Hello all,

I tried doing some post/thread searches but could not find exactly what I was looking for. I am about to start my flight training while working full time. I am attempting to fly at least 3 times per week. I'm trying to get a gauge on how quickly others completed their training while working full time. From reading other threads/post I have an idea on how some of you may answer the questions below.

My questions to all of you are:

1. How long (In terms of months/years) did it take you to go from 0 hours to finishing your commercial and/or CFI?

2. Were you working full time and flight training on the side?

3. How many times per week did you fly typically?

4. How many hours of ground school per week typically?

5. How often were you doing homework during the week?

6. What were your biggest challenges/hurdles?

7. Any recommendations/advice for those training while working full-time?

Thanks for your input.

1. How long (In terms of months/years) did it take you to go from 0 hours to finishing your commercial and/or CFI?
6.5 months from Zero to CFI/MEI/CFII

2. Were you working full time and flight training on the side?
Full-time training, no job

3. How many times per week did you fly typically?
PPL: 5 times a week
IR: 3 times a week
CPL through CFI/MEI/CFII: 1-2 a week

4. How many hours of ground school per week typically?
2ish hours a week or less, mostly self study via FAA books & YouTube

5. How often were you doing homework during the week?
If you count studying as homewook, all the time

6. What were your biggest challenges/hurdles?
There were plenty of plateaus along the way, the biggest challenge/hurdle was keeping motivated to learn the information

7. Any recommendations/advice for those training while working full-time?
I always told my students you can have your training fast, good, or cheap... but only 2 of the three. Work hard in your off time and be extra prepared for every lesson.

I went to a pilot mill for my training and taught there after. 6.5 months for all my ratings, ~2 years from Zero to airlines

Your timeline is very impressive. I am hoping to have my training complete in about 12-13 months. Thanks for your input!

1. 9ish months

2. For PPL and IR I was full time, and for CPL and CFI i worked part time (about 25 hours) on the side

3. Usually 3 or 4 times a week

4. Not much, I didn't really pay for too much ground until I started working in CFI or checkride prep

5. No homework, just self studying.

6. Working on CFI is a pain, but definitely rewarding. Also weather problems (PNW)

7. Get those checkrides scheduled, keep grinding, and do your absolute best to enjoy the timebuilding. I miss being able to just do XCs for weeks. Keep your flight school accountable- I didn't go through a pilot mill, so things weren't as organized. It was up to me to work with my CFI to ensure sufficient progress without throwing money away

Also the statement that you can only pick 2 between cheap, fast, or good is simply not true. In a pilot mill environment, I could see that being true.

I went from 0-CFI in just over 11 months. No job, flying 3-5 times/week through Commercial (9 months). I did ground on bad weather days during PPL and home study for the rest. When I wasn’t at the airport I was usually at home studying the rest of the time. Flight training was basically a full time job over that time. You might could do it while working full time but that may cut into you developing a true understanding of what you’re learning.

Edit: As the above poster mentioned, enjoy the time building. It’s about the only time when you’re out “just flying”.

In your opinion, would it be possible to do full-time training (4-5 lessons per week) while working 20ish hours per week? I wish i could drop everything and go full-time training but I will need a job to keep health insurance.

Yes, lessons are usually blocked for 2-3 hours so you'll have plenty of time

1. 18 months from nothing to CFI (hopefully, checkride next week)
2. Yes, my job requires 24 hour shifts 10 days a month, so its not a regular job which allowed me to manipulate the schedule to train
3. 2-3
4. Ground school was self study at home for 90% of it
5. Studying for written exams and checkrides was home study time
6. Balancing school, work and family
7. Take a loan, focus on the training and get it done, pay it back asap. You will gain seniority faster

Thanks for sharing.

Additionally, I appreciate everyone's input on these questions. It helps me have a better understanding and more accurate expectations of this process.