Hello everyone, a little background first.

I am 24 y/o holding a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from India and came to the states for my Airline Pilot Training. I am doing my training in Jersey due to some reasons from a local FBO. The weather is the biggest factor for my slow progress and so far have logged 45hrs in past 6 months. I hold a Green Card so the working in the States might not be a problem ( unless, otherwise...).

While my PPL is in progress, I tried looking for jobs related to my major, but with no luck. May be because of the less credibility of my Indian Degree.

So, apart from my flying lessons, I feel I am wasting time doing odd jobs and not advancing in my field of interests hence, I am planning to do masters in Civil or Computer Science (ya, might change field) in the meantime, and as fast as I could. Do some real job for few years and then go for Airlines.

Is the plan viable and sounds good? with the current hiring boom, I don't want to be left behind but also my training is going to take a while.

Any help is appreciated, on topic or off topic.

Thank you.

 

How close are you to your PPL check? If the space between your flights is keeping you at square 1, it may be time to consider relocating. If you're close, it's probably worthwhile to stick it out and finish in place.

Keep in mind that you will have to relocate multiple times in a flying career, particularly early on. If this is a deal breaker for you, pursuing the engineering path may be your best option.

 

Do you have the money to complete training? If so, find a quicker program and knock it out.

 

Yes, the gap is wide and I have not soloed yet, but have logged one cross country and few night landings. I had to change my CFI as I lack in few aspects of flying. The current CFI is good, for that matter. Also, I am planning to go to Florida after my PPL to expadiate my progress, good weather and lots of like minded people.

Can you kindly suggest few good schools in your opinion. ( Budget friendly, good course structure and CFIs)

Thank you for your time

 

Yes, but not in a lot of abundance, its a private loan. And I am under the reputation that these fast track programs at big pilot mills lacks in the overall development of us as pilot, as its all fast tracked and prep for check rides (which kind of make sense, though not all), hence I chose the local FBO route.

But, I think I might want to go to Florida (better weather) to get my rest of the license ASAP. Any suggestions?

Thank you.

 

I would keep looking for a job in civil engineering; getting a masters would put you behind the time curve for both engineering and flight school. You would probably start with a drafting job. It paid pretty good on the west coast and you could save up some money for flight school. Drafting paid for my civil engineering degree, the military paid for my flight school...although they are making me pay it back over a few years in time served, haha.

 

If you go to a ‘puppy mill’, and pass the FAA flight examinations, you’re called a “qualified pilot.”

At the local FBO, unless you haven’t friend who’s an experienced pilot overseeing your training, you’re in the exact same position - is my flight instruction the best I can get? You won’t truly know the answer until you have more experience.