Aspiring pilot here in need of assistance.
01-03-2008, 01:47 PM
#11
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You can also get laser vision surgery if your REALLY want to be a military flyer, but you need to research the specefic requirements bfeore you do something that drastic.
01-03-2008, 02:01 PM
#12
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Posts: 6
My eyes are something like 20/250 corrected to 20/20 with contact lenses. I have no desire for the 10 year commitment if I am selected for flight training. I'm just trying to explore different routes for tuition assistance.
01-03-2008, 02:14 PM
#13
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Spartan
Posts: 3,652
Looks like the military route is out then...as a pilot anyway.
05-25-2008, 07:34 PM
#15
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Does Bellville AreaCollege still do flight training? I instructed there back in 79 while I went to Parks
05-25-2008, 07:50 PM
#16
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Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
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First of all I'd like to say hello, and thanks in advance for any advice or opinions you provide me. It is greatly appreciated.
Let me tell you a little about myself: I am an 18 year old soon to graduate high school student with hopes and dreams of one day operating a 150,000lb. piece of machinery at mach .88 30,000ft above the ground, and living to tell about it. (sounds a lot better than an office job to me
) Actually, this has been my life goal, well, for as long as I can remember. Now that I am graduating high school and finally at the point in my life where I can start realizing my dream, I am at a complete loss as to where to start.
I guess my first question is about university. Where to go and what to take? I know I want to get at least a bachelor's degree. (not only because it looks good on a resume, but also because I don't want to go through life uneducated) Do employers in the airline industry favor certain degrees over others? Or is it only about hours and certifications?
My last question (for now, there will be more, oh, there will be more) is about getting hours and certifications. I've seen ads for flight schools that will take you from your PPL through ATP with all the ratings et cetera. Are these schools worth dropping the money on? Or should I just rent planes and get my hours?
-Also, I live just on the Illinois side of the river across from St. Louis. It's an easy commute to Lambert Airport for me, If that makes any difference.
Well, that's it for now. Once again if anyone has any tips and pointers it is greatly appreciated.
- thank you
Edit: I was not sure where to post this, so, if there are any mods out there that could place it in the right forum, that would be wonderful.
Let me tell you a little about myself: I am an 18 year old soon to graduate high school student with hopes and dreams of one day operating a 150,000lb. piece of machinery at mach .88 30,000ft above the ground, and living to tell about it. (sounds a lot better than an office job to me
) Actually, this has been my life goal, well, for as long as I can remember. Now that I am graduating high school and finally at the point in my life where I can start realizing my dream, I am at a complete loss as to where to start.I guess my first question is about university. Where to go and what to take? I know I want to get at least a bachelor's degree. (not only because it looks good on a resume, but also because I don't want to go through life uneducated) Do employers in the airline industry favor certain degrees over others? Or is it only about hours and certifications?
My last question (for now, there will be more, oh, there will be more) is about getting hours and certifications. I've seen ads for flight schools that will take you from your PPL through ATP with all the ratings et cetera. Are these schools worth dropping the money on? Or should I just rent planes and get my hours?
-Also, I live just on the Illinois side of the river across from St. Louis. It's an easy commute to Lambert Airport for me, If that makes any difference.
Well, that's it for now. Once again if anyone has any tips and pointers it is greatly appreciated.
- thank you
Edit: I was not sure where to post this, so, if there are any mods out there that could place it in the right forum, that would be wonderful.
Friends with me in the aviation degree learned more of the business side of aviation so I'm sure they could apply that knowledge to a business minor or in the business world. In the end - I say study at what you are interested in and might someday make a good living at. A lot of people I know have a degree in something that they never planned on using or have never used in the *real* world (except for some of the more technical degrees of course) I don't know much about the "puppy" mills that a lot of people on the forum don't seem to like. I've never trained under one - but I do know this; whether it is a small school or a pilot mill - a structured syllabus with goals established for each training flight - briefs and debriefs - check flights along the way with someone other than your primary instructor, etc.... sure helped me. I did much better under that system than the more non-structured (so what do you want to work on today) approach.
