Son interested in being a pilot
07-29-2012, 05:53 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 3,978
See my post in the "Open Letter" thread. Too much of time time we thing aviation=airline pilot. This is why there is no shortage of pilots and why it's a "buyers market" for the airlines as far as pilots. There are so many ways to be in aviation and experience it, and we shoot ourselves in the foot when we limit it to one thing. Being a pilot is awesome, there's nothing like it. That doesn't mean I have to be an airline pilot, or transport pilot, or military pilot, or any one of these specialties. Being a pilot is a general thing.
07-29-2012, 08:13 AM
#12
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
thanks you guys i have learned alot. if you can think of anything else i would appreciate it.
So if we were to make a list of important things to do in the next few years:
-Dont plan on major in aviation unless its aerospace engineering, have a back up in something else
-stay in the CAP program and try to find out if they AFROTC at his HS
-doing it through the military or reserve is a good way to do it if ends up being what he wants to do.
-have him work on his private pilots license. Im hoping the the CAP program can get us some contacts on this.
I like the CAP program, its seems to be a pretty good deal. He has only been involved for a couple months so far. Have all of you that have been involved in this program feel it was time well spent?
Thanks
So if we were to make a list of important things to do in the next few years:
-Dont plan on major in aviation unless its aerospace engineering, have a back up in something else
-stay in the CAP program and try to find out if they AFROTC at his HS
-doing it through the military or reserve is a good way to do it if ends up being what he wants to do.
-have him work on his private pilots license. Im hoping the the CAP program can get us some contacts on this.
I like the CAP program, its seems to be a pretty good deal. He has only been involved for a couple months so far. Have all of you that have been involved in this program feel it was time well spent?
Thanks
07-29-2012, 12:09 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 474
Originally Posted by utroyalwulff
Hello everyone, firstly Im not a pilot and know relatively little about planes but I have a 13 year son that loves planes and aviation. He flies remote control planes and is now going to race pylon racers and messes with the flight simulator that I bought for him on the home computer trying to learn to put flight plans together and how to navigate between airports.
He is a very smart kid. I tell him that if he likes planes maybe he should be a pilot. He signed up with the local civil air patrol group last week. He went to his grandparents house that live by the airforce academy but it had been evacuated because of fires because he is interested in that, so maybe next year. I dont have alot of money so probably the government is going to help him learn how, which according to my friend that is a surgeon is exactly the right thing to do.
The university where I work has a flight training school, but I dont really know that much about it.
Since i guess most of you are pilots what do you think I should tell him? Should I push him towards another profession?
I like that he likes it because he is learning so much. but what does the future appear to look like?
He is a very smart kid. I tell him that if he likes planes maybe he should be a pilot. He signed up with the local civil air patrol group last week. He went to his grandparents house that live by the airforce academy but it had been evacuated because of fires because he is interested in that, so maybe next year. I dont have alot of money so probably the government is going to help him learn how, which according to my friend that is a surgeon is exactly the right thing to do.
The university where I work has a flight training school, but I dont really know that much about it.
Since i guess most of you are pilots what do you think I should tell him? Should I push him towards another profession?
I like that he likes it because he is learning so much. but what does the future appear to look like?
Saves me a lot of typing
07-29-2012, 01:14 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Posts: 270
Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes
See my post in the "Open Letter" thread. Too much of time time we thing aviation=airline pilot. This is why there is no shortage of pilots and why it's a "buyers market" for the airlines as far as pilots. There are so many ways to be in aviation and experience it, and we shoot ourselves in the foot when we limit it to one thing. Being a pilot is awesome, there's nothing like it. That doesn't mean I have to be an airline pilot, or transport pilot, or military pilot, or any one of these specialties. Being a pilot is a general thing.
+10! JNB you hit it right on the money.
