17 Year Old Looking To Become A Pilot
04-09-2014, 02:20 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 26
17 Year Old Looking To Become A Pilot
Hey everyone,
I am pretty new to these forums, so I'm sorry if I posted this thread under the wrong category. If it happens to be incorrect, could a moderator please move it? Thanks.
I'm currently a 17 year old senior (about to graduate) and I want to work for a major airline as a pilot some day. I just need some advice, and possibly, a path on how I can get in that cockpit.
I'll start with the civilian route and what I know about it. When I figured out that I wanted to fly for a living, I immediately started researching constantly, almost 24/7. I came soon to learn that it was most likely going to be EXTREMELY expensive, and I would get paid extremely low ($20k a year or so). I also saw ERAU come up in almost all of my search results. I really liked the way the school looked, and the fact that it was in Daytona, but, the price tag was unreal! There was no way I would pay that amount of money for an aviation school. I would be paying back student loans till I was old and died. It didn't seem like it was worth it. I also saw some other colleges that were out-of-state such as Dowling College, Purdue, etc. Again, pretty expensive. There has to be another way. I also looked into my local Part 141 flight school, and saw that as an option too. But I really felt like it would take too long to get all my licenses/certifications that way. Plus, I couldn't really think of a way where I could get to 1500 hours (I'm pretty sure that's the number you need to fly for major). So I started to consider the military...
The first branch I looked at was, of course, the USMC. Hah, you probably thought I would immediately look at the Air Force. But, my Dad and all my uncles are former Marines (1 active), and I love everything that comes with the title of being a United States Marine. I want to be challenged to my extents, mentally, and physically. So I started looking at some commissioning programs within the USMC, including PLC (Platoon Leaders Class). It seemed perfect, I could continue working part time at my job, attend my local community college, and work on PLC during the summer. But I'm still not sure yet. I haven't called the OSO (Officer Selection Officer) yet because I really just want to finish my last year of high school first. But I'm kind of iffy about it because I don't want to get stuck inside an MOS that I don't want for the next 6 or so years of my life. Is there such a thing as a guaranteed flight contract? And if I do pass PLC, graduate with my bachelors, etc, etc... I heard that only 30% of people will get fixed wing, and the other 70% will get either helo or turbo-prop. Which leads me to think, should I risk it? Or do I have to risk it? If I got helo or turbo-prop, could I work for a major airline as a pilot when I got out 8 years later? Also, how would you even transfer from military to major? Or do you have to go Military -> Regional -> Major? Hmm...
For a little background info, I am currently working a part-time job, and plan on attending my local community college for 2 years, and then will transfer to an in-state college (VA) to complete my bachelors degree in most likely, Computer Science.
If you read all of this, thank you. I rambled a lot, and asked a lot of questions throughout. I hope that you can help me to the best of your ability, I would really appreciate it. I just really need some advice on how to get from where I am now, to a seat inside the cockpit of a major airline.
Thanks again,
Tristan
I am pretty new to these forums, so I'm sorry if I posted this thread under the wrong category. If it happens to be incorrect, could a moderator please move it? Thanks.
I'm currently a 17 year old senior (about to graduate) and I want to work for a major airline as a pilot some day. I just need some advice, and possibly, a path on how I can get in that cockpit.
I'll start with the civilian route and what I know about it. When I figured out that I wanted to fly for a living, I immediately started researching constantly, almost 24/7. I came soon to learn that it was most likely going to be EXTREMELY expensive, and I would get paid extremely low ($20k a year or so). I also saw ERAU come up in almost all of my search results. I really liked the way the school looked, and the fact that it was in Daytona, but, the price tag was unreal! There was no way I would pay that amount of money for an aviation school. I would be paying back student loans till I was old and died. It didn't seem like it was worth it. I also saw some other colleges that were out-of-state such as Dowling College, Purdue, etc. Again, pretty expensive. There has to be another way. I also looked into my local Part 141 flight school, and saw that as an option too. But I really felt like it would take too long to get all my licenses/certifications that way. Plus, I couldn't really think of a way where I could get to 1500 hours (I'm pretty sure that's the number you need to fly for major). So I started to consider the military...
