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Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

Yay, another new guy.

Old 09-10-2008, 06:44 PM
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Arrow 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!
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Old 09-10-2008, 07:40 PM
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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.
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Old 09-10-2008, 10:06 PM
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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.
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Old 09-11-2008, 04:23 AM
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Originally Posted by de727ups View Post
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.
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!!
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Old 09-11-2008, 02:08 PM
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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.
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Old 09-11-2008, 02:50 PM
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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.



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Old 09-11-2008, 04:25 PM
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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.
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Old 09-11-2008, 06:21 PM
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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.
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Old 09-11-2008, 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Ukie2340 View Post
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.
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Old 09-11-2008, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by atlmsl View Post
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.



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