Become a Professional Pilot

This is from an aviation lawyer. I’ve seen it happen, even at the airlines. Don’t let it happen to you! ——- *** Danger***  This long email is necessary and coming to you because of the number of pilots reaching out to me and colleagues of mine regarding litigation over terms of employment/training contracts they have signed.  (I’m an attorney and a professional pilot).  There is one outfit in particular that is a repeat offender, but this is good advice nonetheless. All of us get excited about new job opportunities and employers that are going to pay for recurrent or even initial types.  However, you MUST read the contract put in front of you. A couple things to note: 1) When offered a job, ask them to send you all required contacts for review. Be up front, you don’t want to move your family and be presented with a new or different contract on the first day.  2) If you are offered a job, you move, get ready for first day/training and at the last minute, a new contract is thrust before

Once someone decides they want to be a professional pilot, they often ask me about my schedule.  How often do I work? How long am I away from home? What is an airline pilot schedule like? The easy answer... There is no answer! Schedules... The schedules at the airline not only differ from person to person, but company to company. Passenger airline pilot's often have a similar way in which their schedules work, and cargo airline pilots have another.  I do not know too much about cargo other than many of them work 14-16 days on, then 14-16 days off.  Yes, 14-16 days straight, away from home. For passenger airline pilots (I am going to use what I know, mostly based on my company which works like most), our schedule does not work like that.  We have federal laws that require us to have so much rest in a given day, week, month, year.  These rules don't apply (mostly) to cargo operators. Each month on the 15th, a "bid package" comes out (see picture one below).  This packag

 When someone says to me, "I want to be a pilot," the first question I always ask is "what is your end goal?" The world of aviation is vast, including pilots.  There are all kinds of pilots out there and depending on what your goal is, each journey is different.  I hope to cover a few of these. I just want to fly my friends and family... The largest group of pilots are "Private Pilots."  What non-aviation people think when they hear that term is that you are flying a jet for a rich person; that couldn't be further from the truth. Per the FAA, a private pilot " may not act as a pilot in command of  an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire, nor may you be paid to act as a pilot in command." In simple terms, you cannot fly a plane and be paid to do such. A private pilot is the certificate you need in order to fly friends and family for fun.  Now, you do not have to pay for the entire flight yourself, your pass

Airline pilots are required to have several things with them when on duty.  Aside from company specific items, every airline pilot is required to have: Passport (Valid with at least six months before expiration) Medical Certificate Pilot Certificate(s) Government Photo ID (Can use passport) Restricted Radio Operator Though you do not need to get a passport before starting your training, it is a good idea to.  Airlines will not accept your application or invite you for interview if you do not have a valid passport.  Please keep in mind if you do not have a US Passport, your country's passport must allow you unrestricted access to any/all countries that the airline you are apply serve. Life Hack: Airline Pilots use a system called KCM to access the airport.  This allows us to bypass passenger security lines and use an alternate "flight crew" security line.  To access this line, you must present your company ID and valid photo ID (that meets federal ID requirements).  Instea

Many people think that once you test for your pilot certificate, you are set to do whatever you want.  That could not be further from the truth.  Let's first cover some common misconceptions, and then I will explain what you need, and what additional items I recommend. Misconception 1: Pilot License Pilots do not have licenses; they have certificates with ratings.  A license is something the government GAVE you, granting you permission.  A license is not earned.  A certificate is something a governmental agency or governing body awards you for earning the qualification.  For example, you pass drivers ed as a teenager.  The school gives you a completion certificate as you earned the requirements to graduate the course.  You take that certificate to the DMV and they give you a license, granting you permission to drive a car.  Another example is a doctor.  You graduate med school and the school gives you a certificate (degree) stating that you passed the requirements and earned your d

