What Is a Good Way to Get a Job as a Pilot?

How can you be assured of getting a job as a pilot for an airline?  There are some non-negotiable basics -- things you absolutely must do.  The most important of course is get the ratings you need.  You must study and pass your written and flight tests for your Private Pilot Certificate. In addition, you need at least an Instrument Rating, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, and a Multi-Engine Rating (to fly aircraft with more than one engine).  So now you have the minimum certifications and ratings.  You probably also have from 126 to 225 flight hours.  In addition to this, you will need more experience -- in the form of more flight hours. And of course, you will also need to pass an FAA physical exam to confirm good health.

The typical aspiring airline pilot in the US sometimes works as a flight instructor to build those hours. To do this, you will need some additional certifications: Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI). If you work as a flight instructor for an large academy such as Phoenix East Aviation, you will be able to build those hours through teaching others to fly and do so relatively quickly.  Another advantage is you will build hours without having to pay to rent an airplane yourself, which can be quite costly.

The typical progression for a pilot today is student, flight instructor, first officer for a regional airline (or charter or cargo airline), and then either captain for a regional airline -- or first officer for a major airline (or large cargo company).    

There is one additional certificate you will probably want: The Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). It is the highest pilot certificate you can obtain.  It is required to be the captain (though not the first officer) of any aircraft with more than one pilot in the cockpit, which is nearly all airlines. You need to have logged a minimum of 1,500 flight hours to qualify, as well as being at least 23 years old.

If you'd like to know the details of how you can obtain these licenses and certificates to become a professional airline, corporate, cargo or charter pilot, a Phoenix East Admissions Officer can help you. Call 1-800-868-4359 (US) or 1-386-258-0703 or check out www.pea.com. 

   

How Much Money do Pilots Make Compared to Other Professions?

So you want to be a pilot -- or a doctor -- or a lawyer, maybe? You think you want to be a pilot, but you're not sure, and compensation is one issue. 

Seven different occupations made the list of salaries over $100,000. Doctors in the US are first; however, that requires many, many years of study and intense dedication. Guess what profession is next?  It's airline pilots. They rank second at $128,406 a year, followed by lawyers at $118,786; marketing and advertising managers are next with $103,883. 

This information comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bizjournals.com. Those are annual salary statistics -- but what about hourly compensation, because, as you probably know, doctors work a lot of hours and pilots work much fewer hours.  Analysis of hourly compensation sees pilots soaring to the top of the list with an hourly salary of $118.58. then comes doctors at $66.58.

Almost anyone can become a pilot. It is mostly a question of motivation, determination and discipline (and of course good health).  Good luck in your quest to join a society of very privileged people -- professional pilots. For more information on how you can have a career as a pilot, talk to an Admissions Officer at Phoenix East Aviation, www.pea.com or call 1-800-868-4359 (US) or 1-386-258-0703 (worldwide).

Airlines Save Fuel by Using Water

Did you know that fuel is now the largest component of operating costs for airlines? If you read aviation news articles, you might have read about that.  So what are airlines doing to help save fuel?  For one, they are buying new aircraft, if they can afford it; the latest technology aircraft burn fuel more efficiently -- and that means less fuel is used.  Also, since 2001, hundreds of jetliners worldwide have been outfitted with upswept wingtips that increase range and make the aircraft more aerodynamically efficient. That can save up to 7% on fuel costs. Pilots also routinely taxi to and from the runway on one engine only, to save fuel and operate planes' auxiliary-power units as little as possible.

Here's the latest fuel efficiency tactic: Pratt & Whitney's engine-washing system, called EcoPower, has recently been shown to be a potential fuel saver. The system is mounted on trucks, so it can be used at the gate. Scouring caked-on grime from the inside of an engine can reduce fuel consumption by about 1.2%. No big deal, you say? Well, listen to the statistics: If every airline in the world washing its engines, the industry could save about $1 billion (yes, that's billion) a year in fuel costs and also cut carbon-dioxide emissions by 3.2 billion pounds.

Clean engines run cooler too, which allows airlines to avoid costly overhauls for up to 18 additional months. Southwest Airlines and United, which are two of Eco-Power's biggest customers, say they are indeed realizing savings already with EcoPower. Southwest said that in less than two months of use, they have saved about $1.6 million in fuel. United, which plans to wash the engines of its entire fleet at least twice a year (and its long-haul aircraft more often) anticipates saving about three million gallons of fuel annually.

Here's the engineering behind this: During thousands of operating hours, pollutants in the air builds up an oily crust on the jet engine's fan blades, which compress air before it enters the combustion chamber. Over time, the engine becomes less efficient and then starts to run at hotter temperatures, which increases wear and burns more fuel.    

