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Is commercial pilot training a good option?

Commercial pilot career start, too late?

  • I just recently turned 20 (1 month ago), I'm two years into college as an undecided major, (I did some computer science classes though) and I always have considered to go for Commercial pilot. I'm considering the option of transferring to an aviation college and majoring in Aircraft Operations, this includes a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Certificate, it doesn't include the actual flight training with planes though, everything is in simulators. At the same time you are given the option of doing ATC studies which I will probably do as well. I hear very good things about this school, and they work directly with the FAA, they recommend graduates for jobs, and 95% of graduates are hired in about 1 year after graduation Am I still young enough to pursue this? Even if it takes me 5 or 10 years, I could work doing ATC while at the same time working on my hours, a wife and kids can wait, I just really want to become a pilot. I know this is going to be insanely expensive, but I hear you can get hours by being a flight instructor. Or should I just say "fug it" and join the Air Force............? or become a stripper, nah jk :P

  • Answer:

    It is possible to start at 20. But your plan is flawed. Aviation colleges give you exactly the same license at twice or thrice the cost. Ignore the fancy brochures and the future pilots on Yahoo! Guesses. Get a degree in computer science or anything else then go to a local flight school or join the military after college. Simulators will not earn you any FAA pilot certificate! And there are never any guarantees! Read the fine print. At best they will guarantee an interview contingent upon meeting vague and unwritten benchmarks. Do you really think they can hire everyone the pilot mill cranks out? There's nothing wrong with ATC but it's not an entry level job. It takes a lot of training and experience too. Maybe you should stick with computer science for your bachelors, get a good job, save up for lessons, then go to a local school when you have the money. You can get hours as an instructor but I hope you like living on Ramen noodles. If you're in debt too then no Ramen noodles for you. It's possible but rethink your plan.

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I started flight training at 36 with 0 hours. Took me 15 months to get all my commercial and flight instructor ratings. Worked for 2 years as a flight instructor training chinese and built 1800 hours with 400 multiengine hours. I now work for a company as PIC in small multiengine turbine aircraft. Will take me about a year and a half to build the 1000 hours turbine PIC minimum to get to the majors. I will probably move on from here to fly either overseas or cargo aircraft here in the US. The hours are better, and upgrade times quicker. I still have 25 years left to fly. I know MANY pilots who started at my age and are now flying 737 or bigger. If you really want to do it, anything is possible. With all due respect, you have your whole life ahead of you yet.

suddenly_single_cowboy

Yes, currently this is the best time to do so. I'm 20 as well, and studying for a BA in Aviation Flight/Business. By the time you graduate, ~4 more years (there's a lot to study, and a lot of common classes do not apply) a lot of the current Captains will be retiring. Hiring will be off the charts. Depending where you go to school, you should check out their program. For example, University of Illinois (now a dismantled program) was horrendous. No dress code, lax instructors. I'm at Southern Illinois University, they have an exceptional program. But the sooner you start, the better. It takes a lot of dedication, and quite a bit of money. I pay roughly 22k over average tuition. Schools to look at, Embry Riddle, Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, Purdue. Good luck!

Ryan M

No you are not too old at all. Let's say u do commercial within the next 7 years, u will be flying as an FO at the age of 27!! That's still young! My friend became an FO for RyanAir at the age of 30. U have plenty of time ahead of you. If u can afford it then do it. Even as a back-up u would be doing ATC which is a well paid career in itself!

Niz

Certainly is... I started my flight training effectively at 20.. at 26 am now an FO on a large Turboprop Upper limit to start training if you want the airlines would be 30-35.. Depending on the airline (Especially if they pay for your training) Bit older is possible if you pay for your own training

ht Freerider

You should go for it! 20 is not too old at all. Other people your age going for professional degrees like doctors and professors will still be in school after you have graduated flight school.

David

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