Becoming a Pilot?

Question

I am 13 and set on becoming an airline pilot. I think it would be a good job because of the pay and traveling for free. Are there any airline pilots out there that would recommend a certain way to become a pilot along with attributes that are needed.

My parents think, along with my grandpa, who went through boot camp as an aircraft mechanic think that going through the military would be a good way. I just do not know if i would be able to make it through boot camp and the physical selection and mental selection process.

HELP IS APPRECIATED

Answer 1

To be a pilot in the military you have to be an officer.  A regular grunt (enlisted men) cannot pilot planes.  In military there is 2 class of people (enlisted men and officers)

To be an officer you have to go to officer candidate school (like west point, or Air force academy).  And to be accepted you have to have one of your congresman (woman) to commission (recommend) you.  When you get to HS, your advisor, counselor will know the details.

I didn't know these fact when I in HS - till too late.

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Other than that, stay in school, get good grades, and stay out of trouble.  Staying out of trouble is VERY IMPORTANT.

Good Luck...

Answer 2

You have a lot of time to get ready for this career. You have to really love to fly, and be completely dedicated to it. Military is by far the best way to go, and don't worry about boot camp or the selection process. As long as you work hard, you'll get there. Also, make sure you study hard in school, and don't get distracted.

Answer 3

Being a pilot is a tough an demanding job. You have to have exceptional eyesight and extremely good reflexes. Going through the Air Force would be great because you could figure out if you really wanted to do it for your career. You usually work for two weeks on and two weeks off.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

You have time and options.  First, the military route is excellent and the cheapest (not including letting someone own you for 10+ years).  you do have to be an officer to fly in the military which means either going to college and then joining or going through one of the academies such as airforce, annapolis, or westpoint. Then it is off to officer candidate school then flight school.  Believe it or not, the navy flies more than the airforce.  The other option is to go to college and either major in aviation at a school such as University of North Dakota (my alma mater) or Embry Riddle or one of the others that offer aviation degrees and get all of the required ratings from them.  You could also go to any college you choose and get any degree you like and learn to fly at a small airport.  Typical cost right now for all required ratings is somewhere around $50-70,000 I believe but its been a while. This has the advantage of having a non-aviation degree in case the flying doesnt work out for you for whatever reason.  After college you will need to build experience by the most common route of teaching others to fly.  If you get lucky, you get a job quickly flying as a "co-pilot" for a corporation or small cargo or charter company. Eventually you will gain the experience needed to get into a regional airline and then a major airline flying bigger planes.  It takes a long time either way, but it is worth the effort if your heart is really into it.  Its a great job.  

http://www.aero.und.edu/f1_Home/index.ph...

http://www.erau.edu/      <----- Im not a fan but I thought Id give you a choice anyway