The first branch I looked at was, of course, the USMC. Hah, you probably thought I would immediately look at the Air Force. But, my Dad and all my uncles are former Marines (1 active), and I love everything that comes with the title of being a United States Marine. I want to be challenged to my extents, mentally, and physically. So I started looking at some commissioning programs within the USMC, including PLC (Platoon Leaders Class). It seemed perfect, I could continue working part time at my job, attend my local community college, and work on PLC during the summer. But I'm still not sure yet. I haven't called the OSO (Officer Selection Officer) yet because I really just want to finish my last year of high school first. But I'm kind of iffy about it because I don't want to get stuck inside an MOS that I don't want for the next 6 or so years of my life. Is there such a thing as a guaranteed flight contract? And if I do pass PLC, graduate with my bachelors, etc, etc... I heard that only 30% of people will get fixed wing, and the other 70% will get either helo or turbo-prop. Which leads me to think, should I risk it? Or do I have to risk it? If I got helo or turbo-prop, could I work for a major airline as a pilot when I got out 8 years later? Also, how would you even transfer from military to major? Or do you have to go Military -> Regional -> Major? Hmm...
For a little background info, I am currently working a part-time job, and plan on attending my local community college for 2 years, and then will transfer to an in-state college (VA) to complete my bachelors degree in most likely, Computer Science.
If you read all of this, thank you. I rambled a lot, and asked a lot of questions throughout. I hope that you can help me to the best of your ability, I would really appreciate it. I just really need some advice on how to get from where I am now, to a seat inside the cockpit of a major airline.
Thanks again,
Tristan
04-09-2014, 02:35 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 159
I went to an aviation university (similar to ERAU) then flight instructed at ATP and made it through the regionals to the majors in 6 years.
If I had to do it over again, I would:
-Attend a "regular" college and major in something besides aviation (like business). I missed out on the "regular" college experience (socially, partying, etc) because typically aviation college/universities are lame and mostly male.
-Fly on the side, and/or attain your ratings with ATP. Best, most efficient flight school out there in my opinion.
-Build your hours flight instructing at ATP. Again, I think this is the best and most efficient way to build time. ATP has the largest multi-engine fleet in the world so you will gain that much needed twin time.
-Apply to all the regionals, but try to choose the best quality airline to work for (ExpressJet, Compass, Skywest, etc) and avoid Mesa, Republic, GoJet etc.
-The majors are going to be hiring like crazy for years, as long as there isn't another 9/11. Hundreds of age 65 retirements per month.
Good luck! Persevere and don't give up. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears but once you get to a major airline it will all be worth it $$$.
If I had to do it over again, I would:
-Attend a "regular" college and major in something besides aviation (like business). I missed out on the "regular" college experience (socially, partying, etc) because typically aviation college/universities are lame and mostly male.
-Fly on the side, and/or attain your ratings with ATP. Best, most efficient flight school out there in my opinion.
-Build your hours flight instructing at ATP. Again, I think this is the best and most efficient way to build time. ATP has the largest multi-engine fleet in the world so you will gain that much needed twin time.
-Apply to all the regionals, but try to choose the best quality airline to work for (ExpressJet, Compass, Skywest, etc) and avoid Mesa, Republic, GoJet etc.
-The majors are going to be hiring like crazy for years, as long as there isn't another 9/11. Hundreds of age 65 retirements per month.
Good luck! Persevere and don't give up. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears but once you get to a major airline it will all be worth it $$$.
04-09-2014, 02:42 PM
#3
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by A321
I went to an aviation university (similar to ERAU) then flight instructed at ATP and made it through the regionals to the majors in 6 years.
If I had to do it over again, I would:
-Attend a "regular" college and major in something besides aviation (like business). I missed out on the "regular" college experience (socially, partying, etc) because typically aviation college/universities are lame and mostly male.
-Fly on the side, and/or attain your ratings with ATP. Best, most efficient flight school out there in my opinion.
-Build your hours flight instructing at ATP. Again, I think this is the best and most efficient way to build time. ATP has the largest multi-engine fleet in the world so you will gain that much needed twin time.
-Apply to all the regionals, but try to choose the best quality airline to work for (ExpressJet, Compass, Skywest, etc) and avoid Mesa, Republic, GoJet etc.
-The majors are going to be hiring like crazy for years, as long as there isn't another 9/11. Hundreds of age 65 retirements per month.
Good luck! Persevere and don't give up. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears but once you get to a major airline it will all be worth it $$$.
