Becoming a Pilot??

Question

How do i?? Does it require a college degree?? I want to fly perhaps private planes or commercial, not military. What do I do. Thanks.

Oh, and how likely is it that i will achieve this??

Costs?? Is it worth it??

Answer 1

Almost everything today requires a college degree. In any event, you are better off having one. You do not give your age. You will need to be 17 at least to get your Private Pilots license. Minimum 40 hours time and a class III medical. You can carry passengers without compensation. After that, you will need your instrument rating, then your commercial license. You will then need to build hours. Many do it by getting their Flight Instructors certification and teaching.

I strongly suggest that you check the AOPA web site for more detailed and specific information.

(Good luck and keep the dream!)

Answer 2

Of course it's worth it if you like it!  There are MANY paths to take to achieve what you are asking but the best is to look online for a local small airport and find a flight school on the field.  From there simply tell them you are looking to learn to fly and usually they can offer a "discovery flight" or a intro-flight of sorts to get a feel for weather its something you want to continue on with.  While one of the previous postings was correct in stating that a four year degree will come in VERY handy as you progress through your aviation career, understand that the training you will go through as a pilot is like a degree in itself in terms of time, knowledge acquired & commitment (and money!).  There is some great potential for money, travel, benefits and flexibility in your life in this career and a TON of different paths to take including...airline pilot, corporate pilot, flight instructor, test pilot, search & rescue, traffic reporting, etc, not to mention aviation related jobs that might tie into your 4 year degree like aircraft sales or something for a company that is involved with aviation.

Answer 3

Congratulations!! I think it's great you want to be a pilot.

Here's the deal -

You have to be at least 16 to get a Student Pilot Certificate. You have to be 17 to get your Pilot Certificate. It's not actually a 'License' although alot of people think it is. It is only a license to learn, as my instructor told me. To work for an airline, you'll need an Airline Transport Certificate, and that takes awhile. Lots of hours, lots of training. You would start out by getting your Private Pilot Certificate for Single Engine Land and then get your Instrument rating, then probably your Commercial and / or Multi Engine, etc. There are pros and cons to each method of training (Part 141 versus 61). Part 141 simpy means you are in more of a classroom environment, very structured. Part 61 is less structured, and may or may not involve a classroom environment. The way to decide is to talk to other piolts, other students, your parents, etc., and get a feel for waht would work best for you.

Definitely stay in school, and get really good grades. The airlines look at that, as well as where you do your training, etc., when hiring. There are schools that say they can get you in with the airlines after graduation. Be careful when deciding.

You will do some instrument training with the Private. It's 3 hours or so. It's really different flying instruments than visual.

Part 141 tends to be less expensive because it is very structured. For students who need more one-on-one, part 61 may be better. And yes, you may end up spending a bit more money, but if you plan your training properly, you can minimize that happening. Plan to have at least 25% more money than you think you need, and have it ahead of time. Plan to fly at least 3 times a week. Any less and you tend to have to re-learn what you just went over. Any more and you may not retain what you are learning as well Most instructors I've talked to agree with that plan. And get your medical out of the way before you start training. There's no sense in spending money on training, and then not being able to qualify for a medical.

Check out AOPA's website, and then go to the airport.

There's nothing like being there, and talking to pilots.

Good luck and best wishes...

It's a really great feeling from up there..

Answer 4

Well I've always loved flying myself and just started working on getting my pilots liscense and where I live you need 20 hrs for a recreational pilot and 40 hrs for a private pilot and like 250 for a CFI. It's really fun I love it but it's expensive but worth it in the long run. I pay $100.00 per hour for mine but you can get them cheaper some places oh and also you don't have to have a college degree for a private pilot liscense because I'm getting mine at my nearest airport but if you want to fly the big ones like 747s and stuff then it will be best to have a college degree!! If you like it like I do then you will do everything you can to achieve that goal and it can happen for anyone you just have to motivate yourself. Best of luck !!!

Answer 5

How likely are you to achieve this goal is COMPLETELY dependant on you.  You have to have a clear head at all times and must be able to shake off mistakes and have the right mental attitude.  Thats the hardest part of flying next to check rides and knowledge tests.  I am at a part 141 school right now and its pretty demanding and expensive.  You pretty much have to be available all the time and fly during the summer so you dont lose your proficiency especially in landings and maneuvers.  You're allowed a certain number of weeks to complete a course and a certain number of stage check attempts.  Right now the university charges $110 for instructor and airplane time and $65 for the simulator FTD.  Make sure you're not taking any prohibited medications and research the medical qualifications.  

You will also need a 'back-up' plan also.  I would recommend learning how to fix airplanes as well as flying them.  Its twice the work but you learn LOTS more about the airplane and how they work.

Answer 6

The first step is get your private license. Lat time I checked it was around 5 or 6 thousand $ for ground schools, instructor time, airplane rental, supplies etc. You can pay as you go and it seems to be usually worth it to the people that are paying for it by working a job. I've seen people come in with their parents and their parents write a check for the whole thing.

They often drop out before they get their license.

After you get your private license you will have enough experience to know if you really like it and how to proceed from there.

Good Luck.