Need Advice!

[NadalWannabe]

Hi, I'm 13 years old, and I live close to KEFD, in Houston, TX. I would like to become a pilot, and I have some questions.

1. When should I get my PPL? (I think I have to be 15 to get eligibility).

2. Does KEFD have a ground school or flight school?

3. What are some good aviation colleges in Texas?

4. When I grow up, I want to be a captain for SWA. Is this a reasonable goal?

Thanks!!!

[Cheechako]

Welcome to Jetcareers!

As an airline pilot who has been in the industry just under 10 years, I'll take a stab at answering your questions:

1. When should I get my PPL? (I think I have to be 15 to get eligibility).

I would say as soon as you can. It would be a great time to see if flying is actually something you want to persue long-term. It's a great time to make sure you're up to the task. Maybe get involved in your local Civil Air Patrol to grab some experience. It's been a while, but I think you can't get your Student Pilot cert. until you're 16, then Private Pilot license when you're 17.

2. Does KEFD have a ground school or flight school?

The best way to find out is to get your mom or dad to drive you down to the airport and see what's there. Another source of information is AirNav.com. You might find something there.

3. What are some good aviation colleges in Texas?

I think there are quite a number of flight academies that focus on getting all your ratings but no degree. I went to LeTourneau University in Longview, TX and got an aviation degree that included my A&P mechanic license and all my pilot certificates. Many on this web board will tell you to get a non-aviation degree so you have something to fall back on in case something happens that prevents you from flying for a living. That's sound advice.

4. When I grow up, I want to be a captain for SWA. Is this a reasonable goal?

That is a GREAT goal! Keep after it and don't give up. But don't sell yourself short. By the time you're ready for the big time, Southwest may not be what they are today.

Good luck! Despite the ups and downs in the airline industry, I still think it's a noble job and would rather do nothing else!

[Swen]

Originally Posted by NadalWannabe

1. When should I get my PPL? (I think I have to be 15 to get eligibility).

I'd recommend the summer after your junior year in high school. If you work hard at it, you can get it in 3 months, if not, you can finish whilst starting your senior year. Once the certificate is obtained, you can then pick up chicks by using the "I'm a pilot!" line.

Originally Posted by NadalWannabe

2. Does KEFD have a ground school or flight school?

I don't know.

Originally Posted by NadalWannabe

3. What are some good aviation colleges in Texas?

I have no idea.

Originally Posted by NadalWannabe

4. When I grow up, I want to be a captain for SWA. Is this a reasonable goal?

Capt. Gwinn would tell you that you can't do both. Its good to have goals, but the airlines are quit similar to the drunk guy at the bar...neither of them know who, what, when or where they will be the next day. The career path of a pilot is long with the possibility of many lateral moves, so just follow it by taking the best opportunities you can as they are presented to you.

Originally Posted by NadalWannabe

Thanks!!!

Rock on man!

[Stinger]

So I assume that you want Nadal to win the US Open this year?
Looks to me like Nadal has a pretty easy road through the quarterfinals unless Safin plays good.

[Joshrk22]

You have a couple of years left. I wouldn't begin until you are at least 16 because eventually you will finish the PPL syllabus and you will just be wasting money by flying dual all the time. BUT, you could start at 15 and do your PPL training and IFR training together and get both on your 17th birthday.

Start saving money now, this is a very pricey hobby and career. If you go to an FBO expect to pay around $100+ an hour for a C172 and another $30+ for an instructor. In the end you can expect close to five grand to get your certificate.

Or... you can join a club or organization like Civil Air Patrol and get cheap flight time. It costs about $90 an hour for a C182 wet and the instructors are free. That's what I've done and it's been great. I have 36 hours now and I only have 5 hours of solo time left and I'm done. CAP also has a variety of airplanes. I have been checked out in a 172 and two different 182's. Putting up with all the CAP crap is dumb at times but it is a good organization. There are many opportunities to get free flight time and you can network like crazy. I have met some awesome pilots that have passed my name along throughout the wing, so that has been nice, also.

I would say get a thousand or two and go join a glider club. This will allow you to solo at 14 and get your license at 16. You can still gain all that valuable experience of being in the air. Glider flying makes you a great pilot because it teaches coordination much better than a powered plane would.

Good luck!

[dc3flyer]

Welcome aboard!!!!

As stated in the above posts, 15 or 16 is the age to start. I personally started flying when I was 16. I got my PPL the week after my 17th birthday. I took a whole year to get my PPL, but it was because of age, not motivation. It was nice to not feel the rush to get done though. You will end up with more than the required hours, and more than the required experience which will make your checkride EASY!

Have fun!!!!!

