How to become a pilot?

Flying is not the career that it used to be. Today's pilots go through quite a great deal to get to fly the planes that they do. There really are two paths that you can take to become a pilot. First is to apply for acceptance in one of the military training programs (Army, Air Force, Navy) and they will put you through the paces to becoming a pilot.

The second is the more common and harder path. The first step is your private permit. Try to find a part 141 school near you if at all possible. This is an accreditation process that helps later on. Take the discovery flight and start the lessons.

After about 55 to 80 hours, you will be ready to take the real plunge. Your private certificate. (The minimum is 40 hours but almost no one gets there that quick.)

Once you have your private certificate, you are ready to start learning to really fly. Get 125 hours or more in and start setting up for your instrument rating. Many people combine this with their commercial rating and that is a less expensive method.

When you are done with these ratings you need your multi engine rating. Try getting involved in any weather flying as soon as you can. IFR (bad weather) flying is always a plus.

Now the paths start separating slightly. Guys need far more hours of actual flying than females do. Men will also need to get their ATP rating by themselves normally. (Women in Aviation will help females with this.) At about 300 hours of twin time for women and 1,200 hours for guys you can start looking for a job in the cargo area. Females may find it easier to enter some areas due to quotas needing to be filled. Charter flying will be much easier for girls to get into with fewer hours (as an example).

Flying cargo or charter for a year will build your hours and weather experience to the point that you can get hired by the commuters. Pay really is bad here, but most people do not stay long. Keep applying for the majors. Keep a safe flying record and a friendship with everyone. Relationships are more important here then ANY other field.

Note of clarification: While it may be easier for women to get a job in some instances, there is no differentiation in the FAA requirements for the various certificates and ratings between men and women.