18 and want to become a pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Age: 29
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
18 and want to become a pilot
Hello, I would like some of your advice. I'm 18, and i'm thinking about becoming a pilot, I was thinking about either going down the college route in life or the career, I've always wanted, which is to become a pilot. I've been reading a lot of threads on here, and some other websites (which i'm not going to mention). First of all financially is this going to be a good career. I know it takes a lot of money to become a pilot, So this is my main concern. Will I find a job, or are they are and few? and Should I think about going down the college route or the pilot route. I want everyone who reply's back to be 100% honest, I wanna receive valid information from trusted people who were once in my situation.
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do both.
College will open up more pilot jobs. Some airlines only hire college graduates.
College will also open up other career paths that you may need when flying jobs are not available. I recommend you NOT get an "aviation" or "airline management" degree; get a mainstream degree (engineering, computer science, economics...) from a real university.
You might be able to work on your Private Pilot license while in college, as well.
Unless you get hired by a major airline, flying is NOT a lucrative career. For every pilot that is making over $150K/year, there are probably 100 others making less than $50K. Find a lucrative career and fly as a hobby.
You didn't mention it, but military flying is one good way to get great flying experience, and get paid to do it. You have to want to be in the military, though...
College will open up more pilot jobs. Some airlines only hire college graduates.
College will also open up other career paths that you may need when flying jobs are not available. I recommend you NOT get an "aviation" or "airline management" degree; get a mainstream degree (engineering, computer science, economics...) from a real university.
You might be able to work on your Private Pilot license while in college, as well.
Unless you get hired by a major airline, flying is NOT a lucrative career. For every pilot that is making over $150K/year, there are probably 100 others making less than $50K. Find a lucrative career and fly as a hobby.
You didn't mention it, but military flying is one good way to get great flying experience, and get paid to do it. You have to want to be in the military, though...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: cyberspace
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Av Canada" is the biggest forum for Canadian pilots.
Note that Canada is NOT the United States, and what applies in the US does not necessarily apply in Canada.
College degrees: In the US it's must, but in Canada no one really cares. Air Canada might give you some extra points for a degree, but that's about it.
Jobs: Pick a card any card. There are a million factors, many of which are out of your control such as the state of the economy at the time.
Just watch out for Flying Schools and Instructors who are going to try to sell you a lot of Sunshine. They're sales people and they want your money above all else.
Most importantly, go download Season 1 and 2 of the "Ice Pilots". You need to know what you're getting into, and I can't think of a better show that depicts the culture/mentality/ethos of Canadian aviation.
Note that Canada is NOT the United States, and what applies in the US does not necessarily apply in Canada.
College degrees: In the US it's must, but in Canada no one really cares. Air Canada might give you some extra points for a degree, but that's about it.
Jobs: Pick a card any card. There are a million factors, many of which are out of your control such as the state of the economy at the time.
Just watch out for Flying Schools and Instructors who are going to try to sell you a lot of Sunshine. They're sales people and they want your money above all else.
Most importantly, go download Season 1 and 2 of the "Ice Pilots". You need to know what you're getting into, and I can't think of a better show that depicts the culture/mentality/ethos of Canadian aviation.
Last edited by PosClimb; 12th Jul 2013 at 02:27.
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: on the road less travelled
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My advice (after 32 yrs. flying and a son in aviation), is go to your local airport and take a familiarization flight. It is the cheapest flying you will get and gives you immediate feedback on whether or not you are cut out for this profession.
After that, my advice would be:
1) Military flying (gets you free training/education and very marketable experience with no monetary debt) You will stand at the front of the class when the airlines come calling.
2) Aviation College Diploma or University Degree program. The most important part here (as with anything in life) is to finish what you have started. Don't pack it in (unless you want a career change) as IMO it play's a part in your progression in this industry.
3) Ab initio (flying club) training. Depending on your commitment and resources, is likely the quickest way to get your licence(s).
This business is about connections and how you navigate your way through this industry. Being a consummate professional will most always see you with a seat when the music stops.
Enjoy life's ride wherever it takes you.
B/rdgs
HSA
After that, my advice would be:
1) Military flying (gets you free training/education and very marketable experience with no monetary debt) You will stand at the front of the class when the airlines come calling.
2) Aviation College Diploma or University Degree program. The most important part here (as with anything in life) is to finish what you have started. Don't pack it in (unless you want a career change) as IMO it play's a part in your progression in this industry.
3) Ab initio (flying club) training. Depending on your commitment and resources, is likely the quickest way to get your licence(s).
This business is about connections and how you navigate your way through this industry. Being a consummate professional will most always see you with a seat when the music stops.
Enjoy life's ride wherever it takes you.
B/rdgs
HSA
Last edited by HighSpeedAluminum; 12th Jul 2013 at 15:26.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: cyberspace
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would definitely agree with point #1 above.
