Expert: D. Norkus - 2/1/2010

Question
Hi Dottie,
I have a whole host of questions but I'll just hit you with a few.  What can you tell me about financing flight instruction?  As a woman, I feel like I'm at a bit of an advantage.  I have found a place here in West Chicago; I can get my commercial license for $33,000.  Ideally I'd like to fly for an airline one day; can you tell me how much weight is put on where you obtained your certificates?  I've been thinking of moving back to New Orleans, but think that Chicago would look better on a resume.  What can you do to build hours so you are attractive to airlines?  Is it true that the influx of people from the military will hurt my chances of finding a job?  I see you previously flew as a commercial skydive pilot. How fantastic! How was it? Tell me about it...
Thank you so much.
-Sarah

Answer
Sarah


1) What can you tell me about financing flight instruction?

Unfortunately, I can't address financing. With the economy being what it is these days and the numbers of pilots out of work, many institutions aren't offering flight training financing anymore. You can research what is available via these resources:

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/finance
http://www.pilotfinance.com/
http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/find_student_loan/training_loans/caree...

For information on where you can find a flight scholarship for training, visit-
http://www.FlightScholarship.info


2) How much weight is put on where you obtained your certificates?

The emphasis is on your flight experience, not the school you attended. Some of the larger academy programs and four year schools like to advertise that they have an advantage, but since Congress passed H.R. 3371: Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, the entire playing field was not only leveled but the rules of the game have been changed. Several years ago many such programs were able to get their graduates interviewed at affiliated regional airlines with lower flight experience (200-300 hours) than their advertised hiring minimums, which were commonly 500-1,000 hours and a Commercial pilot certificate. Of course these avenues were more expensive than taking the longer route via a local flight school, even though both ways could get you the job. Now H.R. 3371 makes it so you must have an Airline Transport pilot certificate (1,500 hours) to be hired. As a result of this Act it is not clear yet how the big name schools will be affected. Their former "in" with lower times being gone, a reason to attend one is gone. Your flight experience will be the most important criteria when you want to get hired in the future.

3) What can you do to build hours so you are attractive to airlines?  

There are numerous jobs that are considered "time building" jobs for new commercial pilots such as banner towing, skydive pilot, fish spotting, traffic watch, or flight instruction to name a few. You can also share time acting a as a safety pilot while another pilot is under a view limiting device simulating instrument flight. For some ideas on this topic, see my page http://www.pilotcareer.info

4) Is it true that the influx of people from the military will hurt my chances of finding a job?

There really isn't an influx of military pilots anymore. Not like it was decades ago when airlines hired almost exclusively those from a military background. In recent years 65% of airline new hires have been from a civilian background (source Darby Aviation Consulting). There are fewer military pilot slots than is years past and a more plentiful civilian pilot pool than ever. It is very expensive to train a military pilot and the gov't has made it more attractive for a pilot to stay in than decades ago, so they can retain their investment.

I suggest checking into getting involved with your local Ninety-Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots. Their Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative may be something you would one day like to become involved with as an aspiring pro pilot. They also have flight scholarship opportunities.

http://www.ninety-nines.org

Let me know what else you need.

Dottie