I'm 37, have my PPL/SEL and ~185 hrs, two degrees, GI Bill benefits that will go away 12/2009, access to a local 141 school, and a desire to fly for a living. If I've done my math right, I could get my IR, CPL, and MEL for ~$11k, and go the distance (to ATP) for ~$26k [both figures are my net expense after VA pays]. So given that information, I'm interested in what you might do if you were me and why. And btw, I'm not looking for sunshine or smoke in my posterior; but I don't need to read the familiar it'd-just-suck-anyway speech I've read on many of the other threads. Many thanks in advance.

At your age, a regional career is feasible, or you could do regional for a couple years, get the turbine time, then go corporate. If you were to pursue a major airline career, you would be so old by the time you got there that the dues / payoff ratio would be very high..ie you'd spend most of your major airline "career" on reserve in some east-coast toilet.


IIR, the 141 program will require that you do the ENTIRE comm & IR syllabus...since you already have 185 hours, look at doing the IR part 61...by the time you do that, and do the comm x-countries and manuevers, you should be around 250, so you could take your commercial ride part 61 also. Just run the numbers both ways...don't get fixated on using your VA benefits unless they will provide some significant savings. Many 141 schools make sure they overcharge VA students so they can get your benefits...compare the 141/VA cost to the same rating done under part 61.

The one big potential opportunity for VA benies is a 141 program where you do most of your training in a twin and get your 100+ ME knocked out...there are schools that do that sort of thing.

You didn't say anything about CFI, CFII, MEI...assume that you will need those, even though some salesmen will probably try to tell you otherwise. Flight training salesmen are usually people who got booted out of the used-car sales union for ethics violations...

You mentioned "going the distance to ATP"...not sure if you were talking about the school ATP or the ATP rating. If you were refering to buying an actual ATP rating...that is almost never done and would be totally unnecessary...get your CFI ratings, get a job as a flight instructor, then when you have 1000/100 go to a regional...they will automatically give you the ATP when you upgrade to captain.

If you're gonna do it, get started quick.

Everything Rickair 7777 said is excellent advice. Allow me to add two points.

First, going 141 will be expensive but will also buy you time. All things being equal between you and another similarly qualified student who starts Part 61 at the same time is you'll have the necessary certification sooner. I instructed at a Part 141 school and you'll have to make sure their syllabus is VA approved too. Part 141 doesn't guarantee all training is VA approved.

Second, see if there is a military flying club in your area which is also 141 and VA approved. Quantico MCAS has a very active club. I flew there frequently in the mid 1980s.

I used GI Bill to get my CFII and MEI. It helped immensely. I also got my ATP when I upgraded with my current employer.

Rickair 7777's comment about flight training salesmen is something you would be wise to remember. If you use American Flyers, they have just this type of person at their disposal. If you come across Billy Fulton, turn around and walk out the door.

Good luck...fly safe!

Also be wary of anywhere that tells you that your training will cost more as a result of using VA bennefits. This has been mentioned a number of times in other threads. A reputable flight school won't do this. A number of friends and colleagues are using their bennefits to advance their ratings and it has helped them tremendously.

In looking at my previous post, I may have implied my upgrade was paid for using my VA benefits. That was not the case. My employer paid for the upgrade.

Sure do appreciate the feedback. I'm also curious what any of you might know about mechanic-copilot positions---heard the term for the first time today.

That's a job available in remote areas like Alaska or fire-fighting in the west...usually you would be operating larger prop planes (DC-3/4/6 or other radial engine maybe) that are maintenance intensive. They like one or both pilots to be A&Ps so that they can take care of mx issues at remote outstations. Would probably be fun, but the flying is riskier.

It's something I would enjoy, but moving the family to a place like that is not feasible for most folks (including me).