[NadalWannabe]

Cheechako, I'm guessing you fly for Alaskan Airlines.

[NadalWannabe]

I doubt it. Safin has been struggling for quite a while.

[ackeight]

Originally Posted by NadalWannabe

Hi, I'm 13 years old, and I live close to KEFD, in Houston, TX. I would like to become a pilot, and I have some questions.

1. When should I get my PPL? (I think I have to be 15 to get eligibility).

2. Does KEFD have a ground school or flight school?

3. What are some good aviation colleges in Texas?

4. When I grow up, I want to be a captain for SWA. Is this a reasonable goal?

Thanks!!!

To answer #3 there are some good schools in Texas. I was born and bred there, but I went to a school in Oklahoma called Southeastern Oklahoma State University. It was an AWESOME experience. You can get your 4 year degree in either management, as a pilot, or maintenance (I believe). You can still fly and get your ratings no matter what degree you pick. The classes are tough, but you learn a lot. It is a normal college so you still get that experience instead of just a flight academy. We've had a few people from the Houston area come up our way. I know it sounds like i'm recruiting you into the school, but it doesn't hurt to look around for other colleges outside TX. I got started in aviation around the age of 13 and let me tell you. It is an EXPENSIVE hobby when your young (or old for that matter). Unless your parents are loaded this will basically be the only thing you will do. Good luck with your aspirations

[DE727UPS]

I used to fly 727's into EFD. We stayed at the Hilton on Clear Lake. I remember on the drive to UPS that we passed by a fairly good sized pilot supply shop which was on the main road to the airport. I'd suggest you check it out and see if any CFI's or flight school's advertise on their bulletin board.

We quit flying into EFD and go into IAH now. I'll be flying the IAH-RFD trip later in OCT. Keep in touch.

[lilsmithy]

Originally Posted by Joshrk22

Start saving money now, this is a very pricey hobby and career. If you go to an FBO expect to pay around $100+ an hour for a C172 and another $30+ for an instructor. In the end you can expect close to five grand to get your certificate.

$100!! In Britain an hour in a C152 will cost you $280 (£140)!

[flyover]

See yourself as a professional pilot right now and do not waver from that viewpoint. Do that and the way will become clear.

And don't listen to anyone who would try to discourage you. People like that are going nowhere and want you to go there with them.

[Murdoughnut]

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else really, but as young as you are, maybe you should look into Civil Air Patrol. Would be a good way to get an initial orientation. Also check local EAA chapters that offer Young Eagles - that's how I took my first flight. Good luck!

[taseal]

hey buddy!

my ex used to live by there (league city) I used to visit there alot, if I was there right now, i'd take you up, show you the ropes and stuff

as far as school goes, there is delta connection academy there.... (before anyone says something, this is a remote base, their rates are ALOT less compared to main base, 172 is about 140 an hour with instruction) check it out there, altough you have years and years for that San Jacinto has a decent 2 year program for aviation once you finish high school. I was actually going to attend there... their program is VERY nice.

one thing I have to say is, stick with it! I wanted to be a pilot since I was even younger compared to you. (like 7-8) i lost interest for a while, but later on (like 15 years later) it clicked again, and now here I am you got 3 more years to go, and you can start your private pilot license.

most important thing is, what do you parents say? are they ok with you becoming a pilot? at age 16, you WILL need your parent's support to get through...

[taseal]

Originally Posted by Murdoughnut

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else really, but as young as you are, maybe you should look into Civil Air Patrol. Would be a good way to get an initial orientation. Also check local EAA chapters that offer Young Eagles - that's how I took my first flight. Good luck!

good idea! you'll love civil air patrol!

[moxiepilot]

The only extra I'm going to add is that many of the younger teens whom I teach need a few aspects to develop earlier than your peers:

study habits
responsibility
an understanding of the value of money

with regard to study habits, becoming a pilot does not necessarily mean being able to read a book. there is more to it than that.

by responsibility, i mean the ability to develop an awareness of what is going on, make a choice and determine the outcome of that choice.

by understanding the value of money I mean that mom & dad are probably paying for a bit of your training if you start young. as long as you are progressing with your traing then it is money well spent. if you are having to be taught something over and over because you havent taken the time to study, then this is money not well spent on your training.

good goals! keep up the attitude and your desires should follow.

[NadalWannabe]

O.K., a lot of people say that I should get a degree other than aviation. Let's say I decide to major in Electrical Engineering (which I am interested in as well). How would I get my flight hours?

[DE727UPS]

"How would I get my flight hours?"

You go to a flight school, learn to fly, get your advanced ratings, become an instructor (which you could do at 18), and build your hours. All of that can be totally independent of college. Actually, I recommend that it IS totally independent of college.