Airline job ladder
 

Hi everyone, im new to this forum and to this site so i thought i would post a question which has been buggin me for some time. I, like many of you, would like to become a pilot. I have extensively searched it on the web etc, but one question still remains. When you first get a job as a pilot, in America, would it be at a small regional airline, or, for example, a 737 job, and then after this 'first job', where do you go after that?? And how long does it take to become 747 first officer or captain etc? all answers welcome.

thanks

hello and welcome.

if you want to become a pilot the first step is to find a flight school to complete your certificates and ratings.

if your goal is to become a 747 pilot you'll need to finish your private, instrument, commercial and multi engine licenses.

the first job you get as a pilot will certainly not be flying a 737, and probably won't be with a regional airline, unless you're prepared to shell out another 30 grand or so for a 1st officer program with gulfstream airlines or the like.

most people flight instruct as their first job after completing their licenses and ratings, because the regionals right now are requiring approximately 1000 hours total flight time and 100 hours in multi engine aircraft to be considered for a first officer position.

other things you can do as a new commercial pilot are tow banners, sightseeing, jump piloting or other things like that, but regardless of what you choose to do, you will need those minimum hours before you can fly anything big.

the major airlines require higher hours and you also need an airline transport pilot certificate if you intend to captain a large airplane carrying passengers.

hope this helps you out

connaz

thanks connaz. really useful information. thanks