Hi everyone, me again, I would like a little advice.Im 16 as I've told you countless times :( And I would like to know the best way of becoming an airline pilot, whether its going to a flight college, Uni?I want to know all of this now at a young age so I don't choose the wrong path.Could you go into details (If you don't mind and if you feel so) because I NEED to be a pilot, that's how I feel. Thankyou everyone and look forward to seeing some of the replies!

First I think it would be helpful to know what country you live in as it's not obvious to me. Different countries have a few differences and also it would be beneficial for you to have a local pilot vs a foreign pilot offering help.

Hi there, sorry I forgot to list. United Kingdom - Edinburgh - EGPH.

Ross, I can only speak for how things are in the United States.My first suggestion is to see if you can find pilots already serving with the airlines you wish to fly for. They will be your best bet on these questions, and it never hurts to know people on the inside when you start applying for jobs. If you dont know any pilots then try calling the Human Resources depart of those airlines and see if they can tell you what they look for in applicants. It certainly cant hurt!Here in the US, flying for the military is the best bet to get into the airlines. You get alot of hours in a complex aircraft without racking up the debt. So if the thought of military life would appeal to you and you dont care if you're not flying a civilian airliner, then I would look into this route. However some forces require long service periods (USAF requires a 10 year commitment to be a pilot) so time will be taken out of your civil career.Next would be a flight university. Here in the US we have Embry-Riddle, which is though very highly of by US carriers. I dont know of a school like that in the UK but I'm sure there is one. This typically can be the most expensive option.Next would be getting hours any way you can. You could be a CFI, you could fly cargo hops for small regional companies. In the US you can do "contract" work were basically a company that flies small aircraft (think Cessna Caravan) will let you fly PIC in their planes and the hours you earn make up the majority of they payment for your services. Not much money, but at least you arent paying to get those hours.There are a TON of options to gain hours and there are probably options available to you in the UK that we dont have over here. Just take some time to find out all your options and evaluate what best fits you time, finances and goals. What is good for one may not be good for someone else. Sadly the PMDG froum probably isnt the best place to get these answers. Look for a forum that is about real pilots and real aviation. There you can find alot more people who can directly help you. While there are some ATPs on PMDG the good portion of us are people who have chosen other things in life and live our dreams of being an ATP with PMDGs aircraft.

Hi Ross,It's hard for me to give you proper advice as i'm unexperienced, and I believe the market is pretty unpredictable at the moment and I would be afraid of giving the wrong advice to you. What I will say is that I am 23 years old and I am starting an integrated course with CTC Wings next month. The highest qualifications I have are GCSE's because I chose to go straight into a good job opportunity that arose as I was finishing my GCSE's. Whilst I believe academic qualifications show that you are well educated, hardworking etc it doesn't neccesarily mean that you have the right stuff for a career as a pilot. Some integrated courses don't require anything higher than a good set of GCSE's, and some airlines are taking away the "2 A-Levels in Maths and Physics" requirement as well. Most notibly British Airways no longer list it as a requirement as a direct entry pilot.Which ever way you choose make sure you do plenty of research, and don't let too much negativity that you read put you off, but definately take it account and understand what the career involves.Good luck! :(

Start your flight training early. Discover a local FBO that can give you some basic flight lessons. In 2006 I went down this route myself and ended up going to a University for aviation here in the States. I would suggest you pick a good Engineering related major and go with a business minor.When I was going through what you are, the engineering really gave me the strong math and reading comprehension skills necessary to fully understand the airplane I flew and the books that taught it. I studied business so I could have something to fall back on mostly, but I wanted to do more with my aviation than fly.You're young and bright. I would strongly suggest you focus on the big picture right now. If you limit yourself to "airline" pilot you might be disappointed. Instead, focus on just being a pilot.Cargo might be something to look into, too. Higher pay and better retention rates.I wish you luck.

Posts above bring up good points. You need to get your foot in the door Do internships when you get to that point. Work for free. You need to prove that you're a better choice than the guy in front of you.Volunteer at an FBO, get a job as ground crew. Get comfortable with airplanes and the not-so-glamorous stuff done to keep them flying. Become known. Develop a solid list of contacts as you will most likely call upon them in your future.Also, during my flight training I was given the option of either going a single or multi route. What this means is with the single path, I would get my single private, then go straight to single instrument, then multi instrument and so on. With the Multi route you go from Single Private, to Multi Private. In the end I chose the multi route because it gave me about twice the multi engine hours, and airlines like that.Again, best of luck.

