Warbird Information Exchange

And no, I might not be able to afford staying in it, could always use it as a rental though... a little additional income, who knows.

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

Ok, How are you going to pay for all your living expenses, and now loans and go to school? You can't very well work a second job now. I had a friend quit school to fly and now he has been working for American Eagle for 22 years.. 22 YEARS!!!! He obtained his degree 10 years into his job and now he said he had to much seniroity to leave because american promised a flow thru to American.. Of course it didn't happen but he still belives in the dream ..He may make it in another 10 years. anyway he is senior and the bigest womanizer in ORD because he sees the flight attendants more than his wife. Go Figure...

I don't know exactly what I am going to do, that is why I am trying to weigh all of my options... I am just as confused as ever. No options seem like good ones and flying isn't something I am willing to live without... so leaves me sort of nicely stuck between a rock and a hard place.

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

If I had to do all over I would have went the way the wife did and Went ROTC.. They paid for everything!!!!And gave you money on to of that! The Wife Flew/ ran a Army Airfield got out and went corporate.. We fly every weekend.. You can ask around but only you know the answer that is right for you? Good Luck

This is what I would do... more because I followed a similar path with a different outcome:

1) Get your bachelors degree above all. No matter whether you become a pilot for a living or work in the groundling world, this is a priority. Within the decade it is expected that the bachelors degree will be the bare minimum that will get you in any well-paying jobs. Sure, there are folks in aviation and in business in general that have just a HS Diploma, but as those grandfathered-in folks retire, the person hired to replace them will be at least a college grad.

2) When going for a degree, get one that is flexible and that you can use. Some of the "aeronautical science" degrees that are attached are built around more science of flight than the business savvy that you need to have to survive in aviation. It kills me that pilots that are graduating from these programs know more about the dry adiabatic lapse rate and laminar flow than labor laws, small business management, or basic finance & accounting. It's just my personal opinion, but I think that a business or marketing degree is just as good as a science degree and is far more practical unless you are going to be a test pilot or the like.

3) Look at some of the online degree options out there... just make sure they are accredited. The time savings, and in many cases, the money savings of these new programs may work better for you and your schedule. If you need to work while doing the flying and taking classes, this may be the most flexible and effective option for you. Do your homework though... programs vary widely and some places are nothing more than fancy scams. Take a look at CollegeBoard.com or Petersons.com for these options.

4) Fly out of a local FBO that you trust. It may be harder to get initial financing for this option since it won't be part of a college, but you won't be paying as much as a college program for it either. Sallie Mae does offer loans for flight training, and since you have equity, you'll probably get approved. Shop around for good prices and special programs like block time. Look into possibly buying a basic IFR certified airplane for your training and sell it back after you fly off your 200-300 hours. If your credit is good enough to do this and you can keep your fixed costs down, you might just make out in the end.

5) Find mentors with local groups like the Ninety-nines and EAA. When you are flying to build time for the 250 hrs needed for the commercial, you might consider hooking up with a buddy and safety pilot for them and they safety pilot for you... split the costs and network at the same time. Look at the organizations above for flight scholarship options. Look for local groups that offer scholarships as well...

6) Get your Ground Instructor certificate as early as you can. This way you can earn... albit meager... money doing a ground school here and there. The value to it is in the experience you'll get teaching which will help you become a better CFI... which you should do as soon as you are able since you can work and go to school at the same time.

7) Keep your chin up and learn, learn, learn...

Hope this helps... email me if you have any questions... I am in College Admissions so I have a little inside knowledge.

Ryan

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Thanks Ryan!!

Thank you very much!

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

There are no easy answers, what you want is not cheap. However, have you considered a local community college and flying at a local flight school, obtaining your CFI then, instructing for time and pay. Most Universities will give you credit for all the ratings you achieve, the 2 year degree will be transferable, you may find that to get the four year degree you might only need 40-60 more credit hours. Local CC you will live at home offsetting dorm or student housing costs. This can be done alot cheaper than 110K.

If you want this bad enough, you'll get it done. Oh, might want ot think about WAI, you might get a scholarship at least you get the networking thing down.

Another thing to consider if you want to become a 121 pilot, this business is cut throat competitve. You better drop the girly-girl, poor me attitude right now and be ready to bring your A game every time you set foot in the a/c. Let your instructor know what your trying to accomplish and make each flight worthwhile (just not boaring holes in the sky) No one gets a free ride, every thing you do from written test to flight checks will be analyzed during the interview, 70's do not cut it. Failed checkrides are a big red flag. When the guy/gal sitting next to you in the interview waiting room has aced everything from the PPl to the ATP. One final thing, you might want to check Fedex once again, you might find that a "competive" pilot will have over 1000 PIC in a turbine a/c weighing over 70K lbs. Not trying to be a tool, but, before you can "live the dream", you need to educate yourself on just what that dream is.

Off of the CWU Web site.!
Students with previous flight experience.
This is a professional flight officer training program designed to prepare graduates for first officer positions in the airlines. Our private pilot classroom training, for example, is not the FAA Part 141 minimum 35-hour course, but consists of four separate courses (including aircraft systems and aviation meteorology) spread over the first two freshmen quarters consisting of 140 hours of classroom instruction, and 35 hours of one-on-one ground instruction.

Students may transfer in with previous flight experience, however once a student has enrolled at Central Washington University, all subsequent flight training must be completed by CWU's approved flight training operator at Bowers Field in Ellensburg, Washington. Pilots entering with previous flight experience will be evaluated to determine the amount of flight time to be credited toward an FAR part 141 pilot certificate and/or rating. There are substantial differences between FAR part 61 and 141 requirements and each case must be evaluated on an individual basis. Students who have obtained ground training under FAR part 61 will have to take the appropriate ground schools under FAR part 141. Students who have completed an FAR part 141 ground school but did not receive credit from an approved college or university may take a course challenge test in order to be awarded CWU college credit for the applicable ground school courses, provided they can provide us with a copy of the 141 ground school graduation certificate.

