CNJ Jonathan Posted January 4, 2019 at 08:26 PM Report Share Posted January 4, 2019 at 08:26 PM Hey all, I'm making this topic because normally on the server when people realize that i'm a pilot they inquire about the career and how to get started. The following information that ill be sharing with you is my personal journey in becoming an airline pilot and there's also making videos on youtube about other pilots sharing their journey. So let's get into it..... Intro about myself: My name is Darion, Im 30 years old and i am currently enrolled in the John F. Kennedy Domicile for American Airlines. Step 1: I wasn't born in the US meaning that i was an international student. Back in my home town i already had my Student Pilot license and about 36 hours under my belt. I applied to PEA (Phoenix East Aviation) based in Daytona Beach, FL and after being accepted, that's where it all started. So for all the International students who want to train in the US, you will need to apply to a flight school that is authorized by the US Department of Homeland Security to give out M1 and F1 visas. Here's a link to the flight school: https://www.pea.com DON'T FALL FOR THE TRAP: I recommend not applying to an Aviation University such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The trap is that universities have tuition fees that can be between 20,000-30,000 USD that is separate from flight training fees. Applying to a flight school will be the best bet as they focus on flying and ground school and not on getting you a degree. But if you want to go via the University route, be my guest. FOR THE US CITIZENS: The process is quite simple for you as you don't need visas and once all your bank statements and paper-work etc is in order, your good to go. Ok you have started Flight School: At flight school with no form of training or ground school your will have to go through the following courses: -Private Pilot License - Instrument Rating -Commercial License Multi-Engine Rating Now after this you will need to build hours as in the US the FAA requires pilots to have a minimum of 1500 Hours to be hired by a Commercial Airline. I highly recommend getting these ratings which will allow you to become an instructor which basically allows you to build flight hours while being paid by students. -Certified Flight Instructor -Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Rating. -Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Rating. (This isn't necessary but airline companies like to see when a pilot has this.) Ok so you finally hit that 1500 Hours mark: You can FINALLY apply to the regional and start flying the big jets with some more training of course :). This depends on who you choose: American (Envoy,PSA)- Dallas Forth Worth, TX Delta (Endeavor)- Harts-field-Jackson, Atlanta United- United Training Center in Denver Colorado These are some of the main airlines pilot normally join after flight school. (KEEP IN MIND: YOU HAVE TO APPLY TO A REGIONAL CARRIER TO BE HIRED BY A LARGER COMPANY) Most likely you would be at the regional airline for anywhere between 2-8 years. Its all up to how fast you progress at this point. You will need to get approx. 1000 hours as a First Officer and another 1000 as a captain and then apply for a bigger airline. I started off in the E145 for Envoy and about 2200 hours after becoming a captain, I applied to American and got accepted. Got onto the B738 Type rating became a captain on the jet and moved up to the B757 as a first Officer and then Captain. I was fortunately lucky as pilots with more seniority was moving up and retiring so i was placed in the recent years on the B777 as a first officer and thats where i am now. I will truly say that Aviation is an amazing field and whether flying a bunch of sweaty passengers around the world or defending your country in the air force, I hope you are enjoying what your doing. Feel free to reply to this post as questions or if you see me in TS, or in game. FOR RETIRING MILITARY AIR FORCE PILOTS: I'm not to sure about this one, but i believe that since you already have flight hours under your belt, you can apply to the big leagues example: AA,DL,UA. P.S. For those pilots looking to come to the best airline in the world a.k.a (American Airlines) the company will be looking to hire at least 900 in 2019 and so goes on into the years. Check out this page: https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/legacy/american_airlines HAVE A GREAT YEAR. -CNJ 3 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=VG= SemlerPDX Posted January 5, 2019 at 10:36 PM Report Share Posted January 5, 2019 at 10:36 PM Very cool! I wish I could afford it! My Ma has 100 hours in a Cessna from back in the 1970's when she was a legal secretary for Lockheed, did a little schooling with her employee discount. I've gone through Private Pilot certification in MS Flight Simulator several times over the years, I'd be ecstatic to do it IRL. Totally jealous of you, mate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanillapop Posted January 5, 2019 at 11:02 PM Report Share Posted January 5, 2019 at 11:02 PM I'm just saving up here to get a license in Canada but I'm trying not to go into passenger airlines I'd much rather get into cargo planes (working for DHL etc) and after that slowly going to get a helicopter license as well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=VG= Inch Posted January 6, 2019 at 01:04 PM Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 at 01:04 PM Wow, this is really a quick info about pilot studies and careers. Maybe, i would think about it someday Great things about these provided here. Thanks man- - Inch 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNJ Jonathan Posted January 6, 2019 at 05:03 PM Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 at 05:03 PM @Vanillapop Here's a little secret, if you pick the right cargo airline i heard that they make more money than commercial pilots 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNJ Jonathan Posted January 6, 2019 at 05:04 PM Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 at 05:04 PM @=VG= Rotblut Although i've never flown an Ultralight, i've seen videos on youtube with people flying to Mc Donald's. They look really fun and one day i hope to fly one!