Interest in commercial aviation.
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 4
Interest in commercial aviation.
Hello!,
Just a bit of background on me. I am a military veteran with a combat tour in Iraq(quiet tour thankfully) and I am also currently a sophmore at a major university working on a degree in computational mathematics.
While I like math I don't think it is something I want to do full-time after I graduate. I have a peaked interest in flying because it looks the job(politics aside) would be enjoyable, it is a technical challenging job, and I love traveling. The closest I have come to flying is a few AFF skydives haha but I have a friend who is a private pilot so I plan on going up with him a few times.
I have read several posts on this website and the sticky post in this section.The money isn't an issue for me because I can probably supplement the low starting salary with a little side work as computational skills are in high demand especially when accompanied with mathematical ones. I also excel in the area of budgeting(my low military salary taught me that!).
Thanks to the GI bill I will come out of college with very little debt as well however, I am a bit worried about flight school costs. Is it hard to secure a loan? I have basically no credit history as I never use a credit card or have current loans. Also based on the description of myself do you think it is something I should look into further?
I know that is a bit strange to ask but sometimes I can tell if someone will do well in the military or not just based on what they say and their attitude.
sorry for the long read.
Just a bit of background on me. I am a military veteran with a combat tour in Iraq(quiet tour thankfully) and I am also currently a sophmore at a major university working on a degree in computational mathematics.
While I like math I don't think it is something I want to do full-time after I graduate. I have a peaked interest in flying because it looks the job(politics aside) would be enjoyable, it is a technical challenging job, and I love traveling. The closest I have come to flying is a few AFF skydives haha but I have a friend who is a private pilot so I plan on going up with him a few times.
I have read several posts on this website and the sticky post in this section.The money isn't an issue for me because I can probably supplement the low starting salary with a little side work as computational skills are in high demand especially when accompanied with mathematical ones. I also excel in the area of budgeting(my low military salary taught me that!).
Thanks to the GI bill I will come out of college with very little debt as well however, I am a bit worried about flight school costs. Is it hard to secure a loan? I have basically no credit history as I never use a credit card or have current loans. Also based on the description of myself do you think it is something I should look into further?
I know that is a bit strange to ask but sometimes I can tell if someone will do well in the military or not just based on what they say and their attitude.
sorry for the long read.
#3
Rezo....before you go any further, find a doctor that gives FAA approved flight physicals. Make an appointment and tell the man that you want a complete first class physical. If you find that, after the physical, you can`t obtain the first class rating, forget about becoming a commercial pilot. Find out before you commit your time and money.
#4
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 4
Thank you Tom but I am afraid I enjoy the civilian life too much to go back!
Roll Inverted, I will be sure to do that. I have had a recent physical but it was very basic. Do you think I should have the physical now or wait until I get closer to graduation?
Roll Inverted, I will be sure to do that. I have had a recent physical but it was very basic. Do you think I should have the physical now or wait until I get closer to graduation?
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2012
Posts: 352
As far as I know most (if not all) flight schools do not do in house financing. It is just too complicated and capital intensive to be feasible.
You could probably get an online quote from Wells Fargo, Chase, or the like for a student loan which would likely be applicable to aviation education.
Good part is that student loans are less stringent on credit history, so if you don't have too much debt and a decent job out of college, my guess is that you would be fine. Rates are pretty low right now too.
The medical certificates are good for a number of years (depending on your age) and generally not very expensive so that is worth doing. You will have to get one to start flight training anyway.
My last note would be that if you are looking for money, stay with math. If you're good, it will probably pay better (using the time value of money; ie. 100k/year for 20 years is better than making 60k for 15 years and 200 for 5). Fly because you want to and you love it. In the near term, next 2 years or so, it seems likely that you will be able to get a job at a regional after 1500 hours or so (which can be had as a CFI at a busy school). And you already have your 4 year degree, which you will need to fly for a big airline.
You could probably get an online quote from Wells Fargo, Chase, or the like for a student loan which would likely be applicable to aviation education.
Good part is that student loans are less stringent on credit history, so if you don't have too much debt and a decent job out of college, my guess is that you would be fine. Rates are pretty low right now too.
The medical certificates are good for a number of years (depending on your age) and generally not very expensive so that is worth doing. You will have to get one to start flight training anyway.
My last note would be that if you are looking for money, stay with math. If you're good, it will probably pay better (using the time value of money; ie. 100k/year for 20 years is better than making 60k for 15 years and 200 for 5). Fly because you want to and you love it. In the near term, next 2 years or so, it seems likely that you will be able to get a job at a regional after 1500 hours or so (which can be had as a CFI at a busy school). And you already have your 4 year degree, which you will need to fly for a big airline.
#7
First step would be go get an FAA first class medical, it should not be a problem if you're in normal good health.
Then go take a few flying lessons. If you like it, get your PPL and fly around for fun as much as you can afford. If you can't afford a PPL at this point, at least try to solo. I wouldn't make a career decision (and huge investment) unless you're sure you like flying.
Assuming your military record is clean, definitely look into military flying opportunities. I would look at Air National Guard first (best kept secret in aviation), then USAF Reserve, then all active-duty services including USCG.
The guard/reserves would allow you to pursue a civilian flying career in parallel with your military career, you also know what aircraft type you will be flying since you get hired by an individual squadron. One downside to AD is that you don't know what aircraft type you will fly until it's too late so you could end up in helos or even UAVs, neither of which will lead to an airline career if that's what you had in mind. The other is that you'll be committed to ten years before you can start a civilian career.
If you are interested in helos, also look at Army National Guard...they hire a lot of helo pilots off the street.
Helos can lead to a civilian career, but not usually in the airlines unless you make a point of acquiring about 1000 hours of fixed wing time along the way. Army helo pilots may have the opportunity to fly FW support aircraft, but I think some of those programs have been cut back. Navy/USMC/USCG helo pilots often have an opportunity to fly FW aircraft as instructor pilots.
There are age limits for military flying and it takes at least a year to jump through all the hoops so don't delay if you think that's something you'd like to do.
Then go take a few flying lessons. If you like it, get your PPL and fly around for fun as much as you can afford. If you can't afford a PPL at this point, at least try to solo. I wouldn't make a career decision (and huge investment) unless you're sure you like flying.
Assuming your military record is clean, definitely look into military flying opportunities. I would look at Air National Guard first (best kept secret in aviation), then USAF Reserve, then all active-duty services including USCG.
The guard/reserves would allow you to pursue a civilian flying career in parallel with your military career, you also know what aircraft type you will be flying since you get hired by an individual squadron. One downside to AD is that you don't know what aircraft type you will fly until it's too late so you could end up in helos or even UAVs, neither of which will lead to an airline career if that's what you had in mind. The other is that you'll be committed to ten years before you can start a civilian career.
If you are interested in helos, also look at Army National Guard...they hire a lot of helo pilots off the street.
Helos can lead to a civilian career, but not usually in the airlines unless you make a point of acquiring about 1000 hours of fixed wing time along the way. Army helo pilots may have the opportunity to fly FW support aircraft, but I think some of those programs have been cut back. Navy/USMC/USCG helo pilots often have an opportunity to fly FW aircraft as instructor pilots.
There are age limits for military flying and it takes at least a year to jump through all the hoops so don't delay if you think that's something you'd like to do.
#8
I was like you and also a Vet that got out and then became a pilot. Great choice for a way to make a living. If you can deal with the low pay.
If you have any GI money or time left. Find a part 141 school that is approved by GI. Most school will not be, but they are out there.
Best of luck
If you have any GI money or time left. Find a part 141 school that is approved by GI. Most school will not be, but they are out there.
Best of luck
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