What do you have to do to become a pilot? And what are some benefits of being a pilot?

Question

Do you have to go to college? What kind of classes do you have to take to become a regular pilot , like someone who flies Delta or US Air, or North West Air...etc. How long will those classes take? What do you have to do as "starter jobs" to work your way up to flying on one of those airlines or greater?

I also heard you get great benefits. My dad said they give you a house, is this true? and if it is, but unlikely, could I work with them to get a house of their choice and then I decide not to take the house and buy one of my own, but take the money they would have given me for it and use it to help pay for the house?

Thanks. Any pilot information would be very helpful.

Please give me a detailed, explanation of my questions and not some 8 worded answer please.

Answer 1

If all you want is to fly light aircraft, you can just take flying lessons from a local instructor, study the Federal Aviation Regulations, learn navigation etc., get a third-class medical certificate, and take a final flight test and written test from an FAA examiner.  That gets you a private pilot's license — essentially, a license to learn.

If you want to fly airliners, you need an Air Transport Pilot certification.  This is FAR more involved, and requires a lot of time in multi-engine turbine aircraft.  A lot of ATP's get started on this by joining the Air Force or Navy and getting the training and hours courtesy of Uncle Sam.

Answer 2

Technically you don't "HAVE" to go to college.  But every little bit helps.  Engineering and technical stuff would be preferred.  As well as aviation and aeronautical safety/organization/management type stuff.  

For starter jobs, any job flying and getting paid for it is better than no job.  Especially with fuel prices these days.  I remember when I first started flying you could get a Cessna 150 for $45 an hour wet.  Now with $5.50/gallon avgas you can't find one for anything less than $70 an hour unless you're in a flying club or have an "arrangement" with somebody.  I'm flying with the Civil Air Patrol right now and that I have to say is the best deal around.  I get to fly a 1998 Cessna 172S with GPS and autopilot for $37 an hour.  I have to pay for gas.  But if you lean it back enough it still runs around $60-70 total an hour.  Our wing also has several Cessna 182s that go for $45 an hour but they burn a bit more gas and averages out to about $85-90 an hour.  One of them has the Garmin1000 glass cockpit....WOW!

As far as the benefits of being in an airline...travel and pay.  I've never heard of anyone getting a house though I do know in the lower level (commuter type) airlines many pilots go in together on what's called "crash pads" --seven or eight people will split rent on small houses or apartments since it's rare that they will all be there at the same time.

I've been working my way through the system the hard way ...got my private, instrument and commercial through a local Part 141 school and am know puttering through my CFI.  I don't have any aspirations to fly the big-iron as I don't have any desire to be a bus driver.  I prefer driving a limo---executive charter!  

mybell's husband