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How to become an airline pilot?

How do I become a commercial airline pilot?

  • I'm currently 14 years of age and want to become a commercial airline pilot in the future. I would like to know the cheapest and most easiest way to get into an airline like Qantas or Singapore AIR is. I have looked at joining the air force but people say it's too much military and salute rubbish. I don't know much about flying school's or how much they cost but my ultimate dream is to become a full-time Qantas 747 pilot flying internationally. What type of training do I need and where do I get it. I live in Melbourne, Australia. What Qualifications would I need to get employed? How much money could I expect to be earning per year? Thankyou

  • Answer:

    looking at around anywhere from $50,000-$70,000 for your commercial pilots lisence, multi engine command instrument rating and all theory exams etc. All this depends on how fast you learn, which school you chose, which aircraft you fly and whether fuel prices continue to increase!! do some research and don't often beleive the quoted prices as they are usually minimums and are not realistic on the times that students take to become proficient. Starting salaries are usually around 'award rates' and can vary but are usually around $30, 000 (not 60k like quoted here) in your first year or two. In regards to the pilot shortage, it is a bit of a mixed bag. its true that there is a shortage in australia, but it is mainly at the lower level like flying instructors and single engine charter pilots etc. The airlines will always have enough pilots to fill their planes ;) However, in developing nations like china and india there is a shortage in airline jobs due to the current growth being experienced. Its a tentative time to get into aviation with things like the current state of the economy, fuel prices etc. however this stuff comes and goes in cycles, and you're only 14, so by the time you are 19 or 20, things might start looking better. have a good look around the internet, there should be plenty of information for you to find ;) i hope this helped.

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There are many universities in Australia that run a commercial pilot course. Here's some info from Uni SA http://www.unisa.edu.au/aviation/CPP/CPP-PDF.pdf But you can start now! You have to build up a lot of hours to become a pilot, so it might be beneficial to you to start lessons now. To get your basic private license will cost about 5,000 min (where I went at least) in lesions to get it. The people at the airstrip will answer all your questions and this will give you an idea of what it’s like. You can start lesions now, but you can't actually get up by yourself until your 15, or get your license until your 16. I did several lesions early this year to see if it was something I should consider doing - I was 14 then too. It's a good idea to get your private license and then go to uni (as you will just have to do the same amount of hours anyway). Pilots are in demand now, so soon after you graduate you'll be able to get a job somewhere here or defiantly overseas It's a real rush flying in a light plane. You'll be able to fly the plane (ie. turn) after a short brief and after about 3 lesions they'll probably let you take off. lesion prices vary from what type of plane your going to be flying (fuel consumption) I went up in a sports-star and it was really cheep for $176 a lesion or so. Starting off you'll earn about $60,000 then at the top about $170,000+.

hypnotized_23

A commercial pilot license course is approx $40k and many many hours of flying. But for most airlines you'll need a lot of other licenses to deal with metreology, ATC, instruments, etc. Earnings at Qantas is $55k for first year cadet, then it goes up to $100k pa Good luck.

niknah

Ive got the same dream as you man and I'm 14 too Maybe one day we'll be competing for the job Commercial Pilots needs at least 8 years of flying experience in lower level aircrafts. Also it turns out that flying lessons for comm. airline planes is VERY expensive. You could join to Air Force for cheaper training and then use that experience to switch over to be a Commercial Pilot. Check this out: http://careercruising.com/Careers/JobDetails.aspx?LoginID=a1f10000-e2e6-43e2-bedb-e14416bb4f75-&OccNumber=333&field=CareerPath That'll answer everything

You'veBeenHitBy**

learn to fly, join the raf, go to pilot things on weekend and stuuf like that.. my friend goes to this flight thing on saturdays and it helps him get his license and then he can train to become a pilot..

Matt001

i'm 14 and live in Melbourne. i want to be a pilot as well. you'll probably find that flying schools are extremely expensive, but they'll give you full flight training so you can enter as a captain for qantas. you can start flying 14, but you'll have to wait until your 16 to get a student pilot license and fly light aircraft solo. qantas has a pilot cadet program where they can train you to fly, but when you enter service you'll only be a first officer (but with all the pilot shortages, who knows?). i think qantas will start retiring thier 747's in 2013, so by the time we are pilots, they will be replaced by A380's and 787's. feel free to email me if you want more infomation. you can find lots of info and requirements on the qantas website: http://careers.qantas.com.au/Careers/Pilots.aspx

The Wise One

You get into major air carriers by progressing through smaller ones. You begin with an entry level pilot job. Get a college degree. The good airlines I know of want copilots who have at least a thousand hours of captain time on a jet at least as big as a B737.

Mark

hey dude i live in Brisbane and i want to fly for QANTAS too. i alreddy started flight school, its really expencive. see a flight school close to you and do a vacation program, that will give you an idea of what you need to study.

In Class Aviator

In USA, you take the commercial pilots license flight training. It is the cost of college ($50K to $100K). As simple as that. Good Luck...

Lover not a Fighter

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