If I had to do it over again, I would:
-Attend a "regular" college and major in something besides aviation (like business). I missed out on the "regular" college experience (socially, partying, etc) because typically aviation college/universities are lame and mostly male.
-Fly on the side, and/or attain your ratings with ATP. Best, most efficient flight school out there in my opinion.
-Build your hours flight instructing at ATP. Again, I think this is the best and most efficient way to build time. ATP has the largest multi-engine fleet in the world so you will gain that much needed twin time.
-Apply to all the regionals, but try to choose the best quality airline to work for (ExpressJet, Compass, Skywest, etc) and avoid Mesa, Republic, GoJet etc.
-The majors are going to be hiring like crazy for years, as long as there isn't another 9/11. Hundreds of age 65 retirements per month.
Good luck! Persevere and don't give up. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears but once you get to a major airline it will all be worth it $$$.
04-09-2014, 02:46 PM
#4
Back on Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Position: CA
Posts: 35
17 Year Old Looking To Become A Pilot
Tristan,
I was on your shoes about 19 years ago, I wanted to fly for a living and didn't quite know how. I did a job mentorship program from my HS and got to visit the Comair academy in Sanford Fl. The instructors have me some advice about how to get my ratings the civilian way but I also got advice from some family members, notably my grandfather, a B-29 pilot from WWII and a good friend of his who was an Army Aircorps pilot in the big one and eventually flew for PanAm. They both steered me into the Air Force through the ROTC program. There are no guarantees in life but I was told if you work hard and apply yourself be happy with your effort and see what happens.
So that's what I did, I joined ROTC and competed for and got a pilot slot. I got a KC-135 out of UPT and have also been a T-6A instructor. It was great fun to be an instructor, especially since my grandfather was also an instructor in the original T-6. I'm getting ready to get out of active duty and it's been terrific flying. I've got 4,500 TT and a masters degree and trying to wade through the conversion to civilian flying at this time.
As a brand new 2Lt I got paid 23,000 a year, which is about 31,000 in today's dollars. It was just after 9/11 when I graduated UPT so I've hit the ground running with many deployments and racked up hours quickly. I upgraded 2 years later to Aircraft Commander with 1,300 hours total and racked up 3,000 in my first 3.5 years. The deployments are tough of course, especially if you have a family, but airplanes are built to travel great distances in a short period of time, so you rarely takeoff and land at the same airfield, and that's just the nature of aviation. I love to travel so the lifestyle fits my personality, but it isn't for everybody. If you get homesick easily and like predictability in your schedule this isn't the life for you, but if it sounds like you want to jump inboard, I recommend you try to get hired by an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit that fly transport (c-130, c-17, KC-135) aircraft. Sometimes they hire while your in college and send you to AMS after graduation but every unit is slightly different and have their own personality. If you join a guard or reserve unit you'll be able to apply for and work for civilian airlines after you build up your hours in the unit. It's actually the best of both worlds and I wish I had known about the guard and reserve before I got into active duty.
You'll probably get lots of other advice on the subject, good luck, take it all in and make the best informed decision for your future.
I was on your shoes about 19 years ago, I wanted to fly for a living and didn't quite know how. I did a job mentorship program from my HS and got to visit the Comair academy in Sanford Fl. The instructors have me some advice about how to get my ratings the civilian way but I also got advice from some family members, notably my grandfather, a B-29 pilot from WWII and a good friend of his who was an Army Aircorps pilot in the big one and eventually flew for PanAm. They both steered me into the Air Force through the ROTC program. There are no guarantees in life but I was told if you work hard and apply yourself be happy with your effort and see what happens.
So that's what I did, I joined ROTC and competed for and got a pilot slot. I got a KC-135 out of UPT and have also been a T-6A instructor. It was great fun to be an instructor, especially since my grandfather was also an instructor in the original T-6. I'm getting ready to get out of active duty and it's been terrific flying. I've got 4,500 TT and a masters degree and trying to wade through the conversion to civilian flying at this time.
