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Advice For a Prospective Pilot

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by artdogflyer90, Nov 5, 2007.

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  1. artdogflyer90

    artdogflyer90 Rookie

    May 12, 2007
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    #1 artdogflyer90, Nov 5, 2007
    I'm currently a senior in high school. The costs of learning to fly are daunting at best. I'm beginning to get the flying "itch". I took a discovery flight last christams and loved every minute of it. Any advice you could offer me as far as training and pursuing a career as a professional pilot is concerned would be deeply appreciated.
     
  2. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    Dec 1, 2000
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    Southlake, TX
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    #2 rob lay, Nov 6, 2007
    important time to ask yourself if you want to fly as a career or a hobby. either one is a great decision and you will get support from this community, but really explore the options.

    quick boring story, my wife was trying to decide early on in college what she wanted to do as a career. I simply asked her if nothing holding you back, what would you do? she replied a gardener. I then asked her what her second choice was and she replied medical professional. I said fine, do you want to garden as a full time career and make x amount of money or do you want to go medical and make x times 2 and enjoy gardening as a hobby.

    being a pilot is a great professional career and demand going up, takes going into debt for training and many years flying for nothing before you start making real money. also seems to me many professional pilots don't enjoy flying on the side as a hobby as they rather spend spare time out of the cockpit.
     
  3. Der Meister

    Der Meister Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2005
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    #3 Der Meister, Nov 6, 2007
    Rob gave some good advice. I know many who started flying and then just gave it up since it wasn't for them. Many still want to stay in the aviation field but, not as pilots. It takes a lot of work and dedication to become a pilot, but its very enjoyable if that what you want to do.
     
  4. nadrepadre

    nadrepadre Rookie

    Nov 20, 2007
    1
    #4 nadrepadre, Nov 20, 2007
    I am actually in the same boat as you. Senior in high school and wants to fly. So I have been looking into some of the local pilot programs and it isn't cheap. Fortunately my grandfather supports(supports, not spoils) me and money shouldn't be a problem. I was also wondering how hard it is to become a private pilot. I don't know if I would like to pursue a career related to flying, but I difinitely want to get involved.
     
  5. RDrakkir

    RDrakkir Rookie

    May 15, 2007
    31
    #5 RDrakkir, Nov 21, 2007
    Regarding a career, I hear back from a couple of my former instructors who are now flying with large carriers that THE DAY has finally come. As Rob said, it takes a lot of time (and money) but, my former instructor seems very happy that he stuck with it.

    As for a hobby (as is my case): I'd say it's completely worth it (but, of course, it's not a cheap hobby)... I'm a new private pilot and everytime I go up, it's like the first intro lesson all over. Love every minute of it.
     
  6. Jason Crandall

    Jason Crandall F1 Veteran

    Mar 25, 2004
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    #6 Jason Crandall, Dec 14, 2007
    The bottom line for me (and most people) with flying is "money".

    I wanted to fly since I was a kid also. I'm 33 now. It hasn't been until the last few years that I could really afford to do it.

    If you want to do it as a career, go for it. If you want to do it as a hobby I'd wait until you could buy a plane or a partnership.

    Just my opinion.
     

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