Phoenix East Aviation Re-Accredited for FIVE Years

It's pretty obvious that you want the flight school you choose to be in good standing with the country's aviation governing body -- in the US, that's the FAA, of course. Choosing a school that has a consistent good record with the FAA is most important for safety considerations, and safety should always be foremost in your training. However, a good flying record -- and staying out of trouble with the FAA -- should not the only factor when you choose a flight school. Quality of training, financial security, truthful advertising are also important, as well as number and quality of aircraft. Accreditation will help you determine these things.

Please excuse, but Phoenix East wants to boast a little right now: PEA has just achieved the highest level of accreditation -- a five-year accreditation -- from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). This is the maximum accreditation period given by this national reviewing agency. ACCET promotes quality-oriented education and training; it has been officially recognized by the US Department of Education since 1978 as a reliable authority assessing the quality of education or training programs. ACCET is also certified as an ISO 9001 Quality Management System under the international standards established by the International Organization for Standardization.

To be certified for this five-year period, Phoenix East Aviation had to pass a rigorous review and evaluation. PEA's review was focused on educational quality, continuous program asssessment and improvement of educational practices, plus excellent marketing ethics. 

To help you you make a decision on which flight school is best for you, we suggest you consider the value of a school that is accredited. Most students relocate for pilot training, so you may be coming from another state or from halfway around the world.  Wouldn't you like to have a strong sense of security about the financial stability of the flight training academy and also an extra guarantee of the high quality of training? That's why accredition is important.

Phoenix East Aviation thinks accreditation is important is very proud to have achieved such a high standard of excellence, as confirmed by their achievement of a five-year re-accreditation.

What is "Accreditation" for a Flight School?

So you've decided to take the big step and go to flight school, because you want to be a commercial pilot and fly with an airline for a career.  Good decision: It's an excellent career, and this is the best of times to put on the uniform and start that career.

But now for the next big decision, how to choose a flight school.  There are many things to consider, but one in particular you may not know about -- and it may help you make the best decision for you.  That is the question of accreditation.  What is "accreditation" and why it could be an important factor for you?

Accreditation is a sort of "seal of quality assurance."  Here are some good questions you may not have considered -- but they are important: What do you know about the quality of that school's flight training? What do you know about a school's financial standing? Is it financially secure? You are, after all, going to give the school a considerable amount of money for your training. What about the flight academy's advertising? Is it truthful and accurate? Can you count on what they tell you or say in their advertising and brochures?

One of the ways to be assured of such things before you make the important decision on what school to attend is to look for a school that is accredited. (NOTE: This is different than FAA-approved). Accreditation promotes and assures quality in many areas. There are many accredited career schools and universities in the US, but not many flight schools are able to gain accreditation -- or are willing to stand up to the scrutiny required for that accreditation. Phoenix East Aviation (PEA) is one of the few. We meet the high stands of the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education (ACCET), as well as being approved by the Florida Department of Education. That means PEA offers programs of study that are educationally sound, up-to-date and of high qualilty. PEA also meets the standards of ACCET for admission and enrollment practices (including payments and refunds), financial stability, and truthful advertising.

If you want to learn more about how PEA does this, just give us a call at 1-386-258-0703 or check out www.pea.com.   

Global Airline Traffic and Fuel Prices

If you read the news, you know it's no secret that the increasing price of fuel is an important concern to airlines worldwide.  One test of how well airlines worldwide weather rising costs is expected to come after the peak tourist-travel season, which runs through August. Here's a short lesson in airline industry economics that may help you understand what's going on:

Did you realize that global airline industry fortunes currently tend to vary by country or region? For example, U.S. carriers, more than rivals from other countries, are feeling the pinch.  There are a couple of reasons for this: The U.S. economy is not as strong as it was the previous couple of years, and the U.S. dollar against many other world currencies has weakened somewhat. Airlines that buy fuel in euros, British pounds or Canadian dollars therefore face a lower rise in fuel prices, thanks to those currencies' relative strength against the U.S. dollar. Airlines in the U.S. also fly some of the world's oldest and least fuel-efficient jetliners. Most carriers in Europe, Asia nad the Middle East have bought new aircraft over the past decade, which significantly cuts their fuel and maintenance expenses. In Europe, airline executives relate that demand is good (according to Lufthansa and Air France-KLM senior management). Canada remains strong, thanks to its oil, lumber and precious commodities, according to the CEO of Air Canada.

