Dreamed of being a pilot since childhood?

BrettInLJ

BrettInLJ

Well-Known Member
How many career changers here have dreamed about being a pilot since childhood and how many have caught the bug later on in life? Personally, I have been fascinated since I was a toddler growing up with an airline pilot father.

It seems like with all the challenges and roadblocks you have to meander through to make this career a reality, you have to passionate enough about flying to make it. Not that developing this dream in adulthood makes you less passionate and determined; I'm just curious how many people here have been doing other things in their life while having this dream all along, vs. those that have realized it later.
 
I only got the bug about 2 1/2 years ago. I haven't enjoyed my past jobs so I was looking at a list of careers trying to figure out what to do with my life, and came across the word "pilot." I then realized how much I've always enjoyed riding in airplanes and traveling and just being at the airport. Then a friend took me up in his Cessna and I was hooked.
 
[ QUOTE ]


It seems like with all the challenges and roadblocks you have to meander through to make this career a reality, you have to passionate enough about flying to make it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Truer words have not been said.

There are numerous members here who started later in life (30+). If you have the drive, it certaintly possible. My best advice would be to keep your day job while working on hours/ratings during weekends and evenings.
 
I blame my Dad.
smile.gif
We used to go out to MEM and watch planes take off and land (back before they thought you were suspicious for doing so) when I was around 3. We kept that up until I was almost 13. We'd go out for hours with a scanner so we could listen in. My dad always wanted to be a pilot, but due to cataracts and his poor eye sight, he could never get a medical. In order to unwind from work every night, he'd launch MSFS and fly somewhere in one of the heavies for a couple of hours. When I was in HS, I started looking into the Air Force, Navy, etc at pilot slots. I had the grades to get in one of the academies or even a ROTC program, but I didn't have 20/20 vision (this was back in the early 90s). So, I figured that was that. Jetcareers wasn't around back then, and there wasn't really a big campaign on the GA side of things in Memphis, TN. I didn't find out about civilian training until almost a decade later. I found some of my old stuff a while back from when I was applying to colleges. I managed a full ride from ERAU on grades, but I didn't want to move to DAB at the time. At first, I was like "Damn, that was stupid." But, if I had gone to ERAU, I wouldn't have met my wife, so I really don't have any regrets on that.

So, I went to Mississippi State with no real direction in mind. I started as a theatre major, then I shifted to pre-vet. I moved to Gainesville, FL with the intent of going to UF and studying vet medecine with big cats (tigers, lions, etc) at some point. Money never appeared, so we moved to Orlando to work for Disney. Climbed the corporate ladder in the theme parks long enough for me to realize I didn't want to get yelled at every day because someone's kid was too short to ride Space Mountain. My wife asked "What's something you've always wanted to do," and I immediately said "Fly airplanes." So, we went on this internet thing to see what options I had. I had no idea I was living in the Mecca of flight schools, so I started getting info and checking the schools out. One of my friends that I worked with at Sea World was going to ATA, and his girlfriend worked at SWA. So, he talked me into leaving theme parks for good and getting hired on with SWA. It's just kinda gone on from there.

If all goes well, I should have at least my CFI/CFII in the next month (at the latest), and I might get my MEI if the money holds out. Then I get to start looking for that first paid flying job.
 
I was hooked ever since I saw my first airshow and the F-14 Tomcat as a toddler. I too had no idea how ot make my dream come true as I thought the mil was the only outside of paying too much $$$ to ERAU. I attended college on football scholarship and hoped to going to Naval OTS after graduating from engineering. All that changed in 96 when I tore my shoulder appart. The navy said they wouldn't take me for fighters and i was hating engineering. I was reading the paper and noticed that Western Michigan U. had a flight school that won a flying championship. I quickly called the school and set up an interview. I interviewed a few weeks later with an aviation counselor (who just happend to be an ex-Air Force IP) who really knew his stuff. I was sold and started a few months later. The costs were reasonable and I had all my ratings and a BS in just under 3 years.

From there I was a CFII and a King Air / C421 copilot for 7 months. I then flew EMB-110's, C-310's, C-402, and L-24's for 2 1/2 years for a cargo company before landing a job flying the Saab 340 for my current airline. We are expected to change over to an all EMB 170/190 fleet this year.

If most cases, if you want it bad enough you can become a pilot and get the job you really love to do.
 
I've just taken the plunge..I just turned 33 last month and I've risked everything to follow the dream as well. Left a good paying government job, sold my home and moved from paradise, Hawaii to Texas . I must be crazy!! or stupid? But you know what I don't ever want to look back and have regrets for not trying when I had the opportunity. I started my PPL just three days ago and have logged only 4.4 flt hours but I've taken the steps to making my dreams of one day becoming a professional pilot. I've had the bug since my first flight in a DC-9 from my place of birth Micronesia to Guam and from Guam a MAC flight on a C-141 to Travis and just being in the Air Force around aircraft all the time. I feel its my destiny or I've made it my own and I don't feel its to late for me. I have to try...

Nalu
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've just taken the plunge..I just turned 33 last month and I've risked everything to follow the dream as well. Left a good paying government job, sold my home and moved from paradise, Hawaii to Texas . I must be crazy!! or stupid? But you know what I don't ever want to look back and have regrets for not trying when I had the opportunity. I started my PPL just three days ago and have logged only 4.4 flt hours but I've taken the steps to making my dreams of one day becoming a professional pilot. I've had the bug since my first flight in a DC-9 from my place of birth Micronesia to Guam and from Guam a MAC flight on a C-141 to Travis and just being in the Air Force around aircraft all the time. I feel its my destiny or I've made it my own and I don't feel its to late for me. I have to try...

Nalu
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Why Texas? Are you training at Skymates in Arlington? I'm sort of taking the plunge, but I'm keeping my job until I go through at least my CFI and get my first job offer. That will be the big plunge, an 80% salary cut. My house is already rented and the lease on my apartment that I won't be able to afford on an instructors salary will be over in October. I am also starting to sell off and donate everything I don't need, so I can be more mobile when the time comes... except for my two fat cats, they stay with me either way.
 
I first planned to go RAA or ATP or Pan Am in Arizona but it would be to costly and I wanted to go at my own pace weather fast or slow. I did some more research and I found out about Skymates in Arlington, TX which was more affordable for me and they are a bunch of nice guys, I have a good instructor. I could not possibly follow my dreams living in Hawaii and working full time and paying for flight lessons on top of a mortgage.Cost of living in Hawaii is very high. If I would have rented out my house it would have been to risky cause what if my tenant failed to pay? Then I would have to stop my training and deal with all that mess, so I decided to sell. The profits should last me through the duration of my training. I don't have to rush out and get a job. I can focus on my flight training 100%. I have two cats also, they are great..low maintainance. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity in front of me and I don't take anything for granted. I always try to think positive and I'm not stupid to think that the world is fair and that things come easy. I know I must work for what I want out of life and that nothing is guarunteed...Good luck to you to my friend..fly safe.

Aloha!

Nalu
nana2.gif
 
Who's your instructor? We've probably walked right by each other like 10 times and never even known it. I'm at Skymates for about the next couple of weeks finishing up my CFI ratings.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Who's your instructor? We've probably walked right by each other like 10 times and never even known it. I'm at Skymates for about the next couple of weeks finishing up my CFI ratings.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Kellwolf,

Thanks to you and other JC members positive inputs about Skymates I chose to train with them. My instructor is Brad. I'm going on my fourth lesson and I find him very knowledgeable. He gives me positive feedback. I'll be flying at 1300 on Monday. Did you get a chance to get together with Capt. Bob? I was out of country when he had invited me for the get together. You flying Monday? Or in the week ? Hope to bump into ya . PM me when you have a chance so if I have any questions about flying I can ask a JC vet..

Aloha!

Nalu
nana2.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
My instructor is Brad. I'm going on my fourth lesson and I find him very knowledgeable. He gives me positive feedback.

[/ QUOTE ]

Brad's a good guy and a good instructor.

[ QUOTE ]
Did you get a chance to get together with Capt. Bob?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, we had a blast. Lots of JC people hanging out with beer, brats and burgers. Good times. Sorry you couldn't make it, so I guess we'll have to do it again.
smile.gif


[ QUOTE ]
You flying Monday? Or in the week ?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm coming in about 3-4 PM tomorrow to get some last minute stuff done. I've got my CFII checkride on Tues (and possibly continuing on Wed/Thurs/Fri). After that I'll be in everyday again working on my CFI-A add-on.
 
I'm in on Monday at 2:00 p.m. in 1113 with Ryan, and I look like the dude pictured in my avatar. Say hi if you run into me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
...and moved from paradise, Hawaii to Texas.

[/ QUOTE ]

Moved from paradise? Hell, it sounds like you just got there.
 
Brett. I know the feeling you have of changing careers mid-stream to follow a dream. Things have a wierd way of working out. I am 35, a college graduate, and successful in my current career, but I am not truly happy. With a pending divorce and the sale of my house, I may soon have the oppurtunity to drop everything and begin a new career...that is of flying. I've flown (as a pax) several times in my life and even a few times in small planes. Just last week I went up on my demo flight (beapilot.com) and my feelings were confirmed.....I REALLY WANT TO FLY.

I know starting off this late in life, I will most assuredly never fly the A320, but if I even make it a MD-80, I'd be tickled pink!! Hopefully, if everything goes right, I should be able to start Ari or ATP by the end of the year...or sooner!

Best of luck to you and don't ever look back. I've ignored my gut and heart too many times in my life...not for this.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...and moved from paradise, Hawaii to Texas.

[/ QUOTE ]

Moved from paradise? Hell, it sounds like you just got there.

