Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/7/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question - hey david its aaron again thanks for the information you gave me it was very helpful. You say that physics is important to have but unfortunaty im not doing it. Im doing maths english irish french biology engineering and tec graph. can i become a pilot with these subjects? And also im living in Dublin so is there many colleges around there that train pilots? thanks again regards aaron egan
Hi david
Im 17 and im not exactly sure what i want to be yet! I have been thinking about becoming a pilot for a while now and have been looking up information on it. I would like to know is there many spaces availible in becoming a pilot and what subjects you need? Is there a particlier college you must go to? Thanks for your help and looking forward to a prompt reply.
Regards aaron Egan
Answer -
Hi, Aaron:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist.

As for the "spaces available" I assume you mean to ask "Are there pilot jobs out there?"

The answer to that is, yes, there are jobs out there to work as a pilot for:

An Airline....Major, National and Regional passenger and cargo carriers have at least 125,000 pilots working for them alone.

Overall, it is estimated that there are about 250,000 people working as pilots in the USA.  That includes airlines, general aviation (which is all flying other than that conducted by airlines and the military), the military and government agencies outside the military (such as local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that use aircraft).

As far as locations where you can learn to fly:

1.  Universities or colleges that offer flight training are listed in the COLLEGIATE AVIATION DIRECTORY for sale from the University Aviation Association at 334-844-2434 or by email at uaa@auburn.edu or via their website at www.uaa.aero
Some of the top schools out there are:

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Western Michigan University
University of North Dakota
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Purdue University
Kansas State University Salina
The Ohio State University


2.  Local flight training companies at local airports....look them up in your local yellow pages

3.  National Flight training companies such as Flight Safety International, Delta Academy or Gulfstream Academy.  They all have ads in Flying Magazine.

As far as key subjects that you need to learn for aviation:

Mathematics
Science, especially physics and meteorolgy (weather)
Geography
Speech Communications
English and written communications

I hope that this helps.  If you have additional questions, please contact me via another Allexperts question.

Thanks,

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

Answer
Hi, Aaron:

Nice to hear from you again.  As far as physics is concerned, it is not absolutely crucial that you take it now (your other classes sound good)....physics can also be taken when you get into the university level.  Just make sure that you take a version of university physics that matches up with the level of math that you have or are taking at that time.

As far as colleges around Dublin that offer aviation, I am not sure that there are any.  There are several around London, UK, but, I am not sure about Dublin.  However, I did come across this list of flight training schools and clubs that are located in the Dublin area.  Contact them and one of them might be aware of a college of university that is offering aviation training in your area or is affiliated with one of them to offer such training: (Labeled as "Registered Training Facilities" or RTFs by the Irish Aviation Authority):

First Flight Aviation Ltd, Contact:  John Toal,
Phone #: 01 890 0222

Airbourne Flying Club Ltd T/A Airport Flying Club, Contact: Myles Kelleher, Phone # 046 25888

Leinster Aero Club Ltd, Contact: Bill Howarth,
Phone # 01 840 2234

A. C. Pilot Training Services, Contact: Angelo Cunningham, Phone # 01 840 3626

Dublin Flyers Ltd, Contact: John Crangle, Phone #: Not available

Also, if you got to this website, you might find more helpful information, including RTFs in other parts of Ireland:  http://www.iaa.ie/licensing/pilots/rtf_main.asp

I hope that this answer is of assistance to you.  I wish you the very best and, again, send another question to me via AllExperts.com if you need anything else.

Sincerely,

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