EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

There is no college requirement to be a pilot, although it may help with some major airlines. There is no indication that Regional airlines require college time, since all FAA commercial pilot certificates are equal, no matter where or how they are earned.

It takes about 50 hours of flight to earn a private pilot license, a commercial pilot certificate requires 250 hours, and advanced ratings and certificates can add another 50 to 100 hours. It is estimated that pilots invest over $50,000.00 prior to being hired by an airline or corporate flight department. It is an investment that pays dividends for many years.

After a commercial certificate is earned, a pilot needs more experience and flight hours. Most pilots work as flight instructors to build experience; instructing supplements earnings without additional flight expense. With experience, a pilot can move to a regional airline, on to a major airline, and into the corporate world of executive air transportation.