't make that decision lightly.