Pilot or Rider?

[mav2005]

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

[Dreampilot]

Hey Lance,

I just graduated with a business/finance degree and let me tell you, its not an easy task to find a job unless youre connected but your GPA is very good. I recently decided business is not where I want to be. I am now working full-time and paying as I go(I start Friday). I guess I will hack it out in the corporate world for a couple years to get where I want to be. Starting your own business will probably consume all your time anyway. You won't even be able to think about aviation. Best of luck

-Matt

[GatorFC]

Originally Posted by mav2005

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?

Welcome to the board.

As far as your color vision questions, check the "Ask a Flight Surgeon" forums. This should help you out, though:
http://forums.jetcareers.com/search.php?searchid=895488

[clearsky76]

Hey Lance -

1. I guess the first thing to do is to find out if you can get your First Class Medical. I'd recommend posting a question on the "Ask A Flight Surgeon" forum of this website. You'll find the best answer there. I had problems with those dot plates as well, and requested a signal light gun test from the FAA. But you either pass or fail this one, and the results are permanent. There are other tests that you can take which I'd highly recommend trying before taking a signal light gun test. Ask the Flight Surgeon about them. So, not to give you false hope. . . I was like you in that I failed the general color vision test, found an alternative and passed. And I now have no restrictions on my First Class medical.
2. And the cost varies depending on the road you take. The ATPs, Flight Safety Academy, etc. will be expensive, but quick. Or you can save some money, and go the FBO route at your local airport. Either way, just get the degree out of the way.
3. I guess you just have to decide how much you want to fly. Do you want some stability in your life? Then go for business and fly for fun. OR, do you want unpradictability, but also not having the "what if" question in your mind when you're 60 years old? Then do whatever it takes to make your dream come true. I guess it's just a matter of how much you want to fly for a living.
4. I will be paying for my flying lessons by savings/loans at an FBO while finishing up my degree, and then after I'm finished with college, I'll head to one of the flight schools down south to finish up whatever ratings I have left.

I hope this helps you out a little. But I guess before you put anymore energy into a desicion, I'd recommend getting your medical taken care of so you'll know what your options are from there.

Best of luck!

[Beech driver]

Originally Posted by mav2005

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.

How did you decide on what to go to college for? I am guessing you had other options as well. In the case of either flying or not, you need to decide what your true passion is. Business or flying? No one but yourself can say what dream you should chase. Regardless of which way you go, make sure you finish your degree. As that will only help you.

Originally Posted by mav2005

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?

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?

As far as the money aspect, cost can vary widely. As stated by clearsky76 the academies will be expensive and quick while the local FBO could be longer yet cheaper. How to pay for it. Well, taking out some type of loan is a common route. Just keep in mind you will pay more after all the interest is added. Personally, I never took out a loan for my flight training as I saved up the money I needed and then took the lessons. Now, that obviously took more time to get to where I am, but I was not in that big of a hurry. Mainly due to my starting lessons shortly before the airline downturn from a couple years ago. I would recommend taking the time to research places where you may want to take the training. Talk to the company, as well as people who have gone there to find out from them the costs, length of time required, the general atmosphere, etc.
Hopefully, some of this will help you. Best of luck in whatever decision you make.