As a brand new 2Lt I got paid 23,000 a year, which is about 31,000 in today's dollars. It was just after 9/11 when I graduated UPT so I've hit the ground running with many deployments and racked up hours quickly. I upgraded 2 years later to Aircraft Commander with 1,300 hours total and racked up 3,000 in my first 3.5 years. The deployments are tough of course, especially if you have a family, but airplanes are built to travel great distances in a short period of time, so you rarely takeoff and land at the same airfield, and that's just the nature of aviation. I love to travel so the lifestyle fits my personality, but it isn't for everybody. If you get homesick easily and like predictability in your schedule this isn't the life for you, but if it sounds like you want to jump inboard, I recommend you try to get hired by an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit that fly transport (c-130, c-17, KC-135) aircraft. Sometimes they hire while your in college and send you to AMS after graduation but every unit is slightly different and have their own personality. If you join a guard or reserve unit you'll be able to apply for and work for civilian airlines after you build up your hours in the unit. It's actually the best of both worlds and I wish I had known about the guard and reserve before I got into active duty.
You'll probably get lots of other advice on the subject, good luck, take it all in and make the best informed decision for your future.
04-09-2014, 03:54 PM
#5
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Ewok
Tristan,
I was on your shoes about 19 years ago, I wanted to fly for a living and didn't quite know how. I did a job mentorship program from my HS and got to visit the Comair academy in Sanford Fl. The instructors have me some advice about how to get my ratings the civilian way but I also got advice from some family members, notably my grandfather, a B-29 pilot from WWII and a good friend of his who was an Army Aircorps pilot in the big one and eventually flew for PanAm. They both steered me into the Air Force through the ROTC program. There are no guarantees in life but I was told if you work hard and apply yourself be happy with your effort and see what happens.
So that's what I did, I joined ROTC and competed for and got a pilot slot. I got a KC-135 out of UPT and have also been a T-6A instructor. It was great fun to be an instructor, especially since my grandfather was also an instructor in the original T-6. I'm getting ready to get out of active duty and it's been terrific flying. I've got 4,500 TT and a masters degree and trying to wade through the conversion to civilian flying at this time.
As a brand new 2Lt I got paid 23,000 a year, which is about 31,000 in today's dollars. It was just after 9/11 when I graduated UPT so I've hit the ground running with many deployments and racked up hours quickly. I upgraded 2 years later to Aircraft Commander with 1,300 hours total and racked up 3,000 in my first 3.5 years. The deployments are tough of course, especially if you have a family, but airplanes are built to travel great distances in a short period of time, so you rarely takeoff and land at the same airfield, and that's just the nature of aviation. I love to travel so the lifestyle fits my personality, but it isn't for everybody. If you get homesick easily and like predictability in your schedule this isn't the life for you, but if it sounds like you want to jump inboard, I recommend you try to get hired by an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit that fly transport (c-130, c-17, KC-135) aircraft. Sometimes they hire while your in college and send you to AMS after graduation but every unit is slightly different and have their own personality. If you join a guard or reserve unit you'll be able to apply for and work for civilian airlines after you build up your hours in the unit. It's actually the best of both worlds and I wish I had known about the guard and reserve before I got into active duty.
You'll probably get lots of other advice on the subject, good luck, take it all in and make the best informed decision for your future.
I was on your shoes about 19 years ago, I wanted to fly for a living and didn't quite know how. I did a job mentorship program from my HS and got to visit the Comair academy in Sanford Fl. The instructors have me some advice about how to get my ratings the civilian way but I also got advice from some family members, notably my grandfather, a B-29 pilot from WWII and a good friend of his who was an Army Aircorps pilot in the big one and eventually flew for PanAm. They both steered me into the Air Force through the ROTC program. There are no guarantees in life but I was told if you work hard and apply yourself be happy with your effort and see what happens.
So that's what I did, I joined ROTC and competed for and got a pilot slot. I got a KC-135 out of UPT and have also been a T-6A instructor. It was great fun to be an instructor, especially since my grandfather was also an instructor in the original T-6. I'm getting ready to get out of active duty and it's been terrific flying. I've got 4,500 TT and a masters degree and trying to wade through the conversion to civilian flying at this time.
As a brand new 2Lt I got paid 23,000 a year, which is about 31,000 in today's dollars. It was just after 9/11 when I graduated UPT so I've hit the ground running with many deployments and racked up hours quickly. I upgraded 2 years later to Aircraft Commander with 1,300 hours total and racked up 3,000 in my first 3.5 years. The deployments are tough of course, especially if you have a family, but airplanes are built to travel great distances in a short period of time, so you rarely takeoff and land at the same airfield, and that's just the nature of aviation. I love to travel so the lifestyle fits my personality, but it isn't for everybody. If you get homesick easily and like predictability in your schedule this isn't the life for you, but if it sounds like you want to jump inboard, I recommend you try to get hired by an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit that fly transport (c-130, c-17, KC-135) aircraft. Sometimes they hire while your in college and send you to AMS after graduation but every unit is slightly different and have their own personality. If you join a guard or reserve unit you'll be able to apply for and work for civilian airlines after you build up your hours in the unit. It's actually the best of both worlds and I wish I had known about the guard and reserve before I got into active duty.
