Wanting to be a commercial 737/747 Pilot
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Wanting to be a commercial 737/747 Pilot
Hello All,
I am 15 and currently living in Australia, I want to be a 737 or 747 Pilot i was just wanting some experienced pilot advice on this subject. On the easiest quickest ways to become a International Pilot.
Would it be easier to join the Air-Force become a Fighter Pilot then after my minimum service time is up Apply for a commercial job?
And also what subjects should i take at School and What is the average pay rate for a 737,747 Pilot?
Help would be MUCH Appreciated.
Desmond
I am 15 and currently living in Australia, I want to be a 737 or 747 Pilot i was just wanting some experienced pilot advice on this subject. On the easiest quickest ways to become a International Pilot.
Would it be easier to join the Air-Force become a Fighter Pilot then after my minimum service time is up Apply for a commercial job?
And also what subjects should i take at School and What is the average pay rate for a 737,747 Pilot?
Help would be MUCH Appreciated.
Desmond
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There's no easy, quick way to become a Pilot. 
You'll have to start working hard now and for the duration of your flying career. 40+ years.
At 15 I would suggest you do Maths & Physics at school then look at some sort of back up plan. I.e. do an apprenticeship in a trade like an electrician. Just in case something happens that means you can no longer fly. Loss of medical for example.
If you went on an integrated full time course at 18 then the chances are you might get into a jet or turbo prop when you qualify but you probably won't see a 747 until you're at least 30+. And that's if you're in the RHS by the time you're 20. Your first few years as a FO will be doing short haul stuff all around the country, getting up at stupid O'clock in the morning and working till you're shattered. You won't see the glitzy high life of long haul travel for many many years. Many people will argue that it isn't even glamourous anyway.
You could look at the Military too.
Keep you sights aimed low. Don't fall into the egotistical trap of 'I want to be an airline pilot and anything smaller than a scarebus or Boeing is no good'
If you get the chance to fly something and be paid to do it, don't turn your nose up at it.
Remain realistic, work hard, save money where you can when you're employeed and never give up. You patience will tested to it's extremes!!!
Good luck.
Chilli.
You'll have to start working hard now and for the duration of your flying career. 40+ years.
At 15 I would suggest you do Maths & Physics at school then look at some sort of back up plan. I.e. do an apprenticeship in a trade like an electrician. Just in case something happens that means you can no longer fly. Loss of medical for example.
If you went on an integrated full time course at 18 then the chances are you might get into a jet or turbo prop when you qualify but you probably won't see a 747 until you're at least 30+. And that's if you're in the RHS by the time you're 20. Your first few years as a FO will be doing short haul stuff all around the country, getting up at stupid O'clock in the morning and working till you're shattered. You won't see the glitzy high life of long haul travel for many many years. Many people will argue that it isn't even glamourous anyway.
You could look at the Military too.
Keep you sights aimed low. Don't fall into the egotistical trap of 'I want to be an airline pilot and anything smaller than a scarebus or Boeing is no good'
If you get the chance to fly something and be paid to do it, don't turn your nose up at it.
Remain realistic, work hard, save money where you can when you're employeed and never give up. You patience will tested to it's extremes!!!
Good luck.
Chilli.
I suggest you read the thread behind this link as it will answer most of your questions.
Anyhow, there are no experienced pilots in this part of Pprune. We're pretty much all wannabes. All except for WWW, but he's really actually a wannabe wannabe...
Anyhow, there are no experienced pilots in this part of Pprune. We're pretty much all wannabes. All except for WWW, but he's really actually a wannabe wannabe...
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Vems...... Just cuious what you think gives you the right to tell someone why they should or shouldn't do a job, (any job,) for the money????? Believe me, I ONLY fly because I get paid at the end of the month______no other reason! If I won the lottery or inherited vast wealth......I would stop flying.....simple as that.
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Just wondering since I have heard that you have to work hard for your entire career, and I am fully prepared to do that. You have to get up early and work for 12 hours back and forward and do longhauls and be out of town for several days when you are older. Okay that is a part of the job and sine I like it anyway I think I have the pilot disorder in my brain like all the airline pilots
. But since all I hear is work and sacrifice, work and scrifice will there be anything at the end of the tunnel? The pay doesnīt matter and the biggest pay for me is that I get to fly. But will the day come when you lean back and say, ahhhhhh, I am finally there?
