• He needs a college degree, bar none. He has to get that first. In something besides aviation.

Beyond that, I think we should advise kids like him to continue with their flight training for the time being, and take a cautious wait and see attitude about whether it will pan out. They can quit later if it seems not to. How else are they going to know if they are suited for aviation?

However, to plunge into flight school on the wings of a whopping loan- if they can even get one- is a terrible mistake. They should pay their way dollar for dollar. That gives them a clear idea how much cash is going into the cause as each rating is obtained, and brings cost into sharp relief.

But this kid is the right age to be asking this question and I hope he decides to pursue it. Pro aviation is a good career for a lucky few, and it always will be. The problem is for whom.