About to start PPL - should I go through with it?
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About to start PPL - should I go through with it?
I got the money, I got the physical (took 2 months of paperwork and $500), got a near by flight school, and I got a headset. I'm about $700 invested already and I haven't even taken my first lesson!
I'm starting to doubt that I really want this. For a while I was obsessed with the idea, but anymore I'm afraid I'm going to get bored with it. I'm still very young (17) and I think being a pilot is definitely a possible career choice for me.
The thing that puts me off the most is the cost. Everywhere I look it seems like it's going to be at least $100k to get my commercial license. Is it really worth it? It's such an insane investment for something I may potentially never really use. Even if I do finish a commercial license, I'll be making 20k a year to start with in an industry that's really really shakey.
I'm really hoping the airline industry goes to normal in about 10 years or so - about the time that I'd actually be looking for jobs in it if I go down this path. I guess I'm writing this for advice on what to do. Should I go ahead and start my PPL in hopes that I'll get a commercial afterwards, or should I try to find another career field to be interested in?
I'm starting to doubt that I really want this. For a while I was obsessed with the idea, but anymore I'm afraid I'm going to get bored with it. I'm still very young (17) and I think being a pilot is definitely a possible career choice for me.
The thing that puts me off the most is the cost. Everywhere I look it seems like it's going to be at least $100k to get my commercial license. Is it really worth it? It's such an insane investment for something I may potentially never really use. Even if I do finish a commercial license, I'll be making 20k a year to start with in an industry that's really really shakey.
I'm really hoping the airline industry goes to normal in about 10 years or so - about the time that I'd actually be looking for jobs in it if I go down this path. I guess I'm writing this for advice on what to do. Should I go ahead and start my PPL in hopes that I'll get a commercial afterwards, or should I try to find another career field to be interested in?
Mate, walk before you run...
Go for a try a flight or whatever its called over there, then decide whether you want to continue. Then, assuming you want to push on with it, while pursuing your PPL you'll have plenty of time to consider your options vis a vis a commercial future.
spending money on your medical and a headset (!) before you've sat in an aircraft smacks of putting the cart before the horse...
Be rational!
(boringly rational mini
)
Go for a try a flight or whatever its called over there, then decide whether you want to continue. Then, assuming you want to push on with it, while pursuing your PPL you'll have plenty of time to consider your options vis a vis a commercial future.
spending money on your medical and a headset (!) before you've sat in an aircraft smacks of putting the cart before the horse...
Be rational!
(boringly rational mini
)
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Originally Posted by mini
Mate, walk before you run...
Go for a try a flight or whatever its called over there, then decide whether you want to continue. Then, assuming you want to push on with it, while pursuing your PPL you'll have plenty of time to consider your options vis a vis a commercial future.
spending money on your medical and a headset (!) before you've sat in an aircraft smacks of putting the cart before the horse...
Be rational!
(boringly rational mini )
Go for a try a flight or whatever its called over there, then decide whether you want to continue. Then, assuming you want to push on with it, while pursuing your PPL you'll have plenty of time to consider your options vis a vis a commercial future.
spending money on your medical and a headset (!) before you've sat in an aircraft smacks of putting the cart before the horse...
Be rational!
(boringly rational mini
)The reason I may seem ahead of myself is because I'm not sure how much I'd really use a PPL if I decide to not get a commercial license. I'm looking at it as kind of an all or nothing thing. If I get just a PPL it seems like it'd be a waste of money because I wouldn't use it much.
I guess I just need reassurance that doing all of this is actually a realistic goal. All I hever hear are horror stories about the industry, how expensive everything is, and people that are stuck trying to build hours to get that super low paying job.
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Nothing in life is free, it just so happens that flying is every so slightly 
more expensive than many other interests.
You'll never know if you don't try, but only you can make the decision on whether or not to continue. If you are worried about the expense, why not leave it for a couple of years and see if you want to do it then? At 17, the world is your oyster and there are an awful lot of things to see and do, so why not have a look around at other options? If nothing else compares favourably to flying, then you can always come back to it.
Also, find your local EAA chapter (www.eaa.org), go and hang out at their local get-togethers. You might get a better idea of what a future in aviation could hold for you, as well as finding other parts of aviation that interest you.
Just one more thing, don't rely on the aviation industry being "normal" when you are ready to job hunt - I doubt very much that there is a "normal" for the aviation industry.
more expensive than many other interests. You'll never know if you don't try, but only you can make the decision on whether or not to continue. If you are worried about the expense, why not leave it for a couple of years and see if you want to do it then? At 17, the world is your oyster and there are an awful lot of things to see and do, so why not have a look around at other options? If nothing else compares favourably to flying, then you can always come back to it.
