For the real-world pilots.....?

Question

I am extremely interested in becoming a pilot but I am not sure exactly how to go about doing so... I am a sophmore in High School.. Love Boeing.. And dream to be a commercial airline pilot...Thanks

Answer 1

What's your 2nd choice for a career?  Get a degree in that.  Many say that because airlines don't care what your degree is in, and many people either don't make it or wind up leaving the field to do something else.  This way, you can go for your dream job and still have a good backup.  A degree in "Aviation Science" won't do jack for you when you get furloughed.  With that out of the way, I recommend going to your local state college to get your degree.  This is an expensive career choice and there's no sense spending tons of money on some fancy private university.  In the mean time, go to your local flight school and get a private pilot's license.  You could also try the military route.  Keep in mind that there's no guarantee that you'll get a pilot slot, just by signing up.  

From there, you have many choices.  After college, you can continue flying locally and getting your ratings.  You can also spend a lot of money and go to a bigger flight school where you learn full time and get all your ratings in a very short period.

Once you have a commercial pilot's license, you typically have to work up your hours by flight instructing, banner towing, etc.  If and how long you do this depends on the pilot market.  Hiring has come to a crawl, if not a standstill now, so plan on a couple/few years.

Your first airline job will probably be for a regional airline, unless you father is on the hiring board at some airline.  Work your way up the ranks and keep filling out applications to your dream airline.  If you went the military route (as an airplane pilot that is), you would most likely skip the regionals and go straight to a major airline.

The most important thing to remember in this career, is that knowing the right people is all that matters.  Be social and keep in touch with everybody.  You never know who will be on the hiring board somewhere and might be able to get you a job.  Lots of people start out with the dream, but realize it's not what they thought it would be like...so make sure you have a backup career plan.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The main thing you need to give your attention to right now is just doing a good job of the tasks that are on your plate today.  You will be old enough to consider the technical details of your training and career development sooner than you think.

Right now, concentrate on being a person of good character and achievement.  Stay out of trouble:  no drugs, no alcohol, no trouble with the law like stealing or assault.  A reputation as a person of good character and social skills will work in your favor.

Take the courses you want to take, and talk it over with your school guidance counselor and your family.  Make sure you do well in mathematics and sciences, and also spend some time on civics and government, and also on geography.  A professional pilot has to have a really good understanding of law and regulations, and has to know where things are around the planet.

At the same time, do well in some physical pursuit.  You can't be a couch potato.  Do okay in Phys Ed, and find a personal sport that will help you develop strength and coordination.  This is important.

Also, read everything you can get your hands on about airplanes and aviation.  The more detailed knowledge you have, the easier it will be for you to learn the things you need to know to pass your aviation tests when the time comes.  Spend time in the library and read all the books and magazines about aviation and related subjects.

If you want to go by way of the military (and that's the most certain way of getting into the flight deck of an airliner), see your Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps recruiter.  You can go to see them any time, even at age 15.  Your recruiter will advise you what college to go to and what to major in to maximize your chances of getting into military flight training.

When you are about 17, find the nearest flight school and go talk to the instructors.  Sign up for an introductory flight, and see what it feels like to fly a real airplane.  Do it that way, and avoid computerized flight simulators like FSX.  The simulators will teach you bad habits and give you a mistaken impression of what it's like to fly a real airplane.  Get some experience in the real thing before you mess with simulators.  This is important.

Get your private pilot certificate as soon as you can.  It will get you a head start on whatever additional training you need, either civilian or military.

Good luck, and have fun!