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How can I become a commercial pilot?by Ray Oyung January 9, 2003 Hi Folks. Erica from Mrs. Pritchard’s class during our last on-line chat asked a question about how she could become a commercial pilot. There are several ways to do it. Some people go to fixed base operators (FBOs) located at local airports that provide flight training, charter flight rentals, and other small airplane related services. Other people go to formal flight training schools like one of the military academies, or civilian flight schools. I learned how to fly at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where I also received my undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Science. Here’s some background for those of you who aren’t familiar with the difference between a commercial pilot among all the other pilots. A driver’s license is required in order to drive a car. A pilot certificate is required to fly an airplane. There are several different types of certificates including recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, and airline transport pilot (ATP) certificates. Each certificate allows someone who shows an examiner during a series of tests (kind of like showing your teacher that you know how to solve math problems) that she/he is capable of flying at a certain difficulty level (similar to how addition/subtraction, multiplication, algebra, and calculus are different levels of math skill). Each level is progressively more challenging because the responsibility increases for each level. Recreational pilots are only allowed to fly by themselves in a limited area (as if you could only play in the backyard). Private pilots can fly with other people but can’t be paid (you can play around the neighborhood with your friends but can’t ask them to pay you to sit in your go-cart). Commercial pilots can fly with others and get paid for it. Pilots who want to fly for a living are required to hold a commercial pilot certificate. Pilots who fly for small companies with airplanes that fly on a published schedule and want to fly bigger airplanes at larger scheduled airlines require an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Probably the most important thing to do when exploring the idea of becoming a pilot is to talk to people who fly and are willing to talk to you about what they do. Ask them all sorts of questions: why do they fly; what is it like to fly; what’s involved in learning how to fly; how safe is it to fly; what do pilots do to stay safe; who do they talk to during a flight to get from one place to another; how did they get their pilot certificate and ratings. One person may only be able to provide a small piece of the picture so ask as many people as you can to get the big picture of what is involved in becoming a commercial pilot. This is called research. It’s also important to talk with your parent or parents about the dreams that you have and tell them why you want to do the things you want to do. This is important whether your dreams are to be a commercial pilot or work in any other occupation. By describing why you want to do something or reach a certain goal, parents will have a better understanding of why you want to do something. Talking to your folks will also show that you’ve spent time collecting information to help yourself look at all the possible things there are to do in life and to show how you’ve come to the decision that you made based on all the information you gathered. Just remember that learning how to fly isn’t the cheapest thing in the world and years of chores might be required to pay for the cost. In addition to talking to your parents, listen and try to understand their point of view too. In addition to all the people that you talk to, it’s important to know that the source of the information is an important consideration. Someone may tell you that it’s okay to take any kind of prescription medication that you want but you know better from the information that you get from your parents, teachers, doctors, and good reference books that prescription medication taken incorrectly can seriously harm you. Someone could tell you that flying is as easy as getting into your car and driving. After some information gathering, you’ll find that flying isn’t as easy as jumping in a car and driving but requires careful planning before and during any flight. If someone tells you something that doesn’t sound right to you, then ask more questions and ask others what they think of the other person’s comments. Evaluate this information with other information that you can collect from other good resources. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the government organization assigned to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the aviation system in the United States. There’s some good information on their web site about learning how to fly and other aviation education related material. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Air Safety Foundation are the largest organizations surrounding general aviation safety. AOPA provides some useful information for students interested in flying. Also, don’t forget your school or local librarian who can provide good suggestions on resources to help you learn more about flying. Good luck…and happy new year! The following link will take you to the FAA’s aviation
education page for folks Kindergarten through 12th grade interested in
learning more about flying. Check out this link from AOPA if you want to download a
file about learning how to fly. This one requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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