Also, find your local EAA chapter (www.eaa.org), go and hang out at their local get-togethers. You might get a better idea of what a future in aviation could hold for you, as well as finding other parts of aviation that interest you.
Just one more thing, don't rely on the aviation industry being "normal" when you are ready to job hunt - I doubt very much that there is a "normal" for the aviation industry.
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Some sober advice: If you've been "up a few times" and it was only "pretty fun" and not the the best thing you've ever done with your clothes on - (or off at your age!) then my friend, maybe an aviation career (and the hard work, disappointments, setbacks and so on and so forth) is not for you. If you don't love it, eventually you'll hate it.
You can always sell the headset on ebay...
You can always sell the headset on ebay...
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Originally Posted by Ace Rimmer
Some sober advice: If you've been "up a few times" and it was only "pretty fun" and not the the best thing you've ever done with your clothes on - (or off at your age!) then my friend, maybe an aviation career (and the hard work, disappointments, setbacks and so on and so forth) is not for you. If you don't love it, eventually you'll hate it.
You can always sell the headset on ebay...
You can always sell the headset on ebay...
You'll never know if you don't try, but only you can make the decision on whether or not to continue. If you are worried about the expense, why not leave it for a couple of years and see if you want to do it then? At 17, the world is your oyster and there are an awful lot of things to see and do, so why not have a look around at other options? If nothing else compares favourably to flying, then you can always come back to it.
Find something else you can do and actually make good money. Then get a private license and have fun. Commerical aviation as a good professional career is dead.
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I can remember wanting to be a pilot for as long as I can remember; I originally wanted to become a proffessional pilot right out of high school, but let myself be talked out of it and persued another career.
Later at age 24 I again persued flying lessons, but allowed myself to be talked out of it. (It would be too expensive, too many regulations, etc...) Finally, at age 26 I still found myself obsessed with the idea of becoming a pilot and went to the local airport and tried a demo flight. One flight at the controls and I was hooked! I signed up for the Private course on the spot.
After getting my private I found I was still hooked and continued to add more ratings even though I was now a father and really couldn't afford it. I worked a lot of overtime, (70+ hours a week) taking one lesson a week, sometimes every other week when things were tight. I can't really say why I continued persuing my goal of becoming a proffesional pilot, at the time it seemed an impossible dream, I new I would need at least 1,000 hours of experience with a couple of hundred hours of expensive multi engine time to even stand a chance of getting a job, plus I would need a substantial amount of savings to survive what I new would be at least a few years of low pay. But despite that I kept working at it, I guess you could say I was driven.
Finally at age 36, despite going through a divorce, I found I had about 800 hours or so, a commercial and CFI ticket and all the ratings along with enough savings to support myself for a couple of years, so I quit my job, took a 75% pay cut and started flight instructing full time. Fast forward another 7 years and I am now in the left seat of a Gulfstream flying movie stars all over the world. I love my job, I have plenty of free time and the pay isn't bad either.
Bottom line?
I only wish I hadn't let myself be talked out of it when I was 16!
Don't give up just yet Brynnb, try a few lessons and as long as you are having fun keep doing it. Why not get your Private, if only as an accmplishment, it would proove to yourself that you can do anything you set your mind too, regardless of wether you want to make it a career or not. Better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.
Best of luck
Later at age 24 I again persued flying lessons, but allowed myself to be talked out of it. (It would be too expensive, too many regulations, etc...) Finally, at age 26 I still found myself obsessed with the idea of becoming a pilot and went to the local airport and tried a demo flight. One flight at the controls and I was hooked! I signed up for the Private course on the spot.
After getting my private I found I was still hooked and continued to add more ratings even though I was now a father and really couldn't afford it. I worked a lot of overtime, (70+ hours a week) taking one lesson a week, sometimes every other week when things were tight. I can't really say why I continued persuing my goal of becoming a proffesional pilot, at the time it seemed an impossible dream, I new I would need at least 1,000 hours of experience with a couple of hundred hours of expensive multi engine time to even stand a chance of getting a job, plus I would need a substantial amount of savings to survive what I new would be at least a few years of low pay. But despite that I kept working at it, I guess you could say I was driven.
Finally at age 36, despite going through a divorce, I found I had about 800 hours or so, a commercial and CFI ticket and all the ratings along with enough savings to support myself for a couple of years, so I quit my job, took a 75% pay cut and started flight instructing full time. Fast forward another 7 years and I am now in the left seat of a Gulfstream flying movie stars all over the world. I love my job, I have plenty of free time and the pay isn't bad either.
Bottom line?
I only wish I hadn't let myself be talked out of it when I was 16!
Don't give up just yet Brynnb, try a few lessons and as long as you are having fun keep doing it. Why not get your Private, if only as an accmplishment, it would proove to yourself that you can do anything you set your mind too, regardless of wether you want to make it a career or not. Better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.