East Asian countries are mixed. Cathay Pacific Airways sees steady demand; Korean Air has announced minor flight cutbacks. India, however, is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets -- because of deregulation and a very strong national economy. India airline executives predict this will continue for a long time.

In the Middle East, air taffic continues its extremely strong growth.  It has been averaging more than 15% a year growth, according to airline officials there, including Emirates Airlines.  Emirates plans to continue its fast expansion, adding many big new jetliners each year over the next decade.

So despite a few negative news articles, this remains an excellent time in general to learn to fly professionally and to be hired by airlines throughout the world.  For more information, contact Phoenix East Aviaton about a really great career as an airline pilot. Contact www.pea.com or call 1-386-258-0703 worldwide or 1-800-868-4359 from the U.S.   

Embraer Expects to Build Record Number of Jets

Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, has indicated it expects to deliver 200 jets in 2008, with the 170/190 model accounting for about 80% of the total deliveries.  This further indicates the health of the commercial aviation market -- as airlines worldwide buy and fly Embraer jets.

In 2007, the company delivered 123 170-190 aircraft, seven ERJ-145s and 35 Legacy aircraft. At the end of 2007, Embraer's backlog (aircraft ordered by not yet build and delivered) consisted of 430 170-190 and 46 ERJ-145s, as well as options for another 917 aircraft.

According to Embraer's President and CEO, depite a slowing world economy "customers are demanding more aircraft, not less."  And Phoenix East Aviation, one of the world's most respected training academies for airlines worldwidem feels this continuing stream of orders for new commercial aircraft is onhe more indication of the strong and continuing growth in commercial aviation --  which is sure to result in an even greater need for new pilots.

Some Interesting Regional Airline Statistics

OK, so you're now a pilot. You have your Private License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Certificate and Multi-Engine Rating. You've also worked briefly as a flight instructor, earning money while building "free" hours.  You now have 350 or 500 hours, maybe a little less even.  What your next step?

Chances are you'll find yourself on the hiring list of a regional airline. They are growing fast and are often the first important career step for a young pilot.  Why are regional airlines hiring so many pilots?  Look at these statistics, and you'll understand:

The regional carrier fleet in the US grew by 52 aircraft in 2007 as declines in turboprop and piston aircraft were offset by an increase in jet aircraft. (Keep in mind that each new aircraft requires hiring approximately 10-15 pilots). All jet aircraft growth in the next few years is expected to occur in the 70-90 seat segment.

Regional carriers accounted for 22.6% of domestic commercial enplanements in 2007, up from 12.4% in 2000. Since 2000, regional capacity has grown 142.4%, traffic is up 207.6% and enplanements are up 95.4%.

More Reasons for the Pilot Shortage in the US and Europe

In the US and Europe, an entire generation of airline pilots who were trained by their countries military in the 1970s are hitting retirement age, and these air forces are no longer turning out enough replacements to be a source of pilots for commercial aviation.  In addition, sophisticated fleets of corporate and fractional jets are expanding very rapidly and sucking up pilots who once might have been flying for commercial airlines.

Plus, the regional airlines, which genrally hire young and less-experienced pilots, have shifted from slow propeller planes to fast and more complicated new regional jets, which require additional training time. More training means it takes somewhat longer to prepare a newly hired pilot to be a first-officer.

IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani said "It's time to ring the warning bell on pilot availability....this is an issue that will face all of us." Some experts project a shortage of 42,000 pilots world-wide by 2020. Pilot union leaders say some US carriers are usingspecial programs allowing first-officers with as few as 50 hours of cockpit time in big planes -- far below the hundreds of hours usually required -- because of intense demand.   Check out www.pea for more information on a career as a pilot. Call us with your questions: 1-386-258-0703 (US toll free at 800-868-4359). 

What is a Fuel Surcharge?

The airline industry is having to cope with increasing fuel costs.  Flight training academies are also having to deal with the continual increases in aircraft fuel costs. 

Did you realize that aircraft fuel costs have risen more than 60% in the past year? Airlines are charging a fuel surcharge as part of their ticket prices. You might not realize it, but when the cost of your airline ticket goes up, it's likely that at least part of that cost increase -- if not all of it -- is the result of increasing aircraft fuel costs.

Just as the airlines do, flight training centers also often must charge an hourly fuel surcharge, just to keep up with rising fuel prices.  We'd all prefer this wasn't necessary -- the airlines don't like to raise prices, nor do flight training academies like to add fuel surcharges, but we're all forced to do so by the high, rising price of fuel.  If you drive a car, you know what's happened to the price of gasoline.  The same thing has happened to the price of aircraft fuel.