Hey everyone...

I've been lurking around these forums for a while but finally decided to sign up and ask for some pointed advice on my specific situation. I'm currently on active duty as an intelligence analyst with the Navy (about 4.5 years left). I have a bachelor's degree in Political Science, 25 years old, and will have just turned 30 by the time my contract expires. Without getting into it, I will simply say that I do not enjoy what I do and am looking for a change at my soonest opportunity. I am single with no dependents, and intend on keeping it that way.

I love aviation and am seriously considering pursuing a commercial pilot career. Flying for the Navy isn't an option as I don’t have the eyesight for it. I realize that I am behind the curve in that I am much older than the ideal age to start flight training. That said, what would be my best path to make this happen?

My current plan is to finish my PPL this year at a local FBO. I then intend to use GI Bill benefits (capped at $10,000 per year for 3 years) to go towards completing my Instrument, ME, CPL, CFII before I separate from the Navy. I’ll then need to build up my TT, which means instructing for a couple of years before I’m a viable candidate for the regionals.

Does this sound like the right idea?

I have also looked at completing my PPL and then going through ATP upon leaving the Navy. I have heard good and bad about the fire hose style training at ATP, but I am intrigued by the “guaranteed flight instructor job” which would provide a lot of multi-engine time. This training option would be more expensive for me, since the GI Bill as it’s structured will only cover $10,000. Will that guaranteed instructor position and extra ME time be worth it, though? (ATP isn’t currently accepting new GI-Bill students, but that is temporary.)

I definitely have more questions, but I’ll space things out. I don’t have any close friends or family members that fly so I’m looking forward to hearing your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

I've said this before, look into getting a Guard or Reserve pilot training slot--if selected and "winged", just about guaranteed career without waiting to leave AD

GF

He said he didn't have the eyesight !!!

Can the OP pass an FAA First Class Medical? If you don't know, get one now, to know for sure. Without that, you weren't going anywhere, anyway.

You're not too old to start. You'll make a LOT less money doing CFI and regional pilot duties than you did in the Navy. That could be 5 or 10 years of your life, or more. Then, assuming you EVER get to a good paying carrier, you'll be on the bottom of the seniority of a airline, and when the inevitable down turn happens, you'll be first to furlough.

Good luck.

There is so much to say, but so many threads that cover this -

My 2 cents - get your private and enjoy flying for fun. You're looking at tremendous expense for a possible career. Emphasis on possible. And where that career may be is anyone's guess. CFI? Charter? Regional? Night freight? Maybe, possibly a major someday? Maybe? Base your best years on maybes, someday's and hope so's?
Can you survive on half of your current salary for the next 5 years?
Hate to be Debbie Downer, but this job ain't what it once was.

I used to be more optistmic about guys getting into this business - it's good to help others avoid land mines - but the last 5 years of stagnation, bankruptcy wages, people who won't retire, oil speculation, terrorism, furloughs, etc. etc. have tarnished my otherwise rosey outlook. Sorry.

Have a nice day.

I believe the ATP “guaranteed flight instructor job” is only guaranteed for those students in the complete zero-to-hero program. May want to verify that before committing to anything. That guarantee also means you get to sit in the home office answering phones till a flight instructor job opens up somewhere. Last I called and inquired about it, the pay was around $8.50 an hour.

Do you have a military aero club nearby? The ones I have seen are cheaper than the local FBO's and were part 141 instruction.


Good Luck.

I currently hold a Class 3, which was my mistake. I went in requesting only a 3, not realizing that First Class was what I needed. It turns out that my glasses prescription needed updating anyway, so I'm glad to find that out before failing a First Class exam. Once my new glasses come in, I'll be seeing an optometrist to ensure that my acuity is 20/20 in each eye. I won't be committing to any major flight training expenses until I am certain that I am eligible.

I understand. I actually appreciate comments like yours because it provides an important alternate perspective to consider. We tend to romanticize and idealize things in our minds, while forgetting that things may not turn out as we had envisioned. I often find myself in this role, giving people the ugly truth when it comes to joining the Navy. It's not being a Debbie Downer... it's just honesty.

I recently spoke to an ANG Colonel (KC-135 pilot and 757 captain for Delta) about my plans. He was encouraging, but definitely warned me about the potential pitfalls that you mentioned. His advice (and it seems fairly sound) was that I should always have a backup plan. Since I have a TS clearance, it may be in my best interest to keep it active after separation from active duty by going into the reserves. Though I'd rather be done with the military altogether, it's something I'm considering.

Sounds like you have had a tough time with the military.
If being "done with the military altogether" to you means letting that TS lapse then you are being shortsighted in the value of that little piece of paper that the military has provided to you. A TS clearance can open MANY doors which are closed to the average Joe.
Good luck.

USMCFLYR

What he said.

Also the reserves can be a very useful means of maintaining income potential and more importantly, benefits, during your training and the early poverty-level years in aviation. Also it can provide a fallback job and retirement benefits, I have found military reserves very helpful during my aviation career so far. Are you a CT? If so odds are good that you will have no problem jumping back to a full-time status for the forseeable future should you find the need.

Also you might want to consider your reasons for disliking the military...professional aviation has some things in common with the military, which is why airlines like ex-military people. But people who left the military because they couldn't hack it, work with others, or behave responsibly probably aren't airline material either. If you have a good record in the military, you should be fine in aviation even if you don't enjoy the military. But if you are a "problem child" you may need to do some soul-searching before pursuing the airlines.

And like somebody said, get your PPL asap and fly around for fun some to see if you like it. The GI Bill won't pay for that anyway so you might as well get started.

Stay in the Reserves! Switch services if you don't like the Navy, but stay in. Your TS and your intel background gives you a world of opportunities to pick up orders if things in the flying world go south. And they will, you can bet on that happening in any aviation career. The great thing about the Reserves is even if you don't like it, it's only a couple days a month.