What are my chances of becoming a commercial pilot?

Question

Hi there, I'm 14 and really interested in taking it up as a career, but I was wondering what are my actual chances in getting into the industry. Plus I don't want to take military route.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Answer 1

corporate. That's what i'm going to do until the airline industry looks better. Plus it adds up your hours so you can get into the better airlines.

Answer 2

Unless you have access to a lot of money the chances are remote.

Answer 3

You will spend money to be a pilot BUT you dont need schools like Embry Riddle, they dont help at all trust me, all you need is any 4 year degree in college, you dont have to take aeronautical science, airliners dont care for that, all they care is about that you have a degree in SOMETHING, and build up hours, i would recommend to train at www.atpflightschool.com , you can train under 60k, and they will give you an interview with some airliners after you finish the school there, so good luck my friend. FLYING IS MY PASSION :)

Answer 4

You asked this a few days ago.

To be honest, I think your memory might let you down

Answer 5

I don't understand the pessimism of some of the other posts.

There is a very serious shortage of airline pilots predicted in the next 5 - 7 years. You are going to be the right age at exactly the right time. Your prospects are very, very good!

You could start training in just another year or so. Look around your town and see if you can find a Civil Air Patrol squadron, or an Experimental Aircraft Association chapter and get involved. There are many pilots like myself who would be delighted to share our love and enthusiasm for aviation with a prospective pilot.

If you want to pursue a career in aviation, I say go for it!

Here are some links you might enjoy:

Civil Air Patrol http://www.cap.gov

Experimental Aircraft Association http://www.eaa.org

Answer 6

As you can see, there is a varied list of answers here.  I am in the same position as you.  I will be 19 next month and I am studying for my private licence.  However, although it is bleak times for the airline industry, all of the major airlines are projected major shortages of pilots as from 2010.  True the cost is a major issue, but try ctcwings.com or net, not sure which one, they offer funding.  I am also considering the military, but similarly to you I'm not too keen on it, but you have to look past the smaller obsticles and focus on the larger ones.  However the best thing that I can suggest, is do well at school.

Answer 7

Unfortunately it's more about $$$ than sense if you don't go military.  A good school, like Embry-Riddle, and a 4 year degree in aviation plus all the necessary flight time/training is probably going to be close to $150k out-of-pocket.  This is based upon a family that sent their kid to the school above last fall.  The rewards are great, but the risks are huge if you can't pass the medical before your career begins.  Consider it very carefully if you don't come from at least a fairly wealthy family.  Hope this advice helps!

Answer 8

Very slim. Airlines don't want to pay lots of money to train up complete novicies. If you were to learn to fly your self or join the military (i suggest RAF), then they may look at you. You then need to be very good at everything as the competition is very high. They prefer now pilots as they are cheaper to train. Plus they are experienced.  

Answer 9

A Commercial Pilot is defined as "a person who holds the US Commercial Airman Certificate or equivalent."  Given that definition, your chances are good.  All you need is the basic good health, the talent, and a source of money.

Unfortunately, the cost of flight training is inflating somewhat faster than the currency in general.  In the ten (10) years or so that it will take you to reach professional status, the cost of a Commercial Certificate with all the practical ratings will rise to more than $120,000.  So you will need a pot full of cash from somewhere.

If what you are asking about is airline flying, the chances are very slim.  The airline industry is contracting sharply, and will probably be in bad shape for another 10-15 years, if not permanently.

It is not the case that there will be a "shortage of pilots" over the next 5-7 years.  That's nonsense based on out-of-date information.  As of now, there will be a tremendous surplus of pilots, and it will be really difficult to "break in."

It is also not the case that you can "begin training in a year or so."  True, you can begin flying lessons as soon as you can reach the pedals, but you cannot become a legal Student Pilot with the legal right to fly solo when approved by an instructor until you are 16.  You should be within shouting distance of your 17th birthday before you start, or you will waste lots of time and money.

So the answer is, it's easy to become a commercial pilot if you have money.  The future for airline pilots, which is not the same thing, is bleak.

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The best way around the future problems is to go through the military as a flight officer.  If not, then be dedicated and talented, stay out of trouble, be clean-cut and conventional in appearance, make top-ten-percent grades in everything.  Do well in science and math.  Read everything you can get your hands on about aviation and aircraft, and when you do fly, in three years or so, do it very well.

Answer 10

Check your medical standards before deciding

see this site http://cme-medicals.co.nr

Answer 11

check out http://airlinepilotdomain.blogspot.com

Answer 12

At the end of 2006 there were about 260,000 commercial pilots and ATP's in the US. At the same time there were about 300,000,000 people in the US. That means your chances of becoming a commercial pilot are about 87 out of 100,000.

Answer 13

Small, very very small !

Answer 14

Based upon todays airline issues, it may be a poor idea, however its too hard to predict the future. Things may be better by the time you go to college. Keep your options open

Answer 15

good pilots will always be in demand...jobs are where you find them, so if this is what you want, prepare for it well, do your best, and you will succeed, remember, 'nothing succeeds like perseverance'