Thanks and lets not argue again and I appologize once again for the other thread.
//Fabbe92
. But since all I hear is work and sacrifice, work and scrifice will there be anything at the end of the tunnel? The pay doesnīt matter and the biggest pay for me is that I get to fly. But will the day come when you lean back and say, ahhhhhh, I am finally there?Thanks and lets not argue again and I appologize once again for the other thread.
//Fabbe92
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Hello mate - saw your question and I thought I would chip in with my thoughts.
You go for it chap.
I wanted to do the same at your age but was academically weak. I'm now in my forties and just embarking on my dream career. I have worked in another industry to get the money together to fund the training and have studied to get the brain sharp enough to do the job.
School subjects; Maths, Physics, IT, Technical, and a language or two.
The first thing to remember is that training costs money so you will need to get that together first. Modular training where you do bits at a time is historically the cheapest and at times of good employment no barrier to getting a job. Integrated training is the other option, this takes you from the pavement to a First Officers job in one process but costs considerably more. Some airlines prefer this method - some don't. If you have access to the sum of money needed to do this say Ģ70-80,000 then it is the most time efficient way to do it.
Now as for the military option it is important to look at this as not just a stepping stone but another career option in itself. Military life is not for everyone but speaking from personal experience it can also be a very rewarding one.
Beware though that becoming a fast jet jock is NOT a given and is harder to get into than a lot of airline jobs. Be prepared to be tested, and pushed and tested and pushed to your limits again and again. Flash job though.
The Military will help develop you as a person and bring out your leadership skills at the same time - all very useful in the cockpit enviroment.
You never know you may actually find yourself liking it and staying. I have a number of friends in the forces who wouldn't want to do anything else - but also some who have served their time and are now looking for a new challenge. Everybody is different. Give yourself a chance to find out what you want.
If you do go down this route - I would advise that you do this with your eyes open and not as a stepping stone. You'll probably go bonkers with frustration waiting to be rotated out if that's all you want.
Right now get yourself up to your local airfield and start looking for any kind of part-time job that is available from emptying the bins to sweeping the hangar floor. Pilots are a decent bunch at heart and I'm sure you will soon be offered a back seat or two which will help you understand what's involved and give you a good background for when you start the PPL.
The important thing is you want to fly. I think that's enough.
You go for it chap.
I wanted to do the same at your age but was academically weak. I'm now in my forties and just embarking on my dream career. I have worked in another industry to get the money together to fund the training and have studied to get the brain sharp enough to do the job.
School subjects; Maths, Physics, IT, Technical, and a language or two.
The first thing to remember is that training costs money so you will need to get that together first. Modular training where you do bits at a time is historically the cheapest and at times of good employment no barrier to getting a job. Integrated training is the other option, this takes you from the pavement to a First Officers job in one process but costs considerably more. Some airlines prefer this method - some don't. If you have access to the sum of money needed to do this say Ģ70-80,000 then it is the most time efficient way to do it.
Now as for the military option it is important to look at this as not just a stepping stone but another career option in itself. Military life is not for everyone but speaking from personal experience it can also be a very rewarding one.
Beware though that becoming a fast jet jock is NOT a given and is harder to get into than a lot of airline jobs. Be prepared to be tested, and pushed and tested and pushed to your limits again and again. Flash job though.
The Military will help develop you as a person and bring out your leadership skills at the same time - all very useful in the cockpit enviroment.
You never know you may actually find yourself liking it and staying. I have a number of friends in the forces who wouldn't want to do anything else - but also some who have served their time and are now looking for a new challenge. Everybody is different. Give yourself a chance to find out what you want.
If you do go down this route - I would advise that you do this with your eyes open and not as a stepping stone. You'll probably go bonkers with frustration waiting to be rotated out if that's all you want.
Right now get yourself up to your local airfield and start looking for any kind of part-time job that is available from emptying the bins to sweeping the hangar floor. Pilots are a decent bunch at heart and I'm sure you will soon be offered a back seat or two which will help you understand what's involved and give you a good background for when you start the PPL.
The important thing is you want to fly. I think that's enough.
Hovering AND talking
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Easy Glider, why did you become a pilot then? If you just wanted a job that paid well, you'd have had much less heartache if you'd become an accountant or dentist
Or did you come from the military, trained to fly, left with no other trade or profession and thus feel that there was no alternative? Agreed that there aren't many things more soul destroying than being in a job you don't enjoy but you always have a choice even if you believe you're trapped.
And I agree with Vems, that working with someone in that situation is not good for morale all round. It is far better to work with people, in whatever profession, who are enthusiastic and love their job.
Cheers
Whirls
Or did you come from the military, trained to fly, left with no other trade or profession and thus feel that there was no alternative? Agreed that there aren't many things more soul destroying than being in a job you don't enjoy but you always have a choice even if you believe you're trapped.
And I agree with Vems, that working with someone in that situation is not good for morale all round. It is far better to work with people, in whatever profession, who are enthusiastic and love their job.
Cheers
Whirls
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Whirlygig...the vast, vast, VAST majority of who work, do so simply for the pay check at the end of the month. If you ask almost anyone whether they would continue working following a large lottery win/inheritance or whatever, the answer would almost certainly be a resounding "no!"
I got into aviation primarily by accident, (no I wasn't in the military.) I don't hate it but certainly don't love it either and if I didn't have bills to pay I wouldn't do it. What I am saying is that if someone wants to do a job for the pay, there is nothing wrong with that and no one has the right to critisize them for their employment choices.
I got into aviation primarily by accident, (no I wasn't in the military.) I don't hate it but certainly don't love it either and if I didn't have bills to pay I wouldn't do it. What I am saying is that if someone wants to do a job for the pay, there is nothing wrong with that and no one has the right to critisize them for their employment choices.
Hovering AND talking
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True, I'd give up my day job and become a full-tine pilot . However, yours and my stories are examples that it makes sense to start on a career which you love rather than fall into.
In my profession, I've trained students who were obviosly in it for the money and it's demoralising for me to train someone who shows no real keenness for the job; I try not to recruit those anymore.
You could always change career and do something you've always wanted to do since you were a child.
Cheers
Whirls
. However, yours and my stories are examples that it makes sense to start on a career which you love rather than fall into.In my profession, I've trained students who were obviosly in it for the money and it's demoralising for me to train someone who shows no real keenness for the job; I try not to recruit those anymore.
You could always change career
and do something you've always wanted to do since you were a child.Cheers
Whirls
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fabbe - I think you have that moment the first time you get to enough money to live off from flying. I was having a conversation with my instructor about a guy on the same frequency as us who was flying a Spitfire and he was saying how lucky that guy was, but then he said I suppose any job that pays you to fly is good. Very true.
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I'm quite sure no one will listen, (you guys never do on this forum,) but at the end of the day flying is just a job!! When you have done it for 15 years, believe me, you will be FAR more interested in what you are actually being paid, and what your terms and conditions are rather than "the love of the job". The trouble is, most non pilots or wannabes wont listen to the guys who are actually doing the job when they say that its actually not that great. At the airline I work for, (large UK based,) many many of my colleagues are looking to go and do something completely different outside the flying field. One guy who left the police to do fly instead dislikes it so much, he's trying to re join his old constabulary!!!
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But will the day come when you lean back and say, ahhhhhh, I am finally there?
He turned to me and told me the following story which I always remembered:
When he was younger, his dream was to fly -anything!
Some time later he found his dream fullfilled getting flying lessons in a glider. He loved it, but then the thought hit him... I would love to fly a POWERED aircraft!
Then he got in some little single engined plane and got what he wanted. Brilliant! After a little while, and through getting licenced, he then thought, hey I wouldn't mind flying something more powerful, with two engines...
Sitting in his twin engined turbo prop sometime later, dream fullfilled, he sat there thinking to himself, you know, I would love to fly a JET! That is when I will be there..
A few years later, on a 737, and being on it for some time, he thought, I will be there when I'm on a big jet like a dc-10, tristar or 747, that is what I want to fly!
So sitting on his 747 sometime later, he thought thats it, surely I must be here, I've reached it!
Then, one day, looking out of his window... he saw gliders flying, catching thermols, enjoying simple flight. And he thought...
You know, that is what I want to fly!
The moral to the story, in terms of passion for flying, not talking money earnt, is the passion it seems is like a cycle, you start off building your dream on a basic aircraft, wanting something better and more powerful. Then when you get to the top one day, a modern jet for example. And you sit there and think, geez, I'd love to do some flying on a chipmunk or cessna!
Good luck to all, although I really hope money is not the driving force of your ambitions to become a pilot.
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Easy Glider,
If 'many many' of your colleagues want out of the game, you must be involved in, to be frank, a pretty crappy operation.
Your words (and from what you say, your fellow pilots' words) sound to me like they come from someone more bitter over years of heeding to their companies questionable Ts and Cs as opposed to the job itself. I can understand your words, times are indeed tough and it's easy to feel shadowed by our problems.
There are lots of operators out there mate, perhaps when things pick up you will find what you're looking for elsewhere
Ad
If 'many many' of your colleagues want out of the game, you must be involved in, to be frank, a pretty crappy operation.
Your words (and from what you say, your fellow pilots' words) sound to me like they come from someone more bitter over years of heeding to their companies questionable Ts and Cs as opposed to the job itself. I can understand your words, times are indeed tough and it's easy to feel shadowed by our problems.
There are lots of operators out there mate, perhaps when things pick up you will find what you're looking for elsewhere
Ad
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Reluctant 737, you beat me to it, I was told a similar story by my Instructor in Blackpool once,
In a Glider you look up and see a Cessna 172 and think thats flying,
The Cessna Pilot looks up and sees a Twin Prop and thinks thats flying,
The Twin Prop Pilot looks up and sees a Jet and thinks thats flying,
The Jet Pilot looks up and sees the Space Shuttle and thinks thats flying,
The Space Shuttle Commander looks down and sees the Glider pilot and turns to one of the other Astronauts and says 'Now that's Flying'
Whatever you fly, enjoy it
FC up above the clouds
In a Glider you look up and see a Cessna 172 and think thats flying,
The Cessna Pilot looks up and sees a Twin Prop and thinks thats flying,
The Twin Prop Pilot looks up and sees a Jet and thinks thats flying,
The Jet Pilot looks up and sees the Space Shuttle and thinks thats flying,
The Space Shuttle Commander looks down and sees the Glider pilot and turns to one of the other Astronauts and says 'Now that's Flying'
Whatever you fly, enjoy it
FC up above the clouds
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To be fair though, I do get paid quite well to fly, but if I won the lottery I would fly just for pleasure, maybe a nice Extra Sport 300 acrobatic airplane.
I don't work for a 'Red Hot' Airline just a small operator in a far off land
I don't work for a 'Red Hot' Airline just a small operator in a far off land
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So there isnīt any 55 year old captain that still loves getting up in the morning and going to work? Any old captain that still loves to push the trothle forward?
Flying is my life and I know that this is wath I want to do. I will do it for free so money doesnīt matter at all. But when I am older I want to wake up in the morning and be happy because I have to go to work.
If the Airline industry isnīt like that, then maybe I should try the airforce. But it seems that I will enjoy it untill retirement and I know a few captains that are senior but still loves it. Tought there are many pilots who doesnīt care anymore that just want to earn some money for their families.
Flying is my life and I know that this is wath I want to do. I will do it for free so money doesnīt matter at all. But when I am older I want to wake up in the morning and be happy because I have to go to work.
If the Airline industry isnīt like that, then maybe I should try the airforce. But it seems that I will enjoy it untill retirement and I know a few captains that are senior but still loves it. Tought there are many pilots who doesnīt care anymore that just want to earn some money for their families.
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Whilst there may be a number of dissatisfied airline pilots, I know of not one similarly dissatisfied helicopter pilot - what does that tell you!!
Anyone can become disgruntled with a job after a couple of decades but to START a career with no other interest than the money is sad for the person and demoralising for the colleagues.
Cheers
Whirls
Anyone can become disgruntled with a job after a couple of decades but to START a career with no other interest than the money is sad for the person and demoralising for the colleagues.
Cheers
Whirls