Is Enrollment At A Flight Training School In Your Future?

Ready for something really different? Consider a career as a commercial pilot. Enroll in a flight training school and you could embark on a thrilling career. How? Show up at a flight training center in your region and take the first step.

Whether you’re just beginning the process of developing a professional career or are looking to reinvent your life, flight training school could be an interesting option. Pilots are in demand throughout the U.S. and the world, so by showing up at a flight training center you will not only kick start an exciting new phase of your life, you’ll be helping to alleviate a global pilot shortage and have a job waiting.

So what’s involved in aviation education? Commercial pilots have more stringent requirement than private pilots, so we’ll look specifically at education for commercial fixed wing pilots, those who go onto become commercial airline pilots.

Airlines require pilots to have a minimum of an associate’s degree, and often a bachelor’s degree, and to have attended a Part 141 flight school (schools with programs approved and monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration). Earning an aviation degree can take anywhere from a year and a half for an associate’s to four years for a bachelor’s. That education will include a minimum of 250 flight hours, or in flight training.

Pilots need a lot of training to be ready to take to the skies. Aviation courses typically include Commercial Aviation, Navigation, Aerodynamics, Meteorology, Safety, Law, Aircraft System and Components, Physiology and Crew Resource Management. These courses are in addition to their hands-on in-flight training.

Ready for a change? A career as a commercial pilot could certainly get things moving in a new direction for you.

For Northwesterners Seeking Thrills, Helicopter Pilot Training in Washington is Making Dream Jobs Come True

If you’ve ever dreamt about being a helicopter pilot, training at an FAA-approved flight school can make your dream come true. Conveniently, Washington has several great helicopter pilot training schools.

Helicopter Pilot: A Dream Job

The role of a helicopter pilot comes in many shapes and sizes. From the intensity of a search and rescue or firefighter helicopter pilot to the more leisurely pace of a sightseeing tour or aerial photography helicopter pilot, a career as a commercial pilot is becoming a reality for many, thanks to increasingly abundant training schools. The surge in helicopter flight training in Washington and other northwestern states is a two-part answer to growing demand. Part one is the demand for all types of commercial pilots, which is projected to increase by 10% in Washington State through 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ONetOnline.org. Part two is the fact that more people are actually chasing the dream of becoming a helicopter pilot.

Do You Have What It Takes?

To become a full-fledged helicopter pilot, certain prerequisites must be met in order to enroll in helicopter pilot training programs in Washington and elsewhere. The basics include being at least 16 years of age (although many helicopter pilot training schools have a minimum age requirement of 18);having a high school diploma or equivalent; obtaining an FAA Class I medical certificate; passing a background check; and being able to read, write, speak and understand English.

Beyond the basics, there are some skill sets that commercial pilots should simply have by nature. They include strong communication skills, observational skills, problem solving skills and a quick reaction time. Sound familiar? Then you may be closer to living the dream than you imagined.

Flight Schools That Soar

So what should you look for in a helicopter pilot training school? There are a few key factors. First, find out if the school is FAA Part 141 approved. Next, find out the average experience of the flight instructors. And lastly, be sure to ask what the pass/fail ratio is for any helicopter flight school you consider. These three factors will give you a good idea of the caliber of flight training you’ll receive.

The Realities of Helicopter Flight Schools

One thing that aspiring helicopter pilots might not know is that there’s more to helicopter flight training school than just learning to physically operate a helicopter. Many flight training programs include a number of related subjects including meteorology, safety, law, physiology and aerodynamics.

Another little-known fact is that while helicopter pilot training may be expensive, there are resources available to get on the flight path to your dream job. Financial aid packages and scholarships are available to those who qualify. Those with VA education benefits may be able to cover a portion of tuition costs, as well. Accredited aviation programs, like Charter College Aviation, can offer qualified student pilots Title IV Financial Aid in the forms of Federal Student Loans and Pell Grants. These resources, along with the surge in helicopter flight schools in Washington and other northwestern states are helping make careers as a commercial pilot a reality.