Grom1234

Just a question I was wondering. With all the different backgrounds and knowledge on this forum, how would you do it? From zero to hero. Knowing what you know now. What road would you take to become the pilot you want to be? If you could do it over...

How would you start?
Part 61? Part 141? Something fast like ATP? Military? 2 year program? 4 year program? Loans/no loans? ???

How would you build hours?
CFI? Tow Banners? Part 135? Glider tow? Drop sky divers?

What next?
Corporate? Regional? 135? Freight? CBP?

And Then???
LCC? Major? Freight? 135? University? Sim Instruct?

If you could take any path to get to the end goal you want, how would you do it? Why do it that way? Why take that path to that particular career?

TiredSoul

1. Military - nothing like getting the best training in the world then 'retiring' at a Major.

2. University 4- year degree get all your ratings and flight instruct. Should have around 2000 hrs and ATP when you're done so now Regional with flow through and you'll be right seat at a Major at like 28 years old.

3. ATP - sign with a Regional during training. Struggle through a two year degree while you're flying for the Regionals then flow through.

4. Part 141 PPL and IR then 61 CPL, flight instruct then 135 and onwards.

sourdough44

A long journey starts with that 1st step. Yeah, we all know the Air Guard for a flying slot is hard to beat, still not for everyone(or slots available).

If we are talking about you, how do you sit now? Age?, hours?, schooling?, training?

With a younger prospective starting out, it can be as simple as a private pilot ground school at the local training facility, or an intro flight. The key is to take those first steps and keep at it.

Grom1234

No, not for me. How would you do it if you could do it over again?

Pokeysrider

Buy a small 4 cylinder Cessna or Piper trainer with engine life left in it for $15-20k. Hire a CFI, get your Private. Then fly the pants off of it, every chance you get. Get your Instrument ticket soon. As you get closer to 1500, get your commercial, then your multi. Fill all the requirements for night/instrument/multi times and you are in at a regional.
Cheapest route. IMO

dera

Not the cheapest. Cheapest is to buy the plane and fly, and get your commercial at 250 and find a skydiving gig or similar and get paid to build hours from 250 to 500, then 1200, and then 1500 (those are the magic numbers).

sourdough44

I think they shut down AOCS in Pensacola, so I'd have to do a different route.

galaxy flyer

Go Guard, it has made my career and many others.

GF

PRS Guitars

I think one guy has answered your question correctly, so I'll give it a shot.

First, here is what I DID do. I earned my ratings at age 20 at FlightSafety Academy. I then took a few years off from flying to go to school (business degree). My last year of college I got my CFI and instructed while in school. I started looking into joint the reserves or Guard after instructing for 2 years. After the attacks on 11 Sept 2001, I went to an active duty recruiter on Sept 12th with my complete reserve application package and said "sign me up" was Active Duty for 12 years. Jumped ship, hired on at a major and a reserve unit in 2014.

What I'd do different?

I have to go with I'd choose the same route, because I've been very happy with the route I took. However a few changes...I wish I'd gotten my CFI in College and joined the Air Force right after College at age 23 (instead of 28 which is how old I was when I joined). I'd have probably gotten an AD retirement as I waited for the hiring to pick up in 2013/14.

I do have to say that on the hiring front, my military timing was perfect. When I joined I predicted a ten year hiring freeze due to 911, turned out to be 12 due to the age 65 rule. This matched up perfectly with my commitment.

Subieguy14

I went to ATP got done in 7 months 0-hero. now im towing banners.... I then plan on going to a 135 or something to get my IFR skills and stuff back before the regionals.... of course i will be taking some online classes for college over the duration of the 1500 build