Expert: Adrian Beney - 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
Are you in the UK?  If so then I suggest you have a look in the back of Flyer and Pilot magazines.  Oxford Air Training and Multiflight in Leeds both have good reputations, and links with the airlines, as do Cabair at Cranfield.  

If you're not in the UK, then I'm afraid this is beyond my competence.

best wishes

Adrian