Go and purchase an intro flight. See if you actually like flying before you make this big commitment in time and money. That's really step number one, and it doesn't cost much.

I know a lot of people who say they want to fly professionally, and when they actually go up in a small plane they freak out. They get nauseous, vomit, get dizzy, or are simply just terrified when they finally do go up in a plane.

With all that being said, if you plan to stay upstate to flight train, understand that the weather is going to create a lot of delays/cancellations towards your flight lessons. You're going to be dealing with strong gusty winds, snow, ice, rain, etc that will create all kinds of delays in your flight training.

 

Understandable. As far as compromising training, available training options fall into four categories...

1. Military. Preferred by airlines when they can get it, no monetary cost to you. Guard/reserve is actually within the realm of possibility for a career changer, if you're young enough.

2. Aviation Universities. A few majors give some preference for grads, but since you already have a degree it would be a waste of time and money.

3. Safe, honest, and economical general aviation schools.

4. General aviation schools which are not safe and/or honest or economical.

You're probably looking at #3, and your challenge is to avoid #4 (it's a challenge without industry inside knowledge). Onsite visits are very helpful in that regard, and you'll want to talk to current and former students if at all possible (emphasis on career-track, vice recreational students).

As someone said go fly before you decide, I'd say try to get a PPL or at least solo.

 

I spent 5 years at Fort Drum (Wheeler-Sack AAF). Based on a guesstimate of the OP's location I imagine a commute to NYC could be impossible at times during the winter. A relocation to Syracuse or Albany would work, but as others have mentioned, he's a long way from having to worry about that.

Good luck to the OP!

 

Only 300" per year.... nbd....

 

Yeah, I don't miss that AT ALL.

PM sent.

 

Are you in Lowville? There’s next to nothing near Watertown as far as flight schools go. From the Tug Hill your best bet is to move south.

 

Any opinion on galaxy aviation in Rome?

 

Ignore that, seems they're closed.

 

Here's my suggestion. Take it for what its worth. Keep your current job, and go get your private. You gotta have some skin in the game, to see if it's truly worth going down this rabbit hole for you. Aviation can be complex at times. I got my private this year, while working full time, and having to deal with a 4 & 2 year old. It's doable.