Expert: D. Norkus - 2/6/2010

Question
HI i am a 13 year old boy, i am doing a project for one of my classes on a career i am interested in... I just want to ask a few questions to help me get started.

Thanks


How many hours per day and week on average would you work?
- How many days per month would you work
-What is the work atmosphere like?
-What skills are needed for the job?
-How long on average does it take before I get a decent salary?
-What are some good colleges and training that I could go to?

Thanks and if there is anything else i should know please add!

Thanks
-Isaac

Answer
Issac-

1) How many hours per day and week on average would you work?

Hours flown per day and hours "worked" vary. Sometimes you might fly only one 1-2 hour long flight and other days have up to five flights with almost 8 hours of flying and 12 hours on duty. The type of aircraft flown and airline you are employed by affects what your typical day might be like. Others who fly international may have an 8 hour flight in one day and still not arrive at their destination and a relief pilot will take over enroute.

2) How many days per month would you work

Generally, 14-17 days per month. however some of a pilot's days off may be spent commuting to or from their domicile. Some chose to live where they want to and not where they are based. For me, that means a 4 hour flight just to get to work to start a trip. This mean half a day is spent in transit just to start work or to get home after finishing. This time in travel could be the day before or the day after a trip, cutting nto your time off.

3) What is the work atmosphere like?

A lot of time in a small space with another person. Typically this might be 80-90 hours per month on the aircraft with the other pilot and 300 or so hours per month away from your domicile or base airport on the road. Of course there is an enormous amount of time spent each month on overnights in different cities. This means spending the night in hotels away from home about 2 weeks per month.

4) What skills are needed for the job?

Good interpersonal skills, the ability to multi-task and prioritize, calm under pressure, a good listener, good communicator, open to input from others, and of course flying skills.

5) How long on average does it take before I get a decent salary?

That really depends on where you get hired and your career progression. It also depends on what you consider "good money". It may take several years to a decade or more if you are looking for upwards of $100,000. Starting pay is about $21,000 which is very little. If you were lucky enough to get hired at a growing regional airline you might get to $60,000/yr in a matter of 4-5 years. If not, you may be stuck at $45,000/yr for several years until you can make captain. Once you get hired at a major, you might take a pay cut. Many majors starting pay is less then what a regional captain makes. However, once you begin to gain tenure (seniority) your pay will also be better after a few years with a major.

6) What are some good colleges and training that I could go to?

Any university degree will do. The major carriers prefer a degree but the subject doesn't matter. What is important is flight time. There is a bill in Congress right now that will greatly affect the qualifications pilots must have to be hired by a regional airline. It is proposed that the minimum flight hours one must have be 1,500 plus an Airline Transport Pilot certificate (license) versus just a Commercial pilot certificate (which was the normal minimum qualification) with a quarter to a third of that flight experience. Such a change will certainly affect the training of future airline pilots. How much yet is not known. It depends on what gets passed by Congress. You have plenty of time to wait and see how this turns out though!

Anything else?

http://www.pilotcareer.info
http://www.jetcareers.com
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com
http://www.flightinfo.com


Since you are still a 'young adult' I suggest joining the Aviation Explorer Scouts or the Civil Air Patrol. Both will get you into the world of aviation and the cost will be minimal. You may even find reduced cost flight training.

Aviation Exploring is a youth development program centered around aviation careers. Member benefits:
* Take orientation flights in military transports, helicopters, gliders, or single-engine general aviation aircraft
* Visit Air Force bases, aviation museums, air shows, or FAA facilities
* Learn to preflight an aircraft
* Take pilot training ground school classes
They also offer scholarships for those on the aviation career track.

http://www.aviationexploring.org/

The Civil Air Patrol offers cadets the chance to take orientation flights in powered and glider aircraft at no cost to them. Paired with an experienced CAP volunteer pilot, cadets help preflight the aircraft, observe takeoff procedures and while aloft actually manipulate the controls and perform basic flight maneuvers. The program also enables cadets to learn about meteorology, navigation and aircraft instrumentation and technology. CAP Cadets fly approximately 16,000 hours in powered aircraft and 7,000 sorties in gliders each year. CAP cadet info-

http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/teens.htm

As an aspiring student pilot, you'll want subscribe to Flight Training magazine. It's like a flight instructor in your mailbox every month and full of lots of great information. Get your free 6 month trial here- http://flighttraining.aopa.org/

Hope that gives you what you want to know.

Dottie