block30

My advice is this; (almost) anyone, even with a slight interest, should fly for fun. To fly professionally, a person can't be motivated by money, glamor, chicks, "Top Gun," etc.

You have to love the challenge of flying. For most flying jobs you have to love the challenge of flying in bad weather to short runways, in congested airspace, and so on.

If you do pursue flying, I would recommend getting in a partnership or buying a cheap Cessna 150. Having cheap and easy access to an airplane is crucial. The kids I have met who have airplanes in the family seem to be light years ahead of everyone else, because they fly so much. We do well what we do often.

I congratulate you for standing up to the big dollar institutions! Spread the word! There are still tons of people trying to go that route. If flying paid more, that might make sense, but flying almost always does not.

These forums are filled with very helpful people. I have been helped directly and indirectly on the forums a ton! Pilots helping pilots. It's great! Keep my user name in mind, PM me now and in the future. I would be happy to help as much as I can.

Matrix350

Agree with everyone kid and have you thought about the military as a start and then transitioning or do you not want to fly a fast and agile fighter jet or a big C-120? Could be an option for you and the military colleges are 'free' if you can get in and handle them... Take time, don't rush it and you'll end up where you are suppose to be.

hopefulpilot

Thanks again to all of you for the replies..
I've really taken a lot from the responses
I feel like I just need get through my degree at this point and once I'm settled and established I'll get back into my flying dream...


As for the military, I have given it some thought. I just have no idea how to go about getting from point A to point B
I have looked on several of the branches sites but still don't get the answers I want

Do I get my degree then enlist?

How do I get to OCS?

How long till I get in a plane?

what are the chances??

USMCFLYR

All of those questions have been asked and answered many times over.
I know for a fact that the Marine Officer website will lead you in a detailed manner to each of the steps required.
One thing they will do though is make you work for it.
If you aren't interestsed enough to dig deep yourself and do the legwork, then they don't think that you want it bad enough.
Somehow - those of us in the long ago past without access to the internet at every computer, forums full of advice like this one and other military based forums, and with each service having dedicated websites were able to make it through the process - - - you can too!

USMCFLYR

tomgoodman

Have a look at this website. It appears to contain a lot of useful information and links. You might ask for confirmation of its accuracy from recent UPT graduates in the "Military" section of the forum.

Get an Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) Slot from Air Force OTS

Swedish Blender

Hopeful,

If you can spare a few hundred dollars, get a first class medical with an EKG just to make sure you can fly professionally. Additionally, you will need a degree to the job I think you're aiming for.

To some of the posters who responded to the OP about flying for fun, I think youre missing the difference. There is having fun while you're flying and flying for fun. The OP said he never thought about the latter. Who cares? I have fun when I fly but I don't fly for fun. I spend enough time in an airplane away from my family that I don't want to fly when I'm off.

Then again, I'm going around the world in 7 days in another 2 hours.

galaxy flyer

Gotta love the Marine 'tude! .

Just to give my hobby horse a few whacks, try the Guard or Reserves for a UPT slot. My old unit has better than a third of the pilots "home grown". With the current OPSTEMPO, guys 4 years out of UPT have 1,500 to 2,000 hours of heavy jet time and have, or soon will have, some jet PIC time.

GF

mswmsw

As another alternative, you could consider becoming an Army Helicopter Pilot via their WOFT Program. Of course, since flying helicopters is first and foremost WAY more fun than most F/W flying - though sans most of the "glamour" that goes with SJS flying - it might not be for you.

But I will second those that have said it is a good idea to finish your degree first, whatever you ultimately decide to do. One the most important things for anyone considering a pilot career is to have another skill or career to "fall back on" .... be it, butcher, baker, or candlestick-maker..... or Computer Engineer. Good Luck!

(You can always continue your flight training at a slower pace, take flying lessons as you have money available while going to school and working at your part-time job - you do have a part-time job while going to school, right?)