Flight Training In High School
 

How realistic would it be to have my commercial license by the time I graduate high school? I am about 16 and 1/2 and I will be starting on my PPL soon. Then I plan on getting my PPL on my 17th birthday. Would it be realistic to recieve both my instrument rating and commercial license by the end of my senior year of high school? Following graduation I plan on getting a finance degree then working as a cfi in college to build hours. I will turn 18 in May of my senior year.

Thanks

How realistic it is is directly proportional to how much money you have.

How often can you fly as a senior in high school? I know my senior year I was out by noon most days so if you can afford to do it I bet you could do most of your instrument/commercial training your senior year. I am not sure if the FAA has rules regarding being 18 to take the instrument and commercial checkrides so that may slow you down a little- but you can probably find the info about that on their website.

Next some of the regionals have an age requirement of 21 or 23 so look those up too- otherwise you might be working as CFI longer than you anticipate.

It is certainly possible if you turn 18 during your senior year. You must be 18 for a commercial license, though I believe you can get your Instrument at 17yo since it is a rating added to your private certificate.

The real question here is how can you get the necessary training. That will depend on finances, where you live, etc.

If you have enough time, money, and motivation it could be done. Don't let it distract from things which will get you into the college you want, and possible scholarships.

Some of the legacies like good schools and good grades, nobody will care as much that you got ratings in HS... still a respectable accomplishment, but your college credentials will do more for your career.

daddysocks,

The very BEST thing YOU can do to get your ratings before you graduate High School is to successfully pass your written exams. Finish your Private, Instrument, Commercial , Fundamentals of Instruction, CFI-Airplane and CFII. Most of the delays (and they could have been avoided), I have had with students are the ones who do not get their written exams DONE...
cd9

Thank you all for your responses.

I did my private in high school, and completed my commercial right after graduation, and went to work spraying fields as an ag pilot.

How motivated are you?

I'm very motivated. Whenever I commit to something I stick with it. My goal is to be able to get a job with the regional airlines right after I graduate college.

The age requirement for the regionals should not be an issue since I will graduate college at 22. Thank you for your response.