Careers: Flying & Aviation/academic requirements

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Expert: - 6/7/2004


Question
hi, my question is,what are the academic requirements for one who wishes to be a pilot,especially an American airline pilot? how long does the entire training to achieve a commercial license take?

Answer
American airlines require pilot applicants to have a 4 year/Bachelors degree. Some regionals only require a two year/Associates degree. Your degree can be in any subject. Unlike airlines abroad, American carriers do not have any specific curriculum they require of their pilot applicants.

One can train for 12-18 months to get their commercial license, but it will take 1-3 years to get enough flight time built up to qualify to apply to a regional airline. Please see my website about flight training and careers for anwsers to your questions and let me know if you need to know more. I also have many useful links at the bottom for further information aspiring pilots need to know.

www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

Careers: Flying & Aviation

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Volunteer

D. Norkus

Expertise

I can address questions about airline pilot employment & entry level airline careers in the United States, women pilots, flight training, pilot certification, U.S. flight scholarships (mostly for women), aviation & airline safety topics, aviation accident investigation and airline operations. ***Please note, I cannot address flight training & career queries from outside the United States, or aero engineering degree programs/careers, aviation management topics. ****

Experience

Airline captain with 15 years past experience in airline ground operations. I have previously flown as a commercial skydive pilot & ferry pilot and majored in Aviation Science


Organizations
International Organization of Women Pilots- The Ninety-Nines, charter member of Women In Aviation International, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association.

Education/Credentials
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Aviation Safety/Accident investigation.

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