Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/2/2005

Question
He would get a bachelors in aviation science and do the flight training
He would like to know if this is the best route to becoming a commercial pilot, also does a foreign language help? He is taking German.
I would like to know what the salary is for a commercial pilot. What the schedule is like for a pilot? How much competition there is in this field?  What to do to be highly marketable.  Does he need to live near a major airport. Who would be the best to work for?
He is a junior in highschool and will be graduating with
an associates in aviation science as well as his HS diploma. He is just starting his assoc this year.
Any information you can send would be helpful.
Thankyou
Debbi

Answer
Hi, Debbi:

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

There are at least three key methods of obtaining flight training to become a commercial pilot:

1.  Through the military (which, obviously, requires a fairly long-term commitment to the military branch that trains you so that they can get a "return" on their training investment in you).  And, remember, that most military aviation branches require you to get a baccalaureate degree first to qualify.  You can go into the military at least four ways:

A.  Via a military academy, which is assigned so many "flight slots";
B.  Via an ROTC program at a university, taken with your BS or BA degree...this ROTC program will be assigned a limited number of flight slots for qualified individuals;
C.  Via the reserves or national guard, each of which have "flight slots"; and,
D.  By joining the military directly via a recruiting
office, with or without your degree and then working toward being a pilot.

2.  The "Civlian Route" via a university aviation degree program.  I am not familiar with Utah Valley State....I thought that they had only on-line classes.  If so, then, you will have to take your flight training elsewhere.  The typical flight program in a university enables you to fly via the university itself, which owns its own aircraft.  Examples of that type of program (those with their own aircraft) out west are Utah State (in Logan, UT), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, AZ, Arizona State University (which has a partnership with Mesa Pilot Development to provide flight training).  I also work with such a university (we own and operate 35 aircraft in which we conduct flight training), Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  In the case of such degrees, you obtain your flight certificates via the university, which delivers the flight training, the ground training, general education classes and some sort of major coursework in aviation (in addition to the flying).  Also, most of these schools also have an ROTC unit, if you want to do that program in addition to flight training.

3.  The "Civilian Route" via a flight school with no university affiliation...examples would be Flight Safety Academy, Gulfstream Academy, Pan Am International Flight Academy, Sierra Academy, Southeastern Flight Academy and others.  The previous are national flight schools that typically advertise in Flying Magazine and elsewhere and give only flight training and related placement, but, not a college degree.  These schools are known for being able to provide accelerated flight training and several of them have very good placement programs for their graduates.  But, a college degree has to be obtained elsewhere.  Also, you cold apply this method to any local flight school, but, you might not have the ability to accelerate the flight training and their placement options might be limited.

I am not in the business of recommending an option. But, suffice it to say that I have spent my career (nearly 27 years so far) with a university aviation program that owns its own aircaft and provides its own flight training and believe very much in the quality of what we provide.

With regard to a language, yes, a language is a good idea.  I would recommend Spanish or an oriental language since it will be more utilitarian than German (German was my language and I have used it very little).  Remember that English is the universal language of aviation and air traffic control.

Salaries at the entry level for commercial flying are quite low.  That is called "paying your dues" just like in many career fields.  Our beginning flight instructors here at SIUC are paid $1750 a month with a BS degree and they stay with us for one to three years to build flight time and move on to bigger and faster aircraft after that time.  Regional airlines will pay from $2000 to $2400 a month to start...and, that is the beginning of working with the airline industry.  Most larger regional airline companies pay their Captains with ten years as a captain around $100,000 a year.  Captains at an airline like Southwest Airlines or one of the legacy airlines (American, Continental, United, Northwest, Delta, etc) will make $200,000 or more with experience.

The typical schedule for an airline pilot is "bid" each month based on your seniority with a company and by the type of aircraft you fly.  The more senior you are, the larger the aircraft you fly and the greater your schedule choice.  Most regional airlines will fly you 90 to 100 hours a month (you can fly up to 120 in a given month).  Most larger airlines will fly you about 80 hours a month.  So, you tend to work three to four days on followed by an equal number of days off, especially with larger carriers.

The competition is fierce, so, the more credentials one can have, the better....this includes degrees, number of flight hours, quality of flight hours (the more multi engine hours, the better) and, of course, the more FAA certificates and ratings you hold, the better.

To be highly marketable, make sure that you have all of the things noted above, plus a positive attitude and a love for aviation.  That love for what you do will carry you through any tough times.

He will have to be highly mobile in order to succeed.  Your job will choose where you live, but, yes, to make it easy to get to work, you will need to live as near a major airport as you can (as you can afford to, and, as you wish to...).

Right now, the airlines that have made profits recently are Southwest, Continental, American, UPS and FEDEX.  UPS and FEDEX are, of course, small package airlines that have grown dramatically and have great opportunities.

If you need anything else, please let me know.

Sincerely,

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