Ask Captain Lim ~ All about Aviation - Could you give me some information on my piloting career?

Hello Captain Lim,

I recently sent you some questions but got no response. Could you please reply?

I hope you could give me some more information on my piloting career.

My name is Theomar Malcolm. I am from Jamaica and would love to be a pilot. I am 19 and I have decided to do my flying training at Broward Community College through Delta Connection Academy in Florida since I have family members there and they could help to make the fee less for me.

I am trying to start next year. By then, I will have the money to start college. I will be getting my degree and also my flight training in one and the cheapest course I could find. The Jamaican dollar has no value (JA $67=US $1). I will need a lot of money from back home.

Now I have some questions for you:-

1. Is next year too late to start the course? I will be 20 years old by then and it will be a two-year course.

2. Is this a good program or a good institution I could go to?

3. I am only 5 feet 5 inches tall. Is this height good enough for that job?

4. When I have completed my course will I be guaranteed to get a job as a commercial pilot?

I have always been searching your site and FAQ and it has been really helpful.

Thank you.

Theomar Malcolm.

Hi Theomar,

I have been receiving too many questions (and usually repeated ones) and do not have the time to entertain all.

Here are the answers:-

1. It is never too late to start a flying course if you are planning to pay your way through.

2. I am not familiar with the Broward Community College and the Delta Connection Academy in Florida. So I cannot advise you on this.

3. I have written about height and the pilot in a previous FAQ "Can I become an airline pilot when I am only 163 cm tall?"

4. There is no guarantee of a job as a commercial pilot immediately after your graduation. It all depends on which country you are going to eventually settle down in. The US market is quite saturated. You have to slowly work your way up if you are thinking about the airlines. Most self-sponsored pilots start off in general aviation to accumulate their initial experiences. In the end, I believe, you will find the job worth your investment if you are really passionate about flying.

The sky is the limit. I wish you all the best! :-)