You'll probably get lots of other advice on the subject, good luck, take it all in and make the best informed decision for your future.
04-09-2014, 04:31 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
You can apply for PLC while a freshman in college if you want too. The OSO will prepare you for the training throughout college and you'll go those two different summers for 6 week each. You will compete for a Pilot slot. They are extremely competitive as they are in any service. IF you maintain your physical qualifications, grades and graduate training you'll be commissioned a 2ndLt after graduation. You will then go to The Basic School (TBS) where you will learn about every MOS (job) in the USMC and become a basic infantry platoon commander. This school is where everyone without an aviation guarantee competes for their MOS.
Then some of the real work begins for you if you have made it this far.
Everything you do from this point forward has relevance to your possible future. Every test, every physical fitness event, every inspection, every role you pay, etc.... figures into the path afforded you throughout flight school. the better you do the better chance that you'll have that YOUR choices have an influence - and that still isn't always true. The needs of the Corps come first.
What you have heard about the selection rate is true except the fewest go Multi-engine (KC-130s) and there are the Tilt-Rotor guys now too (MV-22s). Any path can lead you to the ariline after your initial commitment is up - it just depends on how you play it.
You'll hear this from plenty of other guys - chose the military route first and foremost because you want to serve your country. If you don't - you will find that your time in military service will most likely not be what you thought and the Marines will certainly draw it out of you. That route is the most cumbersome to get to those eventual wings - but we do it because we wanted to be Marines first. Once you've decided that route is for you - I doubt that you'll ever be disappointed no matter what you fly. The friends for life that you will make and the experiences that you will have will be second to none. You can take those experiences and that training into any aspects of life after the Corps - flying or not.
As for other aspects of the airline life - I can't help you there - but Google 'The Truth About the Profession' and read it a few times over for a good and honest overview. Then spend time reading this forum. Most questions you can think of have been asked and answered many times over. For more info about the USN/USMC/USCG sideof aviation, visit airwarriors.com; BUT READ BEfORE ASKING.
Then some of the real work begins for you if you have made it this far.
Everything you do from this point forward has relevance to your possible future. Every test, every physical fitness event, every inspection, every role you pay, etc.... figures into the path afforded you throughout flight school. the better you do the better chance that you'll have that YOUR choices have an influence - and that still isn't always true. The needs of the Corps come first.
What you have heard about the selection rate is true except the fewest go Multi-engine (KC-130s) and there are the Tilt-Rotor guys now too (MV-22s). Any path can lead you to the ariline after your initial commitment is up - it just depends on how you play it.
You'll hear this from plenty of other guys - chose the military route first and foremost because you want to serve your country. If you don't - you will find that your time in military service will most likely not be what you thought and the Marines will certainly draw it out of you. That route is the most cumbersome to get to those eventual wings - but we do it because we wanted to be Marines first. Once you've decided that route is for you - I doubt that you'll ever be disappointed no matter what you fly. The friends for life that you will make and the experiences that you will have will be second to none. You can take those experiences and that training into any aspects of life after the Corps - flying or not.
As for other aspects of the airline life - I can't help you there - but Google 'The Truth About the Profession' and read it a few times over for a good and honest overview. Then spend time reading this forum. Most questions you can think of have been asked and answered many times over. For more info about the USN/USMC/USCG sideof aviation, visit airwarriors.com; BUT READ BEfORE ASKING.
04-09-2014, 04:38 PM
#8
Working weekends
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 2,384
start reading the forums at
http://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/
http://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php
http://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/
http://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php
04-09-2014, 05:13 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: 737
Posts: 126
Go to college, whatever you do. Make that a staple in any plan you make. Military is a good career, however there seems to be less hours available to fly now than there used to be. If I could do it again I would go through college and try to hook up with a guard unit. I spent 4 years as an Air Force Officer and even though I didn't fly, the military training set me up good for civilian life!
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