Expert: David A. NewMyer - 10/12/2004

Question
Hi im Travis Tracy and im doing a school report on careers and i chose pilots because thats what i waht to be and i would like to ask u some questions.  First of all what kind of training do u have to do to become a pilot?  Also what benifits do u get as a pilot and what sort of education do u have to have.  Thats about it and thank u for doing this.

                  from, Travis Tracy

Answer
Hi, Travis:

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

First of all, the type of training that is required:

To become a professional pilot, you must be certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration for FAA as a pilot.  The steps to certification are as follows:

1.  Obtain a medical exam from an FAA-approved "medical examiner."  These are listed on the FAA website at www.faa.gov

2.  Once medically approved, then, go to an approved flight school to obtain your training.  Your local flight schools are normally listed in the phone book either under "airport" or under "flight schools."  Or, check at this website:  www.beapilot.com  for schools offering a low priced "introductory flight."

3.  Once you have selected a flight school, you must first complete the FAA Private Pilot Certificate.  This certificate can be done in as little as 40 flight hours, but, the national average is more like 65 or so.  

4.  The next step is to complete the FAA Instrument Rating, which allows you to fly in limited visibility weather conditions.  This rating takes a minimum of 125 flight hours, including the hours you spent on the Private Certificate.

5.  The next step is the FAA Commercial Certificate, which can be awarded at 250 flight hours, or, if you are training with an FAA-approved FAR 141 Pilot School, in as little as 190 or so flight hours.

6.  Next, you would obtain your FAA multi engine (land) rating which will enable you to fly multi engine piston aircraft (unless you train in turbine or jet equipment, in which case the rating applies to what you have trained in.

7.  Next, if you wish to have a way to build your flight time, you will complete the FAA certified flight instructor (airplane) rating.  This rating allows you to teach others to fly and, in so doing, log flight time as "pilot in command."

All of the above ratings can be obtained in six to 12 months if you approach it as a full time job (and, if you have lots of money!) and attend a professional flight school that is dedicated to flight training (like Delta Airlines academy or Flight Safety academy, etc).  Here at the university where I work, the flight training noted above would take approximately six semesters....or, two to three years, depending on if you attended summer school or not.  

As far as education to become a commercial pilot, it is becoming more and more competitive.  Generally, the larger airlines are either requiring a BS or BA degree or prefer it.  In the last five years, 90% of all pilots hired at major airlines had a BS or BA degree.  If you wish to pursue an aviation degree, there is a listing of universities and colleges that offer such degrees available from the University Aviation Association.  This publication is entitled "The Collegiate Aviation Guide" and is available from UAA by calling them at (334) 844-2434 or by emailing them at uaa@auburn.edu or by ordering via their website at www.uaa.aero

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.  I wish you the very best on your paper and in your pursuit of an aviation career!

Sincerely,

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