Expert: D. Norkus - 6/4/2008

Question
I am 15 and want to be a airline pilot and I am wondering how you go about it do I have to get my private pilots license first or can I just jump right to commercial license and then my airline transportation license? I am also wondering if I go to a flight school or college first? I was thinking about Marywood University in Scranton PA major in aviation management. Do you know anything about them is it a good school or should I go somewhere only for aviation careers or is it all viewed the same to employers? Do you have to have an aviation major or doesn't it matter?

thanks cortney

Answer
Cortney

1) How [do] you go about it? Do I have to get my private pilots license first or can I just jump right to commercial license and then my airline transportation license?

You will first get your Private Pilot certificate. The next step is the instrument rating (to fly in clouds) as there is no flight time experience requirement to do so. After that you can get your multi-engine aircraft rating. You will need at least 190 flight hours if you have been going to a "Part 141" FAA approved flight school (special curriculum) or 250 flight hours if at a regular "Part 61" flight school to be able to take the test for your Commercial pilot certificate. Read the differences between these kinds of schools here-
http://www.geocities.com/cfidarren/r-part141.htm

The regionals do not require an Air Transport Pilot/ATP certificate to be hired, although if you have one then it would be favored. Most regionals only require about half the experience necessary for the ATP, therefore most applicants do not have one. Pilots fly as First Officers with only a commercial certificate plus instrument & multi-engine ratings while building hours for their ATP while at a regional airline. When it comes time to make captain, the pilots gets their ATP as part of their captain "upgrade" training.

Read about the ways to go to pursue a career here-

http://www.pilotcareer.info

and this link from the Air Line Pilots Association-

http://www.clearedtodream.org

2) I am also wondering if I go to a flight school or college first? I was thinking about Marywood University in Scranton PA major in aviation management. Do you know anything about them?

You can do it any way you want to, but you should start on at least your associates if not your bachelors degree. You can even do both at the same time if you can manage it. Many regionals will hire pilots at age 21, so it would be wise to get going on your education  straight away.  

3) Should I go somewhere only for aviation careers or is it all viewed the same to employers? Do you have to have an aviation major or doesn't it matter?

You can have a 4 year degree for the majors or at least an associates for the regionals in any subject. The subject matter is irrelevant to the airlines. The prefer applicants with a degree as it indicates critical thinking and study ability. They also use having one versus not as a way to weed out pilots when their pile of applications is large.

Regarding Marywood University, I have never heard of them so I can't say if they are good or bad. However, if you can get your education from them for a reasonable cost and like their program you should consider it. Most pilots who major in aviation do so as they are flight training via a university aviation program and it is a way to get college credit for their pilot certificates. A caveat is an aviation degree is virtually useless if the industry enters a downturn and you end up laid off/"furloughed" or lose your aviation medical certification (needed to fly) due to an accident or illness and find yourself looking for a ground based job. You don't need a degree in aviation management or any other aviation subject to become a pilot, so you may consider a non-aviation degree as something to fall back on just in case.

For more on the aviation degree topic, read this link-
http://www.jetcareers.com/content/view/22/44/

Dottie