Getting Started
Looking for a challenging and rewarding career? Maybe becoming an Airline Pilot is the profession
you are looking for. Many people consider comanding an airliner to be an
exciting and unique experience. While this is true, many people oversee the hard
word and sacrifice associated with a flying career. Make sure you research this industry
and careerfeild to pick a pathway for success. A great way to start out is getting online to sites like this one
as well as many others to find out what's involved. The second part of
research is to see how you like flying. Go out and have fun with an intro
flight. BeaPilot.com offers a good intro flight program at many flight schools.
It's worth getting up close and personal with a plane before you commit to it as
a career.
Education
Do I have to get an aviation degree or go to an aviation college to become an airline pilot?
No, but most regional airlines prefer an associates degree or at least two years of college experience. Major airlines typically require a bachelors degree, but it can be in any field of study, not just aviation. FAA pilot certificates are typically accepted for transfer credit by many colleges with aviation degree programs. Online degree programs are also an option for you to complete your bachelors degree while flying as a professional pilot.
Vision
Do I have to have perfect vision to be a commercial pilot?
No, as long as your vision can be corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contacts, you will be eligible for a 1st Class FAA Medical Certificate, which makes you eligible to fly as a civilian professional pilot. This is much less restrictive than military pilot vision requirements.
What if I'm Colorblind?
An FAA Medical can be obtained by some people with colorblindness. The restrictions will depend on the degree of colorblindness. The FAA has several mechanisms for making this determination. Consult an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) for more information. Some airlines have their own restrictions more stringing than the FAA's.
Health
Do I have to have any medical exams to be a pilot?
Yes, to work as a professional airline pilot you will be required to maintain a
FAA 1st class medical certificate during your entire career.
Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise routine, and getting the proper
sleep is an important part of a pilot’s life. Before beginning any flight
training we recommend obtaining a FAA 1st class medical certificate
from an approved Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to ensure you meet these
requirements before beginning your flight training.
A prospective flight student should
ensure they can meet the medical requirements of a 1st class medical certificate
since any condition permanently preventing the issuance would ultimately also
prevent a career as an airline pilot.
Background Check
What are the background check requirements?
Airlines perform FBI 10-year background checks, driving record checks, drug tests and credit checks as part of their standard pre-employment process. You cannot have any felonies on your record. DUI's and misdemeanors are handled at the discretion of the airline, but a significant amount of time must have passed since those events to even be considered for airline pilot employment. Random drug tests are performed throughout a pilot’s employment.
Credit
Is it important to have good credit?
Yes, for a couple of reasons:
First, the cost of flight training is relatively expensive and most students will need to finance some, if not all, of the flight training costs. It’s important that you have excellent credit when applying for a loan, the cost of financing is directly related to your credit score. In order to keep loan rates as low as possible, it is very important to have a solid credit history, it may help to have a credit worthy co-borrower on the application that also has an excellent credit history.
Second, the airlines will perform a credit check as a standard step in their background check process. An unblemished credit history will make the best impression with the airline.
Age
Am I too young/old to begin flight training to become a commercial pilot?
You can hold a commercial pilot certificate as young as 18 years old, but we strongly urge high school graduates to pursue a college degree or some college experience before beginning their career. As for being too old, it's important to realize what your training investment will be, what initial earnings can be anticipated, and how long you can fly before reaching the mandatory retirement age at 65. If you want to become a professional airline pilot, look at the financial investment, the possible lifestyle change, and how many years' earnings you'll have before retirement and ensure that it's a worthwhile investment.
Discovery Flight
TSA Flight Training Validation
49 U.S.C. 114, 44939, 1552 New regulations issued on October 21, 2004 by
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) require flight training
providers to verify students' proof of U.S. citizenship prior to beginning
training (Flight or Simulator). To satisfy the requirements of this
regulation, student pilots must bring a valid, unexpired United States Passport
to the flight training center.ght training center.
Requirements only apply to flight training in aircraft weighing less than
12,500lbs for Sport Pilot Certificate, Recreational Pilot Certificate, Private
Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating or Multi-Engine Rating. All students
must prove US citizenship status before beginning flight training.*
*U.S. passport OR one of the following: birth certificate; certification of
birth abroad with raised seal; certificate of U.S. citizenship with raised seal;
certificate of repatriation; or U.S. naturalization certificate with reaised
seal, accompanied by government-issued picture ID.
Ready for Takeoff
So now that you have taken a discobery flight, checked your resources,
looked at yourself with an objective eye, and met the medical requirements to
begin your new career...what's next? Well, you will need to pick a flight
training provider to get you started on the exciting journey you have ahead.
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