Medical : The very first thing you must do is ensure you meet the medical requirements to be a pilot.  The FAA has four levels of medicals: 1st Class: Required to be an airline pilot 2nd Class: Required to be a commercial pilot 3rd Class: General Basic: Must have held a 3rd or greater previously, and can only "fly for fun." It is my recommendation that if your goal is professional aviation, your first medical should be a first class.  There is nothing worse that completing $250,000 dollars or more of an education only to find out you cannot hold a first class medical and will never be an airline pilot. To Apply: First visit https://medxpress.faa.gov/medxpress/ Make a profile (don't lose the login information, you will need it forever!) Complete a new medical application. Once complete, it will give you a tacking number.  SAVE THIS NUMBER!!! Then, visit https://designee.faa.gov/#/designeeLocator and find an "AME."  The more specific you make your search, the hard

As the news reports, there is an airline pilot shortage.  This shortage has been going on for years.  Due to this, regional airlines visit university and college campuses (another perk of going to a education institution instead of just flight training) weekly.  During these visits, their recruiting teams provide formal briefs to students in attempt to offer conditional employment. Don't fall for it!!! If the military taught me anything, its that a recruiters job is to lie... I mean recruit.  These recruiters will tell you the good, never the bad.  They will tell you "figures" but they are not completely correct or not the latest figures for their airlines.  So here is what I always advise... Selecting a regional is hard.  Regionals are not all the same. Here is (in this order) how I tell people to pick: What bases do they have and what will I be able to hold out of training? Airlines have many bases, so do the regionals.  But bases are awarded by seniority like everythin

One of the biggest issues I see facing students is the lack of dedication and discipline.  This career requires the learner to be mature, serious, and smart.  Unlike a degree in underwater basket weaving, the training to become a pilot is life-and-death.  When you reach the airlines, you are responsible for hundreds of lives every day you go to work. Throughout your training, you will be given a wealth of knowledge.  Between a degree and flight training, the amount of knowledge is comparable to a doctor graduating medical school.  Goofing off and not paying attention in class for one day could be the bit of information you needed ten years later to bring your crippled plane back to the ground safely. I always tell those graduating high school or in their early twenties, if you are looking for the tradition college experience, the party all night, stay up late, get blackout on the weekends- find a different career.  You see, the job of the flight school (general term) is not only to tra

Often times, those who dream of becoming professional pilots have done so since they were small.  As our lives take shape, you find yourself in senior year of high school or in your 30's, 40's, even 50's and wishing to chase your dreams.  The number one question I get asked is "I want to be an airline pilot, where do I start?" As I tell everyone, whether they are about to graduate high school, nearing discharge from the military, or hoping to change careers late in life- education.  Becoming a professional pilot is much more than a few lessons in a plane; it's a lot of knowledge and training.  Seventy-five percent of this profession is knowledge, twenty-five percent flying.  Where and how you conduct your education and training can lead you to a much different outcome than another pilot. Step 1- Find a School. (CFI- Certificated Flight Instructor) The FAA requires that all those wishing to gain a pilot certificate(s)/rating(s) to attend either a Part 61 flight

 Current Employment: B767-400 First Officer, Delta Air Lines Academic Instructor (Professor), California Aeronautical University Notable Previous Employment: Line Oriented Safety Audit Pilot, Envoy Air First Officer, Envoy Air Corporate Pilot, King Air, Reiter Affiliated Companies Check Airman, Air Resources Board Check Instructor, California Aeronautical University Executive, AED Institute of America HM1(FMF/MTS), US Navy (Ret.) Education: Master's of Aviation Science, California Aeronautical University (High Honors Dean's List) Bachelor's of Aeronautics, California Aeronautical University (Dean's List) Qualifications: Airline Transport Pilot Type Ratings: B757/767, EMB-145 Commercial ASEL Pilot CFI/II/MEI Master Trainer Specialist Basic/Senior/Master Instructor Curriculum Developer Certificate Volunteer: Navigator (Mentor), Navigation Solutions (DoD) President & Executive Director, Board of Directors, Kings SPCA (www.kingsspca.org) Pilot2Pilot & Pilot Assistan