Expert: D. Norkus - 1/9/2007

Question
Hi, I've been interested in becoming an airline pilot for sometime now and I've finally decided that this is the career that I want.  I already have my bachelor's in communication and am trying to find out what I need to do to become a pilot.  I've been looking at different flight schools online, but I don't know which one would be the best one.  Two of the schools that I came across are ATP Flight School and National Pilot Academy.  Are these good schools and if not can you tell me what schools that would be the best.  I've also heard that you need 1000 hours to get hired by an airline.  Can you please let me know what I need to do, how many hours I need and the best way to go about this.

Thanks,
Mike

Answer
Mike

Your inquiry is one that I get quite often, so to better address all the things that must be considered in detail, I created a website to answer flight training and pilot career FAQs. Trying to answer you in detail via this kind of forum would take hours of typing! Please check out my website for the basic need to know info, then get back to me with any specifics you need:

http://www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

Regarding ATP, I have no personal experience with them but I have two co-workers who did their career program for $40K, taught for 9 months then got an interview at 600 hours and were hired.(ATP has a bridge program and their program grads get interviews at far less than the standard 1,000 hours- a benefit/shortcut for such programs.) Both are very happy with their ATP experience. Mind you a job is not guaranteed, only an interview- but both would do it again. I suggest going to their site and asking about the Career Track program. They have a message forum with mentors who were hired that can tell you all about it (both my co-workers are online mentors as well):

http://www.atpflightschool.com/airline_training_programs/airline_career_pilot_pr...

Sorry, but I have never of National Pilot Academy so I can't comment on them. As far as other schools, I personally did the flying club route as  it was far more affordabe than any flight school. If you decide against a program like ATP, I suggest finding a flying club and compare their rates to the local flight schools.

I also suggest a visit to the message forums at Jetcareers.com as you will find a wealth of info there too. You can ask about almost any flight school and someone will be able to post advice.


This should get you started.

Dottie