Best of luck
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I signed up on these forums to respond to your post. Here is my recomendation....since you have already taken intro flights. Pickup some books...i remember using Gleim's stuff for my private and instrument. Start to study the private and pass it. If you have enough motivation to get through the worst part (well..at least i think so) of not being in the air and going through books over and over again only to pass a test to be able to get your private..right on! The PPL FAA Knowledge Test book is cheap..i think like 15 to 20 bucks. Buy it...see if you can get through it and pass the test. If you can hang through all of this and pass it right on...keep flying! Plus your instructor will be excited that he doesnt have to worry about you passing it and only the flying aspect on your checkride once he feels you are ready.
You are still young...the world is yours. I wish I would have had my PPL at your age... all the girls I could have taken on REALLY hot dates
. Hey girl..whats up..wanna get some dinner in Vegas tonight? LOL
You are still young...the world is yours. I wish I would have had my PPL at your age... all the girls I could have taken on REALLY hot dates
. Hey girl..whats up..wanna get some dinner in Vegas tonight? LOL
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I really appreciate the replies buzeyga and Astra driver. The flight school is wanting me to use this $300 set of CDs for the ground school but I'm not sure if that's really worth it or what. I'll definitely check out some books on the subject and hopefully get a head start.
Most people I see flying say they wish they started this young. It's a big reason why I don't want to wait.
Most people I see flying say they wish they started this young. It's a big reason why I don't want to wait.
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Bryn,
If you can afford the PPL, I honestly don't see why not just do it. After all, can you think of a career where having a PPL would hurt you? For example, let's say you decided to be a lawyer. Maybe you could go into aviation law? Or maybe you decided to become a flight surgeon. Or maybe you decided to go into engineering and design flight control systems.
I could go on, but you get the point.
If you can afford the PPL, I honestly don't see why not just do it. After all, can you think of a career where having a PPL would hurt you? For example, let's say you decided to be a lawyer. Maybe you could go into aviation law? Or maybe you decided to become a flight surgeon. Or maybe you decided to go into engineering and design flight control systems.
I could go on, but you get the point.
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Seriously check out your options. If you decide it isnt something you have interest in so what. That is the best part of having freedom from age... you can still always change what your life interests are. I still highly recom. the pilot thing tho even if it is for your own personal travel...to heck with airport security when you can save at least an hour jumping in your own aircraft (well...i guess once you get something fast enough and the ratings). Like the last post tho...the pilot isnt the only job. Honestly tho...i will still try the gleim stuff for study and pass the PPL test. Once again...if you can get through that then motivation is on your side for the PPL and maybe more!
Your schools 300$ stuff may not be all that bad...however every person I have talked to says that flight knowledge isnt from a book...its from personal experience or others. So the cram and jam from any books isnt a real help in the long run (or at least I think so). I remember when I passed my PPL and the examiner shook my hand and said "congrats...you have your license to learn". Anyone else agree?
Edit: If your flight school requires the 300$ of stuff...of course get it if your going to go that school. Just my 2 cents after deprec.....so 1/4 cent.
(well...i guess once you get something fast enough and the ratings). Like the last post tho...the pilot isnt the only job. Honestly tho...i will still try the gleim stuff for study and pass the PPL test. Once again...if you can get through that then motivation is on your side for the PPL and maybe more! Your schools 300$ stuff may not be all that bad...however every person I have talked to says that flight knowledge isnt from a book...its from personal experience or others. So the cram and jam from any books isnt a real help in the long run (or at least I think so). I remember when I passed my PPL and the examiner shook my hand and said "congrats...you have your license to learn". Anyone else agree?
Edit: If your flight school requires the 300$ of stuff...of course get it if your going to go that school. Just my 2 cents after deprec.....so 1/4 cent.
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I'm currently 16 and am just waiting to turn 17 so that I can take my checkride. My motivation is the hope of doing cross countries to places I would otherwise drive to ( CT - PA, CT - VA ,etc ) for the weekend. It might turn out to be more expensive but i'll save up for those cross countries instead of spending that money on flying in the local area with no aim/purpose.
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Originally Posted by brynnb
The flight school is wanting me to use this $300 set of CDs for the ground school but I'm not sure if that's really worth it or what.
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Originally Posted by weasil
Is that American Flyers?
I'm currently 16 and am just waiting to turn 17 so that I can take my checkride. My motivation is the hope of doing cross countries to places I would otherwise drive to ( CT - PA, CT - VA ,etc ) for the weekend. It might turn out to be more expensive but i'll save up for those cross countries instead of spending that money on flying in the local area with no aim/purpose.
