Getting Started in Aviation
Before you can secure airline aviation jobs internationally, you will probably want to secure some work experience in the United States. Having this domestic background will usually qualify you for most of the positions around the world, because the US has relatively high requirements for those in employed in aviation jobs. What’s more, even in those rare cases when these qualifications are insufficient, the missing credentials will be few in number and can be made up for quickly without risking your chances of obtaining a position.
If you are interested in getting a job as a pilot, you will first need to be certified by the FAA. The certification process starts with the completion of some formal education. Many schools in the US, including technical colleges, offer airline training programs approved by the FAA. Most of these programs include three to six weeks of coursework and flight simulator training. Twenty-five hours of actual flight time is also a minimum requirement for these FAA-approved programs.
Passing the training program is only part of the requirements for FAA certification. You also need to accumulate 250 hours of flight time. This can be done in a number of different ways, but you need that certification before you can get a job working for any airline.
In order to qualify for aviation maintenance management jobs worldwide, you need to complete your own FAA certification. In the United States, there are 170 programs that have been certified by the FAA to provide the necessary training. As part of this training, you will have to finish at least 1,900 hours of coursework, which means most of these programs last for two to four years. During that time, you will learn a great deal of important information about the structure of the airplane, the parts of the airplane, and basic maintenance details. You’ll also learn how to use the tools and other equipment required in the maintenance side of the airline industry.
This ongoing training is also going to require other courses as well. Backgrounds in science and math are essential. You should also consider classes in mechanical drawing and computer science, because these will help you in your desired occupation. Having strong communication skills is likewise important.
As with pilots, aviation mechanics will not automatically receive certification from the FAA after you complete the program. Once you secure a position, you will need to get at least 18 months of on-the-job training. Sixteen hours of additional training are also required every two years to ensure that the mechanic keeps up-to-date with his field.
Military aviation careers are also a good way to prepare for work with international airlines. Because the military provides training and hands-on flight experience, their pilots and mechanics are often well-qualified for FAA certification after they leave the armed services. Their experience can also sometimes give them an advantage when applying for civilian airline jobs and even international ones.
Securing an International Aviation Job
Looking for overseas jobs once you have secured FAA certification can be easier than getting the certification itself, but determining what’s available can still be a challenge. The main way of finding positions is visiting every website of every international airline you might want to work for. Now, you could start off by simply working on international flights with US airlines, but this may not be satisfying for long periods of time, though it would certainly be good experience for the types of jobs you are ultimately going to be searching for.
One example of possible options in this area is FedEx aviation careers. The well-known delivery company flies to every corner of the globe and has major hubs around the United States, which makes applying and getting in on the ground floor less difficult. However, the question of how you are going to find out when these valuable jobs become available remains.
The easiest solution for both of these issues is to turn to the Internet, but not to the individual airlines’ sites themselves. Instead, you should rely on job sites that focus on the airline industry. For most of these sites, you can actually submit specific requirements for the jobs you want. The site can then notify you if and when these jobs become available and that includes jobs for major domestic companies like FedEx and for international companies as well.
When you find out that these positions are available, you can then quickly make the move to apply. Another advantage of using these sites is that you can find out what qualifications are required for the jobs you want. This can be good for research. You want to make sure you know what you need before you get started and so that you can properly qualify for some of the best positions. Using these sites is going to be one of the best ways for you to secure your first and future aviation jobs.
