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 • Jumpseat capability on all from your “office window” airlines • Bid your trips based on • Full family medical, dental, seniority insurance, 401k, profit sharing • Mini vacation layovers • Some companies offer pensions • Space available Pass Travel • Average Pilot’s annual salary= when off duty 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 • Disturbance of consciousness without • Bipolar disease satisfactory explanation of cause • Cardiac valve replacement • Epilepsy • Coronary heart disease that has been • Heart replacement treated or, if untreated, that has been • Myocardial infarction symptomatic or clinically significant • Permanent cardiac pacemaker • Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications DISQUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS* PART 1I • Personality disorder that is severe without satisfactory explanation enough to have repeatedly of cause. manifested itself by overt acts • For Class I Medicals- vision • Psychosis correctible to 20/20, proper color • Substance abuse vision, and depth perception • Substance dependence • * May not be an all inclusive list. • Transient loss of control of Subject to change by FAA and nervous system function(s) 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.