To be a pilot or not?
02-06-2020, 06:24 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 1
To be a pilot or not?
Hi Good day to all.
I really hope to get advice from you guys. Im new to the forums, i just recently found out about this website and seem to be helping a lot of people.
Im turning 23 and attended few college years, never finished one yet. After HS I went back to my country to help manage the family buisness in asia. Well now that im back in the states i really wanna my life finally. I've been thinking of going to be a pilot. I did one discovery flight and the moment I stepped into it i fell in love with it. Did all my research from how to get a PPL all the way to working in the airlines. It really is my dream to become a pilot and im ready to tackle whatever it takes. But its just too expensive, average cost from PPL to all certificates is 85K. How and where would I even get the money. Scholarships? Im no extra curricular student back in HS, and probably there very low chance of getting one, and couple thousand i could save if i would get one. Government loans? I dont believe that they will let me lend that big of money for flight training. Any options?
Now i know getting a bachelors degree is a huge advantage to getting to the airlines. I was looking at colleges near me, and found an aviation college. The college i looked into offers an associate degree in aircraft operation and a bachelors if you want to proceed. They also have degrees for ATC and aeronautical science. Based on the reviews and feedbacks its one of the best colleges for aviation. Its close to three big airports and all FAA part 141 school. The school offers a partner flight academy where student will take their flight and ground school that is separate from getting a degree. They also offer a decent price for the partner flight school. Like this, cost to get a PPL is around 12,700 it includes all the hours, flight instructor and checkride. I know the minimum is 40 if im not mistaken but i can get up to 70 hours additional of flight time and additional 15 hrs of ground school if its needed with no change of price. Meaning I pay for 40 hours and get 70 hours if needed with no additional cost. Same thing all the way until I get my CFI CFI-I, ME-I, with varies. I thought it was good deal that they give you free hours if needed to get those certificates with no additional cost.
If i was going to pursue a bachelors, It would average me to 150,000 dollars to finish a degree and finish flight school. They are also a R-ATP school.
First is. How do I get a money that big?
With all that being said. If get the money needed shoud I pursue it? Its worth it to be in debt later on, its my dream on becoming a pilot.
Or Just get an associate degree in aircraft operation, and pursue flight school later on?
Worst, give up and find another suitable job or career?
Im really confused and hoping anyone could help me.
I really hope to get advice from you guys. Im new to the forums, i just recently found out about this website and seem to be helping a lot of people.
Im turning 23 and attended few college years, never finished one yet. After HS I went back to my country to help manage the family buisness in asia. Well now that im back in the states i really wanna my life finally. I've been thinking of going to be a pilot. I did one discovery flight and the moment I stepped into it i fell in love with it. Did all my research from how to get a PPL all the way to working in the airlines. It really is my dream to become a pilot and im ready to tackle whatever it takes. But its just too expensive, average cost from PPL to all certificates is 85K. How and where would I even get the money. Scholarships? Im no extra curricular student back in HS, and probably there very low chance of getting one, and couple thousand i could save if i would get one. Government loans? I dont believe that they will let me lend that big of money for flight training. Any options?
Now i know getting a bachelors degree is a huge advantage to getting to the airlines. I was looking at colleges near me, and found an aviation college. The college i looked into offers an associate degree in aircraft operation and a bachelors if you want to proceed. They also have degrees for ATC and aeronautical science. Based on the reviews and feedbacks its one of the best colleges for aviation. Its close to three big airports and all FAA part 141 school. The school offers a partner flight academy where student will take their flight and ground school that is separate from getting a degree. They also offer a decent price for the partner flight school. Like this, cost to get a PPL is around 12,700 it includes all the hours, flight instructor and checkride. I know the minimum is 40 if im not mistaken but i can get up to 70 hours additional of flight time and additional 15 hrs of ground school if its needed with no change of price. Meaning I pay for 40 hours and get 70 hours if needed with no additional cost. Same thing all the way until I get my CFI CFI-I, ME-I, with varies. I thought it was good deal that they give you free hours if needed to get those certificates with no additional cost.
If i was going to pursue a bachelors, It would average me to 150,000 dollars to finish a degree and finish flight school. They are also a R-ATP school.
First is. How do I get a money that big?
With all that being said. If get the money needed shoud I pursue it? Its worth it to be in debt later on, its my dream on becoming a pilot.
Or Just get an associate degree in aircraft operation, and pursue flight school later on?
Worst, give up and find another suitable job or career?
Im really confused and hoping anyone could help me.
02-06-2020, 07:37 PM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Paper Airplane PIC
Posts: 30
If it truly is your dream, what anyone says on here doesn't matter. Do what makes you happy.
If you want to know how to pay for it. There are more options than I can list. Depending on the person they will agree or disagree with you. Do what makes you happy and decide if its worth it to you. If you're looking for a magic formula that gets you all the ratings and time required for little to no cost and minimal time you need to let us know.
Work your butt off for a few years and spend money on nothing-- save and then get your ratings
Take out loans and know that you won't have money to eat more than ramen and hotdogs for at least your CFI years
Join a military service, use the GI Bill.
Or anything in between. Each has a benefit, each involves sacrifice on your end. Again, if you truly want to do it and are willing to put the work in, it doesn't matter how you got there, but that you got it done.
If you want to know how to pay for it. There are more options than I can list. Depending on the person they will agree or disagree with you. Do what makes you happy and decide if its worth it to you. If you're looking for a magic formula that gets you all the ratings and time required for little to no cost and minimal time you need to let us know.
Work your butt off for a few years and spend money on nothing-- save and then get your ratings
Take out loans and know that you won't have money to eat more than ramen and hotdogs for at least your CFI years
Join a military service, use the GI Bill.
Or anything in between. Each has a benefit, each involves sacrifice on your end. Again, if you truly want to do it and are willing to put the work in, it doesn't matter how you got there, but that you got it done.
02-07-2020, 09:16 AM
#3
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2015
Posts: 516
Remember that you have to start very early in life if you want top pay and a good schedule before retirement. Start ten years late and you probably won't have a lucrative career. Since you can do college, look for an easier road and fly for fun.
02-10-2020, 12:11 PM
#4
New Hire
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 7
Originally Posted by kevbo
Remember that you have to start very early in life if you want top pay and a good schedule before retirement. Start ten years late and you probably won't have a lucrative career. Since you can do college, look for an easier road and fly for fun.
02-10-2020, 12:34 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Position: retired 767(dl)
Posts: 5,723
Originally Posted by arch19
Could you please elaborate on this, e.g. somebody who is starting with zero experience and just learning to fly at age 30 versus age 20?
02-10-2020, 12:45 PM
#6
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
Originally Posted by arch19
Could you please elaborate on this, e.g. somebody who is starting with zero experience and just learning to fly at age 30 versus age 20?
Originally Posted by badflaps
Aviation is a numbers game. Those with the lowest numbers win. 23 is the winning #. The later you start the less chance you have of moving up to the top. (Choice of equipment, bases, Vacation, etc.) Seniority is everything. The game is over at 65.
But hurry, seniority is moving along quickly with the retirements.
02-10-2020, 10:19 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Position: 767
Posts: 132
Flying is challenging, fun, thrilling, and can be one of the coolest pursuits you make in your life.
The **airline industry** is an unpredictable, unstable mess that has turned many once-proud pilots bitter and disillusioned, and in the worst cases, broke and unemployed.
Be very sure you want to turn your passion into your career before you make an emotional decision to do so. There is so much more to this job than just flying. You can easily make more money than an airline pilot, be home every night, and fly for fun in your spare time. Try to be realistic with your goals and what you want from life, and then make the most informed decision you can. Based on how you said you took one discovery flight and fell "in love" with aviation, it seems you are still very much looking with the rosey-colored glasses on and might have to learn everything the hard way like so many of us have
If you really want to do this and have your mind made up, there are programs (All ATPs) that can fast-track you to commercial pilot and instructor so you can start building time ASAP and get to the airlines quickly (which will give you more seniority).
The **airline industry** is an unpredictable, unstable mess that has turned many once-proud pilots bitter and disillusioned, and in the worst cases, broke and unemployed.
Be very sure you want to turn your passion into your career before you make an emotional decision to do so. There is so much more to this job than just flying. You can easily make more money than an airline pilot, be home every night, and fly for fun in your spare time. Try to be realistic with your goals and what you want from life, and then make the most informed decision you can. Based on how you said you took one discovery flight and fell "in love" with aviation, it seems you are still very much looking with the rosey-colored glasses on and might have to learn everything the hard way like so many of us have
If you really want to do this and have your mind made up, there are programs (All ATPs) that can fast-track you to commercial pilot and instructor so you can start building time ASAP and get to the airlines quickly (which will give you more seniority).
02-11-2020, 03:39 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,171
Originally Posted by PlaneS
Flying is challenging, fun, thrilling, and can be one of the coolest pursuits you make in your life.
The **airline industry** is an unpredictable, unstable mess that has turned many once-proud pilots bitter and disillusioned, and in the worst cases, broke and unemployed.
Be very sure you want to turn your passion into your career before you make an emotional decision to do so. There is so much more to this job than just flying. You can easily make more money than an airline pilot, be home every night, and fly for fun in your spare time. Try to be realistic with your goals and what you want from life, and then make the most informed decision you can. Based on how you said you took one discovery flight and fell "in love" with aviation, it seems you are still very much looking with the rosey-colored glasses on and might have to learn everything the hard way like so many of us have
If you really want to do this and have your mind made up, there are programs (All ATPs) that can fast-track you to commercial pilot and instructor so you can start building time ASAP and get to the airlines quickly (which will give you more seniority).
The **airline industry** is an unpredictable, unstable mess that has turned many once-proud pilots bitter and disillusioned, and in the worst cases, broke and unemployed.
Be very sure you want to turn your passion into your career before you make an emotional decision to do so. There is so much more to this job than just flying. You can easily make more money than an airline pilot, be home every night, and fly for fun in your spare time. Try to be realistic with your goals and what you want from life, and then make the most informed decision you can. Based on how you said you took one discovery flight and fell "in love" with aviation, it seems you are still very much looking with the rosey-colored glasses on and might have to learn everything the hard way like so many of us have
If you really want to do this and have your mind made up, there are programs (All ATPs) that can fast-track you to commercial pilot and instructor so you can start building time ASAP and get to the airlines quickly (which will give you more seniority).