A guy can fly for fun and during a lifetime can explore many different aspects: soaring, aerobatics, taildraggers, racing, floats, fixed wing, rotary wing, etc. And a guy can fly for a living and explore many different aspects: military, passenger, cargo, dusting, floats, wheels, bush, guiding, instructing, corporate, fractionals, ferrying, surveying, patroling, etc. There are lots and lots of ways to scratch the flying itch. There are folks who find tremendous satisfaction in all of these areas, and some even make a very good living at it. But what's right for one person isn't necessarily right for another, so you want your child to know that aviation has myriad aspects.
Whatever you do, don't PUSH (your term) your child toward aviation. The passion needs to come from within.
07-29-2012, 01:25 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 2,575
Originally Posted by utroyalwulff
thanks you guys i have learned alot. if you can think of anything else i would appreciate it.
So if we were to make a list of important things to do in the next few years:
-Dont plan on major in aviation unless its aerospace engineering, have a back up in something else
-stay in the CAP program and try to find out if they AFROTC at his HS
-doing it through the military or reserve is a good way to do it if ends up being what he wants to do.
-have him work on his private pilots license. Im hoping the the CAP program can get us some contacts on this.
I like the CAP program, its seems to be a pretty good deal. He has only been involved for a couple months so far. Have all of you that have been involved in this program feel it was time well spent?
Thanks
So if we were to make a list of important things to do in the next few years:
-Dont plan on major in aviation unless its aerospace engineering, have a back up in something else
-stay in the CAP program and try to find out if they AFROTC at his HS
-doing it through the military or reserve is a good way to do it if ends up being what he wants to do.
-have him work on his private pilots license. Im hoping the the CAP program can get us some contacts on this.
I like the CAP program, its seems to be a pretty good deal. He has only been involved for a couple months so far. Have all of you that have been involved in this program feel it was time well spent?
Thanks
Also check out the young eagle program from the EAA. They give free rides for kids. It's just another way to get up in the air.
I offered to teach any CAP cadet to fly for free IF they pass the written and the medical. None took me up on it.
07-29-2012, 01:31 PM
#16
Bracing for Fallacies
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
Originally Posted by utroyalwulff
thanks you guys i have learned alot. if you can think of anything else i would appreciate it.
So if we were to make a list of important things to do in the next few years:
-Dont plan on major in aviation unless its aerospace engineering, have a back up in something else
-stay in the CAP program and try to find out if they AFROTC at his HS
-doing it through the military or reserve is a good way to do it if ends up being what he wants to do.
-have him work on his private pilots license. Im hoping the the CAP program can get us some contacts on this.
I like the CAP program, its seems to be a pretty good deal. He has only been involved for a couple months so far. Have all of you that have been involved in this program feel it was time well spent?
Thanks
So if we were to make a list of important things to do in the next few years:
-Dont plan on major in aviation unless its aerospace engineering, have a back up in something else
-stay in the CAP program and try to find out if they AFROTC at his HS
-doing it through the military or reserve is a good way to do it if ends up being what he wants to do.
-have him work on his private pilots license. Im hoping the the CAP program can get us some contacts on this.
I like the CAP program, its seems to be a pretty good deal. He has only been involved for a couple months so far. Have all of you that have been involved in this program feel it was time well spent?
Thanks
Maybe I missed it, have you taken any flying lessons yourself? Have you seen the TV program "Flying Cheap" or Chesley Sullenberger's testimony before Congress on the state of the profession? If not, I think that all can be found on youtube.
Definitely not all bad in the industry either. Maybe you read my rants in the "Open Letter" thread below. I'm frustrated that the truth about the profession (see what I did there?) is often NOT forthcoming-especially from the flight schools looking to make a sale!
07-29-2012, 03:38 PM
#17
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Originally Posted by utroyalwulff
Hello everyone, firstly Im not a pilot and know relatively little about planes but I have a 13 year son that loves planes and aviation. He flies remote control planes and is now going to race pylon racers and messes with the flight simulator that I bought for him on the home computer trying to learn to put flight plans together and how to navigate between airports.
