Expert: David Bidwell - 12/17/2007

Question
Dear Sir,

I am from India and currently doing my class 12th in Dubai,UAE. I will
finish my schooling next year in April.

I want to be a commercial pilot. To gather more information i was
surfing over the net to find out which universities are good.

1)I would like to know that how long does it take for a person to
complete his CPL from a good flying academy beacause there is a lot of
variability regarding the duration of the course.For example, I read about
Delta connection academy where the course duration for the same is 1.5
years.Another one is Epic Aviation academy where the duration is only
6-8 months.Also I read about Flight safety academy which again takes
around 1.5 years.
All these are in America.Would you recommend any of these institutes?
Also, would you prefer any other flying academies where i can do the
same course?

2)I also heard about another course in which one can complete his CPL
and get an aviation management which in total takes 4 years.This course
is in Western Ontario University, Canada.Will this course be helpful
because if i want to change my job in later years.
Which course would you prefer, the 4 year course with the aviation
management or only the 1.5 year course consisting of only the CPL with both
of them consisting of 250 hours of flying.

3)I would also like to know that can I do my CPL after my 12th grade
and start with my flying and simultaneously do an aviation mangement
degree by correspondance.

4)In terms of the jobs, what job can I expect after doing my CPL .
Also will I get better job oppertunities if I do the 4 year course and
what is the salary I can expect. In the beginning, will I start as a
first officer or will it take some time to reach this position by buildi
up my experience?

5)Another thing which I would like to know is that the job provided is
only on the basis of the flying hours of the person?
After completing my course, how can I increase my flying hours?

I hope you will reply soon.
With regards.
Abhay


Answer
Hello Abhay,
First off let me tell you that the airlines require a college degree in addition to pilot ratings and experience.I suggest that you attend an aviation university.  Here is a web site to get you started:
http://www.bestaviation.net/college/
I personally attended Embry Riddle Aviation University (www.erau.edu) and found it to be great.  You can get your degree and pilot ratings along with experience at the same time.
As for a job, I don't have an accurate answer.  Who knows what it will be like by the time you are ready?  Right now there is a shortage of pilots.  Most pilots start out low as co-pilots and they do not make much money.  In this industry I have seen pilot wages from 20,000.00 - 150,000.00 a year.  It all depends on many different factors.
You need to talk to a counselor at various aviation universities.  They can be more specific.  I realize that you would like more exact answers but it is not possible.  There are many variables.
Good luck with your quest,
Dave Bidwell