suppakuppa

Ok I'm attending a community college right now and im basically done with the basics only. I want to be a pilot but like alot of other guys am having trouble figuring out the best way to do that. im 23 right now. From what i read it is way better for me to stay here in Austin, Tx and major in something other than aviation. I've read that alot of you were able to get your certificates while going to school and working at the same time. My question is how long did it take you guys to get all your certificates and how did you pay for them. I read some paid as you went. I dont make much now. I make about $1,800 a month and bills take up a little more than half that. At that rate how long will it take me to get my certificates if i pay as i go? Oh and im starting from zero flight time. Thanks!!!

sfzpilot

I am not sure how much flight training is in your area but here in Rhode Island a private pilots license will cost around 7,000-9,000. If you can dedicate $400 a month it will take about two years to complete (if I did the math correctly). Depending on the type of school (141 vs. 61), the instrument might take about 3,000-5,000. This will take about 1 year, maybe a little over. Then it is just building up experience and time to get your commercial out of the way. Then to build up the rest of your hours (without paying) I would recommend getting a CFI/CFII certificate which you can log instructing students, and make a little bit of money. So, theoretically, it could take about 4-5 years. I am going on IR checkride in the next month or so, and it took about 8 months to get my PPL (parents paid), and I am still working on instrument (8 months-parents still paying )...Good luck!

chongololo

Many different ways to do it, it just depends on what sacrifices you are willing to make.
It's either time or money.
You can get your licenses and ratings quickly if you throw some money at it but then you will have some debt that will drag you down as a new pilot.
You can go slow and pay as you go but it will take longer than the first option and will cost less in the long run.
It all depends on your personal situation ie: family, job, spare time, money, attitude.
Good luck.

waflyboy

suppakuppa,

Why don't you collect price information from local flight schools, do the math for estimated cost per certificate, then create a budget? If you're living with parents, your expenses are probably fairly predictable, and long-term budgeting should be easy.

If you have a car payment, are you prepared to go without it and drive a compact beater? Or ride the bus? There are choices you can make now to have more cash available for training.

Are you willing to continue living with your parents or enjoy Mac n Cheese 5 nights a week? These are the things you will have to consider after you achieve your goal of Professional Pilot.