He is a very smart kid. I tell him that if he likes planes maybe he should be a pilot. He signed up with the local civil air patrol group last week. He went to his grandparents house that live by the airforce academy but it had been evacuated because of fires because he is interested in that, so maybe next year. I dont have alot of money so probably the government is going to help him learn how, which according to my friend that is a surgeon is exactly the right thing to do.
The university where I work has a flight training school, but I dont really know that much about it.
Since i guess most of you are pilots what do you think I should tell him? Should I push him towards another profession?
I like that he likes it because he is learning so much. but what does the future appear to look like?
He is a very smart kid. I tell him that if he likes planes maybe he should be a pilot. He signed up with the local civil air patrol group last week. He went to his grandparents house that live by the airforce academy but it had been evacuated because of fires because he is interested in that, so maybe next year. I dont have alot of money so probably the government is going to help him learn how, which according to my friend that is a surgeon is exactly the right thing to do.
The university where I work has a flight training school, but I dont really know that much about it.
Since i guess most of you are pilots what do you think I should tell him? Should I push him towards another profession?
I like that he likes it because he is learning so much. but what does the future appear to look like?
I did the degree track (UND), paid for school in the national guard, flight instructed, flew at a regional airline, and now fly corporate for a fortune 50 company. I've also been heavily involved in the Civil Air Patrol at many different levels.
Josh
07-29-2012, 06:53 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: B744 FO
Posts: 375
Originally Posted by 727gm
It is pure fun recreation, with the advantage that if he decides aviation is for him, he'll already have a leg up on the process, and if not, he'll have a great off-work pastime.....
07-29-2012, 08:00 PM
#19
Super Moderator
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Tiki bar
Posts: 2,633
Originally Posted by utroyalwulff
-Dont plan on major in aviation unless its aerospace engineering, have a back up in something else
-have him work on his private pilots license.
-have him work on his private pilots license.
These are the two most important things. Number one is the major. I can't stress this enough... get a degree in something outside of aviation (unless aerospace engineering).
Glider flying is the best way to get an early handle on good stick and rudder skills (basic flying skills). You can fly gliders at an earlier age than airplanes. Get your son to your local glider club and get him started, he'll develop a great set of flying fundamentals, learn a lot about aviation and when it comes time to do his private pilot's license, it'll take him less time (think less money) because he already knows the basics.
07-30-2012, 12:13 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: FO
Posts: 266
Flying fundamentals
Originally Posted by 727gm
While you must be 16 to solo an airplane, and 17 to license, you only need to be 14 to solo a glider, and 16 for pilot certificate...can add airplane later. A great way to get into aviation and learn to "fly a wing" without the distraction of that noisy fire hazard bolted to the aircraft(engine).
see:
Soaring Society of America, the source for Gliding in the USA
click on "where to fly" to find out if there is a soaring operation
near you.
It is pure fun recreation, with the advantage that if he decides aviation is for him, he'll already have a leg up on the process, and if not, he'll have a great off-work pastime.....
see:
Soaring Society of America, the source for Gliding in the USA
click on "where to fly" to find out if there is a soaring operation
near you.
It is pure fun recreation, with the advantage that if he decides aviation is for him, he'll already have a leg up on the process, and if not, he'll have a great off-work pastime.....
YES! Thank you. $200/hour for a G100 C172 and instructor, based out of a controlled airport with a stretched out touch and go pattern is an expensive way to earn a first solo.
Originally Posted by Diver Driver
Glider flying is the best way to get an early handle on good stick and rudder skills (basic flying skills). You can fly gliders at an earlier age than airplanes. Get your son to your local glider club and get him started, he'll develop a great set of flying fundamentals, learn a lot about aviation and when it comes time to do his private pilot's license, it'll take him less time (think less money) because he already knows the basics.
Last edited by propfails2FX; 07-30-2012 at 12:39 AM.
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