I guess you guys are right, there really isn't anything to lose beyond money. I'll go ahead and go ahead with it.
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That would be a pretty cool ambition for me, too. I doubt I would ever do that more than once every couple years, though.
I guess you guys are right, there really isn't anything to lose beyond money. I'll go ahead and go ahead with it.
I guess you guys are right, there really isn't anything to lose beyond money. I'll go ahead and go ahead with it.
On my way to Reading in PA, there was a system coming from the west with low clouds ( 3000 feet ). Hence, we went above the clouds and flew for 2 hours above them... It was nice and bright up there. When we finally had to descend, my instructor allowed me to descend through the clouds ( since i'm due for my instrument training anyway ). Once again, it was an awesome experience being inside the clouds and not being able to see anything around you. After having cleared the clouds, we were surprised to see how dark it was below them ( as dark as it gets at dusk even though it was 3 pm ).
My point is that these experiences are very memorable so thats what I recommend you should look forward to ( even one flight a year is still very enjoyable ) . What made my trip to Reading even more special and gave it purpose was that I took my mom to the temple there ( since she had been longing to go for quite some time). That was a satisfying feeling as she was really happy
Wow... landed up writing a lot. Ill stop now
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Originally Posted by brynnb
It's the "Cessna PPL Multimedia Training System". I imagine I would be able to learn ground school just fine with a $20 book, though. Not sure why I need a $300 set of CDs.
That would be a pretty cool ambition for me, too. I doubt I would ever do that more than once every couple years, though.
I guess you guys are right, there really isn't anything to lose beyond money. I'll go ahead and go ahead with it.
That would be a pretty cool ambition for me, too. I doubt I would ever do that more than once every couple years, though.
I guess you guys are right, there really isn't anything to lose beyond money. I'll go ahead and go ahead with it.
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Brynnb,
Back when I was still actively teaching at a cessna pilot center, I can remember that those students that had used the Cessna Multimedia training system made significantly faster progress on average than those that had not. I noticed that students using the system grasped new concepts much easier and would learn new manouvers in the aircraft much quicker than they would otherwise. I would say that the extra money spent on the CD's will be recouped many times over by saving many hours of expensive dual instruction in the aircraft.
Back when I was still actively teaching at a cessna pilot center, I can remember that those students that had used the Cessna Multimedia training system made significantly faster progress on average than those that had not. I noticed that students using the system grasped new concepts much easier and would learn new manouvers in the aircraft much quicker than they would otherwise. I would say that the extra money spent on the CD's will be recouped many times over by saving many hours of expensive dual instruction in the aircraft.
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Weasil,
I agree with the recomendation for the Gleim books; they are probably the best way to prepare for the written exam, but you still can't beat the cessna CD's for learning the practical stuff.
Bottom line; get both, the $300 CD's for the practical learning and then spring the extra $20 for the gleim about a week or so before you take the written
I agree with the recomendation for the Gleim books; they are probably the best way to prepare for the written exam, but you still can't beat the cessna CD's for learning the practical stuff.
Bottom line; get both, the $300 CD's for the practical learning and then spring the extra $20 for the gleim about a week or so before you take the written
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I would honestly look at the way you learn the best. For me..its actual experience. I could have a 20 thousand dollar set of cd's, books, etc etc etc...and still wouldnt learn as well as from an instructor or in the aircraft. I agree with many that it may be well worth the money for the cd set and gleim book...however..for myself..wouldnt work. Each person is different... if you cant decide which way you will learn better start with the cheaper route. If it isnt working all that well for you...buy the CD's.
Plus additional flight time isnt such a bad thing in the long run. I would rather be with a newly licensed pilot with 100 hours over one with only 50. Your insurance over time always goes down with additional flight time and ratings. Plus if your looking to go "all the way" you can always do other training the same time with your private if your ready to take on additional concepts and your instructor is ready to throw some your way. Especially on those long X-C flights with your instructor that are always a joy. Personally when i was doing my PPL i was only excited three times with it. First solo, first X-C...and my check ride when he shook my hand and told me "congrats...you now have your license to learn!" Well...i guess 4..but the last is better not discussed on the web for others sake.
Enjoy!
Plus additional flight time isnt such a bad thing in the long run. I would rather be with a newly licensed pilot with 100 hours over one with only 50. Your insurance over time always goes down with additional flight time and ratings. Plus if your looking to go "all the way" you can always do other training the same time with your private if your ready to take on additional concepts and your instructor is ready to throw some your way. Especially on those long X-C flights with your instructor that are always a joy. Personally when i was doing my PPL i was only excited three times with it. First solo, first X-C...and my check ride when he shook my hand and told me "congrats...you now have your license to learn!" Well...i guess 4..but the last is better not discussed on the web for others sake.
Enjoy!
