Things To Consider Before Becoming A Pilot
Have you always been fascinated by planes, flying, and exotic locations? Becoming a pilot might be the right career choice for you! Before you sign up for classes, you need to know what to expect from training and your new career.
Education
To become a commercial pilot, a student must pass the FAA written exam and the ground portion of the FAA practical exam. They also need to pass the flight portion of the practical exam.Ground school can be completed in a classroom, online, or with one-on-one training with a licensed pilot. To finish school at Phoenix East Aviation, it will cost $49,534. If your training requires private pilot training, it will cost an additional $13,990.
There are fast-track options that can be completed in a single year. These are the quickest and cheapest options. People can also opt for a collegiate experience that may take more time but gives the student a college degree with their pilot's license. If you have a busy schedule some airports offer flexible flight training called fix based operators.
Pilot Medical
Before taking any classes, ensure that you're physically fit enough to be a pilot. Every pilot must go through a medical examination at a Aeromedical Centre (AeMC). The exam takes about four hours and includes:
- medical history
- eyesight
- general physical
- hearing
- heart
- lungs
- blood and urine test
Jobs and Salary
In 2014, the average salary for commercial pilots was $75,000 a year. Of course, this varies based on the job. Some of the available jobs in the industry include but are not limited to:
- airline pilot
- airshow pilot
- banner towing pilot
- border patrol pilot
- charter pilot
- contract pilot
- corporate pilot
- crop duster
- demo pilot
- forestry pilot
- pilot instructor
- traffic pilot
- tour pilot
Most people take six months to find their first job. Luckily, there is a shortage of pilots right now. This makes finding a job easier for new pilots. Most new pilots fly single engine airplanes for about 1000 hours before upgrading to pistol twins for 5000 hours. After 1500 hours you qualify for your airline transport licence. You will start as a first officer and get promoted to a captain after about 18 months.
Amount of time working
In an average month, a pilot works 12 - 15 days. However, pilots must stay away from home for much longer. Typical domestic layovers for a pilot are usually anywhere from 10 hours to 24 hours long.
For more details, visit a website like https://aviation.parkland.edu/.