Expert: Hus Naji - 5/3/2009

Question
Hi,
I'm 16 and I want to be a pilot. I'm getting good grades in school and taking the courses I need to be a pilot. I also know 2 languages and doing well in Spanish class. When I do become a pilot I don't mind working in another country. I love flying and I like the money too. But I heard that there are allot of pilots making less than $35,000. What I want to know is how long will it take me to start making at least $100K? And how can I avoid being a pilot paid less than $35,00? Which airlines pay better? What is the entry-level pay?
I thanks you allot for your help.

Answer
Hi,

Yes there are many pilots on low salaries. The airlines do not pay for training, you have to fund that yourself through a bank or parent's help.

To help fund the hour building cheaply some pilots become instructors at flying schools teaching people how to fly single engine aircraft like Cessnas etc. This is very low paid but you do build up hours needed to become a commercial pilot.

In terms of salaries, they are roughly $40,000 starting when you do get hired by an airline. It depends how long until you get a higher salary. One thing that is important to obtain a good starting salary and even to be employed by a good airline is to make sure you pass all your tests in the commercial training first time and at the highest possible grade. They also like pilots whom have completed all their training in one go and not done the part time courses. People do part time courses so that they can work doing whatever and therefore pay for the training that way. But it can interfere with grades.

There's more info at www.JustPlaneCrazy.co.uk about courses and how to become a pilot.

All the best