Are you set on landing that coveted major airline job? Moving on to the big leagues will require more work. For starters, you will need to have an Airline Transport Pilot License. ATPL is the highest level of pilot license, higher than the Commercial Pilot License. An ATPL allows the license holder to fly professionally as a pilot in command of multi-crew aircraft with a commercial airline company. Along with passing examinations and obtaining Class 1 Medical Certificate, to qualify for this license requires at least 1,500 hours of flight time.
If you’ve gotten your previous licenses in a breeze, an ATPL will prove to be a bigger challenge. Even the most avid of pilots can have difficulty logging in that many hours of flying. So how do you build that much flight time? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Aerial Photography. Even if you aren’t skilled in photography, you can still land a job as an aerial photographer. Some aerial photography pilots take pictures themselves. Usually these pilots fly a specially modified aircraft suited for aerial photography. On the other hand, aerial photography pilots fly professional photographers who take shots through the window. What’s exciting is you get to slow down and actually enjoy the view from above as you fly low and slow over properties and other sceneries.
Fly Skydivers. If you’re looking for something a bit more exciting, try flying skydivers. This job can be quite demanding as pilots are required to multitask by not only flying the aircraft safely but also in keeping the jumpers safe. It’s great for those looking for adrenaline highs.
Aircraft ferry. Newly purchased aircraft need to be transported to its owners. According to BoldMethod, an online source of aviation and flight training content, aircraft ferry pilots are needed to bring an aircraft to its new home at a different airport. Sometimes, owners can’t make the flight themselves so they hire pilots to get the aircraft from Point A to Point B.
Flight instructing. Instructing is one of the most common ways to build flight time. Some may dread this job because it entails repetitive patterns of flying, but for others it can be a fulfilling job. According to About.com, an online publisher of engaging expertise in various subjects including aviation, there are many benefits to becoming a flight instructor. For one, you get to share with others the joy and magic of flying an aircraft. You get to lead students through a certificate or rating and share that achievement with them. Also, your continuous practice while teaching will keep your skills fresh. Lastly, during flight training, you tend to be more alert as instructor because you are in charge of both your student’s and your own safety during flight.
So, if you’re determined to join the industry, WCC’s commercial pilot training is designed to build up knowledge in theory, flight competence and experience as a preparatory to professional standards. This training program fulfills all qualifications needed by a student to become a full-fledged commercial pilot with a rating on a multi-engine aircraft with instrument rating and night flight capacity.
WCC also offers other flight training programs such as flight instructor course, recurrent flight course, and custom flight course.
Also read: QUICK GUIDE IN GETTING YOUR PILOT LICENSES IN THE PHILIPPINES