Originally Posted by MikeB525
-All the instructors I talk to tell me that once you finish private and IFR, it's mostly just time building to get commercial. They tell me that commercial, CFI, CFII, multi-engine, and MEI really aren't overly difficult in terms of manouvers. At least not as intense as primary training and IFR. This is where you can really save money, because you just need to log flight time (in a legal manner). Go up with other pilots and split the cost. Take turns under the hood so you can each log most of the total flight time and you get instrument practice at the same time. This doesn't mean you won't be gaining real experience. Every flight you make is a proficiency flight. Go up and practice your manouvers regularly. Stay sharp on ALL of your skills. Also, take the oppetunity to explore. Go fly someplace you've never been before. Take some friends up on their first flight in a small airplane, and see if they'd be willing to chip in for the rental cost; they almost always are.
-If you're going to be doing alot of flying, joining a flying club could save you some money. Also, it gives you an oppertunity to socialize and NETWORK with other pilots, which is critical.
Yeah, like Mike said. The big factory schools will have an approved list of destination airports, none of which are likely to be particularly challenging. Go to some places which interest you, maybe mountains or dirt strip fields. make sure you have the familiarization training and insurance coverage for where you want to go.
EVERY aviation job I've ever had was obtained by knowing someone who I had met in the aviation world. The two best jobs I've had would have been almost impossible to obtain without knowing someone. This is not to say that you need an uncle who's an airline chief pilot. You'll have plenty of opportunities to meet folks during your training and CFI phase.