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Aviation in the future
I am a student in the business administration track but has always been very passionate of becoming a pilot in the commercial stream
May I know how the opportunities for becoming a pilot be in the future if I ever plan on becoming one ? #aviation #airline-industry
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Diane’s Answer
I have been an airline pilot; I am retired from the airlines. Right now, airlines can’t get enough pilots. Now is a great time.
I have noticed that the demand for pilots fluctuates dramatically. There have been periods where it was nearly been impossible to get a job at an airline. Job demand is difficult to predict.
If you plan to become a pilot, it is possible to complete all your training and flight experience in as little as two years. A degree is not required, but any degree—even business—is attractive on a resume.
Becoming a pilot is expensive. When I did it twenty years ago, it cost me about 50k. Today it is probably double.
The work to become a pilot is very challenging—as much as getting a four year degree or higher. Consider it carefully. It is a lot of hard work, it is expensive, and when you get hired, the pilot will seldom be home. Your day to day will consist of work and hotels. That’s the truth. It is, however, highly rewarding and pretty cool to have command an aircraft.
Talk to older pilots and get their perspective on the career and lifestyle.
I have noticed that the demand for pilots fluctuates dramatically. There have been periods where it was nearly been impossible to get a job at an airline. Job demand is difficult to predict.
If you plan to become a pilot, it is possible to complete all your training and flight experience in as little as two years. A degree is not required, but any degree—even business—is attractive on a resume.
Becoming a pilot is expensive. When I did it twenty years ago, it cost me about 50k. Today it is probably double.
The work to become a pilot is very challenging—as much as getting a four year degree or higher. Consider it carefully. It is a lot of hard work, it is expensive, and when you get hired, the pilot will seldom be home. Your day to day will consist of work and hotels. That’s the truth. It is, however, highly rewarding and pretty cool to have command an aircraft.
Diane recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Lance’s Answer
As Michael already stated, we're beginning to see the future of aviation and the transition to unmanned aerial vehicles. This will likely limit the opportunities for commercial aviators as we progress further into the 21st century.
However, the immediate future still shows great promise, and it may take some time before passengers are comfortable flying without a pilot on board. You can reference the two articles below that acknowledge the relatively quick recovery for airlines from the impacts of COVID. So if the desire is still there you can absolutely find ways to fly for a career, and you do not necessarily need a technical degree.
In addition to the options above I know colleagues that also fly for private companies (catering to business/individual travel), the National Park service, fixed-wing air evacuation, and student pilot training. Lots of options exist and you'll likely need to explore some of these before flying for an airline without a military aviation background.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2021/08/16/facing-largest-increase-ever-in-leisure-travel-american-airlines-pauses-shutdown-of-charlotte-pilot-training/
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2021/august/11/airlines-ramp-up-hiring
However, the immediate future still shows great promise, and it may take some time before passengers are comfortable flying without a pilot on board. You can reference the two articles below that acknowledge the relatively quick recovery for airlines from the impacts of COVID. So if the desire is still there you can absolutely find ways to fly for a career, and you do not necessarily need a technical degree.
In addition to the options above I know colleagues that also fly for private companies (catering to business/individual travel), the National Park service, fixed-wing air evacuation, and student pilot training. Lots of options exist and you'll likely need to explore some of these before flying for an airline without a military aviation background.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2021/08/16/facing-largest-increase-ever-in-leisure-travel-american-airlines-pauses-shutdown-of-charlotte-pilot-training/
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2021/august/11/airlines-ramp-up-hiring
Thankyou very much
DD