Expert: D. Norkus - 3/14/2007

Question
Hello:
  I am interested in a career as an airline pilot.  I am currently working on my private pilot license.  I just can't picture myself flight instructing after i get my ratings.  Is there another route i can take to build my hours.  I heard of a school called Gulfstream Academy in Florida who accept pilots with instrument/commercial and multi and they train you to fly their beechcraft 1900s. After training which includes second in command time flying passengers, they hire you as a captain or you can apply with other commuters.  The school costs around $30,000.  I think it's a good deal (I'll save money from not having to get my flight instructor licenses). My question is, should i get my instrument/commercial and multi from a local fbo and go to this school or do you think i should go to a flight school where has hiring agreements with airlines, where i can get all my ratings and then flight instruct?  What have you heard about the Gulfstream Academy?  Thanks
Alicia.  

Answer
Alicia,

I cannot say that I have heard anything good about Gulfstream. In the industry, their mere name makes many cringe as a 'buy-a job' operator where an ATP pilot babysits a pilot who bought a seat. That whole concept is very, very touchy in this industry with many pilots. I suggest a search of these forums for Gulfstream and read what comes up:

http://fourms.flightinfo.com
http://www.jetcareers.com

You may not like what you read if your heart is set on them but you will be informed. If you must do a school, I suggest a school like ATP and their Career Track Program or Mesa Airlines Pilot Development. I personally know pilots who came via both and they paid $40K and under. The ATP program was $40K from PPL to airline job in 14 months for two pilots I work with. (They had to instruct as well, but almost all of it was multi-engine. They were hired with 500 hours, 350 of it twin.) Another friend attended MAPD (http://www.flightcareers.com)with a Comm, ME, Instrument and spent under $20K for a guaranteed Mesa interview. She is now a CRJ First Officer who was hired at less than 400 hours.

No matter how you go about it, you are going to have to spend at least $35-40K in the end to land a job. Personally, I did all my training via the local flying club as it was the cheapest way to go, then I built time. Since I too didn't feel a calling to instruct, I got a job flying skydivers (at about 300 hours) and later on ferried aircraft to build time. When I got my 1,000 hours I began to apply to regionals and was hired.

Chose the way that will suit you. I suggest making a visit to any school you are considering spend such a large sum of money with. Only then will you be better able to decide if you feel it will be the right way to go.

The ATP program has a message board where you can ask questions of program grads about their experience on their site- http://www.ATPflightschool.com You can also ask about any school at the links above too. (Of course you must register to post with most boards but it's usually free.) In fact, I encourage you to spend some time at Jetcareers and FlightInfo if you are considering this as a career. Both are very popular in the pro pilot community. I used them both extensively when I was in the job market.

Hope this gives you some insight,
Dottie