3 answers
Drayton
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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Should I go to college to become a pilot?
I want to become a pilot (commercial, private, etc), my dad was a pilot and went to college. But now to become a pilot you don't have to go to college. So should I?
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3 answers
Ishtiaq Hussain
Retired Flight Engineer
8
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Ishtiaq’s Answer
The commercial pilot certificate is a necessary milestone for anyone wishing to pursue a flying job in any capacity. If you want to be paid to fly, including as a flight instructor, you must have a commercial pilot certificate.
In the context of pilot certification, the word “commercial” is sometimes misused or misunderstood. Many people refer to airline pilots as commercial pilots. While airline pilots are flying in a commercial capacity, U.S. airline pilots flying regularly scheduled carriers under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 121 must have an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which is the highest level of pilot certification in the country. You only can qualify for an ATP certificate after logging 1,500 hours. However, you can obtain a commercial pilot certificate after logging just 250 hours (or as few as 190 hours if you train with a Part 141 program).
While a commercial pilot certificate alone will not put you at the controls of an airliner, it will give you enough flying hours to pursue several opportunities as a professional pilot:
* Agricultural pilot jobs
* Pipeline patrol pilot jobs
* Powerline patrol pilot jobs
* Aerial survey pilot jobs
* Air ambulance pilot jobs
* Skydive pilot jobs
* Flight instructor jobs
* Banner towing pilot jobs
* Charter pilot jobs (along with a commercial pilot certificate, Part 135 charter pilots are subject to additional hourly requirements to operate as pilot in command).
Several of these positions require additional certification, and many employers require hours of experience beyond the relatively low minimums that you must meet to obtain a commercial pilot certificate. It can be challenging to find employment with a “wet” (brand new) commercial pilot certificate. Many commercial pilots who aspire to become airline pilots obtain a flight instructor certificate to build time more quickly as flight instructors.
Basic Requirements For a Commercial Pilot Certificate
The minimum requirements to become a commercial pilot are as follows:
* You must be at least 18 years of age.
* You must hold a valid, current FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate (while you only need a Third-Class Medical Certificate as a student pilot, you will need a Second-Class Medical Certificate to operate as a commercial pilot).
* You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
* You must receive the necessary training, documented in your logbook or official training records, to pass the FAA written and practical flight examinations.
* You must hold at least a private pilot certificate or meet the requirements of §61.73
* You must accumulate a total of 250 hours of logged flight time. However, you can become a commercial pilot with just 190 hours of experience if you train at an accredited Part 141 Flight School.
* You must take and pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test with a minimum score of 70%.
* You must pass the FAA Practical Flight Test with a designated pilot examiner (DPE) consisting of an oral examination and checkride, as described in the Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
* It may take anywhere from 3-9 months if you have the finances available and apply your full and undivided attention towards obtaining a CPL.
In the context of pilot certification, the word “commercial” is sometimes misused or misunderstood. Many people refer to airline pilots as commercial pilots. While airline pilots are flying in a commercial capacity, U.S. airline pilots flying regularly scheduled carriers under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 121 must have an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which is the highest level of pilot certification in the country. You only can qualify for an ATP certificate after logging 1,500 hours. However, you can obtain a commercial pilot certificate after logging just 250 hours (or as few as 190 hours if you train with a Part 141 program).
While a commercial pilot certificate alone will not put you at the controls of an airliner, it will give you enough flying hours to pursue several opportunities as a professional pilot:
* Agricultural pilot jobs
* Pipeline patrol pilot jobs
* Powerline patrol pilot jobs
* Aerial survey pilot jobs
* Air ambulance pilot jobs
* Skydive pilot jobs
* Flight instructor jobs
* Banner towing pilot jobs
* Charter pilot jobs (along with a commercial pilot certificate, Part 135 charter pilots are subject to additional hourly requirements to operate as pilot in command).
Several of these positions require additional certification, and many employers require hours of experience beyond the relatively low minimums that you must meet to obtain a commercial pilot certificate. It can be challenging to find employment with a “wet” (brand new) commercial pilot certificate. Many commercial pilots who aspire to become airline pilots obtain a flight instructor certificate to build time more quickly as flight instructors.
Basic Requirements For a Commercial Pilot Certificate
The minimum requirements to become a commercial pilot are as follows:
* You must be at least 18 years of age.
* You must hold a valid, current FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate (while you only need a Third-Class Medical Certificate as a student pilot, you will need a Second-Class Medical Certificate to operate as a commercial pilot).
* You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
* You must receive the necessary training, documented in your logbook or official training records, to pass the FAA written and practical flight examinations.
* You must hold at least a private pilot certificate or meet the requirements of §61.73
* You must accumulate a total of 250 hours of logged flight time. However, you can become a commercial pilot with just 190 hours of experience if you train at an accredited Part 141 Flight School.
* You must take and pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test with a minimum score of 70%.
* You must pass the FAA Practical Flight Test with a designated pilot examiner (DPE) consisting of an oral examination and checkride, as described in the Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
* It may take anywhere from 3-9 months if you have the finances available and apply your full and undivided attention towards obtaining a CPL.
Tim Wilcox
International Airline Captain (Retired)
10
Answers
Moorestown, New Jersey
Updated
Tim’s Answer
Hi Drayton,
Following the advice of your father is a good thing. There are a lot of advantages and benefits to furthering your education by going to college. In the past, there was a large supply of pilots competing for a smaller number of jobs. Thus a 4 year college degree was a requirement to land a position as an airline pilot. Your father will have your best interest at heart.
Today, there is a world wide pilot shortage. In order to attract more people to become pilots, some airlines have dropped the college requirements and have programs that can fast tract a person into a pilot position starting with a commuter airline, which can lead to a job with a larger airline. When you get hired at an airline, "seniority" is everything! So if you train through a pilot program offered by an airline, your cost will be lower than attending college and you could get hired by an airline at a younger age leading to higher career earnings and better quality of life. Once again, seniority is everything. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Tim
Following the advice of your father is a good thing. There are a lot of advantages and benefits to furthering your education by going to college. In the past, there was a large supply of pilots competing for a smaller number of jobs. Thus a 4 year college degree was a requirement to land a position as an airline pilot. Your father will have your best interest at heart.
Today, there is a world wide pilot shortage. In order to attract more people to become pilots, some airlines have dropped the college requirements and have programs that can fast tract a person into a pilot position starting with a commuter airline, which can lead to a job with a larger airline. When you get hired at an airline, "seniority" is everything! So if you train through a pilot program offered by an airline, your cost will be lower than attending college and you could get hired by an airline at a younger age leading to higher career earnings and better quality of life. Once again, seniority is everything. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Tim
Courtney Crain
747 Pilot
12
Answers
West Linn, Oregon
Updated
Courtney’s Answer
It’s true that we are currently in a job market where a college degree is not necessary but it certainly won’t make you competitive by not having one. You would have to have several other strong achievements and positions held to be considered by a well paying airline. Is it possible to get hired by a major? Yes. Is it probable? Not really. You don’t need to be top of your class at Wharton, you just need a degree in anything. It shows you’re able to complete a formal training program and an ability to study independently.