If you have the "military personality" and you like that culture, then definitely try for the Air Force. But you may get stuck on helicopters.
As for the "consummate professional" stuff... again, go watch Season 1 and 2 of the "Ice Pilots".
Can you see yourself jelling with these kinds of people? Can you handle someone like Buffalo Joe? How's your stomach for abuse?
Aviation in Canada can be pretty gruff and redneck. Is that your crowd?
If you have the "military personality" and you like that culture, then definitely try for the Air Force. But you may get stuck on helicopters.
As for the "consummate professional" stuff... again, go watch Season 1 and 2 of the "Ice Pilots".
Can you see yourself jelling with these kinds of people? Can you handle someone like Buffalo Joe? How's your stomach for abuse?
Aviation in Canada can be pretty gruff and redneck. Is that your crowd?
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: London
Age: 39
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I sarted my CPL during the end of my graduation. IT is must, i would recommend you to take grad classes. If possible and you like, you can start aviation related studies like aviation enginerring.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: canada
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
better think about it
DON'T do it!!!
No guarantee of work, lousy pay for majority of your career, eroding working conditions etc. You will be WAY better off getting into a career that is more reliable and treats its people with respect. THIS IS NOT THE JOB IT USED TO BE.
No guarantee of work, lousy pay for majority of your career, eroding working conditions etc. You will be WAY better off getting into a career that is more reliable and treats its people with respect. THIS IS NOT THE JOB IT USED TO BE.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Not a huge sand box but very nice winters anymore
Age: 57
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GO for it
Disregard the negative. My advice is go get a degree and then join the RCAF or try to get a slot at RMC for a free degree. The RCAF can be a great career or a jump to the airlines.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Age: 37
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are only thinking about money. There is far easier and better careers that will make you a lot of money and much faster than that in aviation.
If you really want to fly... then go for it. It won't be work, it will be something that you enjoy doing every day.
The money isn't horrible. Maybe the first few years it is. But once you get into some of the bigger companies flying as a captain on Caravans or larger, then you will be making 50k+
Hope this helps.
If you really want to fly... then go for it. It won't be work, it will be something that you enjoy doing every day.
The money isn't horrible. Maybe the first few years it is. But once you get into some of the bigger companies flying as a captain on Caravans or larger, then you will be making 50k+
Hope this helps.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: lancs.UK
Age: 77
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Right there, on your doorstep, there's a wonderful Blog that I've read virtually from it's inception.
"Cockpit Conversations" is the life and adventures of a Canadian Pilot , her carreer and trials and tribulations. Everything from fire-evacuation, to flying in pop (soda?) and crisps (chips?) to remote settlements. It'll keep you entertained for a long time (can't remember how far back the archive goes)
-and she's very approachable via PM for sincere enquiries!
WRT training and qualifying......add up the total cost of training, take account of,- that income has been TAXED....add the income lost while you're spending the aforesaid small fortune....work out how much, over ten years, divided into the number of hours you can legally fly, that it equates as an hourly rate.
If you're a real masochist, add 50% to the total before the division
(this would equate to 2.5% interest you lost on the money that your wages repay, over 10 years....OK so far?
Now look ay your headline NETT , after tax and expenses pay and remember that the money you "recoup" from training, comes out of TAXED PAY.
If that lot hasn't put you off, perhaps you really do want to be a Professional Pilot
The economics are harsh, If you survive long enough , you'll eventually repay that huge training-cost and start to make a very good income.
always assuming that you manage to keep employed through the regular downturns that are a feature of the industry!
I wish you the best of luck, if you pursue flying as a carreer.
"Cockpit Conversations" is the life and adventures of a Canadian Pilot , her carreer and trials and tribulations. Everything from fire-evacuation, to flying in pop (soda?) and crisps (chips?) to remote settlements. It'll keep you entertained for a long time (can't remember how far back the archive goes)
-and she's very approachable via PM for sincere enquiries!
WRT training and qualifying......add up the total cost of training, take account of,- that income has been TAXED....add the income lost while you're spending the aforesaid small fortune....work out how much, over ten years, divided into the number of hours you can legally fly, that it equates as an hourly rate.
If you're a real masochist, add 50% to the total before the division
(this would equate to 2.5% interest you lost on the money that your wages repay, over 10 years....OK so far?
Now look ay your headline NETT , after tax and expenses pay and remember that the money you "recoup" from training, comes out of TAXED PAY.
If that lot hasn't put you off, perhaps you really do want to be a Professional Pilot
The economics are harsh, If you survive long enough , you'll eventually repay that huge training-cost and start to make a very good income.always assuming that you manage to keep employed through the regular downturns that are a feature of the industry!
I wish you the best of luck, if you pursue flying as a carreer.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: cyberspace
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speaking of math...
Let's say you borrow $50 to 60,000 to get your CPL and MIFR.
Bank says you have to start making payments as soon as you graduate.
