Thinking about being a pilot

[igneous]

Im sure you have all seen posts like mine a million times, but I really need some help from people who know more than I do. I have a BS in business, which I heard is good for further on, since a lot of big companies require a degree now. I have thought about going into the military, but am kind of turned off by the fact that pilot spots are extremely hard to get, and the large commitment required. The other option is paying a lot for training and then trying to get flying hours. Im unemployed at the moment, have had a hard time finding a job since I graduated, so I don't have much money at the moment, but still live at home, so my expenses are small. Any recommendations for me? I know taking some beginning flights will show me if I really want to be a pilot or not, but past that, I'm not too sure what to do. I live in Rhode Island, not sure whats available in the area either. I really just want to jump into something, take a risk, and hopefully be rewarded with a career that I will enjoy. Thanks for your help

[triple7]

I say go for it. Sounds like you are in a pretty good position. I would go check out a couple FBO's. Take a few Adventure flights and see if you like it. If flying is a good fit for you then find a good instructor and get your private. Then you will know a little better if a career in aviation is something you will want to do. If it is then the options are really unlimited for you: traditional fbo, large academies, accelerated programs like ATP or ARiben or Skymates. Financing is available if you need it, and relatively easy to obtain either with good credit and/or a cosigner. (although id advise on not running up a bunch of debt....that first year salary isnt all its cracked up to be I hear) Im sure you will get plenty more good advice like this from this board. Welcome aboard.

[braidkid]

Hello there,
I'm sure, living in RI, you've been to Horizon Aviation. I used to instruct there. You can do your training much cheaper elsewhere. The owner there will milk you as much as he can and the chief CFI is a push over.

Anyway, to answer your original question, being a pilot is a tough proposition in this day and age. If you're ok living on the edge everyday and are a free spirit, able to pack your bags anytime, then it might be the right path for you. Living at home is very advantageous as you can instruct while living at home.

I know it's not an easy decision. Search your heart and then give everything you have to what ever you decide.

[Stone Cold]

Take a look at Newport Aviation also. It's a small FBO, run by a father/daughter combo. It's based out of UUU (Middletown, RI) and will not try to milk you like Horizon. They'll work with you and help as much as possible. There are some other schools around there, but I don't have personal knowledge of them.

Good luck and keep us informed.

TX

[igneous]

Well, its been a few months, am still sadly unemployed, but I still want to be a pilot. My desire goes up and down, but in the end I really think it is what I want to do. I have an interview for a "regular" job tomorrow, which I hope I can get, and maybe will help me fund getting this process started. I'm going to be looking into that Newport aviation, as well as some other local companies.

Part of my problem is that I am kind of a frugal person, so spending $40k to become a pilot is not something I would look forward too. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but its making me be very cautious with what route I decide to take.

[jrh]

Originally Posted by igneous

Part of my problem is that I am kind of a frugal person, so spending $40k to become a pilot is not something I would look forward too. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but its making me be very cautious with what route I decide to take.

I understand. You can compare flight training to a lot of higher education though. College in general, MBAs, medical school, vocational training, etc. are all done with the intent of getting a more satisfying career. You can survive with nothing more than a high school diploma, but you might not have a very good life. People invest the $40k into flight training because they believe that will make them happier in the long term.

Also, remember, you don't drop $40k at one time (at least you shouldn't!). You spend a few thousand for this rating and a few thousand for that rating. Start-to-finish for everything you need to build a career it will cost you about $40k. If you get your private license and instrument rating and decide professional flying isn't for you, you can quit training with "only" about $12k-$15k spent.

[igneous]

That makes sense. I'll probably start off by getting my private license. The only tough thing is how and when to get started. Its one of those things that I want to just get going so it doesn't take forever to do, but I don't want to rush it either.

[Flying Ninja]

Originally Posted by igneous

That makes sense. I'll probably start off by getting my private license. The only tough thing is how and when to get started. Its one of those things that I want to just get going so it doesn't take forever to do, but I don't want to rush it either.

