PURSUING AVIATION AS

A CAREER

Presenter-Delta Airlines Captain J.C. Powell

TYPICAL PILOT CAREERS

• U.S. Military- Air Force, Navy, Marine Corp., Army, Coast Guard

• Commercial Passenger Airlines- Delta Airlines

• Commercial Cargo Companies- FedEx, UPS

• Regional Airlines- SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet

• Private Charter Companies- Delta Private Jets, NetJets

• Corporate Pilots- Monsanto, Ralston Purina

• Private Contractor Companies- pipeline inspection, transmission line inspection, fire fighting, land topography surveying, EMS Life Flight

• UAV photo missions (does not require pilot certificates)

TYPICAL PATHS TO BECOMING A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT

Four year degree- most candidates focus on STEM degrees or degrees requiring analytical thinking such as a Law Degree

• Low cost options- ROTC, Guard enlistment during College, Air Force Academy, Air Force Reserves

TYPICAL PATHS TO BECOMING A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT

Military Training- Requires Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT)

• Full Time Military Commitment- approx. 9 years after UPT

• Air Force Reserves or Air Guard- Flying part-time to full time for 2-3 years to acquire hours and skills then move on to airlines https://www.baseops.net/archive/archiveupt.html

TYPICAL PATHS TO BECOMING A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT

Civilian Training-

• 250 hours and certification• Private Pilot Certification requires 40 hours

• Followed by serving as a Flight instructor for 1 to 2 years

• Regional Career Pilot

• Commercial Airline- example Delta

BENEFITS OF WORKING AS A PILOT

• Constantly changing scenery from your “office window”

• Bid your trips based on seniority

• Mini vacation layovers

• Space available Pass Travel when off duty

• Jumpseat capability on all airlines

• Full family medical, dental, insurance, 401k, profit sharing

• Some companies offer pensions

• Average Pilot’s annual salary= 117,000 USD

TYPICAL WORK MONTH AT DELTA AIRLINES

Domestic Pilots average 14 days on duty total per month

• Trips range from 1 day trips to 5 day trips

• Average 12 overnights away from home

• 60-65 hours flight time acquired each month with trips ranging from 1 hour to 12 hours

TYPICAL WORK MONTH AT DELTA AIRLINES

International Pilots average 9-14 days on duty total per month

• Trips range in length from 3 days to 14

• Pros- Higher paid salaries, more days off, 1 leg flights

• Cons- “Back side of the clock” flying, out of the U.S.

DISQUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS*PART 1

• Angina pectoris• Bipolar disease• Cardiac valve replacement• Coronary heart disease that has been

treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant

• Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications

• Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause

• Epilepsy• Heart replacement• Myocardial infarction• Permanent cardiac pacemaker

DISQUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS*PART 1I

• Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts

• Psychosis• Substance abuse• Substance dependence• Transient loss of control of

nervous system function(s)

without satisfactory explanation of cause.

• For Class I Medicals- vision correctible to 20/20, proper color vision, and depth perception

• * May not be an all inclusive list. Subject to change by FAA and AeroMedical Examiner

CAUTIONARY NOTE FOR ALL PROFESSIONAL CAREERS

Most professional careers (i.e.. Doctor, lawyer, pilot, nurse, etc.) require “clean” records!

• No incidents/ accidents associated with drugs/ alcohol

• No record of criminal activity

Should you ever acquire a record during employment-you are subject to being terminated as a result of a loss of your license

HOW TO GET STARTED NOW

• Go experience the aircraft simulators in the James S. McDonald Planetarium

• Consider an aviation summer camp

• Go to Spirit of St. Louis Airport and experience an “Introduction Flight”

• Join groups such as Experimental Aviation Association “Young Eagles”, Civil Air Patrol, Commemorative Air Force and Boy Scout Explorer Aviation Post

• Tuskegee Airmen Association

• Start Networking

• Pursue science and math courses in school