AboutDottie Norkus Expertise I can address questions concerning: airline pilot employment & entry level airline careers in the Unites States, women pilots, flight training, pilot certification, flight scholarships (mostly for women), aviation & airline safety topics, aviation accident investigation, air carrier accidents and airline operations.
***Please note, I cannot address flight training or career queries from outside the United States. If you are not in the USA, please direct your question to the message boards at www.PPRUNE.org as you can surely find an answer there. For those in India try http://www.indianpilots.com
Also, I cannot address questions about aero engineering degree programs/careers or aviation management careers.
Experience U.S. Regional Airline Pilot. I have also had 15 years previous experience in airline ground operations, as well as a part 91 commercial skydive pilot and ferry pilot.
Organizations I belong to I am a charter member of Women In Aviation International as well as the International Organization of Women Pilots: the Ninety Nines. I keep a database of flight scholarships for women (mostly SW USA) and mentor student pilots.
Education/Credentials Embry Riddle Aeronautical University certificate in Aviation Safety/Accident investigation.
Question My career goal is to become an airline pilot. Im a senior in High School and thinking about which college to attend for flight training. I'm thinking about attending a local community college for flight training that way I can get my associates degree in flight training and not have to pay to much for flight training because I will be able to get a scholarship. Then I plan on attending a college where I can finish up my training and get a degree. I'm thinking about attending Embry-Riddle for 2 years after community college. Is this a good idea to do that way instead of paying for 25,000 for 4 years it would only be two. Also I hear the pilot outlook over the next 10 years or so looks good, what is your take on the pilot outlook? Thank You
Answer Cody,
I think you have an excellent plan of attack. A community college will save you a bundle and debt will become important issue as you begin your career. However, you could have your flight training completed in two years so you wouldn't have to worry about transferring to a 4 year program to do flight training. You could get a job at a regional with an associates then do an online bachelors in any major while you gain flight experience. Of course you could do an aviation bachelors degree program if you wish, just know that you can get all your flight training done in far faster than 4 years. Heck, I know a few pilots who went from from zero experience to airline jobs in 14 months via an academy program. Regrading ERAU, they are a fine school and if you feel you can attend it without breaking the bank more power to you. While they have an outstanding reputation, they are also the priciest way to go for a bachelors as it seems you have found out. However, if you can get it for about $50K that is reasonable.
As far as the hiring outlook, yes it is very good. The supply is not expected to be able to keep up with demand. The minimum flight time requirements keep falling at regional airlines and a few are willing to consider pilots with as little as 250 hours total time plus a commercial certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings. Some are now even offering signing bonuses as high as $5,000 while other airlines are providing employee pilot referral incentives as high as $1,000 per pilot. I know that many regional carriers are currently experiencing a hiring crisis as they cannot get enough pilots to meet staffing needs. For more information on this and other topics, I suggest visiting these sites:
