A Few Questions.

[Bigscrb15]

I'll introduce myself first. I am a 23 year old guy from Florida. I work in our family business that sells floors. I have been in love with aviation ever since a little kid. I am wanting to fulfill my dreams of being a pilot. I took a couple flight lessons last year before I got married and when I got married the money dissappeared, lol. My long term goal is to get my ratings, fly small(twin piston) corporate planes while still working at our business, and then maybe move onto either big time corporate/fractional or start-up my own charter service. I am wanting to goto the local FBO to get my ratings. The problem is I can not get a credit based loan for the $35k. I will need to goto an accredited school to get the student loans to pay for it. Now, for my questions.

1. No more than FAA Standard Pilot Weight - I have seen this listed on a few job requirements. I can not find what the "standard weight" is. I am 6'4" and 300lbs. I have flown comfortably in C172 and a Sundowner. I drive my wifes Toyota Prius constantly so I am comfortable in tight places. I do plan on losing weight because I know how critical weight can be in the smaller airplanes. Just curious to what the FAA considers Standard.

2. Loans - How did you pay for your flight training? Any special loans available? Grants? etc.

3. Any other advice for someone in my postition?

Thank you in advance for all the help!!

[Flying Ninja]

You're over standard weight. This is what Part 119 says about weights:

Crew—for each crewmember required by the Federal Aviation Regulations—
(A) For male flight crewmembers—180 pounds.
(B) For female flight crewmembers—140 pounds.
(C) For male flight attendants—180 pounds.
(D) For female flight attendants—130 pounds.
(E) For flight attendants not identified by gender—140 pounds.

As for how to finance this gig, let me tell you that flight training is expensive. And how expensive depends on how much kool-aid you drink from the marketing department of the flight school or flight instructor that is trying to sell you. I've heard people getting through CFI with $30k while I spent over $101K and didn't get any instructor ratings. So the spectrum is broad. Your options to learn how to fly to becoming a professional pilot working for a fractional, charter, or air transport is also broad. I would seriously do research on what is the best route for you. It could be as simple as going to a local airport and sign up with a flight school there to buying your own airplane and train in it and then sell it when you're ready to move on to twins, etc.

My final word of caution or advice as you call it, is to do a LOT of research. Talk to a lot of people, and read a lot of threads in this forum for information. You'll eventually get a good feel for how this game is played. Just don't play it until you see the good, the bad, and what I've seen, the real UGLY.

Good luck and welcome to aviation!