How much will it be...

[jrpilot]

Hello, I have been looking into flight schools to become a commercial pilot.  I have been trying to get estimates for me to go to these schools.  But I and many others have to take in the cost.  The first school based in NYC (New York City) is $100,000 (U.S.) and that does NOT include my flight time...a little strange to me being of such a high price and with many schools, sad to say, wanting your money rather than wanting to give you an education.  I live on the East Coast of the United States anyone know of great flying schools that can help me recieve a commercial pilot degree.  Also I don't want to be  on the West Coast nor stuck somewere in the MidWest


Thanks

[Rocket_Bird]

I dont live in america, but http://www.beapilot.com/ usually lists some pretty good schools.

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Are you looking for a college degree to go with that, or simply the ratings?  As for ratings, I suppose it would be quite a bit less than the $100,000.  BUT, if that's for a University also.... that's still pretty high, but close.  (Mine, including flying expenses should come to around $75,000)  For only the ratings, I'd say you're going to be closer to around $20,000 to $30,000 up to commercial.  That too may be on the high end, but a lot more realistic than the cost you mentioned.  And also, when it comes down to it... an airline really doesn't care how you got the ratings, as long as you got them.   Whether they're all done through Part 61, Part 141, Pan Am academy, or college university.  (but note, they would like to see that you at least went through a Part 141 program to see that you can handle a much more demanding training syllabus)  And hours/ratings aren't everything... they also like their employees to have personalities.

So, take that into consideration.  

[jrpilot]

Thanks..I am going for my ratings though in addition to getting a minor (many people and pilots have told me how bad, and unstabble aviation and other occupations are since 9/11)  at the same school and when 100,000 came up just for the ratings I was pretty surprised....especially if I don't make it to be a commercial pilot

[Saratoga]

100,000 for just the ratings is ridiculously high. You can go from 0 time to ATP for 35,000 these days.

[jrpilot]

I can't find a school that isn't charging over $75,000 in the US

[Boss_BlueAngels]

What are you looking for that's so expensive?  As I asked before, are you looking for a degree in aviation?  Because if you're looking at the costs of tuition and all that PLUS the cost of training... you're right, you won't find anything under $75k.  

But as mentioned, the ratings them selves are at the very most HALF of that.  

[Saratoga]

Ya a degree would run you way up there, but...well let's put it this way. Exactly what ratings and education are you lookin' for?

[jrpilot]

Well, I don't no the names but I want to become a pilot in the U.S....fly RJ's (Regional Jets, CRJ's, ERJ's, and posibly props)..whatever I need to get there is what I am looking for

I know that is broad...

[Citationpilot]

I can't find a school that isn't charging over $75,000 in the US

If you're talking colleges $75,000 isn't bad at all, even if it's not including your ratings, that's still only 18k a year. Now if you're only talking ratings you'd be a fool to pay that much.

www.allatps.com

The above is one of the best flight schools in the country and is the only fast track school I'd recommend. It's about $35,000 for every rating and license other than the PPL and ATP (you do do the ATP written though). You're supposed to have the PPL when you sign up. I have a few friends who have done the 3 and 10 month courses and they loved it.

[Saratoga]

Well jrpilot, I speak from experience. You gotta step into props first as a copilot making next to nothing. Getting your ratings, you'll need to go to some sort of flight school/college to earn them all, get your ATP then step up to being a copilot in perhaps the Embraer Brasilia or the ATR-42. Both very capable and beautiful airplanes. The alternate would be attemping to find a job flying business jets to get jet experience. Either one can nail you a job/promotion to flying CRJs, EMB-135/145s, and eventually a captain's position.

[Citationpilot]

Actually Saratoga, nearly all regionals are hiring into RJ's now. I've had quite a few 500-1,000 hour friends get hired into the right seat of an RJ. I believe American Eagle even offers you the choice of flying ATR's or RJ's after they hire you, although I may have misheard that.

[beefhole]

Hey, I'll say the same thing that I always do-apparently, the Airforce pays you to fly.  Isn't that some crazy ****?

Jk Yeah, 75-100k is waaaay too high.  You sure you're looking in the right places?

[Saratoga]

Citation, you're right on. AE will let you pick, if you have the credentials to fly the RJ. Now this obviously creates a huge flow of pilots looking for RJ positions, then they stop hiring those and switch to the ATRs for a while. It varies, supply and demand as always. Though my explanation is a little outdated (been a while since I flew turbos/CRJs), nowadays, the regionals are all trading in the turboprops. They can do the same flight quicker and easier with a jet. And some people just WON'T fly turboprops, period. Propeller planes scare them.

Ahh, the countless times I have heard passengers say, "What, we're flying on THAT little thing?"

[MarcoAviator]

Propeller planes scare them.

silly peoples.