Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/7/2008

Question
Sir i am a student who had passed class 12 with commerce stream and eagerly interested in becoming a pilot plz help me..

Answer
Hi, Akshay:

Nice to hear from you, I will try to assist.

To become a commercial pilot, there are three things that you have to have:

1.  An education:  A baccalaureate degree, or higher

2.  Certification as a pilot:  Private Pilot Certificate, Commercial Pilot certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine Ratings and a Flight Instructor Certificate (to provide you with the certification you need to teach others to fly, which, in turn, allows you to build your flight time).

3.  Flight Experience:  To be hired with a major airline, you will need from 2500 to 4000 hours of total flight time and 500 to 1000 hours of pilot in command (Captain) flight time in a turbine (or jet) aircraft.

In order to get into aviation, you might want to attend an aviation related baccalaureate degree program....this type of program would allow you to build flight time as you complete your college degree.  A listing of universities that offer aviation is available from the University Aviation Association at www.uaa.aero and is called THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.  Also, you might check with the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise University in UAE.....they offer such degrees.

All the best,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale