The pilot profession is one of the popular professions, but difficult to obtain. People seeking to fly aircraft are subject to strict requirements and conditions for their fulfillment. But there are no impossible things, which means becoming a pilot is quite possible.
How to become an airplane pilot - what to take and where to study
What requirements are put forward to future pilots and where to undergo training?
Before you start mastering this profession, you need to know that only having a flight certificate gives you the opportunity to fly an airplane. There are three categories of “flying” rights – private pilot, commercial pilot and line pilot. The assignment of each subsequent category occurs gradually, so it is not possible to get a “line pilot” right away.
There are three main places where pilot training and the issuance of flight certificates (licenses to fly an airplane/helicopter) are provided. This is a flight school, academy civil aviation and commercial flying clubs.
To enroll in the first two educational institutions, you must pass a physical fitness exam, namely, prove yourself in running at distances of 100m and 1000m, and also pass the standards in pull-ups.
If the results satisfy the commission, then the person is “recommended for training.” It is important to understand that if a student’s health deteriorates throughout his entire period at school or academy, then there is a possibility that he will ultimately not become a pilot.
Flying clubs are more loyal to their potential students, but upon completion of the training course, the pilot receives only the first category of “flying license” - a private pilot (amateur pilot), which makes it possible to fly only for his own pleasure.
How to become a civil aviation pilot
After completing training at a flight school or civil aviation academy, the graduate receives the category of commercial pilot, which gives him the opportunity to fly commercial flights. But if the crew of the aircraft consists of more than two people, then such a pilot can only be the second.
Procedure for hiring a pilot:
- Completed education and possession of a flight certificate of the required category (for civil aviation this is the category of commercial or line pilot).
- Passing a medical commission.
- Successful passing theoretical and practical exams.
- Flight time is a certain number of hours spent flying an aircraft in various conditions.
To obtain the last category - line pilot - and to be able to work for a large airline, you must have extensive flight experience in commercial flights both as a co-pilot and as a commander.
How to become an Aeroflot pilot
Aeroflot is a leading company with a worldwide reputation, providing its employees with favorable conditions, stable jobs and confidence in the future.
To have complete confidence in its pilots, the company opened its own flight school, where all qualified cadets will be able to undergo training.
The cost of completing this course is about $27 thousand.
An agreement is signed between the future pilot and the company, according to which Aeroflot issues a loan to the cadet for training. For his part, after graduating from flight school, he must work for the company for at least five years, while deducting $450 from his salary every month (this is 5-6% of the co-pilot’s income).
Additionally, the company offers accelerated flight training courses for graduates technical universities, the cost of which reaches $100 thousand, provided that the first payment in the amount of $55 thousand is provided by the cadet himself, and the remaining amount will be given to him in installments (subject to the conclusion of an employment contract for five years).
How to become a helicopter pilot
To be able to fly an aircraft such as a helicopter, you must also obtain a flight certificate in the “private pilot” or “commercial pilot” category. They are provided by special flight schools.
When completing additional courses, certain permits may be added to an existing license, giving the right to fly a helicopter in unusual situations(at night, in difficult weather conditions, etc.).
Many people dream of flying, especially in childhood. However, for the majority, this desire passes without a trace; people begin to engage in more mundane, everyday things. However, for others, dreams come true after reaching adulthood. Learning to become a civil aviation pilot is not at all difficult, you need to have an inquisitive mind, good health and the desire to fly. At the same time, most applicants for pilot positions get jobs with very good pay - specialists in this profession are always in demand, and knowledge foreign language included in basic program, will allow you to get a job in any company that suits you. Let's talk - where you can train 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 study and later work as a civil aviation pilot. They are supervised by the country's largest air carriers (which subsequently select employees who have undergone training) and are located, as a rule, in large cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk, etc. The most famous of them:The pilot's profession is one of the most romantic. Therefore, more and more young people are interested in how to become a pilot.
To get your dream profession and learn from scratch, you need to be physically ready, have excellent mental abilities and have a stable psyche.
How to become a civil aviation pilot in Russia
Becoming a civil aviation pilot cannot be achieved in one step. This procedure requires consistent training, theoretical and practical knowledge. To learn to fly, you need to undergo serious training.
First you will need training at a university or academy. There the student is provided with theoretical knowledge.
Future pilots will learn about the structure of the aircraft, the rules of its operation, and aviation medicine.
Upon completion of training, the student receives a commercial pilot certificate. This category allows you to fly commercially.
Thus, to become a civil aviation pilot, you need:
- Study at an academy or university.
- Successfully pass the theoretical and practical exams.
- Pass medical commission. You need to have perfect health.
- Fly a certain number of hours.
At first it will be possible to work only as a co-pilot. But with experience, the opportunities will increase.