Of course at your age - there is the military option too
USMCFLYR
-Sorry - hadn't read all of the posts yet. Forget that military option.
Last edited by USMCFLYR; 05-25-2008 at 07:54 PM. Reason: New info
05-26-2008, 08:01 AM
#18
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 440
Some very good posts on this thread. Since I've got a few minutes of nothing to do, I'll go ahead and throw in my $0.02. 
It is important to study something that interests you, so take your time and evaluate your interests and compare it with available degree programs at whatever college you decide to attend. Keep in mind also that a degree specific to aviation is not required to pursue a career as a pilot.
My advice, if you plan to go civilian, would be to fly at a good FBO while you are working on a degree.
As far as the military, I wouldn't give up the thought of it yet. College is expensive and an opportunity to serve in the reserves or guard as an enlisted person may yield you some extra assistance to help finance your education. Also, you may be able to acquire some valuable skills that you may not otherwise have had the opportunity to learn.
It is important to study something that interests you, so take your time and evaluate your interests and compare it with available degree programs at whatever college you decide to attend. Keep in mind also that a degree specific to aviation is not required to pursue a career as a pilot.
My advice, if you plan to go civilian, would be to fly at a good FBO while you are working on a degree.
As far as the military, I wouldn't give up the thought of it yet. College is expensive and an opportunity to serve in the reserves or guard as an enlisted person may yield you some extra assistance to help finance your education. Also, you may be able to acquire some valuable skills that you may not otherwise have had the opportunity to learn.
06-03-2008, 02:17 AM
#19
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Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: On the Rock
Posts: 162
I agree with most--study what interests you. A degree outside of aviation is a great fall back, but if aviation is your passion, you'll enjoy going to class much more if the subject is airplanes. The big aviation schools look pretty good on resumes and are quality operations (Embry Riddle and Univ of N Dakota--they have several locations including Hawaii). I'm finishing my Masters with Embry Riddle and love them.
I would definitely look into the Air National Guard about flying opportunities. I've know two guard Boom Operators that have went on to pilot training. One started flying on the side and eventually got his CFI and worked part time at the local flight school.
Don't rule out active duty military. The commitment seems steep, but its the quickest way to build Jet Pilot In Command time, and that's a big discriminator on pilot applications. Any careeer in aviation definitely beats working in cubicle land somewhere. There's up's and down's, but its always an adventure. Best of luck to you.
I would definitely look into the Air National Guard about flying opportunities. I've know two guard Boom Operators that have went on to pilot training. One started flying on the side and eventually got his CFI and worked part time at the local flight school.
Don't rule out active duty military. The commitment seems steep, but its the quickest way to build Jet Pilot In Command time, and that's a big discriminator on pilot applications. Any careeer in aviation definitely beats working in cubicle land somewhere. There's up's and down's, but its always an adventure. Best of luck to you.
06-04-2008, 11:42 AM
#20
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Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 2,934
JF48,
St. Louis U has one of the highest endowments of any Catholic university in the country. I couldn't afford it either, however lots of grants and scholarships took care of that problem. Also, it doesn't matter where you're from. We don't charge in-state/out of state tuition thing.
It was less expensive for me to go there than it was to go to UMSL or SIUE and do the flying on the side.
I have plenty of friends that did the guard/reserves thing during school and had quite a bit of their tuition taken care of and only had a 4-6 year commitment depending on what job they were doing.
St. Louis U has one of the highest endowments of any Catholic university in the country. I couldn't afford it either, however lots of grants and scholarships took care of that problem. Also, it doesn't matter where you're from. We don't charge in-state/out of state tuition thing.
It was less expensive for me to go there than it was to go to UMSL or SIUE and do the flying on the side.
I have plenty of friends that did the guard/reserves thing during school and had quite a bit of their tuition taken care of and only had a 4-6 year commitment depending on what job they were doing.
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