<p>I [think that I] want to be an airline pilot.</p>
<p>I'm going to NYU next year. I don't know what paths I can take to accomplish this goal. I mean, I've looked into it and spoken to airline pilots, but I would like more advice. I know that Dowling offers a great program.</p>
<p>Advice?</p>
<p>..................</p>
<p>get an aviation degree, either a 2 or 4 year, at a seperate school.</p>
<p>and be prepared to work as a flight instructor</p>
<p>San Juan College in NM runs a 19-month program in afficiation with Mesa airlines</p>
<p>My school has an aviation degree, and an aviation management degree... those lead into pilot careers, but are rather expensive.</p>
<p>Yes, the lab fee's (instructor and flight time) are considerate, but colleges should consider that when calculating financial aid.</p>
<p>I'm already enrolled at nyu though. Will that be a problem?</p>
<p>I want to be a test pilot, so im getting my aerospace engineering degree at USC first, then getting my aviation degree later. I'm thinking of it like grad school.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.embryriddle.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.embryriddle.edu/</a></p>
<p>i have a cousin that goes here...</p>
<p>believe me...go to embry riddle or become a pilot in one of the armed services... many commercial pilots are ex-air force/navy pilots...</p>
<p>Embry Riddle is exremely good, but so is the University of North Dakota, for alot less money</p>
<p>rachel, does NYU have ROTC? If you could join Air Force ROTC, you could possibly get flight training (free) from the Air Force after graduation. You would have an 8 year service obligation after flight school. That's okay though, because you'd be earning flight hours and getting decent pay while you serve out that obligation.</p>
<p>If you decide to do that, you may as well start now in applying for a 3 year AFROTC scholarship. Wouldn't it be nice to have your tuition & fees paid as well as a nice monthly stipend?</p>
<p>Here is a link that tells about the process of getting a flight slot with the Air Force: <a href="http://www.wantscheck.com/PilotSlotResources/ROTCPilotSlot/tabid/60/Default.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.wantscheck.com/PilotSlotResources/ROTCPilotSlot/tabid/60/Default.aspx</a></p>
<p>Keep in mind that the airline industry isn't exactly healthy right now. Also, there are lots of pilots competing for the airline pilot positions that are available. So, there are no guarantees that just because you get flight training (whether military or civilian) that you'll be able to get a job as a pilot.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>yeah i know, my mom's close friends with a pilot for AA and he's been telling me all about the trouble's and whatnot with airlines. But he also said that it tends to fluctuate and that by the time I am able to be a pilot, the industry could be doing well, or it could be doing worse...</p>
<p>
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Embry Riddle is exremely good, but so is the University of North Dakota, for alot less money
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</p>
<p>If you want to be the most competitive candidate when looking for a job in this field... you go to Embry Riddle... it's not even close. </p>
<p>taken from their site...</p>
<p>"Embry-Riddle has co-op or internship agreements with most of the major airlines; with companies such as B/E Aerospace, Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, and Rockwell Collins; and with governmental agencies such as the FAA, NASA, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and Naval Air Systems Command. The relationship established between student and company often results in a full-time job for the student upon graduation."</p>
<p>Of course Embry-Riddle will say that, and they should, they are an educational leader in the industry.</p>
<p>But UND offers other advantages:</p>
<p>Flying in all weather, warm and cold</p>
<p>A large avaition school on a large campus that ventures into other disaplines</p>
<p>Public school price</p>
<p>Also, UND has won almost half of the collegiate flying national champioinships (there is such a thing, and it looks sweeeeet for when i get my aviation degree)</p>
<p>But if your going to NYU, i just remembered there in a school called Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Brooklyn (looks like brooklyn anyway, I suppose it might be across the border into Queens) that you might check out.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.vaughn.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.vaughn.edu/</a></p>
<p>thanks everyone :)</p>
<p>do they have girl pilots?</p>
<p>I go to Embry-Riddle for Aerospace Engineering, but am very familiar with their Aeronautical Science degree program. Let me know if you have any questions. Riddle does have girl pilots. I think we have about 20% girls right now.</p>
<p>I am a former airline employee-yes, the industry is tough now BUT it will get better -all things do. I admire you for your ambition. There's nothing like flying and being the captain of the ship.
And yes, to dcfca-there are "girl" pilots -have been for over thirty years.</p>
<p>Rachel-look into NASA internships.</p>
<p>Hmmm, bklynmom... My brother's been a captain for one of the majors for over 20 years. He would not agree with you about the future of the airline industry. In fact, he frequently comments that he and his fellow pilots could never have imagined 20 years ago that the industry would ever be in the condition it is in today. They do not see that condition improving, only worsening.</p>
<p>But to the OP, there are many employment options for pilots. I wouldn't limit my scope to the major commercial carriers only. There are plenty of opportunities for private pilots; they're just a little more difficult to find. If you can, look into the military if your heart is set on flying. There is no better, cheaper, or more versatile training. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>First, a few things to say.</p>
<p>-Don't get into this career for the money. The pilots making $300,000/yearly have been at it for about 30 years and in today's industry are few and far between. When you start out as a flight instructor (after flight training), you will be lucky to find a job for more than $20,000/yearly. Regional airlines (the next step up) aren't much better.</p>
<p>-It isn't easy. Expect years and years of flying small, private planes before the airlines will even look at you. If you keep at it you will get hired by a regional airline (flying RJs), and after a few years doing that then you will be in a good position to finally make it to a major if they happen to be hiring.</p>
<p>-NYU is good, although a career in aviation is expensive. Flight training can cost upwards of $50,000, so if you are strapped for cash the military may be your best bet.</p>
<p>-Aviation schools like ERAU may be good, but NYU is a better bet. If you go to ERAU and major in aviation you would be up ***** creek if anything medically happened where you couldn't be a pilot.</p>
<p>That being said, go for it. If that is what you really want to do, shoot for the stars. It is hard work, but if you are persistant enough then it should pay off. </p>
<p>Check out this website for advice and forums on flying careers-</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jetcareers.com%5B/url%5D">www.jetcareers.com</a></p>
<p>Good luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions.</p>