Aviation Career Information Needed

[BrassDiver]

I'm pretty sure where this will go but I need to hear it. I am looking into a career in aviation. I am 40 years old with no 4 year degree but in good health. The industry that I am in is headed into the dumps and I have always dreamed of flying for a living. What are my prospects and whats the best route to take?

:ugh:
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[flyboyike]

It would help quite a bit if you told us what kind of flying you're looking to get into. I see you list your location in Alaska? Are you thinking of doing bush/back country flying?

[zondaracer]

Right now there is a good upswing in the industry. If it keeps going as projected then you could still eek out a respectable career, but things could change tomorrow. You just never know. What I do know is that if it is something you really want to do, the longer you wait, the less viable the career becomes.

[kimsmith]

Good to hear that people are now trying things in aviation market. There are varied aviation degree courses for Aviation Career that includes Commercial Pilot, Private Pilots, Flight Instructor etc.

[mustangsally]

Head south, both Arizona and Florida schools/FBOs that can take you from nothing to private, multi, instrument, commercial and onto ATP. Plan about four weeks, maybe less, for the private. Then buy something that is cheap to fly. Would be nice to have about 1200 hours left of the engine. The slower and least gallons per hour to keep the cost down. Fly as many hours a day as you can. Make most of the days, a landing at least a couple of different airports, helps build cross country time. After you are getting close to a couple of hundred hours, back to the school house for instrument, commercial and multi ratings. Maybe even look at getting an instructor rating while your at it. With instructor rating, some one else is footing the bill. Then its back to building hours. While you are at it, start looking for some corporate work. Could be a gas company that need their ground lines inspected from the air. Or, maybe a FBO needs some planes moved around. What this all leads to is getting at least 1500 hours and the time needed for the ATP. With that start looking at some of the commuter companies, Comair etc. This should get you the turbine time needed to move.


Once you get about 500 to 1000 hours of jet time you'll will start being attractive to the larger legacy carriers.


I'd say you are looking at a minimum of three years or more likely five.


Good luck!

[TheBiggerD]

To the OP, good luck finding employment with Comair as per mustangsallys suggestion.

[Spooky 2]

No legacy airline would give the time of day with 500 to 1000 hours of jet time. Where do you come up with stuff like that? Maybe 3000 to 4000 just to keep your resume out of the round file and oh BTW you need to get that four year degree for a legacy airline. This is a moving target but it ain't going to move that far in that direction.

Suggest you take a look at Airline Pilot Central under who has been hired.