Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 4/22/2008

Question
Hey, I wanted to know a few things. I wanted to know how you make the transition from a flight school where you have all your multiengine stuff and everything else to actually being hired by a regional jet company or whatever if you don't have any experience flying a jet. Also, If I went to a flight school and then decided to get a bachelors degree in aviation science professional pilot, are people very successful at doing that online. Finally, how beneficial can a bachelors degree really be, it's just so hard trying to get good honest information from all these schools recruiters.

Answer
Matt,
That is really good question. True is that you will be hired as an First officer with regional airline once you accumulate enough in multi-engine airplane. Another thing when you accumulate enough multi engine time, you can get an regional airline job as an first officer. You will spent a few yeard working an an F/O till you accumulate enough jet time as an F/O that will quealify you for an position as an reginal airline capt with same type of airplane.
Lot of pilots taking online classes simply because the thing they are always on road, works really good and pilots generally once of duty that day have a lot of downtime before next morning or aft for another flight. Bachelor degree is very benefitial, and also once you tried to apply for major airlines, you will have to have one. No exceptions, major airlines wants pilots that is educated and knowledgeable, and also like to know that you are trainable.

Best
Ismar