Expert: D. Norkus - 6/9/2006

Question
Hi, my name is Mike Slaybaugh and I'm hoping to have a career as a pilot in the future.  I was just wondering what steps I should take to get started into the field.  I've talked to my flight instructor but I'm still a bit confused about how to get into the profession.  I am currently awaiting for my checkride to receive my private pilot license.  What I was wondering is what after that?  I was planning on getting my instrument rating also after my private and I am going to get a backelors in aviation leadership and management from mountain state university, just so I would actually have a degree of some sort (www.mountstate.edu).  But after that I am confused on what to do...if I need to get my commercial license or how to even get some flight hours logged.  I've talked to a lot of different people and they've all told me the same thing....that you probably won't be hired if you don't have many flight hours.  I didn't know if I should try and get my CFI and try and rack up some hours teaching.  I'm just really confused on what to do after my current plans to get a job in the aviation field.  I know you probably get this question alot but I would appreciate any help and or direction you could give me, thanks.

Answer
Mike

Regarding what steps you need to take to become a commercial pilot and what comes after the PPL:

That is quite a bit of information! Firstly, in order to get the background info you should know I will direct you to my website that addresses such questions:

http://www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

Please read the basic FAQs over and it should give you a good idea of the routes people take. There is such a volume of information that needs to be covered, that it will be better to refer you to my site first, then work through what questions you have that aren't covered, versus trying to answer everything via this forum as the volume of info needed to get the "big picture" is just so much. (I got so many similar inquiries, I had to create a site to cover it all!)

Once you digest that, as well as the career links at the bottom, please get back to me with any additional specific questions you may have.

As far as low time pilots getting jobs, yes it's true, such positions can be hard to come by unless you chose to instruct. There are some programs (like ATP, RAA, Mesa ect) that get lower time pilots interviews- and often jobs- with regional airlines but I am not sure if that was your interest.    

Let me know your additional questions,
Dottie