Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/1/2004

Question
I am trying to determine the best way to become a professional pilot. Spend the big money and go to an Acc flight school or get ratings at local FBO.  Would you have an idea which one would be the most cost effective.  Will have about 40k saved up to spend by AUG. Any info or insight would be wonderful.  

Answer
Hi, Robert:

Thanks for your question.  There are actually three basic options to consider:

1.  A certificated FAR 141 flight school such as Delta Academy, Flight Safety Academy, Pan Am International Flight Academy, Southeastern Flight Academy or Sierra Academy ( to name a few).  Cost might be higher than $40,000, but, the benefits should be better in terms of how fast you can finish and placement.  Disadvantage is that you will likely not be able to live at home and will have living expenses AND you will not be able to work at whatever job you now have (livelihood issues).  The placement advantage of some of these schools is huge, however.  Some of the schools named above have placement agreements with regional airlines, charter operators and corporate/business aircraft operators to place flight graduates....this saves you the work to go out and get interviews, etc.

2.  Local flight school via an FBO....will be flexible, allow you to stay where you are, perhaps saving money on housing and, maybe, allowing you to keep a job you now have.  Also, cost might be less.  Downside is that these type of operations do not usually have placement programs.  Also, the time involved to finish is not a guarantee....might take longer.

3.  A third option, applicable ONLY if you do NOT have a 4 year college degree, is to pursue an aviation-related college degree, earning your flight certificates along the way.  It is absolutely KEY that you have your four year degree to be competitive as you move up in the aviation flight job market....90% of those hired with major airlines over the past five years have had a BS or BA degree.  Compared to the two options above, this will be the most time consuming and expensive.  A list of colleges and universities offering aviation degrees is available from the University Aviation Association at: uaa@auburn.edu...ask for THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.  Cost is about $25.  Contact them at uaa@auburn.edu or call them at 334-844-2434 to order.

Also, there are forms of financial aid available to you in college that are not available to you at an FBO or at a flight school, such as:

A.  Regular financial aid that you would get via the school you decided to attend, in the form of grants, loans and scholarships;
B.  Aviation scholarships via the University Aviation Assocation Association's COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING, cost is about $20 and UAA contact information is above; and,
C.  See this website: www.AvScholars.com for some really good aviation-related financial aid and scholarship information.

You will have to examine the three options above and decide which fits your needs the best.  Let me know if I can be of further assistance via another question via Allexperts.com

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu