ALT-1 So you want to be an Airline Pilot
In the 1950's and 60's, several of the big airlines advertised flight training for those who had some basic qualifications. If you had your private pilot's license and a least a hundred hours of flight time; passed a few IQ and psychological tests, you'd be hired and in a year or so begin flying the line as a commercial airline pilot.
Those days of having little experience, being trained and cut loose to shuttle passengers on short hops or to distant exotic locales may be returning.
We are approaching a hiring boom that the airline industry hasn't seen for many years and the first of such after September 11th. And even with the rise in oil prices, air travel demand is rising and will continue to rise with no real slowing in sight. Indeed, every bubble can and often does burst, but barring another major terrorist attack or the new age 65 rule (slated to go into effect in May '08) halts nearly all of the retiring Grey bearded captains, the future for the aspiring airline pilot looks rosy indeed.
At the beginning of this article, I talked about getting hired with very minimal experience at some carriers. Those days haven't quite returned here in America, but "Ab Initio" programs in Europe and Asia take top level, no experience candidates and guide them through the training process while paying them as a first officer. This is beginning to take shape in the USA, but it is still on the horizon. However, lower flight hour minimums and qualifications are certainly more the norm in the industry.
Let's outline what you will need to start your career as a professional airline pilot:
1.) You need to have your Commercial Pilots license.Training for this is completed at many flight training schools throughout the country, some in as little as three months. You will earn your Private pilots certificate, typically followed by your Instrument rating (this allows you to fly your aircraft by sole reference to its instruments). A multi-engine rating that allows you to fly aircraft with more than one engine. Then your commercial certificate. To see what it takes and the costs of such an endeavor check out www.faa.gov/pilots/training or flighttraining.aopa.org. AOPA can also recommend private instructors or flight schools. Checking out the flight school at your local airport can also be a great resource.
2.) You need to have a current 1st class medical certificate.Many Doctors in your area right now are certified AME's (Aviation Medical Examiner). There are three classes of FAA medicals available, but for the hiring process, you are required to hold a 1st Class. A very simple medical exam is conducted to test your vitals, eyesight, hearing..etc, and if you are age 35 or older and never had one, an EKG (you only need one EKG at age 35, after age 40 you need one a year). As a student pilot you will only need a third class medical, so your first class is only needed when you interview. To find an AME in you area go to www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator.
3.) You need a minimum number of flight hoursThe regional airline I work for required 1000 hours total flight time and 200 hours of multi-engine flight time 2 years ago. Now, because of the need for qualified pilots to fill aircraft, the minimums are now 600 hours total and 50 multi. I know of one pilot who was hired at my airline with less than the minimums, so an exceptional candidate can be an exception to the required hours. Keep in mind that hours are tough to build.
As a full time flight instructor I flew 15 to 25 lessons a week. In a year I had built up almost 1000 hours total time. When I wasn't instructing I flew roughly 100 to 200 hours a year. So an additional Flight Instructor rating may be needed if you want to get there quickly.
4.) You do not need a college degreeThis may surprise some of you out there, but at many, indeed most regional airlines and some majors, a degree is not required. Most require a high school diploma. Keep in mind that most candidates have degrees and thus are more competitive in the airline pilot market. But you will be glad to know that your degree can be in any field. Most training departments see the degree as a vehicle that tells them two things: This person is trainable and can finish a course of study. I have friend that has been flying for about 30 years and was a Literature major. I myself have a degree in Music (feel free to ask me why later).
5.) You must pass a background check and drug screeningThe airlines look at your training records, driving records, criminal records and just about anything that tells them who you are and verifies you are honest with them. Any marks on your records for any reason do not automatically disqualify you from employment. Lying about them will be the kiss of airline employment death. The TSA and FAA also require you to be finger printed and check you for past or pending felony arrests or convictions. Drug tests required just about everywhere. You can't study for the "whiz quiz".
6.) You must pass a typical three stage interviewThe airlines will have you complete a 50 to 100 question airman knowledge test, and perhaps an IQ test. Then a simulator ride to test your skills in piloting an aircraft, often followed by a scenario based interview in which they test your judgment when faced with an aircraft emergency.
And lastly and sometimes most importantly, a panel interview to talk about your experience as a pilot, things you like and hate about the job and how well you get along with others. This part of the interview tells employers if you'd be the kind of crew member they'd like to hang out with on a trip for four days or if you'd get on everyone's nerves in the first four minutes.
7.) You must pass an intense airline training courseThis has been described as "drinking from a fire hose" of information. Initial new hire training is intense. Not only is it flight training designed to teach you how to be a safe pilot, but to be a pilot that flies the way the company flies. Most airlines training lasts six to eight weeks and each week usually has a test at the end. If you fail, you will be retrained, if you fail again, you may be show the door.
After the classroom tests, you will then train in a simulator that represents the airlines fleet of aircraft. Again two strikes and you may be out. After your successful proficiency check-ride, you will then fly the line with an experienced check airman who will teach you to "fly the line" and observe your progress in the real aircraft.
It seems callous, but if you work hard and pull your weight, even if you fail you will be given the chance to redeem yourself. By and large, the training at the airlines is very good. So most candidates pass the first time around. Just make sure you put the time in and study hard.
The airline industry needs people. Good people, like you. This is a road map for you to get started and hopefully inspire you to take that next step. It is hard and requires dedication and a passion for aviation. It's exciting to see the big wave of hiring is starting again, get on and hang 10!
