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Seeking Guidance On Entering the Industry

Asked by: 3188 views ,
General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

I've been reading and planning on getting in the air exstensively for the past few months and have devised a plan. I would like to get some feedback as to how efficient this plan seems to those who know better than I do. I will be spending the next two years finishing my bachelor's degree in English, another passion of mine. I may like to teach one of these days. I considered getting in Associates degree in aviation at a local community college, but it does not sound like that will be of much benefit, considering that it is not a four year degree and that if I leave aviation I won't have a platform to pursue other options. So, from here I ask, would recommend that I learn to fly at this flight school, or would it be just a beneficial to learn from a freelance CFI, assuming that the instructors will be of equal skill at both places? This is where I am hung up right now. My passion does not necessitate flying a big airliner, if that helps in your consideration. 

Lastly, how plausible is it for one to be a full time academic student as well as a student pilot, provided that both will be financed by loans of some sort? 

Thank you for your help. This is a wonderful resource. 

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1 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Mar 31, 2013

    Hello Phillip,
    Great questions. Training at a flight school vs. a freelance instructor are somewhat different. First off, both instructors should be of high quality though the instructors at the school are evaluated on a more consistent basis. The flight school will also have the airplanes for you to rent while the freelance CFI may or may not.

    If you can find a really good freelance CFI, I would probably go that route but may need to purchase an airplane. It will dramatically increase the upfront cost but after your ratings and you sell the airplane, it should be the cheapest route.

    I was a full-time student at a university and learning to fly at the same time. I was quite busy but was able to pull it off. It really depends on you… how motivated you are to pursue both passions.

    Stay away from any kind of loans… I will say it again. Stay away from any kind of loans. Work as much as you need to, to save up for the schooling and it may take you an extra year or two. In the end, you can walk away pursuing your dream being debt free and not having to worry about trying to make enough to pay back that loan. Take up an extra job or two to finance the flying… in the end it is going to be worth it.

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