Highschool student
 

Hello, My name is Dawson and I am a senior in highschool. I am looking into a career in aviation and wanted to make a post asking where everybody got their aviation education from and the route they used, but I dont have acces to post on the forum. I was wondering if there was a place I could post that. I think it would be interesting to see all the different paths I could take to a career in aviation.

-Dawson

Hi Dawson,
I'm not familiar with the posting rules, so I can't comment on that, but there are many different routes to a career in aviation. You didn't write whether or not you want to be a pilot, but of you do, your best first step is to go and fly a small airplane. Most flight schools have what they often call a "discovery flight" where you can go and see what it's like for a minor investment. If you like it, your instructor will be able to explain more about what is involved in obtaining your private pilots license, and the advanced ratings that you would need to make it a career. Another important step is obtaining medical certification, which is part of the student pilot process. After a few lessons you should have a good idea if flying is for you, which is crucial if you want to have a successful career.

Dawson, If you don't know anyone around you in aviation presently, you may want to look up the Civil Air Patrol in your area. CAP is an auxiliary of the USAF, but requires no military commitment. It is a group of volunteers who meet tweekly, or every other week, who do search and rescue, communications, aviation education, and other activities. CAP has an active cadet program involving youth, and you'll be close to the age to join the senior-member program. CAP members use corporate aircraft (mostly Cessna 182's), and private airplanes for a variety of activities, and training; not everyone is a pilot, and you can get qualified as an "observer" on searches and exercises. That enables you to fly on missions as someone who looks out the window for a missing hiker or aircraft, for example, or other duties such as operating radios, and gives you an introduction to flying. It also puts you in a position of associating with pilots and others in aviation, and possibly opens a few doors. The cost is fairly minial. There's no military commitment. Something to consider.

I logged my first hour as a Civil Air Patrol cadet, four decades ago.

Other organizations are out there that offer excellent opportunities to associate with the aviation community. The Experimental Aircraft Association, for example.

Flying is expensive; more so than ever. The hardest part of learning to fly, by far, is paying for it. It takes commitment. Make sure it's really what you want, and if you find that it is, it's something to which you must fully commit. There's no half-in to an aviation career. It is worth it.

Anything short of a career, there are thousands of ways to participate, from magazine subscriptions to building model airplanes to building an actual airplane, and all are fun, rewarding, and for many great hobbies, passions and pursuits. Start small, dip in a toe, get a feel, and see how far you want to go.