Expert: D. Norkus - 10/11/2007

Question
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:

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com
http://www.jetcareers.com
http://www.pilotcareer.info

Let me know if you need anything else
Dottie


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the great information, I might consider going that route sine it sounds like regionals need pilots pretty bad. I have 2 more question to ask. After getting my associates degree from community college do you know what an estimate would be of how many total hours I would have. Also if I decided that I wouldn't go to ERAU for 2 more years after Community College what would you recommend I do if I didn't have enough total hours for the regionals. Thank You

Answer
Cody

1) "After getting my associates degree from community college do you know what an estimate would be of how many total hours I would have?"

That would be totally up to you and the program the school offers. Where I did my 2 year, they offered only academics and no flight training. I had to get my certificates and ratings outside of the college. I chose to go to a local flying club as it was very reasonable and did my A.S. in Aero Science between flying and work.

2) "If I decided that I wouldn't go to ERAU for 2 more years after Community College what would you recommend I do if I didn't have enough total hours for the regionals.

If you had an associates degree plus the bare minimum for a commercial pilots certificate (190 or 250 hours depending on the type of school you went to i.e. Part 141 or Part 61), you would need an additional 250-300 flight hours to be able to apply OR you could go to an academy program and do your flight training for the promise of an interview at 300-400 hours if you pass. About 500-600 hours is what most are looking for but grads of affiliated academy programs need less. There are currently only two airlines that will accept a fresh commercial pilot with 250 hours plus their multi-engine and instrument ratings: PSA & Piedmont.

I know three pilots who did the academy programs but all had their degrees already. Each got hired with far under the published flight hour hiring criteria via their guaranteed interview. Their cost was $45K from zero experience with ATP flight school and another paid <$20K for the Mesa Pilot Development Program because they had their Comm, ME, Inst already.

Of course, you don't have to rush into a career and take the time to do a 4 year degree too. Major in anything you like. You can still get the flight training and experience to get hired outside a university aviation program.

Good Luck

Dottie