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mav2005 · January 21st, 2008, 16:27

I'm 22 years old and a junior in college with a 3.7 GPA and climbing (Finance & Entrepreneurship). I work 30-40 hours per week as the lead systems administrator for an insurance company.

Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be a fighter pilot. At 11 years old I began taking flying lessons out at the airport (much more expensive now!) and I was hooked. I started building time off and on until I was 15 and then filed for my first medical. Not only was my vision poor (below military standards), but I couldn't pass the color vision test. I had always had trouble with the "dot test" and being nervous at the doctor's office did not help. This really took the wind out of my sails and with my vision in such poor condition, I knew the military wasn't an option.

I had all the flight simulator programs growing up, ran a virtual airline for sometime, collected time tables for hundreds of airlines, bought my own approach plates, sectionals, plotters, E6B, etc. I was hooked and then it all went away.

Fighter jets and corporate planes have always been my favorite types of aircraft. I used to spend hours at the airport before 9/11 just watching planes and loved every flying trip my family went on. I still love aviation, though I enjoy watching and reading about corporate aircraft more so than fighter jets.

1 - What are my options for passing the color vision test? I can drive just fine and therefore distinguish the various colors on a traffic light. Even if I find a way to pass the test for the basic medical, how does this impact me down the road for the First Class medical?

2 - If I chase corporate aviation, based on the costs at my local airport, I'm looking at a chunk of debt and numerous years before ever seeing the right seat. What's the average cost of going from student pilot to right seat in a corporate jet, even if the company hiring pays for your type rating?

3 - How do you know if you should just chase flying and leave the rest alone? I could continue with entrepreneurship and business and have a decent shot at riding in the back of a Citation jet headed down to some tropical island rather than flying it in my retirement years. If I chase the corporate flying gig, I'll probably always be up front. I could also finish up my private and instrument, thereby allowing me to still enjoy flying in command.

4 - How are people paying for this now? ERAU down in Florida costs a fortune. Private pilots license can cost $4000 to $5000. Three to six months of emergency savings in the bank, plus taking care of yourself or family, bills, and then still finding a few grand for flight?

Thanks,
Lance

January 21st, 2008, 16:27	#1
mav2005 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 9	Pilot or Rider? I'm 22 years old and a junior in college with a 3.7 GPA and climbing (Finance & Entrepreneurship). I work 30-40 hours per week as the lead systems administrator for an insurance company. Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be a fighter pilot. At 11 years old I began taking flying lessons out at the airport (much more expensive now!) and I was hooked. I started building time off and on until I was 15 and then filed for my first medical. Not only was my vision poor (below military standards), but I couldn't pass the color vision test. I had always had trouble with the "dot test" and being nervous at the doctor's office did not help. This really took the wind out of my sails and with my vision in such poor condition, I knew the military wasn't an option. I had all the flight simulator programs growing up, ran a virtual airline for sometime, collected time tables for hundreds of airlines, bought my own approach plates, sectionals, plotters, E6B, etc. I was hooked and then it all went away. Fighter jets and corporate planes have always been my favorite types of aircraft. I used to spend hours at the airport before 9/11 just watching planes and loved every flying trip my family went on. I still love aviation, though I enjoy watching and reading about corporate aircraft more so than fighter jets. 1 - What are my options for passing the color vision test? I can drive just fine and therefore distinguish the various colors on a traffic light. Even if I find a way to pass the test for the basic medical, how does this impact me down the road for the First Class medical? 2 - If I chase corporate aviation, based on the costs at my local airport, I'm looking at a chunk of debt and numerous years before ever seeing the right seat. What's the average cost of going from student pilot to right seat in a corporate jet, even if the company hiring pays for your type rating? 3 - How do you know if you should just chase flying and leave the rest alone? I could continue with entrepreneurship and business and have a decent shot at riding in the back of a Citation jet headed down to some tropical island rather than flying it in my retirement years. If I chase the corporate flying gig, I'll probably always be up front. I could also finish up my private and instrument, thereby allowing me to still enjoy flying in command. 4 - How are people paying for this now? ERAU down in Florida costs a fortune. Private pilots license can cost $4000 to $5000. Three to six months of emergency savings in the bank, plus taking care of yourself or family, bills, and then still finding a few grand for flight? Thanks, Lance