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Flying Plane
Flying Plane

Your Pathway to the Skies

How to kickstart your career in professional aviation

Planes

My Mission

The purpose

This website aims to provide a detailed description of the pathway to becoming a career pilot starting at a young age, with detailed timelines and regularly updated blog posts documenting a young student's flight experience, it seeks to encourage other young aviation enthusiasts to begin their aviation journey.

Getting into Aviation at a Young Age

Starting a career in aviation at a young age is quite different from the traditional route and can be quite challenging. Nevertheless, there are numerous opportunities to gain experience in the professional aviation sector while completing your aviation licenses.

Airline junior programs

United aviate

Frontier cadet program

Delta propel pilot career path progra,

These programs are an excellent way to make your first move into the professional scene. They provide valuable insights into the industry, and some, such as United Aviate, even guarantee job placement upon completing your flight hours.

Interviewing pilots 

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Speaking with pilots can enhance your understanding of aviation and provide valuable insights the industry and ways to become more engaged. The best way to do this is to send emails, and try to establish connections. LinkedIn is a great tool for this as well.

Taking flight lessons

The most crucial step is to start taking flight lessons and begin accumulating your hours. This will enhance your understanding of aviation and kickstart your career Finding local flight schools is an easy task as well, as a simple google search will give you enough information.

The Basic Pilot Pathway

Every pilot has the freedom to chart their own course, yet most adhere to a common timeline:

Airplane Above the Clouds

The General Timeline

First steps

Enroll in flight school

Ground school

Private Pilots license

Solo flight

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Second steps

Instrument rating

Commercial pilots license

Airline transport license

Final steps

Collect 1500+ hours

Interview with airlines

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The Cost

Aviation careers offer great rewards, but they require a significant investment.

Plane

Private Pilots license

$20,000-25,000

Image by Artur Tumasjan

Certified Flight Instructor

$6,800

Airport

Instrument rating

$9,000

Airplane Engine

Certified instrument flight instuctor

$5,400

Airplane Wing

Commercial License

$8,500

Airplane and Red Carpet

Multi-engine instructor

$10,000

Plane on Runway

My Aviation Journey

Waiting for Flight

Flight articles

A website about my journey in aviation where I document my flights and give some advice to others.

Airport

Insights

Sharing invaluable advice on flight lessons, aviation terminology, the proper pathway , and much more

Airport

Timelines

A timeline following my journey in aviation ever since the beginning

Articles 

FAQS

Is aviation safe?

Yes. There are many precautions that pilots take before they let their aircraft become airborne, and any small problem be looked at throughly. While some accidents happen, they are very rare.

Is a college degree needed?

Not necessarily. While every major airline in the U.S. does not require one, having a college degree does make you more competitive for the hiring process.

What should I major in?

Anything! While having a college degree in aviation could make you more competitive for the job- many airlines don't take into consideration what degree you have- instead they only consider the fact that you have a degree.

FAQS

Is aviation a sustainable career?

Absolutely. Aviation offers a fulfilling career for many individuals. Numerous pilots dedicate entire professional lives to this field and enjoy every moment of it. Despite the growth of AI, pursuing a career in aviation remains a valuable investment.

Is there a chance to get financial aid?

Not necessarily. Many flight schools do not provide any scholarships to assist you in pursuing aviation. However, most universities offer substantial aid packages for flight students enrolled in their aviation programs.

Can I base my lessons around my own schedule?

Some flight schools, like Part 141 schools such as ATP, do not permit you to schedule your lessons at your own convenience. However, many other flight schools give you the flexibility to book as many or as few lessons as you desire.

Aviation Glossary

Understanding aviation involves familiarizing yourself with several key terms. Here are a few of the most essential ones:

Fuselage

  • Main body of the aircraft

Rudder

  • Controls yaw

Aileron

  • Controls roll

Elevator

  • Controls pitch

Flaps

  • Increases lift or drag for takeoff and landing

Spoilers

Describe the item and include any relevant details. Click to edit the text.

Pitot Heat

  • Prevents icing of the pitot tube (affects airspeed reading).

Cabin Pressurization

  • Maintains a breathable environment at altitude

  • Powers heavy components like retractable landing gear or flaps (in larger aircraft).

Hydarulic System

Fixed Gear

  • Landing gear that doesn’t retract.

Retractable gear

  • Gear that can be raised/lowered for aerodynamics.

Brakes

  • Usually on the main wheels; operated by toe pedals.

Helpful Links

Sky
Aircraft Cockpit Controls

Tools to elevate your aviation experience.

01

The official FAA website filled with extensive information on aviation.

03

A comprehensive list of aircraft approved by the FAA.

02

A program that allows young student pilots to make their initial entry into the aviation workforce.

04

Aviation-related articles

Discover My Story

My goal

I've had a passion for aviation ever since I was young, and now I've finally got the chance to explore it. However, aviation can be a challenging career to get into, especially when you are young. My goal is to map out the pathway to becoming a pilot so others can have an easier time doing what they love.

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