Becoming a pilot?
 

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post.. but here it goes. So I'm 18 years old, I live in Ontario, Canada and I want to become a pilot. I'm scared of heights, but I want to fly and I think that would be neat to over-come. I've been in a plane before several years ago and didn't have any problems looking down below.

Anyways, so there is a college in my province that offers a 2 year course in aviation, gives you 250 hours of flight time and says I can apply for my commercial license when I graduate. However the course is going to cost about 5 thousand to do, but the flight fees is going to be about 40,000. So I might be paying up to 50,000 to get this all done. Assuming I get my license and everything's clear, are there a lot of job opportunities as a pilot in Ontario, because I' will have to pay off at least 40,000 dollars that's not my money.

Next, how much do pilots generally make in Ontario, or Canada in general, and finally, I DO want to have a family "eventually" not anytime soon, in fact I could careless about kids atm, but I definitely want to have a girlfriend, and eventually a wife. I know a few times of the month I will be gone from home, how has this affected you if you have a wife and your gone away for days at a time. Is there a way to be home at night and not be gone all the time? Such as flying cargo? I'm very, very new to all this, so please be nice. :ok:

Hi blasteryui,

Firstly your post really needs to be in the wannabes section which is located a bit further up the page than this forum. I am sure the moderator will move it for you to give you maximum chance of getting some good replys.

My advice to you would be to have a serious think about your motivations and commitments to becoming a Professional Pilot. Is this something you have always wanted or a passing idea? Have a clear strategy of what you want to achieve and a clear financial plan of have to obtain this. You are right in thinking that this will cost a large sum of money to achieve so have a realistic timescale and a back up plan to ensure a way of paying any borrowed monies back. The last thing you want is huge debts and no job! Some of the wannabes on this website will tell you some very harrowing stories!

Why don't you try and get a job in Aviation somewhere like a local flying club or an operations type role. This will give you some exposure to the industry, make some contacts and maybe even the odd flight or two?

As a very wise man once said to me: "It will be a long hard road and I wish you the best of luck!" He was right and I will say the same to you.

I am sure others will provide some further info for you. I wish you well with your endeavours!

BB :ok:

Why don't you work while doing the pilot training on the side therefore limiting the amount of debt?

I don't know about the situation in Ontario. But when I started my education I was told, "you can't expect to choose your future homes, you will have do move to where the jobbs are". I thinkt this is very much a truth.

wish you all luck!

Have you thought about 'bush flying'? Surely the opportunities for it, where you come from, are pretty good if you're patient. I know I'm not everybody, but if I were in your shoes, that's what I'd be aspiring to - must be amazing.

I have a family and am in training right now; I have to admit that a fairly open minded approach to flexibility and location is needed, regarding the opportunities out there.

Oh, I'm not too hot on heights either. I did some climbing in the Alps in the summer and nearly pooped my pants! Absolutely fine in a plane or under a parachute though!

Good Luck

There are plenty of colleges in Ontario that offer flight training programs including three that are subsidized by the government.

Confederation College - 2 year program - College diploma
CPL; Float rating (including 24hrs on floats); IFR theory;
Total cost: ~$9000
Aviation Flight Management | Confederation College

Sault College - 3 year program - Advance College diploma
CPL; MIFR;
Total cost: ~$15,0000
Sault College Aviation

Seneca College - 4 year program - Applied Degree
CPL; MIFR; ATPL (exams frozen for 5 years; 750 hr requirement waved);
Total cost: $40,000
FLIGHT PROGRAM DEGREE - Seneca College - Toronto, Canada

All flight training associated with these programs is covered by the Ontario government.

I attended Confederation College several years ago because the program was short. Although it lacks MIFR, I did mine privately and still managed to keep the costs similar to Sault College (but one year less in living expenses). These are competitive programs and require the student to maintain a higher standard but nothing that isn't attainable through some hard work and effort.

As for job prospects in Ontario, it's like anywhere else, TOUGH! Even tougher still for low time pilots.

There are generally two realistic options at the start of your career: become a flight instructor or work on a dock or ramp with a company that will upgrade you to a flying position. There are direct entry flying jobs available but they require a lot of luck and timing (and luck).

As for a wage, it's generally pretty low during your first few years in the industry. Average wage for an entry level first officer position can vary anywhere from $20K to $30K per year.

You can find more info on Canadian aviation at AVCANADA

I hope thats not the case, and if you get a job as a commercial air pilot, you should be able to find a home.