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Students with previous certificates or ratings.
To receive credit for any certificate/rating required by the major, students who possess a pilot certificate/rating upon entry to CWU are required to pass an FAA Part 141 final evaluation flight check.

The final evaluation flight check must be completed with Midstate Aviation, Inc. prior to the start of fall quarter. Further information will be found in the Flight Technology acceptance letter. Students who enter CWU with previous certificates or ratings should contact the Flight Technology Department at (509) 963-2364 regarding degree options and program placement.

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College Transfer Students.
Students transferring in from a college with an articulation agreement will be awarded transfer credit according to the articulation agreement.

Students transferring in from a college without an articulation agreement with prior flight training and college credits will need to have their situations evaluated independently as it is impossible to list all transfer situations. Please contact the Flight Technology Department at (509) 963-2364 regarding degree options and program placement.

Thank you all for your advice and what you brought to the table. To set the record straight, I am one of the least poor me girly girls that I know. I have no "poor me" attitude. I work my butt off for everything that I have.

I just wanted some advice on here from people that might know a thing or two. People that have been there before me and could pass some of their hard earned knowledge on. I have a lot of s**t to overcome to make this happen, but it's da*n well worth it, and mark my words, I will get it done on way or the other. I take my flight training very seriously.

Anyway, thank you again for your honest opinions and your thoughts, I do appreciate them.

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

Thank you for enlightening me, I didn't have time to throughly check out their site this morning before I posted this.

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

Stephanie,

I come from a similar situation, no money, no family support and a desire to be 100% self reliant. I have one of those aviation degrees that aren't worth much. I got it evenings and weekends while flying Attack for the U.S. Army. I made the decision to go into the Army right out of high school. I was enlisted for 4 years before I got accepted into the Warrant Officer Flight Program. It changed my life. After I got out of the military I got into the Financial Securities business and have done rather well with that degree that isn't worth much.

Ok, so here's me two cents worth. ROTC and active duty military are great options for certain people. The Army has a program that takes qualified people off the street and puts them in flight school. I don't know your age, but I would at least expore these options to see what potential they hold.

As for getting a specific type of a degree over another, I have had several Ivy League degree types and many state school degree types that have reported directly to me in business, and it always comes down to the individual person. Some of each were great and some of each weren't working for me a year later.

Lastly, I really believe that there are some unique oppourtunities available for women. I would check with FEDEX and others and ask them specifically what if any special programs are available for women. Maybe womens pilot organizations such as the 99s would have some useful ideas.

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

Stephanie most of the pretty young girls I know go to school on their dads dime. Then meet Mr. Right get married have kids and then spend the next 20 years raising them so I have to ask. What are the chances that you will meet Mr. Right get married have kids and then the thought of leaving them to fly from city to city won't look so great. And at least the first group of girls didn't loose their house or have school bills to payoff
Of course you could working during the day,go to school at nite and have no life for the next 10 years or so and end up 40,single and no family like most of us
Whatever you do take baby steps. Aviation is like gambling never put anything on the table that you can't loose,like your house Sure once in awhile you see someone hit it big but most walk away with less.
I hit it good when I got this job at Pratt. They pay 100% for school and books and even give me time off with pay to go,even flight school and training. So maybe for now finding a better job to help pay the bills is a good idea
Good luck,Phil

Steph,

As an airline pilot I can tell you there's a lot of opportunity in the industry right now. A lot of the posters had some great insights into the potential risks/rewards so you know going into this there are no guarantees, but hurray for you for following your dream! Ryan nailed it on the order of priority with finishing your degree first as most important. That isn't to say you can't still fit in flight training as time and money allow, but you will be at a huge disadvantage in the airline pilot job market if you don't have the degree. My opinion of most of the university aviation programs is they are more "sizzle" than "steak" and wayyy overpriced for what you get in return vis a vis a leg up on getting that critical first job. Ratings are ratings whether you get them at Embry-Riddle or the local FBO. Going the civilian flying route, flight experience (what you flew after you got the ratings) will get you the interview for the CFI job, charter company, then entry-level regional air carrier, Fedex etc. and your professionalism (how you'd handle "what if" situations) and your personality/attitude (would the interviewer want to be on the road flying with you?) wins the day in the interview. I suggest going full speed ahead to finish the degree, then knock out the ratings (maybe you can fit in flight training around college classes, but focus on the degree 1st). Seniority is "life" in the airline/air cargo career so the faster you can get everything done, the sooner you'll have seniority for moving up the ladder. You seem willing to consider thinking outside the box as it relates to rearranging your life and sacrificing in your lifestyle so that's a winning attitude that'll serve you well in achieving your dream and later on in interviews in showcasing your commitment to the industry--one of the things they really look for. The airline industry is in an upturn for pilot hiring and many regional jet carriers are hiring pilots with less than 1000 hrs total time and just over 100 hrs multiengine. If you can knock out your degree and ratings in the next few years, I like your chances. Good luck!

Have you checked out Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake? I've heard it's good.

Norm

Sounds good to me! I was previously married, so I have been there and done the married thing. Didn't work out so well for various reason, but don't intend to do that again any time soon, if ever. Also, I don't want to have children, so being 40 and single and flying, sounds pretty good really. I spent too many years trying to make someone else happy, and now its time that I make myself happy. And for me, that involves airplanes!

I really appreciate your sound advice and the thoughtfulness you put into your response, thank you.

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh