Hey all, so many questions, where to begin

drew4008 · November 15th, 2007, 02:18

Hey all, heard about your fine site on another forum and was hoping some of you nice ppl could take the time to help me with the questions I have.

Well, first off, I'm currently a freshman in university in a non-related aviation field (Geography) and although I'm doing well and all, I just don't know at all what I want to be. My parents have been telling me forever I should look into being a pilot, and even though I was really interested, I just never made the jump to commit myself to a college aviation program or flight training or such. So basically, the first big question... am I too late and would pursuing aviation be just a pipedream now, or could I (and should I?) finish studying? I mean, what steps would you recommend? I'm aware of the initial costs and the hard steps to become a reputable pilot, but would definitely be willing to do what it takes if I want to do this. What would you recommend for somebody to do in order to see if piloting is what they really want?

Also, I'm Canadian and went to HS there, but am currently in MT for university. What is the piloting industry like as far as boundaries between the US and Canada, if anybody knows? Is the FAA the governing institution for both, or is there some other type of accredation for Canada? Would a degree or certificate or such from US hold any water in Canada, and vice versa? Does anybody know of any colleges/schools in Canada which are reputable? (if there are any? lol)

I have so many questions, just not sure where to start and everything. Hope somebody can at least get me started on what I should do in the near future if I'm able to do this, thank you guys.

ASpilot2be · November 15th, 2007, 02:20

Glad to see you made it over

charlie1017 · November 15th, 2007, 02:32

Welcome to JC Drew!

First off you're absolutely not too late! I'm 26 years old and I'm in the process of time building for the Commercial! You can do it

. The FAA only governs aviation in the USA. There's a different agency in Canada, as it is a sovereign country. However I've heard that the licenses seem compatible; I guess the folks here at JC can surely explain this better than I can...
My advice for you would be, if you haven't flown yet, to get a Discovery Flight at a local flight school. That way you'll experience what is like to fly in the aircraft you will be training in... If you like it and the bug bites you, then you'll have to register with the TSA (if you will train in the USA) and most importantly get the First Class Medical (or its Canadian equivalent). Without the First Class, you won't be able to fly the in the airlines.
Good luck and enjoy the flying!

bigbobby03 · November 15th, 2007, 04:23

You're definitely not too late. I started my training during my sophomore year of college. I earned a non aviation degree while flying the remainder of my school. I worked my hard doing full time school and flying, but could normally get one rating (private and instrument) per semester of school flying about 3 times a week. Starting now will put you ahead of many. Enjoy, and I promise that if you decide to pursue aviation that you won't be disappointed.

moxiepilot · November 15th, 2007, 10:34

I went to college, floundered 4 years, then started training. I'm 33 now and not doing too shabby.

If you get certified in Canada, the process to get US licenseture is fairly easy; take a look at FAR 61.75

Good luck

zmiller4 · November 15th, 2007, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew4008

although I'm doing well and all, I just don't know at all what I want to be.

Totally normal and completely healthy! Anyone who knows exactly what they want to do with their life at that age scares me a little.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew4008

My parents have been telling me forever I should look into being a pilot, and even though I was really interested, I just never made the jump to commit myself to a college aviation program or flight training or such.

Good call--there's no real need to go through a college aviation program. They work well for some, but they are far from the only route to flying professionally.

Quote:

So basically, the first big question... am I too late and would pursuing aviation be just a pipedream now, or could I (and should I?) finish studying?

As a freshman in college? You're far from being too late to get started. I'd definately recommend finishing the geography degree while working on ratings--it's a valuable degree, especially if you've got some good GIS experience.

dc3flyer · November 15th, 2007, 19:52

Welcome aboard!!!!!

I think everyone has clarified, it is DEFINITELY NOT too late to start flying, unless you are a 60 year old mamma's boy that just went back to college. I am not sure about the Canadian thing, but I am sure someone can help you out with more info.

drew4008 · November 15th, 2007, 20:33

Ok, thanks for clearing up the age part. For some reason I thought college was the place you got educated to become a pilot, and was thinking I'd have to transfer, although that might still be an option. So what exactly can I do to get my feet wet?

charlie1017 · November 15th, 2007, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew4008

So what exactly can I do to get my feet wet?

