Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/13/2004

Question
  I recently transferred from Ohio University, and ditched my aviation flight major.  I did this for a couple of reasons:  1. I did not LOVE it  2. I felt pressured and feared my solo flight.  3.  It seemed too expensive  4. I heard a lot about the decline in the aviation industry for pilots.
  Now that I am at a college that does not offer an aviation major (leaving o.u. had nothing to do with aviation) I am regretting leaving aviation.  I feel like my reasons for leaving might have been bad decisions.  Could you tell me information about expenses and how successful the aviation feild actually is?  Is it hard to find a job after graduation without experience?  What jobs are available to aviation majors?  Can one still become a pilot for a reasonable price without majoring in aviation?  Also, I was wondering if most flight students fear their first solo and do not absolutely love it at first.
  Thank you, Hannah  

Answer
Hi, Hannah:

First of all, thanks for asking a question of me via AllExperts.com---I will try to assist.

Second, the love of aviation (or anything) comes from within and very likely has little to do with whether you fear something or not.  I think it goes deeper than your emotions.....I think that you might want to go somewhere to earn your Private Pilot Certificate where there is an understanding instructor who will work with you as long as needed to overcome the concerns you have.  A university flight program such as the one at Ohio U or at the school where I work (Southern Illinois University Carbondale) likely has built-in timeframes due to FAR 141 pilot school regs, due to timeframes that students "typically" complete a course, and/or due to the semester schedule.  Whatever the case, a private flight school under FAR 61 will allow you to fly more at your own pace.  So, look around and find the right place for you to do the Private, including your solo work.

Second, there are about 2.2 million jobs available in aviation, of which about 10% are in flight-related areas....there are about 125,000 or so pilots flying for scheduled airlines and ther rest fly for general aviation-related companies or for government agencies such as state or federal or local governments that use aircraft for law enforcement, air transportation or other purposes.  So, There are a variety of flying jobs...but, more important, there are lots of OTHER jobs in aviation, including:

Aviation/Aerospace Manufacturing=689,000 jobs

Airlines=704,000 jobs

General Aviation=638,000 jobs

Government (federal, state and local agencies
that are involved in aviation) = 176,000 jobs

The above jobs can include airport managers, airport planners, crew schedulers, aviation marketing experts, aviation customer service managers, aviation pricing and cost estimating managers, aviation technical writers, and many more.  Check out these websites for some job title ideas and job listings:

www.findapilot.com
www.aviationemployment.com
www.avcrew.com
www.aviationinterviews.com

As far as jobs available to college graduates in the aviation industry, they are available in all of the aviation industry segments mentioned above but you do have to hunt for them and be ready for them in terms of your course preparation and knowledge base.  If you wish to fly, the key thing to remember is that there are minimum certification and flight experience "thresholds" for different types of flight jobs:

Certification:  Must hold the FAA Private and then Commercial Certification (with Multi Engine and Instrument ratings) and a Flight Instructor Certificate (Airplane) is a good idea too.

Entry level jobs are mostly CFI (instructor) jobs.  Here at SIUC, we require 350 hours of total flight time and 50 hours of dual given along with a BS degree to be hired as af full time flight instructor.

500 hours of flight time:  Usually the minimum that an insurance company will allow for a charter company to hire you

1000 hours to 1500 hours with 100 to 300 hours of multi engine time:  Normally the point at which a regional airline will hire you

2500 to 4000 hours with 500 hours to 1000 hours of turbine PIC (pilot in command) flight time is where larger airlines or corporate flight departments will look at you.

So, the hard part is getting started....and building your flight experience.

As far as the expense, yes, it is expensive.  To attend a major university aviation program such as the one at Ohio U or at SIU or at U of I or anywhere else you will pay $30,000 to $40,000 for your ratings and certificates over and above your college tuition.  You can pay somewhat less than that at a local flight school...some of them are really good and some of them are not, but, they ARE cheaper!  By the way, for a listing of college aviation programs, contact the University Aviation Association at uaa@auburn.edu or call them at 334-844-2434 and ask to order THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.  They also have a college aviation scholarship listing for sale. This might give you more information on where there are aviation degree programs and some ideas to pay for one.  Also, check this website:  www.avscholars.com   for some good aviation financial aid information.

The final thing I would say is that the aviation industry is on the rebound right now and hiring is UP....hang in there and I think you might find a place for yourself!

Best wishes to you,

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