Get books and start reading. Go to the FAA's website and download the PDF files on Aeronautical Knowledge and Pilot's Handbook and read them. Also get a test prep book like Gleim and hit the written questions hard. Once you got all that ground stuff done, you can find yourself a CFI and get it done quick. Tell him/her that you're done with ground and is ready to take that written. Of course, he's going to want to make sure you know your stuff so rather than wasting time having him teach you the stuff, pay him to evaluate your knowledge and get signed off for that written test.

And if you really want to take a risk, invest in your MBA. At least it'll feed you at the end of the day.

[redcell38]

Go get your medical first. No point in getting worked up over something that might be unatainable. Before you get it make sure you get your blood pressure checked before you go and it is okay.
Most of all just go for it. I took a long time off and got back into just this year. I had some hoops to jump through for my medical but it was worth it. I am almost done with my instrument rating and that is only after 3 weeks.

P.S. Do you know how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
so go for it.

[igneous]

My medical is just fine. I was actually in the hiring process to become a federal air marshal for the past few months, and got through all of that, am still just waiting to hear about the physical test(running, situps, pushups, etc.), but I kind of have decided that law enforcement isn't for me.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by igneous

My medical is just fine. I was actually in the hiring process to become a federal air marshal for the past few months, and got through all of that, am still just waiting to hear about the physical test(running, situps, pushups, etc.), but I kind of have decided that law enforcement isn't for me.

I wouldn't be so quippy if I were you. While I don't know the standards that FAM's have to adhere to, obtaining a 1st class medical is EXTREMELY prudent no matter what shape you are in...

Reminds me of some guys who thought the same thing at my college...until they actually spent their money on flight training and then tried to get a 1st class medical...OOOPS...

[igneous]

Maybe it is, the physical I took for the FAMs was about 2 hours long though ,and I passed everything with no problems. I understand what you mean, especially with health, where things can change rather quickly. I'm happy to say I'm in even better shape now compared to where I was a couple months ago when I had the physical.

[MDPilot]

From what I understand, FAMs are required to meet the standards of a FAA Class II medical.

[igneous]

Originally Posted by MDPilot

From what I understand, FAMs are required to meet the standards of a FAA Class II medical.

A site i found said that class one is:
First Class Certificate Requirements - All of the Third and Second Class requirements with the following addition.

Electro-Cardiogram - At age 35 and annually after age 40.

I had an EKG done with my fams physical as well

[igneous]

Ya know whats annoying? I changed my mind shortly after making this post about a year ago, and I could have been a pilot by now. I thought I would be happier if I just followed the money and got into a regular career in business. It seems that the industry has changed quite a bit in a year, and my ambition to become a pilot has grown even more lately. There also seems to be a lot more flight schools in my area now, so I really want to just find one of the affordable good ones and get my private. I really think I'm going to be kicking myself if I put this off any longer, and I'd really rather not be in my 30's or 40's and feel the same way. Anyone in the southern new england/RI area and have any tips of Flight schools? I'm really trying to find out if there are any at quonset, since I live close to there.

[scramjet]

Go for it!

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by igneous

Well, its been a few months, am still sadly unemployed, but I still want to be a pilot. My desire goes up and down, but in the end I really think it is what I want to do. I have an interview for a "regular" job tomorrow, which I hope I can get, and maybe will help me fund getting this process started. I'm going to be looking into that Newport aviation, as well as some other local companies.

Part of my problem is that I am kind of a frugal person, so spending $40k to become a pilot is not something I would look forward too. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but its making me be very cautious with what route I decide to take.

Igneous, I am going to be brutally honest here and please don't consider anything I am saying as criticism. Becoming a pilot, particularly a professional pilot takes almost an obsession to get through the guaranteed challenges and problems you will encounter. I haven't seen very many people who are slightly interested or whose "desire goes up and down" succeed in this business. I am reading in your posts words that indicate to me you are not passionate about this craft. I would recommend a few intro flights and if the passion is not there, do yourself a favor and pursue other interests. Flying airplanes is a great profession but it is not for everybody. Good luck with your decision my friend.

