Expert: David A. NewMyer - 7/26/2004

Question
I am a 17 year old going into my senior year of high school. Since the first time I saw a plane fly I knew that aviation is the career for me, but coming to the end of high school I am still not sure of the best way to go. My ultimate goal is to become a Commercial airline pilot. I've looked into the military, universities, academies, and ROTC. College sounds like the best option but I would rather not put in that much money if their is a better way. What would you say is the best path to take to becoming a working airline pilot?
                               Thanks for you help,
                               Mark


Answer
Mark,

Thanks for the question, I will try to assist!

Regarding the four options that you list, the military, the military academies and ROTC all will require you to attend or complete college....just not a collegiate aviation program (although some ROTC units might like that option).  So, all involved college in some way, just not necessarily college aviation.  The Army Aviation program does not necessarily require a degree HOWEVER they fly mostly rotorcraft (helicopters) which have little application in the airline world.

Also, keep in mind that you can attend a collegiate aviation program and NOT fly.  Instead, take a major like Aviation Technologies (Airframe and Power Plant licensing) or Aviation Management as options.  There is little cost for either of those majors beyond regular tuition, fees, books, etc.  Finally, the military (whether you are talking about regular military options, the academies or ROTC) all of some form of time commitment to become a pilot, up to ten years.  This commitment is required due to their extensive investment in you as a pilot (the cost of training you).  The question is:  Is the savings worth the time commitment?  Only you can decide that.  Another thing to think about is the lifestyle commitment:  The military provides quite a bit of structure to your daily lifestyle in exchange for pretty good pay right out of the blocks....the civilian option provides a more flexible lifestyle but the pay is not normally as good as the military right out of college.

On the college aviation flight program side, going to an aviation university or college for flight training means coming up with the normal college costs (tuition, fees, books, room and board as a minimum) PLUS the cost of flight training.  Here at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the cost of our Aviation Flight program is a bit over $34,000 for the cost of flight training over and above the other costs mentioned above.  Some colleges have costs in the $27,000 range and others as high as $44,000 for the same thing.  But, if you take aviation at a four year school that cost is eligible for as much financial aid proportionately as the rest of your college costs.

To investigate college aviation programs, order a copy of the Collegiate Aviation Guide from the University Aviation Association.  The cost is around $20....order from the UAA at uaa@auburn.edu or at (334) 844-2434.  The also have a college aviation scholarship listing for a similar cost.

When looking at college aviation programs, make sure you look at more than just costs.  Key personnel are important (meaning faculty and how you get along with them since it is one-on-one type training) and also their aviation placement capability is important.  For example, do they have flight operations internships or some sort of connection to a regional airline?

I hope that this information helps.  If you have more questions, do not hesitate to ask a follow up question via AllExperts.com.

Best wishes to you,

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