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This article explains the four main methods for becoming an airline pilot from having zero hours. I will give the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Please note I am basing this on people who wish to learn to fly in the UK. Prices are probably different in other places.

Method 1 Going to a flying school

You could simply go to a flying school and do the entire course in one hit. That will take you from having zero hours to a frozen ATPL within a year. The advantage with doing this is that you can get it all done quickly. Also airlines prefer pilots who learnt via this route as long as it is with a good flying school because they know they did an intensive course. But unfortunately this route involves a lot of money. It can cost from 60,000 to 80,000, which is a lot for many people.

If you do chose this route then be sure to join a recommended flying school that the airlines recruit from because you want to get a job when your done.

Method 2 Joining the RAF (or other air force) first

Airlines quite often recruit ex air force pilots because they have had years of experience. If you wish to experience flying fast jets in the air force before going into the airlines then this method is great for you. But you will have to commit yourself to a minimum service and many people wouldnt like that.

I looked into this route and found that RAF pilots dont earn much. The figures I received in my RAF introduction pack stated 30,000 to 37,000 per year.

But one of the great things is you can get a lot of training and many hours of flying for free (apart from the fact that you will be sent to war). I suggest only follow this route if you really want to be in the RAF. If you do chose this route then the option of becoming an airline pilot waits at the other end.

Method 3 Learning to fly in addition to studying a degree

This is the method that I am currently taking. There are several degree courses at British universities (this might happen elsewhere in the world) that include pilot training in addition. One such course is aerospace engineering with pilot training at Liverpool, UK. This is the course that I am doing.

The advantages are that it costs less than the traditional flying school route at about 40,000 for Liverpool. Remember the university costs are in addition to this. Also at the end of the course you will have a degree and a frozen ATPL. This means you have an excellent qualification that could be used in later life. But it takes much longer at about 4 years for the course that I am taking. Method 4 Sponsorship by an airline

I have left this method till last because there arent many sponsorship programs around at the moment. Also if there are any they will be very competitive to get on. With this route an airline will train you to fly and then you will have to work for them for a minimum period.

This sounds like a good option but remember that the demand for pilots isnt great at the moment so airlines dont need to create these sponsorship programs. Just to give you an idea Ryan Air is charging pilots 30,000 for the class rating to fly their own aircraft. That just shows that they arent having problems getting pilots.

Well those are the main routes to becoming an airline pilot. I know it was only a brief description of each but it gives you an idea. If you are serious about becoming an airline pilot then do plenty of research first. Good Luck and achieve your dream like I am currently doing!

Peter Weeks' blog, "A Pilot's Life", is a diary of his flying experiences and also features information for wannabie pilots and commentary on recent aviation news.