How to become a military pilot
Obtaining the profession of a military pilot is approximately the same. First you need to take lessons in a special educational institution, then gain practical skills.
After passing practical training the student is given a referral to military unit, where he can sign a contract and start working.
Many people want to fly a fighter jet. But this will require serious training. This kind of work is not suitable for lazy people.
Characteristics of the profession - what it does, functions and responsibilities
The profession involves management various types aircraft.
Helicopters are also included in this concept. To become a helicopter pilot, you will also need a certificate.
The specialty combines several positions:
- commander;
- co-pilot;
- flight engineer;
- navigator.
Pilot Responsibilities:
- piloting;
- landing;
- control of devices.
Also, do not forget that the pilot of passenger aircraft is responsible for the lives of people.
Health requirements for civil aviation pilots
The health of pilots, even future ones, must be ideal. If you have a military ID, it must be with category “A”.
Please note: a future pilot may be expelled even during training if his health deteriorates.
Also one of important issues– how old should the pilot be? According to the law, you can fly from 18 to 65 years old.
Personal qualities and skills of future pilots
The most important skills that pilots must have relate to aircraft.
Specialists must know the structural features and technical specifications aircraft entrusted to them, and also be able to control them.
Knowledge of English is not required, but will be a plus. It opens additional features. WITH English the pilot will be able to work on international flights.
The personal qualities of the pilot are no less important:
- responsibility;
- stress resistance;
- instant response;
- punctuality;
- patience;
- ability to analyze;
- the makings of a leader;
- perseverance;
- determination;
- attentiveness.
You also need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to fill out a lot of documents.
Where are civil aviation pilots trained in Russia?
In total, there are 3 universities in Russia where future pilots study:
- University of Civil Aviation in St. Petersburg;
- Ulyanovsk Higher Aviation School of Civil Aviation;
- Aviation Institute in Moscow.
The remaining institutions that train pilots are branches.
How long does it take to train to become an airplane pilot?
The length of study depends on the educational institution. In universities it is 5 years.
In some schools you can study in 3 years. Training in courses and special schools for pilots takes about 3 months.
However, do not forget that the process does not end there. Of course, you can work as an amateur, but if you want to improve your category, you will still need to study and practice a lot.
How to become a pilot - subjects and exams
Russian language and mathematics are compulsory subjects to take after school. To become a pilot, you need to take physics as an additional subject.
Can a girl become a pilot?
Girls are also interested in flying. However, some educational institutions accept only males.
That's why The opportunity to study at a school or university depends on the specific educational institution.
If it is not possible to enroll, you can start taking courses. Although in most cases the possibility of a girl’s admission depends on her knowledge and personal qualities.
Where can an airplane pilot work?
Employment depends on the category the pilot has.
To get a job in large companies, you need to obtain the “line pilot” category. The main rule is that the more experience, the greater the opportunity to get into a prestigious company, for example, Aeroflot.
What is the salary of a pilot in Russia
The average salary of a pilot in Russia is about 100,000 rubles per month. This figure can reach up to 200,000 rubles.
For military pilots, the salary depends on the complexity of the flights, while for civilians it depends on the prestige of the airline.
Career growth and development prospects
In the profession there is good opportunities For career growth. However, do not forget about competition. How better place, the higher it is.
There can be up to 10 applicants for one position in a prestigious company. But if the pilot has a real desire and desire to develop, he will receive a well-deserved position.
You need to be active already during training, because some airlines cooperate with academies.
Outstanding students may have the opportunity to study in special training centers at the expense of the airline.
Is it worth studying to be an airplane pilot - the pros and cons of the profession
Pros of the profession:
- demand;
- high salary;
- the opportunity to travel and get paid for it;
- early retirement.
Disadvantages of the profession:
- frequent absence from home;
- constant medical examinations and no guarantee that the next one will be passed;
- strong emotional stress.
It is worth studying to become a pilot for those who are really ready for difficult training and constant improvement of their skills. This is not a profession in which you can work half-heartedly. The profession of a pilot requires constant testing and inspection.
Inspired by the heroic biography of the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, you can forever become infected with the dream of becoming a pilot. Making a dream come true is a feasible idea.
Average wages: 194,000 rubles per month
Demand
Payability
Competition
Entry barrier
Prospects
Perhaps many people in childhood dreamed of becoming a pilot - they wanted to fly a passenger, commercial and cargo, military, or even a small private two-seater aircraft. But the reality, of course, is not as cloudless as it seems to us in childhood.
Story
People have wanted to fly like birds for a very long time. In ancient Greece, many myths were created about human flight. Until now, many are sure that especially enlightened Indian yogis and Tibetan monks capable of levitating, i.e. take off into the air without any aircraft. And, of course, in fairy tales and legends of many nations there are flying characters: the Russian Baba Yaga, European witches on brooms, oriental peris. The greatest Italian scientist Leonardo da Vinci was developing a project to create artificial wings with which any person could fly.
Later, he abandoned this idea and began to develop the design of an aircraft, which, according to the description, is very reminiscent of the first airplanes. The founders of the profession of “pilot” can be considered the Montgolfier brothers, who made the first successful flight on hot air balloon. But the first pilots in the modern sense of the word should be called the Wright brothers, who, after decades of testing and calculations, in 1903 made their debut airplane flight in the history of mankind.
Description and characteristics of the profession
A pilot, with the exception of racing drivers, who are also called that way, is a person who controls an aircraft for any purpose. This profession is more than responsible: situations often arise in which the pilot has no right to make a mistake, because too much depends on his actions - the integrity of the cargo, the aircraft itself, the lives of passengers and crew members. It is also considered one of the most technically complex, since the pilot must monitor the readings of a huge number of instruments and, based on them, make decisions. At the same time, he needs to coordinate his actions with the co-pilot, the airport dispatcher and the pilots of other aircraft located nearby.
The crew usually has two pilots - a commander and an assistant. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the co-pilot must be prepared to take full control of the aircraft.
The assistant, like the commander, must know everything about the structure of the aircraft, its behavior in any conditions and safety rules during its operation. Immediately before the flight, the pilot carefully studies the route of the upcoming flight, consults with specialists, checks the results of maintenance, and sets up the operation of radio communications.
As with any profession, there are pros and cons to being a pilot. Official employment, high salaries, good social security, early retirement - these are not all the advantages of the profession. It makes childhood travel dreams come true. You are guaranteed to see many countries. Pilots flying internationally usually have time to walk around the city, see the sights, and have a good rest. Rest is a separate plus: airlines scrupulously monitor the physical and moral condition of their pilots, because in order to receive right decisions, the pilot must feel impeccable.
The list of disadvantages is small, but they are significant:
- Firstly, pilots are extremely rarely at home. In this sense, they are like long-distance sailors.
- Secondly, constant emotional stress: to control such a huge and complex apparatus, to keep in mind a lot of numbers and data, realizing that you have passengers in the cabin, whose lives are in your hands - this requires a lot of mental effort. Therefore, pilots have to undergo comprehensive medical examinations, including communication with psychiatrists, more often than many other people.
Directions, specialties and educational institutions according to the profile of training
In the Russian Federation, you can become a professional pilot by receiving an education in flight school or one of the following universities:
- St. Petersburg state university civil aviation (UGAvSP). Duration of study is at least 5 years.
- Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation named after B.P. Bugaev (UI GA), also known as the Ulyanovsk Higher Aviation School of Civil Aviation. The duration of training is four years.
For admission, you will need Unified State Examination results in physics, specialized mathematics and the Russian language. In addition, applicants pass physical training standards.
Specialties that give the right to be a pilot:
- aircraft testing,
- operation of aircraft and air traffic management,
- aircraft control systems,
- use of aviation complexes and flight operation,
- air navigation.
However, becoming a pilot is not that easy. The main document that gives the right to fly an airplane is not a university diploma, but a flight certificate. Profile education is only the first stage of obtaining it. Next, you will need to pass theoretical and practical exams, pass a medical examination and fly at least 150 hours.
Professional Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of an aircraft commander are:
- Organization of crew preparation for flight;
- Ensuring flight safety;
- Flight in adverse weather conditions, in case of failures automatic system and in other non-standard situations;
- Fuel level control;
- Analysis of meteorological and ornithological conditions;
- Suppression of actions of passengers that threaten safety on board;
- Filling out documentation;
- Flight debriefing with crew members.
Duties of the co-pilot:
- Preparing for flight;
- Selection and study of flight documentation;
- Studying the flight plan and informing the crew about it;
- Checking flight and navigation equipment;
- Flight performance using automatic systems;
- Performing the duties of a navigator in the absence of one.
Who is it suitable for?
The profession of a pilot is not suitable for any person, but only for those with the following qualities:
- iron self-control, the ability to control oneself, not to panic in any situation;
- cold, clear mind, penchant for analytical thinking;
- high intelligence and good memory;
- impeccable health, one hundred percent vision and color vision;
- attentiveness, pedantry, rationalism.
Visual acuity, depth of eye, ability to long time perform monotonous actions, emotional stability, accuracy.
This work is contraindicated in cases of visual impairment, vestibular system disorders, nervous, mental and cardiovascular diseases, diseases associated with loss of consciousness, and impaired coordination of movements.
It is also not allowed to have a criminal record for intentional crimes and administrative penalties for the use of narcotic substances.
Wages
Pilots in any country are paid very well. In the USA, at Delta Air Lines - $212 per hour with a mandatory flight time of 65 hours. In the Russian Federation it is an order of magnitude less, but by our standards it is also excellent. Aeroflot pilots, net, excluding bonuses and bonuses, earn 290,000 rubles per month with a mandatory flight time of 85 hours. With excess flight hours, the pilot's salary increases significantly. Thus, for 90 hours, Aeroflot pilots are already awarded 340,000 rubles.
How to build a career
As for a career, the fate of a pilot is guaranteed to almost any graduate of the relevant university. True, it is unlikely that a young pilot will be hired immediately into a serious company, since his flight hours will be minimal. You can gain experience in small companies, on commercial routes and in light aviation. No more than two years will pass, and it will be possible to apply for the position of aircraft commander. In the future, quite a lot of opportunities for promotion will open up. career ladder: from the position of chief pilot to the head of an airline structural unit.
Prospects for the profession
In our country, transport as a sector of the economy for a long time was in a dilapidated state. Its restoration requires more and more new personnel, so the pilot profession has good prospects.
If you still have the slightest doubt that the profession of “Pilot” is your calling, do not rush. After all, you can spend your whole life regretting the years you lost studying and working in a specialty that simply doesn’t suit you. To find a profession in which you can maximize your talents, go through online career aptitude test or order consultation "Career vector" .
Sky. Its endless blue beckons and calls us. Poets write poems about it, artists paint pictures, romantics admire its mysterious beauty and endless depth for a long time, make wishes when they see white stripe from the plane. But there is a category of people who are especially in love with the sky, for whom it is their dream, life and work - these are pilots.
Which school to choose - military or civilian?
Almost every boy in childhood dreams of becoming a pilot, but as they grow older, their views change, new preferences appear, and by the time they graduate from school, many children already know exactly what kind of education and future profession they will choose. There remain a considerable part of those who did not change their childhood dream, planning to devote their future to aviation, and after school they entered a flight school. Each of them faces natural questions:
- Which aviation should you connect your life with – military or civil?
- Which area has more prospects for development and career growth?
- Which educational institution to choose for studying?
- How to enter a flight school?
- What are the basic conditions for applicants?
The first is the choice between military and civil aviation. Each direction has its advantages and certain disadvantages.
For those who have dreamed of blue epaulets all their lives, understand perfectly what “iron discipline” is and are ready to connect their lives with the army, it is worth choosing to enroll in a military flight school. It is necessary to take into account that a military man is a person who obeys an order, so one must be prepared for constant changes of place of service and residence, as well as for the strict fulfillment of any task.
Another significant problem for future military pilots will be a big competition, because in Russia today there is only one educational institution of such specialization left - the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School named after Hero Soviet Union A.K. Serova. After graduating from college, graduates receive the rank of lieutenant and the qualification of a pilot according to the specification, as well as the civilian specialty of an aircraft operation engineer.
Where to become a pilot?
It is much easier to enroll in a flight school to acquire civil aviation; this can be done in one of the five operating in Russian Federation schools:
They all provide free training, high educational level and becoming a pilot. Some schools provide the opportunity to obtain the coveted profession of “Aircraft Flight Operation” on a commercial basis. When choosing a school, the main determining factor is territorial affiliation - applicants traditionally choose what is closer to home.
What is required for admission?
After deciding on the choice of educational institution, questions arise: how to prepare for admission, what selection criteria exist, and what documents are needed for this?
The main requirement for future pilots is health. They must be in excellent physical shape, have one hundred percent vision, strong nervous system and stress resistance. Moreover, if a cadet’s health suddenly deteriorates during his studies, he may be expelled.
Upon admission you must:
- provide medical certificates required by law;
- undergo a special medical examination at the educational institution itself;
- undergo an interview with psychologists to determine professional suitability;
- pass physical fitness standards.
A flight school applicant must pass the following Unified State Exams:
- Russian language,
- mathematics,
- physics.
You must provide:
For military pilots, more stringent requirements are put forward than for civilians. They are provided for by special order No. 455 of the Russian Ministry of Defense, here is a short list of them:
- 100% vision and correct color perception;
- blood pressure within 105-130 at 60-80 mm Hg. Art.;
- body weight with an index of at least 19;
- height within 160-186 cm;
- leg length from 80 cm;
- arm length from 76 cm;
- in a sitting position, height should be between 80-97 cm.
As you can see, the requirements are quite strict not only for health, but also for physical parameters, which significantly complicates admission to a military flight school.
What prospects await a flight school graduate?
After entering the flight school and successfully completing it, cadets receive the cherished profession - “Aircraft Flight Operation” or another, no less in demand specialty “Flight Operations Engineer”. Both professions are prestigious and highly paid. The flight crew enjoys a number of advantages:
- provided with a full social package;
- preferential (extended) leave;
- possibility of early retirement;
- big discounts for families on air services.
Graduates of Russian flight schools enjoy the well-deserved respect of foreign airlines and they have every chance of getting a job abroad.
