FWIW,

I'm a US Born 29 year old 5'7" pilot of Vietnamese background. I know plenty of folks with Asian roots. Of course there aren't as many as there are Caucasian folks, but I can't think of any particular race, religion or sex that I haven't encountered in aviation.

(If a 5'2" female can fly an aircraft, there's no reason why you at 5'6" shouldn't be able to!)

 

Like they said, get the degree, you won't regret it.

Maybe study aerospace engineering. It will open many, many doors. Yes you can be a an engineer and a pilot, its called being a test pilot or an astronaut.

If you really want to study and fly at the same time, find a school that allows for a flight minor or one that is near an airport with a busy flight school.

You would have to make it your priority, because flight training takes just about as much time as any other class, but you could graduate and have your ratings, with a CFI or better job waiting for you as well, if you work hard and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way.

Good Luck and don't forget to have some fun in college.

Checko

 

One of my very good buds is 5'6", Asian, and flying for SW. This is going to sound harsh but if you are over 18 who cares what your parents think. I know its easier if they provided the funds but if you are passionate about this then there are plenty of ways to do it alone. Why don't you try this.

1. Go to school and have them pay for it. You'll need the degree anyway.
2. Use whatever means necessary to obtain funds to get your ratings. You could work, use scholarships, loans, the military (my personal favorite ) or sell the Lexus !
3. Graduate and have your ratings. Now the big bucks start rolling in

Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

It's your life. Do what YOU want. If you want to work at McDonalds until your 70; do it. If you want to be a pilot; do it.

My simulator training partner for 737 Captain training was born in Cambodia to a poor family. He's an airline captain now. My airline has plenty of Asian pilots and every race.

It's your life. What will make YOU happy?

 

vagabond: "You have the stereotypical Chinese parents."

Some people who live in (or were raised in) Taiwan may not appreciate being called Chinese.

Integra:

The experienced pilot law (age 65 ruling) has pushed back some airline hiring for several years.

Perhaps in those years you may want to pursue the accounting or my favorite - the engineering bachelor's degree.

(This has been suggested in your thread) If you can work a part time job at a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in between school semesters you may be able to build flight time on your own earnings.

Finish the degree. Get the engineering/accounting job closest to your hometown. If your parents would allow you to remain in the household for a year or two after graduation you may be able save and spend time and money earning your aircraft certificates and ratings.

One of the happiest times of my life was when I was in my early 20's, working full time as an avionics design engineer and flight instructing nights and weekends.

Possibly you could be in your mid to later 20's with a degree and a choice to leave the engineering/accounting profession and join us lucky aviators.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Like some others have said, get an engineering degree. You might try to negotiate with your parents for flying lessons during your college years if you maintain good grades. Your options both in aviation and in life will be much greater with a degree.

 

My parents opposed it too, and I got no support (financial and emotional) whatsoever. I took out my own private loans. Now I wish I had known better and that I would've done it some other way. Because living with heavy school debt is extremely burdensome... you have no idea. I'm going to have to live with this burden for at least the next 15 years, and it truly feels like an invisible prison.
You say you're a citizen.. why not try ROTC or OTS and try to become a military pilot? If I could go back in time, that's how I would've tried it. I know it's a big commitment, but I would gladly give 10 years of service if it meant being free of flight school loans!
As far as your parents... they definitely are misinformed on some things, but correct on other things. My mom especially used to feed me all kinds of crap like "I heard you can't become a pilot if you wear glasses." "I heard you can't become a pilot if you aren't from the military." "I heard you can't become a pilot if you're a woman." "I heard..."
It was hard for me to communicate to them about this whole flying deal because they are so clueless about it (I was too, but not as much as they are.) When I finally became a regional pilot, my mom confided that even right up the moment of being hired by a regional, she thought I was going through a phase and that it wasn't really going to happen. Now my parents are really proud and supportive, but it's because I proved to them that I was serious about it and that I stuck it out and made it through. although, they still dont realize that I can actually fly the plane.. they think I'm the radio jockey or something.
I think you will just have to convey through your actions if you are serious about this. the only thing is dont take out any loans!

 

My parents were all for it and very supportive. I should point out that my father was a Pan Am 747 captain when I decided on this career. Then again, I wanted to be a pilot even when I was little thanks to him.

 

Thanks for the responses. for those wondering what a Lexus truck it just a RX330 a highlander sized car. I call it that because it cant go off road it one of those new fake suvs that dont come with low range, etc. thanks for the tips, i go for a intro flight today. i will post later

 

make a compromise and go to a university that does both accounting/engineering and flying. It would be really hard to to both but at least the option is still there.

My suggestion is while doing your other degree, go to the local airport and get your private pilot license. that way you can say you tried, it is cheaper, and you don't have nearly as much invested in the flying as you would if you only stuck to an aviation degree.

Unfortunately I have all my proverbial eggs in one aviation basket, where I wish I would have also got a degree in Outdoor Recreation (something fun to fall back on during furlough and layoffs).