Originally Posted by
EmbraerAhoy
Hello everyone!
This year, I'm finally going to take the big step and start my journey to achieve my dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
I've taken every precaution that I could have to mitigate the financial risks: I've just completed a degree in business law as an emergency backup option and have managed to build a secure career at the job that I started at the start of my degree. I've chosen a reputable ATO that's not far from where I live and can keep my job part time during my integrated ATPL.
I feel like with that I've built a solid base to start flight training, and now that I'm getting closer to my start date I'd like to ask for any tips that you would have liked to have given to yourself before you started your training, that you didn't know at that point. I just want to prepare myself as much as I possibly can before I get stuck in.
(I'm asking for anything you can think of, like for instance any small, helpful things about general life as a student pilot, learning the theory, the actual flying, maybe even things that made the transitioning to IFR easier for you)
I'd be really grateful for any input, thanks!
Quick follow up 3,5 years later in case anyone is interested: Completed my training successfully and managed to secure what one might call a "unicorn job" at the operator I've dreamed of flying for since I was a kid.
Message to all thinking about starting training: Everything is possible, but you have to be fully committed and work
very hard. Of course one can argue that a certain portion of luck needs to be involved in a path to the cockpit, but you need to work hard get yourself into a position to get that lucky break. Be humble, listen to your instructors and work on the feedback you get.
At the same time, don't do anything stupid or overly risky - do not make financial decisions that could ruin you, use common sense, cover all your bases as best as you can and never act on emotion alone whilst chasing the dream!
I wish everyone the best of luck!