Expert: Ned Dolan - 7/1/2006

Question
I AM THINKING ABOUT ATTENDING PHOENIX EAST AVIATION TO RECEIVE MY COMMERCIAL LICENSE FOR MAJOR AIRLINE WORK. IT IS A ONE YEAR PROGRAM.  YOU RECEIVE PRIVATE, INSTRUCTOR, COMMERCIAL, MULTI-ENGINE, AND ISTRUMENT FOR ABOUT $50,000. ALSO ABOUT 225 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME.  I KNOW MOST MAJOR AIRLINES WII NOT LOOK AT YOU IF YOU DON'T HAVE AROUND 800-1000 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME.  THEY CLAIM THEY WILL HIRE AS AN INSTRUCTOR TO GET THE REST OF YOUR TIME.  I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS ALL THEISABLE WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEND A BUNCH MORE MONEY TO WORK FOR A MAJOR AIRLINE.  THE SCHOOL IS FAA ACCREDITED>  PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN BEFORE I SPEND A BUNCH OF MONEY THAT WILL ONLY RESULT IN FLYING FOR ENJOYMENT.  THANK YOU
                               JR

Answer
Hi JR, It is a tough road to get the hours. You can do it many ways. There is always a need for instructors. The pay is low and the hours long, but you  can build time pretty quickly. Another way is to fly as copilot for smaller companies and keep moving up as you build time.

The military is another way to go. The pay is good and the training is excellent. Furthermore they pay you! The downside is that it takes many years of committment.

If you like flying the efforts are well worth it. Its a great life style and getting paid for something you really like is the best of all worlds.

Good luck, Ned