Bcherry

I looked around this forum but I really couldn't find the answers that I was after. First off I'm as green as they come when it comes to flying and I'm really looking for some help and insight from people here. I'm currently working on my private pilot license and then will procedue on to IFR, Commercial, etc. But I have a few quick questions.

I'm looking to go to TSTC here in Texas. I'm stationed here so it's very convenient. Literally 5 mins to get there. But here are there prices.

IFR Instrument Raing (35 flt hrs min) -7600
Commercial Pilot (120flt hrs min) - 20,000
Multi Engine (15 flt hrs) - 5300
Flight Instructor (30 flt hrs) - 7200
Instrument Instructor (25 flt hrs) - 3300
Multi Engine Instructor ( 30 flt hrs) - 10,000


Now onto my scenario. I'm currently active duty Air Force and have 3 years left in service. I will be using my post 911 GI bill which will allocate me roughly 10,500 dollars to use on a yearly basis. Refreshing itself every october. So I will be able to get about 31,500 from it which is a huge help. Now out of my fund over the next 3 years I will be able to put in 18-22k of my own money depends on how life happens. Which will give me roughly 48k-51k for school.


Now I might be a little short depending on what happens. Now I would like to get a loan for 5-8k to help me with all of these expences because the GI bill will make me pay first and then reimburse me later. (I've been told it can take 3-4 months). I'm still making decent money so an 8k loan would be to much of a burden (Just payed vehicle off). Should I avoid this at all costs or is this an okay route to take?


I'm sure I will have more questions but this is just off the top of my head. I'm hopping someone can steer me in the right direction.


v/r


-BC

CaptainCarl

My first instinct is to avoid big schools. Tuition there is steep, not as steep as places like ERAU, but still pretty hefty. Have you checked out your local flight schools? Going through an FBO or local instructor can be considerably cheaper.

PPL - 40 hours = ~$6,000
IR - 40 hours (80 TT) = ~$6,000
CPL/SE - 170 hours (250 TT) = ~$17,000
CPL/ME add-on - 5 to 10 hours (255-260 TT) = ~$1,250-2,500
CFI/II/MEI - 10 - 15 hours (265-275 TT) = ~$2,250
Miscellaneous costs (books, checkrides, etc.) = ~$1,000
Total cost through an FBO or local instructor = ~$34,750.

And if you're real clever, you'll start training for your CPL/ME add-on and CFI/II/MEI while you're building time towards 250 hours. You'll save some good money doing that. Word to the wise, get your written exams done ASAP. Do 'em before you even start flying, get them out of the way. When you do though, be sure to take all the exams that come out of one book (e.g. studying for Instrument Rating, take the Instrument Rating written as well as the Instrument Instructor written).

Man, I wish I was still in the instructing business.

PPL - Private Pilot's License
IR - Instrument Rating
CPL/SE - Commercial Pilot's License/Single Engine
CPL/ME - Commercial Pilot's License/Multi Engine
CFI - Certified Flight Instructor
II - Instrument Instructor
MEI - Multi Engine Instructor
TT - Total Time

JamesNoBrakes

How long has it been since you've run the numbers? Gas is expensive everywhere, 55hrs is probably a more realistic PP amount, usually the others fall closer to their mins, and DPE fees are around 400-500 in most places. I'd also say 10hrs for CFI is very inappropriate, but yeah, there are people out there that will do it for that. You won't learn/retain much though...Overall, even for someone not bound by syllabus, those numbers are very low-ball numbers. I'd say 50-60K is more realistic with current prices.

Whatever you think it's going to cost, budget 15% above it anyway, just in case. Back in the day the FAA didn't update their FARs well and a bunch of people who were planning to do a commercial add-on in a simple single engine had to do it in a complex single engine, thereby increasing cost significantly. Stuff like this happens, whether it's the FAA or the plane at the local FBO is broken. Remember the numbers for all costs are based on what we think it will cost in the future too...

Bcherry

Thanks for the quick responses. My goal is to have this all done in three years but that might not be completely realistic. If I do go over budget then I will have to get loans. It was something I was trying to avoid but I have to do what I have to do I guess.

I do have another question referencing age. I'm 25 right now and will be 28 when I have everything completed and be getting out of the military. Is that too old to start a career in aviation?

JamesNoBrakes

Of course not, this career is largely about luck of timing and networking/connections, none of which are based on age. There is a certain age where it's likely you'll never get to a major airline and have a decent career earning a decent amount of money, but at your age, that's not really an issue any time soon. IF there is a bunch of steady pilot movement, then it might work out fine. If not, you could get "stuck" at a regional job as an FO for many years, but it doesn't matter much in the big scheme if someone got stuck there when they were 23 for 10 years after or 28 for 10 years after. It won't matter much in the big picture.

What you are too old for is to put yourself under a big debt burden, so be very careful. Think about alternate plans and things you want to pursue in aviation should this not go exactly like you think. Make sure you realize all the possibilities out there to live and work in aviation without getting into a position that never gets any better. If your end goal is only being a major airline pilot, realize that there are only so many of those jobs and many many more people fighting to get them.

FLY6584

I'm not sure the GI Bill will pay for training at the small FBO's. I think it needs to be associated with a University. I could be wrong though.

HSLD

TSTC is an 18 month AA degree program. Your problem will be keeping yourself funded for a shorter duration campus stay, you should talk to them and see if any previous students have a 3 year horizon.

CaptainCarl

Those numbers are circa aught six. Even though I've been out of the GA world for a while now, I still keep tabs on my local rental prices. I can get a IFR-certified C152 for $89/hour, wet. Find a good instructor who can dedicate the time and I think it's plausible to go zero to CFI/II/MEI for less than 40K. Of course, a lot of that depends on the student. But if it were me running the course, it would be eat/sleep/drink aviation until completion. No half-@ssing, as I wouldn't have the time to waste.

Anyway, I agree with your thoughts, James. My guess was simply that.

kingsnake2

My first question is do you have a bachelor's degree? If you want to fly for one of the major airlines you will need to have one. It doesn't need to be in aviation; can be whatever you want.

So if you don't have a bachelor's, perhaps that should be the first step.

Secondly I am partial to US Aviation Academy of course but one thing I would note is that it is generally cheaper to do your training Part 141, not part 61. 141 however is more structured and takes a bit of a more full time dedication which would probably be easier to do after you finish your service.

After you get your CFI you will probably want to teach for a while to gain hours (and income). Might look at US Aviation for that as well since we just got a deal with American Eagle (see the US Aviation thread in this forum).

Bcherry

The Post 911 will fund roughly 10,500 a year for flight training.

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I have talked to the school and the education center on base and they said it's all good to go.