What do you need to do to become a pilot. Where are my wings? Is it worth studying to be an airplane pilot - the pros and cons of the profession

Even if you are a person who has long completed training in his specialty, but really wants to become a pilot, nothing is lost. The main thing is to decide: do you just want to learn how to fly an aircraft or become a full-fledged pilot of a passenger or cargo aircraft. Let's look at the stages of both options and choose the best path for developing a pilot.

How to Become a Pilot - Private Pilot Schools

Ideal for those people who do not want to work in their specialty, but only want to learn how to fly an airplane. Such programs are designed for people of all ages, they last from a month to a year, at your discretion. Of course, the cost of such a school will not be small, and the price of a practical flight course may fluctuate around twelve thousand rubles per hour of training.

After graduating from such a school, you will be a full-fledged amateur pilot, but you will not be able to get a commercial pilot, because you will not receive a flight certificate. However, if you set yourself such a goal and find a place where you can fly the required hours, then everything is possible. There may be people who will take you as their private pilot, then you will definitely be able to meet the established norm of hours.

How to become a pilot - flight academies

With academies, everything is much more complicated, people who want to become qualified, commercial pilots and fly cargo and passenger liners go there.

Before entering, you will have to pass many exams, not only physics and other school subjects. The course of exams also includes a very tough physical education test. The exam includes several standards, such as running, jumping, endurance. This is followed by a medical check. You will also have to take care of your health during training, as medical commissions are a frequent test for a pilot. Even before getting a job, each time you will go through doctors in a very wide range. After the surrender, another specialist awaits you - a psychologist. This is an important stage of the exam, as the pilot is responsible for the lives of many people, sometimes several hundred. The mental health of such a person should be on top. In a critical situation in the sky, the pilot must react quickly and coldly.

If you entered the flight academy, then five years of study await you. Upon completion of the training, you will receive a certificate, but no one will let you fly right away. The fact is that in order to obtain a pilot's passport, you need to fly a certain number of hours, and students, for the most part, have too few of them. At the first stages, try to get a job as a co-pilot in a small company that will allow you to fly in the missing time.

Work as a pilot

Get ready for the fact that for each type of piloting you will have to receive more and more new certificates, at the moment there are such types:

• certificate of a private pilot (until 2009 in regulatory documents - a certificate of an amateur pilot);
• commercial pilot certificate;
• multi-crew pilot certificate;
• line pilot certificate;
• glider pilot certificate;
• free balloon pilot certificate;
• ultralight pilot's license.

Each of them involves passing certain exams and requirements for your experience and qualifications.

In addition to the burden of responsibility and exams, it is worth remembering that pilots have a good salary and a large social package. A pilot can retire as soon as he has flown about 6,000 hours, and serve as a captain until the age of 60.

Millions of children's essays on the topic "What I want to become in the future" contain the words: "I want to be a pilot!". Indeed, military and civil aviation are attractive places for a future career. Everything is here: excellent working conditions, excellent salaries (especially in commercial companies), the opportunity to visit different countries ... What else is needed for a comfortable life?

However, becoming a pilot of military or civil aviation is not so easy. There are a number of difficulties that will have to be overcome on the way to your dream! Today we will talk about what you need for this, and we will analyze tips on how to get a job in an airline after completing your studies.

What kind of education is needed

In fact, you don't even need a higher education to become a civil aviation pilot. As a rule, a secondary specialty in the specialty "Technical operation of an aircraft" is quite enough. To date, you can get a profession in two types of educational institutions:

1. Specialized flight school.
2. Schools of private pilots (they provide an opportunity to get the specialization of an amateur pilot, but more on that later).

However, one should not deceive oneself about the lack of the need for higher education to become a civil aviation pilot. Educational institutions involved in the training of personnel for public and private airlines have extremely high requirements for the selection of candidates. Not everyone can pass them, especially when it comes to health.

