Do I have "the right stuff" to become a pilot?

Hey man, I'm 23, just graduated from the University of New Mexico; moved down to Texas 3 weeks ago. Just started from zero hour, it's been two weeks, working my ass off every day and I'm moving forward with 20 hours after tomorrow (16 days after start). Ground school will be over this week, solo very soon after.

Fact. You either do it or you don't buddy. Sooner or later your going to have to stop doubting your self and just say "I'm going all in." Go all in, and you'll never regret it.

Truth be told I didn't even have an intro flight before I moved here. First flight was an experience I'll never forget. I sympathize with the lingering doubts you had after your first. Thing is, every bump I felt that first flight, totally faded away during the second. Gotta learn to trust the air craft and its instruments, bumps and all. If you don't like roller coasters, flying might not be for you, so think about that. Keeping your cool and staying confident is an invalueable skill which will help you along the way.

I've always known flying was for me, and you gotta know it too.

Best thing I did for my self these last couple of weeks was chair fly the hell out of my maneuvers. Slow flight, power off/on stalls, steep turns, traffic patterns; the whole nine yards. If you do commit in the future one word of advice: save your self some money by learning your sh** before you fly. It's the dedication that will get you through it. I don't know a single person here other than my instructor, and quite honestly don't expect to for quite some time. Flying is now my life, and it can be yours too.

Get er' done.

PM me and I'll talk to you any time.

Cheers.
 
Contrail the Kid said:
Fact. You either do it or you don't buddy. Sooner or later your going to have to stop doubting your self and just say "I'm going all in." Go all in, and you'll never regret it.
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Not strictly necessary, coming from someone here who spent 7 years getting an instrument rating.

It won't be as hard as you think it is now.
 
Thanks a bunch everyone. Definately a lot to think about. In regards to "knowing my stuff before I fly," does anyone have an opinion on the benefits of using the Microsoft Flight Simulator to practice manuevers? I do have a set of rudder pedals and joystick.
 
Rolling Thunder said:
In regards to "knowing my stuff before I fly," does anyone have an opinion on the benefits of using the Microsoft Flight Simulator to practice manuevers? I do have a set of rudder pedals and joystick.
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I've never found it at all useful, as it doesn't simulate the motion of the aircraft or control forces changing. Practicing Instrument Approaches? Maybe. Stick and Rudder stuff? Not realistic enough to help you, I'd stick with the airplane at first.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
I've never found it at all useful, as it doesn't simulate the motion of the aircraft or control forces changing. Practicing Instrument Approaches? Maybe. Stick and Rudder stuff? Not realistic enough to help you, I'd stick with the airplane at first.
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I'm not even going to try to teach myself instrument approaches on my flight sim.:)
 
PeanuckleCRJ said:
Don't forget the required 6 pack of beer prior to any time you touch flight sim.
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I believe it is still legal to do the Instrument Checkride in an approved sim, as well as a good chunk of the training. Not that it is a great idea, but you could be still be knocking back the beers while training... ;)
 
Right stuff? As far as personal traits go, I have made many close friends so far in aviation, and many of them I would never have talked to if we didn't have a passion for flying to share with one another. Some of my friends are very introvert and booksmart that don't talk a whole lot and I have friends who are hilarious and I always know its going to be a party tonight when they come around. They all fly airplanes, yet the only thing they really have in common is just that. They fly airplanes, have (in most cases) wanted to do it most of their lives, and they love doing it. So no matter where you fall in the spectrum, you can totally attain your goal of a flying career so long as:

-You don't have any complications keeping you from attaining the class of medical you need for the career you wish to have. Even if you don't pass your medical on the first try, don't give up as many(but not all) disqualifying items can be overcome if you are detirmined enough. Some may take months or years of doctor visits, but if its worth it to you, stick with it.
-You keep your record clean of any horrendous felonies, though this would probably fall into the medical category.
-You REALLY want to do this. It won't be easy. It'll be expensive. There will be many set backs. But no matter what gets thrown at you, get back on your feet and kick with it. The whole zero to hero thing where after 90 days of "flight school" you have an interview with a regional airline is over with. You'll have to be very determined to keep going, its normal if there are times here and there where you want to quit. I've had my PPL checkride pushed back again and again over a six month period due to various circumstances that have been beyond my control. Its been expensive and time consuming, and at times it feels like I'm on a treadmill getting nowhere. Flight training itself can bring these circumstances, you need the will power to get past them.

So long as you feel as though you can do the above, I don't see why you couldn't become a pilot. And if you've made it that far through college, you can't be THAT bad at math.;)
 
Rolling Thunder said:
Thanks a bunch everyone. Definately a lot to think about. In regards to "knowing my stuff before I fly," does anyone have an opinion on the benefits of using the Microsoft Flight Simulator to practice manuevers? I do have a set of rudder pedals and joystick.
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Now im not a pilot or anything but as one person stated MSFS does not use the actual movements but if you want a more realistic Simulator X-Plane is the way to go, graphics are not as great but its based on all true physics of the aircraft, you can get a demo of it.

Just my 0.2

(now back to the real flying)
 
drunkenbeagle said:
I've never found it at all useful, as it doesn't simulate the motion of the aircraft or control forces changing. Practicing Instrument Approaches? Maybe. Stick and Rudder stuff? Not realistic enough to help you, I'd stick with the airplane at first.
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PC based sims are really only good had helping an instrument scan of the six pack when it comes to an insturment rating. Other than that they are just a video game.
 
I'd try to explain it to you, but I'm eating teargas canisters for breakfast and then I'm scheduled to catch bullets with my teeth.
 
If you think you can, or you can't, you're right.

This is a new skill you're building. It's going to take some time to start putting the pieces together. It won't happen instantly. On the other hand, if you get to 100 hours and you still haven't soloed, well then your initial instinct might be correct.

Don't be discouraged by one or two bad lessons. There's a lot bigger things to get discouraged over, like how much your first job will pay.;)
 
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