Hop in a plane with an instructor for a Discovery Flight and enjoy!

November 15th, 2007, 02:18	#1
drew4008 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2	Hey all, so many questions, where to begin Hey all, heard about your fine site on another forum and was hoping some of you nice ppl could take the time to help me with the questions I have. Well, first off, I'm currently a freshman in university in a non-related aviation field (Geography) and although I'm doing well and all, I just don't know at all what I want to be. My parents have been telling me forever I should look into being a pilot, and even though I was really interested, I just never made the jump to commit myself to a college aviation program or flight training or such. So basically, the first big question... am I too late and would pursuing aviation be just a pipedream now, or could I (and should I?) finish studying? I mean, what steps would you recommend? I'm aware of the initial costs and the hard steps to become a reputable pilot, but would definitely be willing to do what it takes if I want to do this. What would you recommend for somebody to do in order to see if piloting is what they really want? Also, I'm Canadian and went to HS there, but am currently in MT for university. What is the piloting industry like as far as boundaries between the US and Canada, if anybody knows? Is the FAA the governing institution for both, or is there some other type of accredation for Canada? Would a degree or certificate or such from US hold any water in Canada, and vice versa? Does anybody know of any colleges/schools in Canada which are reputable? (if there are any? lol) I have so many questions, just not sure where to start and everything. Hope somebody can at least get me started on what I should do in the near future if I'm able to do this, thank you guys.

November 15th, 2007, 02:20	#2
ASpilot2be Old Skool Join Date: May 2005 Location: Paradise:) Posts: 4,775	Re: Hey all, so many questions, where to begin Glad to see you made it over __________________

November 15th, 2007, 02:32	#3
charlie1017 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 420	Re: Hey all, so many questions, where to begin Welcome to JC Drew! First off you're absolutely not too late! I'm 26 years old and I'm in the process of time building for the Commercial! You can do it . The FAA only governs aviation in the USA. There's a different agency in Canada, as it is a sovereign country. However I've heard that the licenses seem compatible; I guess the folks here at JC can surely explain this better than I can... My advice for you would be, if you haven't flown yet, to get a Discovery Flight at a local flight school. That way you'll experience what is like to fly in the aircraft you will be training in... If you like it and the bug bites you, then you'll have to register with the TSA (if you will train in the USA) and most importantly get the First Class Medical (or its Canadian equivalent). Without the First Class, you won't be able to fly the in the airlines. Good luck and enjoy the flying!

November 15th, 2007, 04:23	#4
bigbobby03 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 20	Re: Hey all, so many questions, where to begin You're definitely not too late. I started my training during my sophomore year of college. I earned a non aviation degree while flying the remainder of my school. I worked my hard doing full time school and flying, but could normally get one rating (private and instrument) per semester of school flying about 3 times a week. Starting now will put you ahead of many. Enjoy, and I promise that if you decide to pursue aviation that you won't be disappointed.

November 15th, 2007, 10:34	#5
moxiepilot Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: CFI / CFII in PA Posts: 2,758	Re: Hey all, so many questions, where to begin I went to college, floundered 4 years, then started training. I'm 33 now and not doing too shabby. If you get certified in Canada, the process to get US licenseture is fairly easy; take a look at FAR 61.75 Good luck

November 15th, 2007, 19:52	#7
dc3flyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Everywhere Posts: 1,198	Re: Hey all, so many questions, where to begin Welcome aboard!!!!! I think everyone has clarified, it is DEFINITELY NOT too late to start flying, unless you are a 60 year old mamma's boy that just went back to college. I am not sure about the Canadian thing, but I am sure someone can help you out with more info. __________________ Paid to wait.... Fly for fun!

November 15th, 2007, 20:33	#8
drew4008 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2	Re: Hey all, so many questions, where to begin Ok, thanks for clearing up the age part. For some reason I thought college was the place you got educated to become a pilot, and was thinking I'd have to transfer, although that might still be an option. So what exactly can I do to get my feet wet?

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