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Most of the threads in the Career Builder section die in 2-3 days. See ya next time around.
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Well this thread definitely got a few visits from heavyweights, so a lot of us, at least me personally, liked reading what you guys were saying.. What can someone like me say about this topic when we are the ones asking advise.
All I can say is Pls keep it going & I believe some will definitely benefit from reading this...... |
Originally Posted by PC12Luvr
(Post 1052149)
Not sure if this is in the right heading, but...
I am at a point I need to make a decision. I have decided that, even after the nay-sayers and tales of the 'dark side' of the profession, I am pursuing my dream of being a commercial pilot. Here is my conundrum: I am 28. From a divorce I have some bad debt and am only half-way to my PPL ticket. I work two jobs and have figured if I devoted all my spare income (after bills), I could obtain all my ratings, including CFI in two years, or pay all the debt in two years. If I combined them, both would be done in 4. My question is this: is it better at my age to get my ratings as quickly as possible and work on the debt afterwars (my hunch), do both, or do the debt first and then the flying? I understand having no debt is key to starting in this profession, so it feels like a toss-up to me. Advice welcome. Thanks!! |
Originally Posted by stbloc
(Post 1053994)
I say do it as quick as possible and default the debt. It's only the American way of doing things. Banks will write it off.
But wait.... Why default now...... Take more, finish all your ratings & then default on a much bigger amount....... The first year regional pilot salary will easily qualify a person for a Chapter 7..... Wipe your hands off & live debt free...... |
BC you are right on. Flying loans aren't government backed so those can be included in a chapter 7. Be an American and write it all off.
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It will be more than 30K at a mom and pop flight school for sure. You will not find planes less than $95 an hour very easily and the instruction rates are on average now $50/hour. Just plan on $50K as a reasonable amount to get your ratings done and go from there. As an aside I'd rather have my debt taken care of before I jump off into regional pay.
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Been out for a few days. Just read your replies, thank you! Your advice has been GREATLY appreciated and used. I think I have made my decision, and I have the wisdom of you folks to back it up. I agree with you cub and bearded that a better way is to keep flying a hobby. Plus, nothing says I can't instruct on the weekends with a 9-to-5er and still be associated with the industry. Thanks again guys!!! :)
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A bit of a strech
Originally Posted by BeardedFlyer
(Post 1053493)
If an individual with at least average intelligence (maybe a little above) studies and learns as much as much he/she can on their own from FAA handbooks and home study guides without listening to a CFI merely repeat everything those books say at a $40 hr rate the ratings don't have to cost over 30k. I'd say most would find the estimations below fairly accurate if a student has enough determination. Prices below are current at my local airport (Pearson field in Vancouver, WA- KVUO):
PPL C-152 for 40hrs @ $67hr wet = $2680. CFI for 30hrs @ $40hr = $1200 books, written test, chk ride, flight supplies = approx $800 TOTAL = $4680 Instrument C-172 for 30hrs @ 97hr wet = $2910 PCATD flight sim for 10hrs @ $20hr = $200 CFII for 25hrs* (15 in flight, 10 on the sim) at $40 = $1000 *Split the 30hrs with another inst. student. Each act as safety pilot for the other so you can each log simulated instrument without paying a CFII. Microsoft flight simulator - unlimited hrs = $20 at Wal mart. written test, chk ride, flight supplies = $700 TOTAL = $4830 Commercial At this point you have 80TT and need 170 more for a comm. 160hrs in the 152 (include in this time the X-C reqs for the comm and try to get the commercial maneuvers down as well as you can on your own without a CFI to reduce instruction time) - $10,720 10 hrs in Piper Arrow @ 120hr = $1200 5hrs with CFI @ 40hr = $200 written, chk ride, flight supplies = 700 TOTAL = 12,820 CFI 10hrs with CFI = $400 10hrs in 152 = $670 two writtens (FOI and FIA) = $300 chk ride = $0 Total = $1370 MEI 20hrs in Twin Comanche at $230hr wet = $4600 23 hrs with MEI @ 45hr = $1035 chk ride = $400 TOTAL = $6035 GRAND TOTAL = $29,735 $23,000 was a bit of a stretch. Realistically this might be tough for most to pull off but it can be done. I'll agree with the rest of Cubdriver's last post. With no degree you will be stuck at a regional but even that's not so horrible. Making 100k in your 40's (if you were hired in your 20's) is not bad at all in my opinion plus by the time you're that senior you will have any schedule you want. But again, I know nothing about the engineering field so I am in no position to say which choice would be better right now. All I can say is that I don't think pursuing an airline career is as crazy as most on here seem to make it out to be. Hope for the best but plan for the worst. I have seen a lot of guys come through APC with similar ideas only to end up in the "Career Changers" section a year or two later. Skyhigh |
After recently getting my CPL and working on CFI, I would say I am at a pretty big intersection with multiple traffic lights too. There are no guarantees in life. For those of us in training and would like to make it a profession, I think we should do ourselves a favor and just keep on building time and acquire ratings with minimal debt and smart life choices. Good luck!
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