Latest and greatest flight training scemes American pilots can join.
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Durham, NC USA
Age: 38
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Latest and greatest flight training scemes American pilots can join.
Hello,
I am new to this site and looking for good mentors from all over. I am currently a police officer in the Durham, NC USA but have been flying since I was 14. I currently have a private pilot license and working on my intrument. I would really like to get some information on a flight training scheme I can join. I am willing to go anywhere in the world to pursue my true passion. I know times are hard all over but their has to be some kind of hope for an aspiring professional pilot. the reason I am looking for a pilot scheme is because learning to fly in the US is just getting expense plus I want to explore the world and see new things. Any information would greatly be appreciated.
I am new to this site and looking for good mentors from all over. I am currently a police officer in the Durham, NC USA but have been flying since I was 14. I currently have a private pilot license and working on my intrument. I would really like to get some information on a flight training scheme I can join. I am willing to go anywhere in the world to pursue my true passion. I know times are hard all over but their has to be some kind of hope for an aspiring professional pilot. the reason I am looking for a pilot scheme is because learning to fly in the US is just getting expense plus I want to explore the world and see new things. Any information would greatly be appreciated.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Learning to fly in the states is one of the most affordable places in the world to learn. Plus, GA is so wide-spread in the US, there are generally more opportunities to build time and experience different things.
You could look into buying an IFR equipped Cessna 172 (like an M model or so) and leasing it back to the flying school, and selling it once you're done. If you do it right, you might save some dough but do your research, plenty of guys have lost out trying to do this.
You could also look into Civil Air Patrol. There might be a few old farts telling war stories about Cessna 172s and it can get old, and you have to be in it for more than just the flying, bit since you're a law enforcement guy, you might find it a good fit for you.
You could also look at flying gliders (a bit cheaper than airplanes) or the Coast Guard Auxiliary or joining a local flying club (might save you some money if you fly enough each month to make up for the membership costs)
You could look into buying an IFR equipped Cessna 172 (like an M model or so) and leasing it back to the flying school, and selling it once you're done. If you do it right, you might save some dough but do your research, plenty of guys have lost out trying to do this.
You could also look into Civil Air Patrol. There might be a few old farts telling war stories about Cessna 172s and it can get old, and you have to be in it for more than just the flying, bit since you're a law enforcement guy, you might find it a good fit for you.
You could also look at flying gliders (a bit cheaper than airplanes) or the Coast Guard Auxiliary or joining a local flying club (might save you some money if you fly enough each month to make up for the membership costs)
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Calkid 213,
At present there are NO free flying schemes that I am aware of in the world! Some companies in the Middle East take their own nationals and train them for free, but you wont qualify for that. Have you thought of the Air National Guard. Spoke to an F-16 pilot recently who was hired with a PPL, had to sign on for 4 years. Let Uncle Sam pay for your flying!!
If you want to be a commercial pilot, then now is a great time to start training. Whilst the cost of training is going up, the USA is probably the cheapest place to learn to fly(no landing charges, cheaper fuel, cheaper A/C rental etc). Huge numbers of pilots at the majors are due to retire over the next five years(due to the change in the retirement age which went from 60-65 five years ago). This will result in the majors having to hire for the regionals/GA, the regionals from GA/flight schools etc.
Some of the European carriers might start their cadet schemes again whereby they pay all or more likely part of the training costs and give you a job at the end. However you would have to have the right to live and work in the EU. Who knows if the US airlines get desperate they may have to do the same.
Best of luck
At present there are NO free flying schemes that I am aware of in the world! Some companies in the Middle East take their own nationals and train them for free, but you wont qualify for that. Have you thought of the Air National Guard. Spoke to an F-16 pilot recently who was hired with a PPL, had to sign on for 4 years. Let Uncle Sam pay for your flying!!
If you want to be a commercial pilot, then now is a great time to start training. Whilst the cost of training is going up, the USA is probably the cheapest place to learn to fly(no landing charges, cheaper fuel, cheaper A/C rental etc). Huge numbers of pilots at the majors are due to retire over the next five years(due to the change in the retirement age which went from 60-65 five years ago). This will result in the majors having to hire for the regionals/GA, the regionals from GA/flight schools etc.
Some of the European carriers might start their cadet schemes again whereby they pay all or more likely part of the training costs and give you a job at the end. However you would have to have the right to live and work in the EU. Who knows if the US airlines get desperate they may have to do the same.
Best of luck
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Police Flight Division
Does your police department have a flight division? Or perhaps another police dept in NC have a flight dept? They may sponsor you as you are already a qualified law enforcemnet officer. I have a good friend who was in the same position in VA beach, he got on with the flight dept and they sponsored him all the way the both fixed wing and helicopter ratings. He was also featured on the front cover of the AOPA magazine. could be worth a look!
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The National Guard is another great idea (if you are a US Citizen with a university degree), but the commitment for pilots is 10 years once training is complete. Non pilots is 4 year commitment.
Navy pilots sign an 8 year commitment after training, and the Army is a 6 year commitment (and you don't have to necessarily be a university graduate as you can be a warrant officer).
The advantage to the Air National Guard is that you can fly military on the weekends and for an airline during the week or whatever, and you don't have to put up with all the active duty BS. Guard pilots go to the same training as active duty pilots, and in many cases they get just as many if not more flying hours than their active duty counter parts. The military is not for everyone, and they want officers first not pilots first, but as a law enforcement guy, it might be up your alley and all your training is paid for (you get paid to be there). PM me if you would like more info.
Navy pilots sign an 8 year commitment after training, and the Army is a 6 year commitment (and you don't have to necessarily be a university graduate as you can be a warrant officer).
The advantage to the Air National Guard is that you can fly military on the weekends and for an airline during the week or whatever, and you don't have to put up with all the active duty BS. Guard pilots go to the same training as active duty pilots, and in many cases they get just as many if not more flying hours than their active duty counter parts. The military is not for everyone, and they want officers first not pilots first, but as a law enforcement guy, it might be up your alley and all your training is paid for (you get paid to be there). PM me if you would like more info.
