I am going to go to Utah state university for aviation. I have my private pilots license already and hopefully i will have my Instrument by the end of the year. Im starting to have doubts of USU, if i am not happy i will most likely transfer to ERAU. I chose USU because it was an actual university with different majors and not just a specific major oriented school. I figured i can also get mountain check outs as well as density altitude practice while flying in utah

How long does it take most people from coming out of college to get into the airlines. I would like to fly charter out of college to build hours and maybe move up into flying with mountain air and eventuallly move up to fedex. Or just fly regional and move up into the bigs. But what i am really asking is how long did it take most of you that are already flying in the airlines to get from college to where you are now. I'm just really afraid of my parents spending so much money to put me through this, and eventuallly me not being able to find a job. I am a little relieved that there will be tons of retirements in the next 10 or so years. So i may have a chance


I also have neurofribromatosis . The medical examiner that i go to for assistance is Jack Hastings. He says i am fine for getting my 1st class medical. He says that there are pilots with Neurofribromatosis, which i find interesting. I am trying to figure out what i might want to do if my 1st class medical is denied.

But anyway

What college did you go to? Are you a CFI? Does it matter what aviation school you go to?

I really want to avoid being a CFI. I can't teach for squat. I know that is how you gain hours, i would be absolutely terrible at explaining everything to a student

I have by no means "made it". Started flying a little over 3 years ago and I'm just finishing up with my CFI initial.

Ever considered another major at school and continue flying/certs with a part time job?

FWIW I didn't want to go the CFI route either but knew it was good for building time and earning a little extra cash from my full-time job. Glad I have gone this route. I have really had to learn everything all over. I feel much more confident and I haven't really even started with students yet which I hear will really open my eyes.

Also- from what I understand the airlines (regionals) don't really care too much about college as a degree is not required but preferred, unlike the major airlines. As long as you meet the minimums...

It's great you are asking these questions and educating yourself about what to expect, but before you go any further you really need get that first class medical now, not just rely on what your AME says. I have seen it happen to students, they invest time and money to fly, and then find out they can't get a first class medical. As far as how much time to get to the airlines who knows, especially 3 to 4 years from now when you are finishing school.

Unless you have good reason to believe that your NF is very mild, it seems like a huge financial gamble to invest in an aviation career. Even if you get a 1C today, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to keep it. You might have ongoing medical certification challenges throughout your career. I would stick to hobby flying in your shoes... lot easier to keep a 3C.

A couple decades. Really. Hope you can do it faster.

I agree. I have the typical indications of NF, learning difference, spots, etc..It is infact pretty mild. It is recommended that i get an MRI every 6 months to make sure there isn't anything that looks like it will harm me.The neurologist pointed out a small portion of the center of my brain was a little lighter than normal but other than that i'm like literally perfect.

Hastings has dealt with guys like me. And apparently there are guys out there with NF still flying.

I did all my flying part 61. Was a CFI for a year. I actually enjoyed that. Then landed a job at a regional. Upgraded in three years. Spent the next ten years as a Captain. Should have put out resumes, and with any luck, would have been at a Major by now. So, pick the right airline at the right time and you will upgrade quickly. Maybe make it to the next level in a year after that upgrade. If not, it might not turn out so rosy. I have sat next to talented pilots that have been in the right seat of an RJ for nine years. That's not to say you will not get hired without PIC. It does happen, and quite often now. You hopefully have one thing going for you. The next ten years should be much better in this industry.

I'm just getting started at Utah Valley University. Going to Colorado to get my PPL next month and then maybe 2-3 months later I will do my Instrument and hopefully get my commercial by the end of next summer.

It has taken me a year to get through all of my ratings after my ppl (instrument through CFI a couple weeks from now)... My ppl took about 8 months to get but I only flew once or maybe twice a week and I was working 50+ hours a week and going to school. Just started working commercially a couple months ago but time has been coming slow so far. About 20 to 25 hours per month right now. It should pick up soon though.

-- Graduated College May 85
-- Graduated USAF UPT July 86
-- Initial Qual C-130 Nov 86
-- Aircraft Commander Upgrade C-130, Oct 88
-- Instructor School Jan 90,C-130E
-- Left Active Duty Feb 92
-- AE (Flagship) ATR-42 March 92-Aug94 (Agent and Brokers Lic in NC Real estate on the side )
-- Part 91 421C private owner in NC Sep 94-May97
-- Left aviation bought and ran family printing company
-- Hired Shuttle America E170, Nov 2007- Jul 2008
-- Part 135/91k Jul 08 - Feb 09, Citation 550/560s
-- Contract pilot March 09 - April 10, Cit 550/560s
-- Hired Kalitta Air, B747-200 FO, May 2011- Present

Dunno..... have I made it?....LOL