[igneous]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Igneous, I am going to be brutally honest here and please don't consider anything I am saying as criticism. Becoming a pilot, particularly a professional pilot takes almost an obsession to get through the guaranteed challenges and problems you will encounter. I haven't seen very many people who are slightly interested or whose "desire goes up and down" succeed in this business. I am reading in your posts words that indicate to me you are not passionate about this craft. I would recommend a few intro flights and if the passion is not there, do yourself a favor and pursue other interests. Flying airplanes is a great profession but it is not for everybody. Good luck with your decision my friend.

Thats definitely a concern of mine. Especially because its not the only thing I enjoy doing in life. I knd of feel that if I want to become a pilot I will have to put my other hobbies and interests on hold for 3-4 years while I'm not making any money.

[white knuckle]

I agree with the posters recommending an introductory flight before you make any life changing decisions. Take a few lessons and see if it is for you while you work a steady job. You may find that as you pursue the Private Pilot certificate, you want to do it only as a hobby or you may get bitten by the bug and want to do it for a career. If you do it as a hobby with a well paying day job, you may get the satisfaction you are looking for. You will have no way of knowing until you take those first few steps. Go to the local flight school and give it a try.

I had a co-worker who quit a great job and went to one of the "academies" and started his private as part of the "professional pilot program". He had never taken any lessons before. One week into it he decided flying was not for him and returned to his former career, with a pay cut because he had to start a new position.

So go take a few lessons and see what you think. If you are really considering aviation do a lot of research. It is a large investment for not much monetary return the first few years.

Best of luck to you and your decision.

[TheAlchemist]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Becoming a pilot, particularly a professional pilot takes almost an obsession to get through the guaranteed challenges and problems you will encounter.

Sooo true!

[frog_flyer]

In the words of yoda,

"Do or do not. There is no think."


and... in the words of Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell,

"If you think, you're dead!"

[JasonB]

Originally Posted by igneous

I thought I would be happier if I just followed the money and got into a regular career in business.

WRONG!

Take it from someone who did follow the money: it's not worth it. I grew up always wanting to be a pilot, but also wanting to live "very comfortably". I pursued a career in I.T. and have been quite successful, but I am absolutely MISERABLE. I can honestly say that I'd rather be living in 2 bedroom apartment (one bedroom for each kid; wife and I will sleep on the couch) and living off noodles than work another day in I.T.

I'm knocking on the door of 30 years old, and I'm going for it (provided I have no issues getting a 1st class medical).

Life is too damn short to wonder "what if". Hindsight is always 20/20, and we all complain that we don't have that luxury. That's not true. Look around you. Look at guys like me. I went down the "safe path". The safe path is balls. If you don't like what you're doing and you can't look yourself in the mirror, you won't enjoy a single penny. Trust me. I've chased hobby after hobby trying to make myself happy. It simply doesn't work. I watched my dad go through the same thing and he never did anything about it. I finally woke up and decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

So it sounds like you're young... early 20's I'm guessing.

It only gets harder as you get older.

If you truly love flying and want to make a career out of it, I advise pursuing it at all (legal) costs. If you have to go into debt and dodge bill collectors for the next 20 years while you build time and earn seniority, then do it. If you don't do it, you will HATE yourself.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by JasonB

WRONG!

Take it from someone who did follow the money: it's not worth it. I grew up always wanting to be a pilot, but also wanting to live "very comfortably". I pursued a career in I.T. and have been quite successful, but I am absolutely MISERABLE. I can honestly say that I'd rather be living in 2 bedroom apartment (one bedroom for each kid; wife and I will sleep on the couch) and living off noodles than work another day in I.T.