Hi everyone, thanks alot! and I mean alot!I have 13 hours at Edinburgh Flying Club as it is right at my door, I fly the PA-38 if you're wondering. When I get my PPL what do I do from there? And there then after?Thanks!

I've already earned my Canadian PPL and also have my night rating. The first thing you want to focus on after your PPL written exam and the flight test is to start flying at night. This rating is necessary and will help you push the boundaries of when you can fly. You won't be limited to daytime flying anymore.Step two after getting your PPL and night rating would be to try and get checked out on larger single engine aircraft. In my case as of now, I've got 1 more hour before I'm checked out in the C172. Flying this aircraft with friends and family on longer routes will help me earn more experience in the long run. It helps me learn how to deal with passengers and the importance of getting there on time. Ultimately though the C172 is more expensive than the C150, so a good balance is needed.I did all of my private training in a C152 and am doing a large portion of my commercial training in a C150, which is the same aircraft but with a different engine.After about 100 hours total time, I am able to write the CPL written exam and after 150 hours total time, I am able to do the CPL flight test. Only once I get to 200 hours total time will I be to earn my CPL. With 200 hours and a CPL I'm pretty much ready to find a job, but no one will hire with such little experience and not many ratings.One thing you can do before reaching your 200, or whatever hour requirement is needed for the CPL, is you can earn your multi-engine and IFR ratings. With these ratings under your belt and the CPL, you'll be more likely to get a job working the ramp, becoming an instructor, or if you're really lucky, get hired as an FO.One instructor from my flying club one the Air Canada Jazz Award last year and was soon hired after his interview to fly for Jazz. He's now flying the Dash-8 Q400 after reading the manuals and spending hours in the sim for weeks on end. One other thing, he's only in his very early 20s.It's tough but you'll eventually get there. Remember to not limit yourself to the airlines and just focus on doing well in school and getting as many hours as you possibly can. If you're cut out to fly for the airlines, you'll get there. If not, you'll find joy flying for other reasons.

Hello Ross I found this pdf about oxford aviation academy at http://www.gapan.org/career-matters/careers-information/sywtbap/ Click on the link at the bottom that says "here". If I was living in the Uk and money was no object I would probably train there. I am a holder of a Canadian Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument Rating. I got my PPL in 1989 and my CPL, M.E. IFR in 2006 in an aviation college. Unfortunately I never got a break and currently fly once and a while for pleasure.The hardest part of this career is finance and building your 1500 towards your ATP. Lots of sacrifices are involved and persistence. Good luck! Your most memorable flight will be your first solo!Pat

Hello Ross I found this pdf about oxford aviation academy at http://www.gapan.org/career-matters/careers-information/sywtbap/ Click on the link at the bottom that says "here". If I was living in the Uk and money was no object I would probably train there. I am a holder of a Canadian Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument Rating. I got my PPL in 1989 and my CPL, M.E. IFR in 2006 in an aviation college. Unfortunately I never got a break and currently fly once and a while for pleasure.The hardest part of this career is finance and building your 1500 towards your ATP. Lots of sacrifices are involved and persistence. Good luck! Your most memorable flight will be your first solo!Pat

With regards to training these days there is no difference between integrated schools such as Oxford or Modular schools, the main difference being the cost, integrated works out more expensive. I've just finished my training at Multiflight at Leeds Bradford which is modular. To get best results its all down to you though and the best tip I can give you is to study hard! I managed to get first time passes in minimum hours, partly because I worked hard but mainly because of the quality of instructor at Multiflight. Be careful with integrated though, its not the be all and end all which most integrated schools will have you believe and to be honest ive heard more bad things than good about integrated, an ATPL is an ATPL.Richard

When I get my PPL what do I do from there? And there then after?

And why don't you ask these questions your own instructor, is he mute? :(

And why don't you ask these questions your own instructor, is he mute? :(

I admit I got a chuckle out of that response, however I was wondering the same thing. Seems that if he has already been training with an instructor that would probably be one of the best people to speak to.

And why don't you ask these questions your own instructor, is he mute? :(

That seems harsh. (Maybe not meant to be) He probably just wants a variety of opinions.

And why don't you ask these questions your own instructor, is he mute? :(

It's a pretty big leap to assume that a typical CFI would know anything about the airlines. If he/she knew so much about it, they'd probably be an airline pilot instead of a CFI...