Originally Posted by Mx241

You need to plan to have all of your ratings and 1500 hours in 7 years when you retire. You need an 84 month plan.
step1) written test $400+-
* Read the Airplane Flying Handbook and read it cover to cover twice. (FAA 8083? Google it)
* Read parts 61 and 91 Google part 61 private pilot requirements and go from there.
* Get a private pilot study course. gleim, sportys, ASA, King doesn’t matter (others chime in)
dedicate yourself to finishing your private pilot written exam in 1 month. 2 months max. Do this before you begin flight training and shoot for 90% or higher on all written exams. This is a good test to determine if being a pilot is something you really want to do.
step2) private pilot training 10-15k
* have time scheduled before you begin
* have access to 15k
* find a flight instructor that will meet 3-5 days a week at 6am. Primary training is easier just after sunrise and the airplanes are available and you avoid Oklahoma afternoon t-storms.
* fly 3-5 times a week until you complete your private.
Once you get your private start studying for your instrument and repeat the process. After the instrument you’ll need a strategy to build 250 hours for the commercial. During this time take your commercial and both CFI written exams. When you hit 200 hours get back with your instructor and spend 20 hours learning commercial maneuvers (10 dual 10 solo.) Do commercial maneuvers from the right seat for 10 hours. Finish your last 20 hours from the left seat and take the commercial checkride. You should be ready to take your CFI ride within a month at this point (writtens are done)
This can all be done in 24-36 months.
Plane $140x275hrs=$38,500
Instructor $50x80hrs= $4,000
Examiner fees ppl, inst, comm-1800 cfi-1200= $3,000 total
$45,500 total. I recommend planning 50-60k to be safe. You’ll have to get a ME rating at some point.
If you do all that in 36 months you’ll have 48 months to CFI as a second job and build your 1250 remaining hours about 27/month. This is a huge commitment that requires a complete lifestyle change. Share this with your wife and make sure the family is on board before you spend 50k. My Son started this at while working a professional/salary job but he was single. Completed his PPL in 6 weeks flying before work every day. He managed to time build with friends and got a 135 job flying Barons and 402’s so he avoided instructing and quit his real job. He’s flying for a regional now at 27. That’s not an option with your retirement plan but you get the idea. You have to be determined. You probably have a lot of PTO and personal days off too. It’s doable.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.