I always come on to PPRune to read about what's going on in the aviation world but reading this post has resulted in my first conribution on here. I'm currently in training for my PPL in the U.S. I live here and work here. I always wanted to be a pilot since I can remember, my father has been a pilot since he was 17 in the Royal Air Force and is still flying commercially now so I guess those genes were transferred to me.
Being a Pilot is probably the best job in the world if you truly love flying but at the same time it can be one of the most tasking and frustrating jobs as you might have seen from reading this thread. I come from a rich family but lo and behold I'm paying my way through aviation school. No one (especially in this economy) wants to give out $60,000 to anyone when they have their own kids to support. I couldn't even get a loan from anyone in my family after I finished college.
I have cousins who fly for Mobil and other companies in Nigeria and the best they could do is tell me "when you get your commercial license, come to me and i'll try and get you a job". That statement alone is very shaky because nothing is really promised, especially in Nigeria. If you really want to be a pilot, in my honest opinion, I suggest you get a job first (I'm assuming you have a degree, if not, get one!). Work hard and save up. It's never too late to start. I never really understood when my father told me to go to college instead of going to aviation school. I was angry but 4 years later I'm happy he sent me there. My father has encouraged me to join the air force to continue my training because in his opinion, you get the best training there. Judging from the kind of person he is and how well he's known in the RAF, I'd say he's right.
I don't know much about the Nigerian Air Force but I know its a start at least. I hear their planes are still flyign in Kaduna and doing well. These planes are being flown by Nigerian pilots to the best of my knowledge. Granted the military life style isn't for all, but if you really want it, you will learn how to adapt. I see people have said you should contact your state govt for sponsorship...from my knowledge of Nigeria, you need very good connection for this to go through...but then again you might just be lucky enough to succeed where others have failed. God has his ways so you shouldn't close the door on that option either. Nothing good comes easy as I have realised but at the end of the day its all worth it.
I still have a long way to go in my training but I take it one step at a time. Also be prepared when you eventually start your training, its not all rosey and as easy as you imagined it. There's always something that will frustrate you and make you question the career path you've chosen. All that matters is how you come out of it. I wish you the best of luck and I hope God answers your prayers.
