Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 5/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: hi, i am from Egypt , final year medical student and i am dreaming to become international airline pilot but i am now confused about which flight school shall i choose and since i have no experience, i hope you to advice me about the best flight school for international students and i hope it to be modest regarding the finances but also to be honest about its programs and time limits and what do you think about changing my career from being doctor to my dream to become a pilot, hope to hear from you soon

ANSWER: Hi David,
I do have exoperience with flight schools in USA. But I do not have info about requiremenets nor schools in Egypt. Whatsoever I am glad that you are considering airline pilot job as an dream job. In USA change career is just normal thing as changing socks or underwear. I do have my students with all kind of educational and job backgrounds. From NASA engineers to car racing drivers that had changed jobs and start flying as an occupation. Financially you will spent around from $45,000 to 85,000 before you will be need to get your right seat as an regional airline pilot.

Regards
Ismar


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks alot Ismar,in fact i am considering to get my training from the states not from Egypt as there's only one flight school which have bad reputation regarding everything specially the respect to students and the timelimits so i hope you to direct me to the best flight school in the states for international students like me since there are too many schools and i am confused about which is the best of the best also what licenses and ratings shall i get to be competitive to apply for airlines,in fact i still have 18 months to get my bachelor degree in medicine so i can't do anything before that time but i am getting myself prepared to apply for a school soon after i finish so i am looking forward to hear your advice

Answer
In USA there is numerous flight schools that can provide you good training. However, There is at least a dozen that are highly respected by airline world and they do provide really quality flight training. In order to get applied with airlines, you will need to earn following licenses:

Private Pilot License (that is only starting license that will give you chance to fly an airplane with a few passangers, but not commercially). Usually USA standard to get PPL is within 65 hrs.

Commercial Pilot License is first point that you can use in order to get an pilot job. You will need at least 250 hrs before you can apply for that license.

Airline Transport Pilot License; Professional Pilot License that will give you a chance to be an captain of airliner, or smaller airliner. In order to qualify you will need at least 1200 total flight hrs.

Instrument Rating that usually will be acquired after PPL and this rating will give you chance to fly an airplane based only on instruments. Usually Takes about 60 hrs. So when you complete instrument rating, pilot has generally acquired enough hrs to applu for Commercial Pilot License.

Follow this weblins to see the some really good flight schools in USA:
Some of web links with really good schools


http://www.jetuniversity.com/home.html

http://www.deltaconnectionacademy.com/courses_offered.asp

http://www.raaflightschools.com/

http://www.westwindaviation.com/Professional%20Pricing.htm

http://www.gulfstreamacademy.com/

And of course the most appreciated and highly respected flight training  school and facility is Flight Safety, as the highly requested training facility for all airplanes of airliners or corporate jets. web site is

http://www.flightsafetyacademy.com/career/index.php


Regards
Ismar