EngineOut

I started my PPL when I was 26 and went the "slow" route. I worked full time and was concurrently earning a BBA. Took me three years to get to CFI/II. Been instructing for 1.5 years and plan on another six months. I passed 1000/100 about three months ago. I'm 30 now and anticipate no worries when the resume machine gets spooled up again.

Pilotpip

Engine Out, You shouldn't have any trouble now. I know quite a few people getting hired with that kind of time. However, you'll always have more options with additional experience. Thanks for going the "hard way".

I agree with the others stating that 141 is the way to go for advanced ratings. I have 260 hours and just got my first instructing job. I would just now be getting my commercial if I had done my training under part 61. I started flying in 2000, went to Parks College for my aviation degree but also got a certificate in business management which I can turn into a BA with about 20 hours of coursework. I was held up a couple times along the way by things like 9/11, instructor shortages at my school, and the fact that I worked 35 hours a week minimum so I could pay the bills and avoid a heap of loans. My CFI took 11 months to finish up, but I was only working on it for about 4 months of that because again, I was paying out of pocket.

Good Luck!

F15AvionicsTech

Very good advice guys, thanks a ton.

rickair7777

Assuming that you want to use your VA benefits to pay for your flight training, you MUST use a part 141 program. Or pay for it yourself...

VA won't cover PPL, so that doesn't matter, but for the next step you need to enroll in a COMBINED part 141 instrument & commercial course. VA won't pay for an instrument rating unless it's combined with a comm. Your 141 school should be able to do all the paperwork, but FOLLOW UP, or YOU will be out the money.


No, you're not too old. Lot's of folks (like me) start in their thirties because they couldn't afford it earlier. Don't get married until you have an airline job.

F15AvionicsTech

Once again, fantastic information/advice. Thanks Rickair.

Punkpilot48

F15AvionicsTech

No thats not what I am saying...well unless you have that kinda funding. Intrest rates add up but if you need the money go for the loan....I DID! What I was saying was get your commercial multi then your cfi's (if you plan on instructing) and build time as an instructor. you will probably get hired at about 1000 TT and 100 ME such as I did. From there on out you wont have to pay for anything else. I could be wrong but as soon as you have ATP minimums one of your line checks should count as your atp checkride. Hey correct me if Im wrong guys I've always wondered about that.

rickair7777

I don't see how a line check could be an ATP ride, it's a normal revenue flight...stalls wouldn't go over well. Only captains need line checks and they already have an ATP anyway. A recurrent PC (not a PT) in the sim could maybe theoretically be an ATP ride, but I've never heard of it. You normally get your ATP on your final sim check for your captain qualification. So it is true that once at an airline you don't have to worry about getting your ATP (you need the written, but most companies require that to get hired in the first place).

Punkpilot48

Ok thats what I was thinking I just had the terms mixed up. Thanks!

Jason4275

im 22 getting my college degree this year and going to start traning soon

headnclouds

remember once you retire from the airlines you can always go to corporate part 91 until you loss your medical.