Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/25/2008

Question
Hi

I am interested in pursuing a career as an airline pilot. I have to make some decisions soon in the near future.

I was recently accepted to Embry-Riddle for their Aeronautical Science Program and I am looking at alternative options. If I attend Embry-Riddle, I am looking at two and a half years of taking college courses to earn a second degree and the Admissions director says that their students generally graduate with about 250 flight hours. The cost is around $53K a year, I would be looking at spending around $130K.



My dilemma is that I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems, but do not know if a pilot specialty program like AirSafety with more flight hours will provide me with future job opportunities in comparison to a program like Embry-Riddle with an Aeronautical Science degree and less flight hours.

How many students graduate from smaller airline programs each year and get jobs at Commuter Airlines?

Do you think having some kind of Aeronautics degree is vital to the success of getting hired and getting greater opportunities or will my Bachelor of Science be enough?

How are Airline Specialty schools in comparison to a school like Embry-Riddle?

If you can tell me what you know, it would help me make some decisions.

Thank You,
Alexis

Answer
Hi,

Since you already have a BS degree, in my opinion, it is not as important to obtain another degree as it is your flight credentials.....if your plan is to fly for an airline.  An airline flight department is most interested in:

1.  Do you have the FAA Certificates and Ratings needed to fly for the airline.....the FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine ratings as an absolute minimum and add the Flight Instructor (Airplane) certificate if you intend to teach others to fly to earn more flight time;

2.  Total Flight time....in excess of 500 hours if at all possible to give yourself a chance to fly for a "good" regional such as Skywest or ASA, etc;

3.  Quality flight time:  Most MAJOR airlines are looking for such time as PIC (pilot in command) turbine flight time, which you can earn flying as a Captain for a regional airline (among other jobs).

4.  The degree...which you have and will need to be competitive, especially later when you compete for a job with a larger airline.

So, my view would be, since you have a degree, to go somewhere where you can earn your flight ratings, build flight time and then get a job.  So, it is important that, wherever you go for flight training, they have a very good placement program for their graduates.

I hope that this helps you.

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer