Becoming an airline pilot
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Join Date: Jun 2002
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Becoming an airline pilot
I've been browsing web site about studying to become an airline pilot. It seems that one need to be a millionaire to learn how to fly. Does anyone know how best to become a pilot without having to rob a bank first?
Also I am already 35. Am I too old to start now? When will I be expected to command A380 if I stat now?
Also I am already 35. Am I too old to start now? When will I be expected to command A380 if I stat now?
Join Date: May 2002
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Hi Sanguan.
I know it looks daunting but don't worry to much. It will probably take a couple of years or so if you don't go the intergrated route(£50,000 +). Look at the modular route, its a little cheaper (spread the costs).
As for you being 35. Yes you have to think seriously about it. Write to some of the airlines about their entry req. I dont mean just the large airlines. Try the regionals. They like to take on 'older' pilots, if you'll excuse the expression! Airlines look at older pilots as more experienced and more mature. You're not that old in terms of aviation anyway.
I have a friend who started training at 30, it took him 4 1/2 yrs. Modular. He is now flying for a subsidary of BA.
Make sure you look at the schools properly as well. The cheapest may not be so cheap as you thought. The most expensive, you maybe be paying for the name, as well as the training, which may payoff in the long run, it just depends on your finances.
One thing you must do, is start your training when you are sure you can afford to do it all. There is no point starting it and not being able to finish all the ratings you have to do.
Have you looked at being a flying instructor? Not the greatest pay in the world, but it builds your hours. My PPL instructor had only got his licence at 44. He got a job.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Need any more info, ive just gone through the research, so just give me a shout. It would be no problem.
Good luck
I know it looks daunting but don't worry to much. It will probably take a couple of years or so if you don't go the intergrated route(£50,000 +). Look at the modular route, its a little cheaper (spread the costs).
As for you being 35. Yes you have to think seriously about it. Write to some of the airlines about their entry req. I dont mean just the large airlines. Try the regionals. They like to take on 'older' pilots, if you'll excuse the expression! Airlines look at older pilots as more experienced and more mature. You're not that old in terms of aviation anyway.
I have a friend who started training at 30, it took him 4 1/2 yrs. Modular. He is now flying for a subsidary of BA.
Make sure you look at the schools properly as well. The cheapest may not be so cheap as you thought. The most expensive, you maybe be paying for the name, as well as the training, which may payoff in the long run, it just depends on your finances.
One thing you must do, is start your training when you are sure you can afford to do it all. There is no point starting it and not being able to finish all the ratings you have to do.
Have you looked at being a flying instructor? Not the greatest pay in the world, but it builds your hours. My PPL instructor had only got his licence at 44. He got a job.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Need any more info, ive just gone through the research, so just give me a shout. It would be no problem.
Good luck
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Before we try advising you, it would be helpful if you'd tell us where in the world you are - WLG means nothing to me! The routes to an airliner's flight deck are somewhat different depending on where you can train and work.
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Becoming an airline pilot
I am from Wellington New Zealand. There is a Bachelor of Aviation
course at Massey University but they cost a fortune.
http://aviation.massey.ac.nz/programmes/index.htm
course at Massey University but they cost a fortune.
http://aviation.massey.ac.nz/programmes/index.htm
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Sanguan,
It's been a while, but hopefully I can help a little. I spent about 6 months in NZ a few years ago getting a CPL. I always remember the massey school as it sounded like a bit of a rip off compared to the more traditional flight schools. Massey's course is a Uni course, taking three years giving you a degree at the end of it as well as a CPL/IR, but as you've found out, costs an absolute fortune as your got to fund three years of Uni study aswell as fund a full CPL/IR.
A tradational flight school will do the CPL/IR in about a year full time. I can remember of 4 schools that I applied to. They were located in Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson and Auckland, although there now maybe more. Each offered the course (admittedly this was priced two years ago) for around NZ$30,0000. It's probably gone up a bit since then, but probably not far outside this cost.
Also, I maybe mistaken, but some of the NZ students at the school I attended had some sort of Grant or Loan to fund part of their training, but I'm sure that any school will be able to give you advice for funding if you approach them direct.
The flying in NZ is awesome and doing some x-countries through the southern alps was something I'll never forget in a hurry.
It's been a while, but hopefully I can help a little. I spent about 6 months in NZ a few years ago getting a CPL. I always remember the massey school as it sounded like a bit of a rip off compared to the more traditional flight schools. Massey's course is a Uni course, taking three years giving you a degree at the end of it as well as a CPL/IR, but as you've found out, costs an absolute fortune as your got to fund three years of Uni study aswell as fund a full CPL/IR.
A tradational flight school will do the CPL/IR in about a year full time. I can remember of 4 schools that I applied to. They were located in Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson and Auckland, although there now maybe more. Each offered the course (admittedly this was priced two years ago) for around NZ$30,0000. It's probably gone up a bit since then, but probably not far outside this cost.
Also, I maybe mistaken, but some of the NZ students at the school I attended had some sort of Grant or Loan to fund part of their training, but I'm sure that any school will be able to give you advice for funding if you approach them direct.
The flying in NZ is awesome and doing some x-countries through the southern alps was something I'll never forget in a hurry.
...the thin end thereof
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I'm not sure if you were joking, but starting at 35 it's unlikely that you will ever command an A380......
Good luck though, no reason why you can't become a commercial pilot if you are dedicated enough.
Good luck though, no reason why you can't become a commercial pilot if you are dedicated enough.
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wedge
you say that he would never become a A380 capt which i'am inclined to agree , but do you thionk it is possible for him to make the right seat on a 747 at the tender age of 35?
providing the FAtpl appears by the time he's say 37?
jess
you say that he would never become a A380 capt which i'am inclined to agree , but do you thionk it is possible for him to make the right seat on a 747 at the tender age of 35?
providing the FAtpl appears by the time he's say 37?
jess
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IMHO 35 is getting a little on the late side. You may suceed - certainly people have from that age, but you're more likely to waste a lot of time, money and effort.
Analyse your motivation in wishing to be a commercial pilot.
If its financial, forget it, you'll be unlikely to earn enough extra to cover the costs of training and lost income during training.
If its because you think really want to fly, how do you know unless you've done it, but by then its too late. You'd be better off sticking with your current career path and doing a bit of pleasure flying when you want, rather than turning your entire existance upside down.
Do you want the challenge? There many other ways that are a lot less financially risky.
CPB
Analyse your motivation in wishing to be a commercial pilot.
If its financial, forget it, you'll be unlikely to earn enough extra to cover the costs of training and lost income during training.
If its because you think really want to fly, how do you know unless you've done it, but by then its too late. You'd be better off sticking with your current career path and doing a bit of pleasure flying when you want, rather than turning your entire existance upside down.
Do you want the challenge? There many other ways that are a lot less financially risky.
CPB
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Financial risk i agree. But now that I have worked for 10 years, I have save a small fortune to blow in in a hobby that I think I will love (never tried, so not 100% sure). Bought no house, so no mortage to worry about.
In NZ, we can get loan. But loan is not free. It has to be paid back with interest. Unless you died first. If that happens, the govt lose out. Or rather, the tax payer.
Forget A380 for the moment. If say I start now, earn a licence in 2 years, how long before I can command a 737?
In NZ, we can get loan. But loan is not free. It has to be paid back with interest. Unless you died first. If that happens, the govt lose out. Or rather, the tax payer.
Forget A380 for the moment. If say I start now, earn a licence in 2 years, how long before I can command a 737?
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The airline employment market in NZ is so small that luck is a far bigger influence on your prospects than age! The number of commercial jet airliners based in your country is probably under 50. That means somewhere around 600-700 aircrew are employed to fly them. Most of the older pilots probably started via the RNZAF or RNZN, but those routes are far less significant now. I don't know how many people train through commercial FTOs in NZ, but I suspect it's not that many.
I'm guessing here, but it's possible that in a couple of years' time, as aviation crawls out of its current rut, that there may be a shortage of qualified and type-rated pilots in NZ. If. somehow, you can get your licences, and then build some experience out of the country, you could be well placed to get a right-seat job in a few years - especially if Virgin Blue starts flying internally in NZ. Thereafter, command will depend on the pilot turnover rate and the expansion of your airline. Could be 2 yearss, could be 15. Who knows?
In my airline, there are a few 747 commanders who began flying later than usual, and, at one stage, time to command could be 18 months or less for appropriately qualified pilots. As for the A380, I think the only people in your part of the world who will operate the aircraft are Singapore and Qantas. Historically, there are few fast commands in those airlines!
I'm guessing here, but it's possible that in a couple of years' time, as aviation crawls out of its current rut, that there may be a shortage of qualified and type-rated pilots in NZ. If. somehow, you can get your licences, and then build some experience out of the country, you could be well placed to get a right-seat job in a few years - especially if Virgin Blue starts flying internally in NZ. Thereafter, command will depend on the pilot turnover rate and the expansion of your airline. Could be 2 yearss, could be 15. Who knows?
In my airline, there are a few 747 commanders who began flying later than usual, and, at one stage, time to command could be 18 months or less for appropriately qualified pilots. As for the A380, I think the only people in your part of the world who will operate the aircraft are Singapore and Qantas. Historically, there are few fast commands in those airlines!
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Unlikely to be too much of a shortage of pilots coming through. Since the qualification of CPL/IR's for government (rather than self) funding the schools are very busy.
I think three FTO's have met the criteria, these being Massey, Nelson (out of Motueka) and IAANZ at Christchurch. They are busy! I am unsure whether any operators from Ardmore have the approval, but there are shedloads of students training up there as well.
Perhaps try emailing some of the schools with your questions.
As the schools are busy, there are openings for C Cat flying instructors (post CPL/IR), and you are probably better to explore that scenario rather than thinking about getting straight into the RHS.
Regards,
Laurie
I think three FTO's have met the criteria, these being Massey, Nelson (out of Motueka) and IAANZ at Christchurch. They are busy! I am unsure whether any operators from Ardmore have the approval, but there are shedloads of students training up there as well.
Perhaps try emailing some of the schools with your questions.
As the schools are busy, there are openings for C Cat flying instructors (post CPL/IR), and you are probably better to explore that scenario rather than thinking about getting straight into the RHS.
Regards,
Laurie