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNJ Jonathan Posted January 6, 2019 at 05:06 PM Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 at 05:06 PM @InchPincherToo Yeah Inch. They aviation industry is drastically changing and airlines need pilots. Now is the best time to start training. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranger_12 Posted January 6, 2019 at 06:40 PM Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 at 06:40 PM I spent more than 1500 hours flying huey, ospry, and chinook. any commercial company in need im at ur services and this is my number: 01232545265. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=VG= STRONTIUM-DOG (Inactive Duty) Posted January 6, 2019 at 07:33 PM Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 at 07:33 PM Love to fly, as you can jump out of the aircraft and go weeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee like a bird. As a pilot do you still have to eat the same food as the passengers, and do you get to sleep with more of the cabin crew, than the passengers, ? im working on a jet pack hahahah 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanillapop Posted January 6, 2019 at 10:54 PM Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 at 10:54 PM 5 hours ago, CNJ Jonathan said: @Vanillapop Here's a little secret, if you pick the right cargo airline i heard that they make more money than commercial pilots Ya they also fly alot more thus giving you the reigns alot faster. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNJ Jonathan Posted January 7, 2019 at 12:41 AM Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2019 at 12:41 AM @ranger_12 LOL. I think the TRANS squad is hiring xd. @STRONTIUM_DOG To answer the first question: No we do not eat the same things as the passengers and the pilots all eat different meals. Example: Captain has beans and rice and I have Fries and Chicken. We do this in the case of the food being bad and causing possible food poisoning so say if it is bad and the captain gets food poisoning, I won't and would still be able to file for an emergency landing. If both pilots eat the same meal and we both get food poisoning, No one is there to fly the aircraft because we're both sick. 2nd Question: Umm.... lmfaoooo.... I do not sleep with the flight attendants because i have a girlfriend at home lol. But there are pilots and flight attendants who do hit it off in the hotels while on a 3 day lay over in Brazil 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenalite Posted January 7, 2019 at 07:30 PM Report Share Posted January 7, 2019 at 07:30 PM This guy has a really nicely explained videos for people curious about airline pilot stuff. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwpHKudUkP5tNgmMdexB3ow I have a question for CNJ: In your experience, what was the hardest airport to approach and land at, and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNJ Jonathan Posted January 8, 2019 at 12:11 AM Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 at 12:11 AM @Xenalite Yup Mentor is definitely great for giving advice. But i would more look at his "become a pilot videos" if you are planning to work in Europe as he is a Ryanair Pilot. Regulations between the US and Europe are a bit different. Ok the hardest airport and why: Definitely Toncontin International Airport in Honduras. When i was on the 757, I had flights into there. The airports elevation and terrain mixed in with a turn just before final with a short runway makes it quite challenging. I found a video on youtube of how the approach looks: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=VG= SemlerPDX Posted January 8, 2019 at 10:32 PM Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 at 10:32 PM A private pilot once told me that spending time flying a small engine plane is 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror. From the looks of that full size 757 jet airliner landing at Toncontin, that statement can at times be universal. If you want a good laugh, check out AirForceProud on YouTube - his best vids are him doing VATSIM like ATC in general public FSX (Steam Edition) flight sim servers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
=VG= STRONTIUM-DOG (Inactive Duty) Posted January 9, 2019 at 07:13 PM Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 at 07:13 PM On 1/8/2019 at 12:11 AM, CNJ Jonathan said: @Xenalite Yup Mentor is definitely great for giving advice. But i would more look at his "become a pilot videos" if you are planning to work in Europe as he is a Ryanair Pilot. Regulations between the US and Europe are a bit different. Ok the hardest airport and why: Definitely Toncontin International Airport in Honduras. When i was on the 757, I had flights into there. The airports elevation and terrain mixed in with a turn just before final with a short runway makes it quite challenging. I found a video on youtube of how the approach looks: LOLSSS i had to use that air port lots for 5 years, it undulates as well as bends hahah the other ones , near by end at the sea, and start at the sea, splash woof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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