Assuming you get a job (can be very dicey depending on if the airlines are hiring or not), how much money will you make, and will it even be enough to cover your minimum monthly loan payment?
Let's say you borrow $50 to 60,000 to get your CPL and MIFR.
Bank says you have to start making payments as soon as you graduate.
Assuming you get a job (can be very dicey depending on if the airlines are hiring or not), how much money will you make, and will it even be enough to cover your minimum monthly loan payment?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Age: 29
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks for the reply's everyone. It has helped me out a lot. I think i'm still going to go try to achieve my goals, or at least, get my PPL and see where to go from there. I would rather waste money on something useful. I know people around my age who went off to college and wasted a ton of money and they'll never get it back.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: On earth
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My best advice
At 18 I joined the Air Force got my training, I dreamed about flying and it was my only option since I had no money and my dad would not pay for a pilot training, I have 8 type rating, flown 25 different aircraft models and I have a 19 year old boy. He will definitely not be pilot as per his own choice, cause he saw over the years all the difficulties I had to go through to get a decent salary, today I am finishing my career on a airbus 320 as a Captain and I can tell you what I would do if I was young again, , go to University first and work hard, you are young and capable of anything just believe in yourself, today being a pilot is not what it used to be, you will have a much better life and will thank me in 30 to 40 years from now if im still alive University is the path to a really happy life, not flying. At first it seems exciting to fly but in a few years the odds are good that you will regret your choice and it will be too late to go to University.. University first and flying later for fun, or even MAYBE career, is the best choice. All the best to you kid.
University is the path to a really happy life, not flying. At first it seems exciting to fly but in a few years the odds are good that you will regret your choice and it will be too late to go to University.. University first and flying later for fun, or even MAYBE career, is the best choice. All the best to you kid.
Last edited by Apache702; 18th Aug 2013 at 10:31.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: South of BBB VOR
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Become a pilot - 100% honest answer. Whether to do college/university or not is entirely your call. But pilots with degrees are always better respected (and placed, I assume) as it adds to your credentials. Just think... if you were an interviewer at any of the airlines, would you rather hire a pilot with a college degree or one without?
Also, if you're looking to expand your career in the technical or management fields within the aviation industry (later in life), a degree would definitely give you an edge. So if you plan to study further, be sure to chose the science field and an aviation related course (bachelors, though a masters would be awesome) - if you have options in university.
Good luck
Look who's giving advice
Also, if you're looking to expand your career in the technical or management fields within the aviation industry (later in life), a degree would definitely give you an edge. So if you plan to study further, be sure to chose the science field and an aviation related course (bachelors, though a masters would be awesome) - if you have options in university.
Good luck
Look who's giving advice
Last edited by India Charlie; 19th Aug 2013 at 07:39.
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Asia
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree with Apache702,
I just tell my own experience.
I was FO on shinyjet and noticed that finally, the job was not for me...not the job actually, but i would say the way it's managed. (i was in LCC so !).
so I had to quit and now I'm stucked. I am 31 and never done a degree before. Believe me I still regret it a lot.
As KAG pointed it out, indeed it's not too late to study later on, but it's kind of hard
Fortunately, Im single, Im not married, i don't have kids. Pfeww. Sometimes I imagine myself if I had any family to feed, and would be hard to study in the same time and changing career.
I started flying very young in my teen age, I had never idea that I may change career (for a while at least).
My point is : you never know the futur. so the best thing is to jump in the life with a parachute.
Of course, studying at 40 or 50 or 90 y/o it's always possible but let's face it, it's harder. Especially if you have family and you're alone or else. While you still have your family and parents, it's not a bad idea to take this advantage.
Nowadays, the wolrd of work is tough. We live in a fast world where things change very fast, we live longer etc and many people, do 2 or 3 differents carreer today, so be marketable.
good luck !
I just tell my own experience.
I was FO on shinyjet and noticed that finally, the job was not for me...not the job actually, but i would say the way it's managed. (i was in LCC so !).
so I had to quit and now I'm stucked. I am 31 and never done a degree before. Believe me I still regret it a lot.
As KAG pointed it out, indeed it's not too late to study later on, but it's kind of hard
Fortunately, Im single, Im not married, i don't have kids. Pfeww. Sometimes I imagine myself if I had any family to feed, and would be hard to study in the same time and changing career.
I started flying very young in my teen age, I had never idea that I may change career (for a while at least).
My point is : you never know the futur. so the best thing is to jump in the life with a parachute.
Of course, studying at 40 or 50 or 90 y/o it's always possible but let's face it, it's harder. Especially if you have family and you're alone or else. While you still have your family and parents, it's not a bad idea to take this advantage.
Nowadays, the wolrd of work is tough. We live in a fast world where things change very fast, we live longer etc and many people, do 2 or 3 differents carreer today, so be marketable.
good luck !
Last edited by Greenlights; 3rd Sep 2013 at 19:08.
