Expert: David A. NewMyer - 7/12/2004

Question
I am interested in changing careers and becoming a piolt.  Are there scholorships available for individuals already out of school.  I know I can finance it with a school loan but do not want to go too far in debt.  Any advice?
Thanks,
Kevin  

Answer
Hi, Kevin:

Thanks for your question.  I will try to assist!

First of all, in order to make the transition that you are talking about, you will need to do the following:

1.  Earn the Federal Aviation Administration certificates that follow:

A.  FAA Private Pilot Certificate;
B.  FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine Ratings;
C.  FAA Flight Instructor (Airplane) Certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine Ratings.  This certificate is recommended in order to allow you to build flight time early in your flying career by teaching others to fly.

2.  Earn your flight experience.  The various aviation flight employers out there will hire you based on a range of flight experience.  You will need to have a number of key components in your experience, including:

A.  Total flight time (Pilot in Command or PIC flight time)
B.  Multi Engine flight time
C.  Instrument flight time (flying in poor visual conditions).
D.  Multi Engine Turbine PIC time (or Pilot in Command or Captain time in a jet aircraft or a turbo prop aircraft)

Normally, for example you will not be able to do much flying other than as a flight instructor until to go over 500 hours of total PIC flight time.  At over 500 hr of PIC flight time, then insurance companies will begin to consider approving your for insurability as a charter or air taxi pilot on single engine aircraft.  At 500 to 1000 hours PIC with 100 to 200 PIC in multi engine you will begin to be looked at by the smallest of the regional airlines.  At 2500 to 4000 PIC and 500 to 1000 TURBINE PIC you will begin to be looked at by the larger airlines.

3.  Education.  Make sure you have at least a BS or BA degre in order to compete for high end airline and corporate flying jobs in the future.

As far as scholarships, check out the following:

A.  There is a COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING available from the University Aviation Association for about $20.  Call them at (334) 844-2434 or email them at uaa@auburn.edu to order it.

B.  Check out this website:  www.avscholars.com  for some good financial aid and aviation scholarship advice.

I hope that this answer has been of assistance to you. Best wishes,

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