Expert: David A. NewMyer - 9/30/2007

Question
"I am currently a Freshman in highschool and I am trying to plan for my
future. I was wondering what i should do after highschool as i want to
become a comercial airline pilot. Please respond and thanks for your
help."  

Answer
Hi, Justin:

Now is the time to do some aviation career research and some research into colleges and universities that offer aviation degree programs....I think that attending an aviation program at a college or university might well be your best route to getting started in an aviation career.  There is an excellent listing of aviation-related college and universities available from the University Aviation Association....the listing is entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.  This guide is available for purchase from the UAA at www.uaa.aero or by calling them at 334-844-2434.

When comparing colleges and universities, it is important to visit them and then compare costs (flight costs and costs of tuition and other things like room and board), faculty, aircraft types flown, intern/placement programs and so forth.  Many of these schools have "aviation career days" where you can visit the school in a focused way just for aviation.  The school where I work, for example, (Southern Illinois University Carbondale), has three such aviation career days throughout the year...check our website at www.aviation.siu.edu/careerdays for more information.

I wish you the best in your search for aviation career information.  If I can be of further help, please let me know.

Sincerely,

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