Despite the age of applicants, the requirements for them will be presented as for already established pilots. We draw your attention, we are absolutely serious about this! You will be required to undergo an in-depth medical examination, where every little thing can close your “way to heaven”, after which you will be sent for physical fitness testing. If you want to become a civil aviation pilot, you will be required to pass the following standards:

• running for sprint and stayer distances;
• push-ups / pull-ups;
• long jump;
• press exercises.

A medical examination is not carried out in an ordinary clinic, but under the supervision of a special medical board. The requirements for candidates are extremely strict. In addition to, in fact, physical health, you will also be required to pass a psychological test. Almost more attention is paid here than to the physical condition. Even if two applicants have the same scores, the one who, according to experts, will pass the test better, will be able to pass. Moreover, if you want to become a civil aviation pilot, you will have to take care of your health throughout the entire period of study. Even if you are an excellent student, you may be expelled due to a deterioration in your condition or the detection of any diseases.

Flight categories and subsequent employment

While listing educational institutions that will allow you to fulfill your dream and become a pilot, we made a small reservation against private pilot schools. Why is it important? Because flying licenses, like automobile licenses, are also divided into several categories. There are three of them in the Russian Federation. In particular:

1. Amateur pilot. The first stage of flying skills, which includes the ability to work according to the rules of visual flight during the day. With advanced training, a similar option is allowed at night. Representatives of this category can only make private non-commercial flights, therefore, they cannot work for airlines.
2. commercial pilot. The second level of mastery, which includes the possibility of working in airlines. However, in this case, there are a number of restrictions on solo flight. Thus, commercial pilots cannot be appointed commanders of an aircraft on the territory of the Russian Federation, they are appointed only as co-pilots on ships with two or more crew members.
3. Line Pilot. The third and last stage of mastery in the Russian Federation. Holders of flying rights of this category get the opportunity to work as aircraft commanders, and a number of restrictions stipulated by domestic and international air transportation rules are also removed from them.

Flying is a dream of many, especially in childhood. However, for the majority, this desire passes without a trace, people begin to do things more mundane, everyday. However, for others, dreams become reality after reaching adulthood. Learning to be a civil aviation pilot is not at all difficult, you need to have an inquisitive mind, good health and a desire to fly. At the same time, most applicants for the position of a pilot get a job with very good pay - specialists in this profession are always in demand, and knowledge of a foreign language included in the basic program will allow you to get a job in any company that suits you. Let's talk - where you can learn to become a civil aviation pilot in Russia and what you need to know before starting training.

Aviation schools

In total, there are about 20 schools in Russia where you can learn and work as a civil aviation pilot in the future. They are supervised by the country's largest air carriers (which later select trained employees) and are usually located in large cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk, etc. The most famous of them are:

Conventional wisdom says that "romantics become pilots." However, few professions require such a serious attitude, as is customary in aviation.

First of all, to become a pilot, you need excellent health. Already upon admission to any aviation institution of higher education, it is mandatory to pass a medical examination (therapist, neurologist, surgeon, otolaryngologist and ophthalmologist). Despite the fact that the diagnosis of "not fit" at least one doctor really prohibits work in a particular specialty, they are allowed into aviation with many minor illnesses. You will have to undergo a regular medical examination and even after receiving a flight certificate (license).

How to become a pilot in Russia

So, if health allows, you can start training. Universities of this profile are civil aviation universities, flight schools, aviation colleges, aviation schools and military aviation schools, aerospace universities / institutes, and private centers where they also conduct special flight courses.

Training involves theoretical disciplines (which will introduce you to aerodynamics, aircraft design, knowledge of equipment and other necessary knowledge) and practical flights, during which treasured hours are accumulated.

The more serious the certificate (and in Russia there are several of them - a pilot certificate for an ultralight aircraft (AC), a glider pilot certificate, a free balloon pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a commercial pilot certificate, a multi-crew pilot certificate and a line pilot certificate), the greater the number of hours need to fly.

Another subtle point - flying as a navigator, flight engineer, observer pilot and in other positions cannot be considered as a "pilot", and if you want to change your qualifications, you will have to dial the hours again.

To fly "for yourself", it is enough to obtain a private pilot's license (allows you to drive your own or rented aircraft), and it takes only 40 hours of flight time to obtain it.

How to become a military pilot

To become a military pilot, you must enlist in the military under a contract. The first step towards service in the Russian Air Force will be training at a military educational institution (citizens of the Russian Federation with a secondary (complete) general or secondary vocational education are accepted). The cadets of such a university are considered to be in active military service and are provided with all kinds of allowances - and in addition, they learn all the charms of barracks life.

The time of study at the university is counted in the total period of service in the personnel of the Armed Forces. Upon successful completion of training, graduates are awarded military ranks. Then, on a voluntary basis, a graduate officer enters the service of a contract soldier.

In some universities (as, for example, in Irkutsk VAII), a contract with a cadet is concluded during training, and for several years after graduation.

First, an application is submitted to the military commissariat or to a military unit, and documents.

Persons who have served a sentence of imprisonment and who do not meet the requirements for entering military service under a contract, in terms of the level of education, professional and physical training for their position, cannot work in military aviation.

A candidate who is recognized as fit receives a referral to a military unit at the military commissariat for the conclusion of a contract. The candidacy of a citizen who has arrived to conclude a contract in a military unit is considered by the commander of the military unit.

How to become a civilian pilot

To work in civil aviation - airlines - you need 150 hours or more (depending on the requirements of the employer) - which means that if after 5 years of training there are still not enough hours on the budget, you will have to get more at your own expense.

Also, it must be taken into account that the flight time received while serving in the armed forces of the Russian Federation is not taken into account for civil aviation pilots. Any evidence of military aviation in civil aviation is not recognized. Thus, if you want to change your specialty to an adjacent one, you will need to complete retraining courses at a state institution or a private center.

Civil aviation pilots are specialists who have devoted themselves entirely to life in the skies. These are fearless people who have challenged fate and gone through many trials. Therefore, everyone who dreams of such a profession should be aware that his life path will become just as difficult and thorny.

And if such a fate does not scare, then let's talk about civil aviation in Russia. Where should you go to study? How long will it take, and how then to look for a job?

The start of a long journey

First of all, you should be aware of the fact that it will take quite a long time to study as a civil aviation pilot. Indeed, unlike a car, flying an aircraft requires extensive knowledge: from its structure to the features of flying in bad weather.

Therefore, it is worth preparing for the fact that you will have to study "tons" of educational material. At the same time, it is not just to memorize all the information, but to be able to correctly use it during flights. Especially if in the future you have plans to get a job in a commercial structure.

Flight licenses

Today, all civil aviation pilots are divided into three broad categories. This happens because of the strict licensing system that absolutely all pilots must pass. It is she who subsequently determines what kind of winged machines a person can control.

1. PPL or private pilot. Possession of this document grants the right to fly small aircraft not intended for cargo transportation. Simply put, a person can fly as much as he likes for his pleasure, but at the same time no one will take him to work.
2. CPL or commercial pilot. This type of license allows a person to deliver small loads, make tourist overflights and lift paratroopers into the sky.
3. ATPL or line pilot. What can I say, this is the highest category of pilots, allowing you to fly multi-ton passenger airliners.

civil aviation

As soon as a person decides to embark on this path, he immediately faces a choice: apply to a flight school or limit himself to an aviation school? Oddly enough, both options have their pros and cons, so let's look at them separately.

Let's start with flight schools. here it is higher, since much more time is allocated for pilot training. In addition, students are taught not only piloting, but also other disciplines - physics, advanced mathematics and law. This allows you to educate comprehensively developed pilots who are able to perform their duties with high quality.

As for the minuses, flight schools and academies conduct recruitment based on the state order. This leads to the fact that from 10 to 12 applicants apply for one place. In addition, many accomplished civil aviation pilots say that the technical base of our educational institutions is noticeably outdated. Because of this, their graduates have to take additional courses in order to understand the peculiarities of piloting new aircraft.

But everyone can enter the flight school. Here, more important is whether a person has money for education. The quality of education here is slightly lower, although it largely depends on the school itself and what kind of teachers work there. At the same time, it is worth noting that it is much easier to get a PPL category certificate at an aviation school, since here you can take extracurricular classes.

Moving from one category to another

Both male and female civil aviation pilots in Russia pass the same standards to obtain a license. They are different for each document type, so let's look at them:

1. A PPL type certificate can be obtained by candidates who have reached the age of 16. To do this, they need to learn 155 hours of theoretical material, as well as fly 47 hours on a Cessna 172 aircraft. On average, training in this category takes from several months to one year, depending on the intensity of classes and the type of educational institution.
2. Candidates over the age of 18 can receive a CPL type certificate. To do this, they need to have a PPL type license or complete this training course from scratch. In addition, they will have to study more than 600 hours of theory, as well as fly 152 hours in a single-engine aircraft. And at the end of the training, close another 30 hours of flights on a navigation simulator and 12 hours on a multi-engine airplane.
3. The ATPL type certificate is a more sophisticated version of the CPL license. That is, you will need to learn everything that is in the previous categories, only with a greater depth in practice. In addition, you will have to work out flight simulations on passenger and cargo airliners.

Passage of the medical commission

All civil aviation pilots undergo strict medical checks. At the same time, it is carried out both before the start of training and after its completion. Also, a medical commission will have to be passed annually after getting a job, otherwise the pilot will simply not be allowed to fly.

The difficulty lies in the fact that any defect or illness can become a reason for a negative conclusion. If we talk about commercial flights, then doctors can ban flights even because a person does not have a couple of teeth. This is due to the fact that such a defect distorts speech, and this, in turn, makes it difficult to communicate with the tower controller.

Finding a suitable job

In search of work, of course, all civil aviation pilots in Russia start from what kind of license they have. So, if you have a CPL, you should try to get a job with a small airline that provides travel services. As an option, you can consider the vacancies of instructors in flight schools, but then you will have to complete additional courses.

Much more prospects open up for those who own the ATPL license. In this case, it is likely that a large airline will offer you a job. But there is only one thing - most likely you will have to enroll in special courses that allow you to master the management of an airliner.

The trouble is that their cost is quite high. Consequently, it will be necessary to conclude a special agreement, according to which the pilot will deduct part of his salary in order to pay off the debt to the airline. In addition, initially a novice is allowed only to the position of a 2nd pilot, since the captain's position requires experience in flying large aircraft (over 1.5 thousand hours).

Responsibilities of a Civil Aviation Pilot

Airlines often disagree on the finer points of domestic politics. However, there is something that unites them all - the rigidity of the requirements in relation to their pilots. After all, not only the safety of the aircraft, but also the life of its passengers depends on it.

Therefore, all pilots are required to comply with the following five points:

1. Fly professionally.
2. Always follow the safety regulations.
3. Find out in advance the reports of meteorological services.
4. Check the condition of the vessel before the start of the flight.
5. Obediently use the commands and tips of the air traffic controller.

Women Civil Aviation Pilots in Russia

Most people are used to the fact that the pilot is a man. Therefore, for them, a female civil aviation pilot is something out of the ordinary. However, the reality is that both men and the fairer sex can fly the plane. That's just for some reason, even today they are approached by large airliners with caution. And yet in Russia there are examples of women managing such giants.

So, Olga Kirsanova has been piloting a passenger plane weighing more than a hundred tons for several years. She is sure that everyone can get a seat in the cockpit of a winged car - the main thing is to want it with all your heart. What is true, Olga herself had to sweat a lot to achieve her position, since the leadership of her airline could not decide on this appointment for a very long time.