Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/28/2009

Question
Hello David,
    I am in my very early high school portion of my life, and I have been researching careers that I could possibly want to get into. Becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot, or any sort of pilot, seems to be the most interesting, and enjoyable. This school year, I have taken an Introduction to Aviation class, but didn't learn much due to a very poor instructor. Do you have any ideas on what classes I should take in order to pursue this career?
    Also I am seeking any advice on how I could learn more about or start a career in piloting, and do not know how to at this young of age. I do not come from a wealthy family, so I only have access to public resources and my school, and I do not have access to much in terms of being able to buy things. At the most I could only afford a basic flight simulator setup on my own, if you would recommend that to learn the basic flight operations.
   I will gladly accept any advice you can offer.

Answer
Hi, Kyle:

Nice to hear from you.  Sorry I have been slow in responding.  Had some illness in the family that prevented me from doing so.

Here are a couple of ideas for learning more about the aviation/piloting field:

1.  Consider saving up for, and then taking, an "Introductory Flight" at a nearby flight school.  If you go to the website sponsored by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association called "Let's Go Flying" you will find some excellent information on costs, how to choose a flight school and related topics:  http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/ready/choose/search.cfm
On this site you can search for a flight school close to you and then, once you find one that looks good, then, call them to arrange an "introductory flight."  This flight will cost somewhere around $60 to $100 depending on how long they take you out to fly.  This website also has some free information that you can request to do more research on flight careers and how to learn to fly including a booklet called "Let's Go Flying" that they will send to you  for free.

2.  In addition, check on colleges or universities near you that might offer flight training.  Some of those schools will sponsor "aviation career days" or "aviation open houses" or "aviation tours" so that you can visit their programs while you are still in high school to learn more about how you can learn to fly for college credit.  For a listing of colleges and universities that offer aviation, go to this website:  www.uaa.aero which is the website of the University Aviation Association.  Once you have the list (which costs $14.95) you can consult the state-by-state directory to see which schools are near you.  For example, if you are in or near Illinois, the school I work for, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, offers three "aviation career days" each year for you to attend.  Two of them, one in the Fall and one in the Spring, offer free airline flights to the campus from Chicago.  For more information, consult www.aviation.siu.edu/careerdays  But, no matter where you are in the country, you will be within a few hours driving time of such a campus.

3.  In addition, several universities and colleges offer aviation SUMMER CAMPS where you can learn more about aviation careers and flight careers.  Again, the school I work for (Southern Illinois University Carbondale) offers at least two one week camps each summer focused on aviation; another school that offers aviation summer camps is Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida.

4.  There are some good resources out there on the web on aviation careers, including:

www.careersinaviation.org

www.avjobs.com

www.faa.gov  (Website of the Federal Aviation Administration)

www.aviationemployment.com

www.aviationjobsonline.com

www.aviationcareerguide.com

5.  Finally, as far as resources with which to pursue your aviation career dreams beyond high school, consult the following websites for more information:

www.uaa.aero  has available for purchase THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIPS LISTING  

www.avscholars.com  has some good aviation-related financial aid and aviation scholarship information

And, if you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me again via AllExperts.com and ask me another questions.  I am leaving on a three day trip in the morning, but, I should be available again to answer questions on December 9th.

Sincerely,

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