I'm knocking on the door of 30 years old, and I'm going for it (provided I have no issues getting a 1st class medical).

Life is too damn short to wonder "what if". Hindsight is always 20/20, and we all complain that we don't have that luxury. That's not true. Look around you. Look at guys like me. I went down the "safe path". The safe path is balls. If you don't like what you're doing and you can't look yourself in the mirror, you won't enjoy a single penny. Trust me. I've chased hobby after hobby trying to make myself happy. It simply doesn't work. I watched my dad go through the same thing and he never did anything about it. I finally woke up and decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

So it sounds like you're young... early 20's I'm guessing.

It only gets harder as you get older.

If you truly love flying and want to make a career out of it, I advise pursuing it at all (legal) costs. If you have to go into debt and dodge bill collectors for the next 20 years while you build time and earn seniority, then do it. If you don't do it, you will HATE yourself.

Thats what you call obsession right there!! Nice post by the way, hope everything works out for you. I pursued other career options momentarily, just "chasing the money", but I was miserable too. I was born to fly, so my toture for having the passion, is never being home and making $20k a year to start. But hot damn, ain't flyin fun!!

[igneous]

Originally Posted by JasonB

WRONG!

Take it from someone who did follow the money: it's not worth it. I grew up always wanting to be a pilot, but also wanting to live "very comfortably". I pursued a career in I.T. and have been quite successful, but I am absolutely MISERABLE. I can honestly say that I'd rather be living in 2 bedroom apartment (one bedroom for each kid; wife and I will sleep on the couch) and living off noodles than work another day in I.T.

I'm knocking on the door of 30 years old, and I'm going for it (provided I have no issues getting a 1st class medical).

Life is too damn short to wonder "what if". Hindsight is always 20/20, and we all complain that we don't have that luxury. That's not true. Look around you. Look at guys like me. I went down the "safe path". The safe path is balls. If you don't like what you're doing and you can't look yourself in the mirror, you won't enjoy a single penny. Trust me. I've chased hobby after hobby trying to make myself happy. It simply doesn't work. I watched my dad go through the same thing and he never did anything about it. I finally woke up and decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

So it sounds like you're young... early 20's I'm guessing.

It only gets harder as you get older.

If you truly love flying and want to make a career out of it, I advise pursuing it at all (legal) costs. If you have to go into debt and dodge bill collectors for the next 20 years while you build time and earn seniority, then do it. If you don't do it, you will HATE yourself.

Yeah, I'm 24, so I really can't put off anything much longer. I'm about 50/50 between becoming a pilot and going into law enforcement. I'm trying to get into federal LE, which is a long process. The issues with being a pilot right now are the money, long time away from home, the amount of time it will take me to become a pilot from right now(no hours), and continuing to live at home in my 20's. My issues with LE are sort of similar, like the money(although some positions do pay quite well) but retirement is usually decent, the amount of work hours, and the risks of the job. Both positions are very interesting to me, which makes it even harder to choose...

[Naluryder]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Thats what you call obsession right there!! Nice post by the way, hope everything works out for you. I pursued other career options momentarily, just "chasing the money", but I was miserable too. I was born to fly, so my toture for having the passion, is never being home and making $20k a year to start. But hot damn, ain't flyin fun!!

I totaly agree..I finally made the leap from what ifs to just going for it. It's an obsession and a great passion. Hey I left paradise (Hawaii) now training in TX (GKY) I can always go back to Hawaii and pick up on my hobbies(surfing) again once I accomplish this flying goal of mine. I've made great sacrifices. It's funny how flying is like surfing...the wind can be a great factor. Gusty winds..(no flying..) grounded wishing I were up flying. Gusty winds on the ocean(mushy waves no form) the obsession drives me to paddle out and surf in mush...conditions wishing for cleaner waves...LOL...I've climbed the highest peaks,surfed the great blue seas and now fly the sky's...to me it's freedom..the greatest feeling in the world...no regrets..