Any Advice?

[pilot-to-be]

Hey, I'm 13 and new to this online forum. I plan on starting my pilot career ASAP!!! What's the earliest age you can start a path in aviation and if you know any good aviation colleges, flight schools, etc. please notify me. Thanks!

[DE727UPS]

I wouldn't worry about colleges at this point. Stay out of trouble and get a job to save up money. Start taking lessons at 16 and get your PPL at 17. Work hard in school, get good grades, and develop a good work ethic.

You could get a a free flight by checking out http://www.youngeagles.org/

Also, if you can find an airport nearby and you see some guy washing his plane, you might offer to help. Tell him you like planes more than computer games. If he's had a teenage son in the last 15 years, he'll be impressed and might just take you up.

[Crockrocket94]

I know it is 16 to solo, 17 for private, and 18 for commercial ratings...


First and formost, try and get a job at an FBO, get yourself into to the system, meet people, learn everything you can until you are old enough to start the training.

my thoughts.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by pilot-to-be

Hey, I'm 13 and new to this online forum. I plan on starting my pilot career ASAP!!! What's the earliest age you can start a path in aviation and if you know any good aviation colleges, flight schools, etc. please notify me. Thanks!

Focus on finishing school first! Aviation will always be here, don't let it side track you from your studies now. Do excellent in school, work hard and you just might get a scholarship to help pay for your college.

Meanwhile to scratch your aviation itch, go to a local airport and maybe get a part time job or meet some pilots. You could even get an R/C Airplane. I had one when I was 13 and it was a blast!

Focus on school first though, trust me.

[FlyOrDie]

I took my first official lesson on my 14th birthday and now 10 years later I'm an FE on a DC6. The best advice in my opinion would be to obviously stay out of trouble but also enjoy the journey. Take a couple lessons, read everything you can about flying, hangout at the airport, get yourself a Private Pilot ground school course.

Get to know as many people at your local airport as you can, and never be afraid to ask people for a ride, you might be very surprised at the results. I was flying one day and went into this little semi-abandoned strip (Elk Hills Buttonwillow) west of Bakersfield CA and there were a group of guys flying RCs out there. This one guy asked me if he could have a ride. So I gave him a ride because I thought it was so cool that he was willing to ask some punk 17 year old kid like myself to go flying.

Bryan

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by pilot-to-be

Hey, I'm 13 and new to this online forum. I plan on starting my pilot career ASAP!!! What's the earliest age you can start a path in aviation and if you know any good aviation colleges, flight schools, etc. please notify me. Thanks!

Welcome to JC! I know the feeling about wanting to get right into it, but you are young and have plenty of time. You can start at your age, but it would be a waste of money, since you can't solo till you are 16. The beest thing to now is to save up money to put towards getting your private pilot license.

Get a job as a line person at your local FBO, you may not get hired right away, but keep persistant at it. It is a great experience and you will learn a lot about everything avaition there. I would also recommend you train at a local FBO to start your private, worrying about big name flight schools now isn't nessecary.

Feel free to ask anything else, kick back and relax!

[scramjet]

Check out the local squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (www.cap.gov). Not only are you entitled to (I believe) six orientation flights, but you have the opportunity to participate in flying camps where you can get a jumpstart on your flight training and maybe even solo all for a significant monetary savings over commercial flight schools. I was a cadet for five years, it was a blast!

[Bigey]

Read up on everything you can about aviation. Check down at local airports if you could get a job doing stuff. Even if it is washing airplanes or cleaning the insides, go ahead and ask. Get to know the people and show that you're interested despite your age. Dont worry about actually building hours and getting your certificates just yet as you still have a few years. I know the wait, i was personally there. I'm 16 now, turning 17 in a few months and havent done much except for some sporadic flights just to keep my taste wet in flying. Save your money and learn when to spend it, and spending it all early will not help. Gotta be 17 to get the ticket, and at least 16 to solo.

I also think it's somewhat pointless to get all your hours built as soon as you turn 16 also as after you're done with your hours you want your PPL but got to wait till you're 17. Again, time it right so you can save some money in the process.

Good luck and welcome!