Lando13

hey i'm Landon and i'm 18
i'm just finishing my final year of high school and have wanted to become an Airline pilot all my life basicaly.
I've researched a few different paths in getting to my goal of flying for a major airline but wasn't sure what would be the cheapest and most direct way of getting there
so if theres any advice that ua'll can give me that would b greatly appreciated

Ewfflyer

I'll start this out with one thing, flying isn't cheap, so even the "cheapest" route is going to cost at least $50,000. Anyways, finding ways to build your time by riding with other pilots, or with a 135 freight guy(logging the empty part 91 legs) are great ways to build time and even more so, actual real-world flying experience!!! Other things include just getting and keeping jobs during your training, minimizing the expenditures and keeping some cash-flow. Every small job helps. Definately get a degree, and i don't care what it's in, just get one!!

DMBFAN

Not sure about the most direct way to the airlines right now since the entire industry is crumbling, but you should check out MN Aviation in Albert Lea Minnesota. I went there, and they focus on accelerated training. I did my Private through CFI,CFII,and MEI from start to finish in about 5 months.

Doing your training that way will be by far the cheapest and quickest way to get your ratings done. You will spend less money because you are training everyday, there is less time between training events, so you are not spending precious time trying to re learn what you forgot from the week before like at other flight schools.

Who knows how many airline jobs there will be when your done. But at least you will know you spent the least amount as possible while you wait for the industry to turn around. Then you can get a degree online.

Good luck.

de727ups

I'd recommend you check out the home page at Jetcareers.com - Welcome and see how the webmaster did it. Then, click on the perspectives links and see how others did it.

Basically, you start at the bottom and work your way up. Private pilots license at the local flight school. I had my PPL and instrument rating by the time I was 18. You'll need a job and supportive parents to pay for the training. Also, 99% of the guys hired at the best jobs in the career have a four year college degree of some sort.

Wildflyin

If you are capable of financing an accelerated program, you might consider doing that and getting your instructor ratings. Then you can instruct while at college so you can make a little bit of money and more importantly build time while getting your 4 year degree. Who knows what the industry will be like in 4 years? At least this way you'll have your certificates, ratings and hours for when that time comes. Not to mention you can make all sorts of contacts if you work at an FBO.

Marvin

Landon -

Have you considered military flight training? I would urge you to at least consider it if you might be qualified.

You will need a bachelor's degree and acceptance into a program. Those are not easy tasks, but they are achievable. Once in, the government will pay you AND pay for your training, and then you will owe a certain number of years in the service. At the end of that time, you can evaluate where you stand, and where the civilian aviation market stands, and decide whether to stay in or separate.

There are several routes to go -- active duty, Reserves, National Guard. Different people on the forum will advocate different routes. If I had it to do over again, I would just apply for everything, and then make decisions based upon which you are offered.

Do you plan on going to college? If so, I recommend you do that first. If you can afford to fly while in college, great -- get your Private Pilot's License. If not, the degree is more important (in my opinion) to get knocked out. My advice would be to go to a regular 4-year college and get a regular 4-year degree in something that interests you. You do not need an aviation degree to fly airplanes, and a degree in something else may give you some other options in case a back-up plan becomes necessary.

While in college, join ROTC. That will give you a small glimpse of what the military lifestyle is like, and you won't be committed until your junior year. If you like it, you may also qualify for a scholarship (there are strings attached).

If you are interested, I'd be more than happy to chat with you. You need more posts to send a PM, so just post in this thread that you would like me to contact you and leave an e-mail address. If not, no sweat -- but talk to as many folks as you can about all your options.

Good luck!

Lando13

yea marvin i'm looked at joining the RAAF cause i'm currently residing in Australia so that might change a few things.

I apply for the Royal Australian AirForce but had a few issues there regarding my religion so had to with draw my application but currently i'm looking at getting a cadetship through qantas which will allow me to complete a bachelor's degree while i'm doing my training.