Hello! I've greatly enjoyed reading comments on this forum for some time and decided to seek some individualized feedback.

I am almost 28, I have a BS degree and 90.1 hours with a PPL (or a PPC) that I got almost 9 years ago. I have flown intermittently since then and had a BFR back in 2016. I have always been interested in being a commercial pilot; a string of jobs that I didn't care for and the recent change in first-year pay at the regionals has encouraged me to take flying seriously again and go all the way.

I am strongly considering ATP, as I feel like it is the best fit for my personal situation (don't need a degree, don't have access to a cool $50K, know I already like flying as I loved almost all of those 90 hrs of flying, etc.). An attractive part is the ability to finance the training. I know they get a bunch of flak on here, but I'm not seeing any other viable options. I expect to be overpaying by at least a bit, but I feel that wages not earned while being an airline pilot have a value, too (airline pilot being the ultimate objective).

Am I missing something? Are there other options that I don't see? If not, could anyone recommend a preferred ATP location?...I know they are all supposed to be "the same" but I'm sure certain locations are better than others. Anyone have any recent ATP experience, good or bad, that they can share with me?

Thank you in advance for the info and help.

 

US Aviation also has the same Wells Fargo loans available! We're in Denton, TX.

 

Where do you live?

 

Right now I live in Erie, PA but am planning on relocating to FL, GA, TX, etc. for training...somewhere where weather is not such a factor.

 

As you choose a school pick one that has these things:

1. Good weather a majority of the year
2. Dedicated, professional instructors
3. A fleet of airplanes, not just 1 or 2
4. Good maintenance. If your flight school has their own full sized hangar with an entire MX department that is a very good thing
5. Simulators (this will help keep cost down)
6. A good area to study and a community feel where everyone is friendly
7. Employment potential. If the flight school likes to hire their own students as future instructors/charter pilots that is a plus

Everyone will agree with me on those things. One other thing I’ll add that will be more controversial is that I’d try to train out of a controlled airport if given the choice. I think it makes you a better pilot if you get comfortable with ATC from day one

Any flight school that can check all those boxes is a winner.

 

With your age, degree, and previous flight training it’s all doable. It will take motivation and $$$ on your part.

There are(should be/used to) a few larger flight schools that will help with getting a CFI, then you owe them some time. May need a ‘Commercial’ at some point.

I wouldn’t be to afraid of a commitment of sorts, you need to build hours anyway.

 

Thanks so much for the advice. I'll definitely consider the CFI school option, although financing for the rest of it will be important.

I actually just got my FAA First Class Medical this morning, so I'm excited to get started but I think that I have a little more research to do. I am planning to take all of my written exams before beginning training to get them out of the way.

Thanks again for your input.