You are here:
Careers: Flying & Aviation/career change
Advertisement
Question
Hi my name is Todd and i've been looking into getting my ratings, to become a pilot for hire, such as a commercial or corporate pilot. I'm currently working on my private license and should have it in a couple of weeks, after i would like to find a good flight acadamy or school where i could finish the rest up and where i could build time at. my credit isn't really good so i was thinking of attending a school so i could get federal funding. Any help would be appreciated, and any suggestions would be great. thanks for your time.
"...after i would like to find a good flight acadamy or school where i could finish the rest up and where i could build time at. my credit isn't really good so i was thinking of attending a school so i could get federal funding."
Todd-
If you are able to get federal funding that is a great benefit. If you are eligible for any funding it will help you greatly in the end. Flight training loans can be very expensive. Unfortunately, I can't recommend an academy or a 'big name school' as I attended neither. I had an independant CFI and rented via a flying club to get my ratings. However, I can recommend some message forums where you can do a bit of research and get lots of opinions and student experiences with schools/acadamies though.
www.jetcareers.com
They have forums by school name if you are thinking of a specific school.
www.flightinfo.com
Their message boards are one of the most popular on the web for pro pilots and aspiring pilots. A great source of info!
You can search each forum by keyword for specific schools or you can post and ask what ones might be recommended for your needs.
As far as building time, unless you go to an 'academy' style program for about $60K, you will have to build it doing smaller flying jobs after you finish your ratings. Usually instructing, towing banners, dropping skydivers or such. Check out my getting rated and career FAQ page for more info on that at:
www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html
It might also give you some perspective on what to expect and the ways to accomplish your goals.
Good Luck
Dottie
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Dot—Thank you for sharing your experience and for your thoughtful advice. I sincerely appreciate it. | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.