[/ QUOTE ]

You know what you are right, I'm here in TX persuing my dream. Although I wish it were a bit cooler like Hawaii. I can always go surfing the big waves later on down the road. LOL...
insane.gif


Nalu
 
[ QUOTE ]
Brett. I know the feeling you have of changing careers mid-stream to follow a dream. Things have a wierd way of working out. I am 35, a college graduate, and successful in my current career, but I am not truly happy. With a pending divorce and the sale of my house, I may soon have the oppurtunity to drop everything and begin a new career...that is of flying. I've flown (as a pax) several times in my life and even a few times in small planes. Just last week I went up on my demo flight (beapilot.com) and my feelings were confirmed.....I REALLY WANT TO FLY.

I know starting off this late in life, I will most assuredly never fly the A320, but if I even make it a MD-80, I'd be tickled pink!! Hopefully, if everything goes right, I should be able to start Ari or ATP by the end of the year...or sooner!

Best of luck to you and don't ever look back. I've ignored my gut and heart too many times in my life...not for this.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't say you woul never fly an A320 or equivalent. A lot can happen in 25 years (or 30 if they change the age 60 rule). Honestly, I am not counting on flying the big iron as much as I want that, but I am still going to plug away and work hard with that goal in mind. I make good money now, but I would rather eat Top Raman and be a flight instructor... maybe teaching aerobatics in a Decathalon even.
grin.gif
grin.gif
grin.gif


I'm single now, so the timing is right. For the long term... anyone know if you can find rich spouses on Craigslist?
 
As a kid I was of course fasicnated with airplanes. I used to pretend the front seat of out Ford Aerostar Van was a Boeing cockpit and I was the FO. However, what I really was fascianted with was maritime navigation because of my love for Titanic. However, one day while watching TLC or somthing a show about a plane who forgot to turn on the deice and crashed in the Potomac moments after takeoff brought back my dream of flying...a crash did it is kind of wierd I know but then I started watching discover wings and was hooked. I love shows about air disasters--I just hope I am never in one of those shows!!!!--and one of my favorite sites is airdisaster.com. I just think it is cool to see how pilots react to those situatons. One had a fuel leak in the middle of the Atlantic and had to divert to some island airport that was not meant for Boeings--and he had not power control so he was coming in way over 150 kias--I may be wrong but I belive that is somewhere around landing speed in a Boeing and if he did not stop before the runway ended there was the ocean. So it has been shows about aviation and air disasters that has done it for me plus the typical kid dream.
 
I've wanted to be a pilot since jr. high. I wanted to go to ERAU after high school and my parents wouldn't let me. They said it was too expensive and only military pilots go on to the airlines. So ended that dream......at least for a little while. I then proceded to go to college for whatever...didn't do well, cause I was only there because parents said "go to college"....duh...I wanted to but you wouldn't let me do what I wanted. Unfortunately, I wound up quiting and went in the Marines. Following a couple years service, went back to school, finished this time and did well. Went on to grad school....finally got a decent job in a medical field. Drudged along for a couple years, when a good friend from college who worked at United (not as a pilot...though he does hold commercial certs.) asked me why I hadn't started flying yet. A little background......I spent quite a bit of my spare time during undergrad flying on the computer....USNF Gold and ATF (janes/ EA games) in an online squadron. He knew how much I loved aviation and I finally followed his suggestion. Did the Beapilot thing and the rest is history. I quit my job a couple months later and moved to FL. My family/ friends thought I was insane.....after all, I had finally started making some decent money (I was in my early 30's at this time....still had to pay for undergrad and grad school) Started training at Ari Ben Aviator in Jan '04 and 750 hrs 550ME later I'm going on my first airline interview next week....the day after my 34th birthday.
(As of right now, Aviator is the best choice I've made with my flying career....multi-engine time is the key to getting interviews.....and that's 90% of what we fly here.)

Morale of the story. I've never been poorer than I am at this time....(have to pay for college and flight school now) but I've also never been happier with what I'm doing. Flying is fabulous.......what an excellent view from the office!
nana2.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've wanted to be a pilot since jr. high. I wanted to go to ERAU after high school and my parents wouldn't let me. They said it was too expensive and only military pilots go on to the airlines. So ended that dream......at least for a little while. I then proceded to go to college for whatever...didn't do well, cause I was only there because parents said "go to college"....duh...I wanted to but you wouldn't let me do what I wanted. Unfortunately, I wound up quiting and went in the Marines. Following a couple years service, went back to school, finished this time and did well. Went on to grad school....finally got a decent job in a medical field. Drudged along for a couple years, when a good friend from college who worked at United (not as a pilot...though he does hold commercial certs.) asked me why I hadn't started flying yet. A little background......I spent quite a bit of my spare time during undergrad flying on the computer....USNF Gold and ATF (janes/ EA games) in an online squadron. He knew how much I loved aviation and I finally followed his suggestion. Did the Beapilot thing and the rest is history. I quit my job a couple months later and moved to FL. My family/ friends thought I was insane.....after all, I had finally started making some decent money (I was in my early 30's at this time....still had to pay for undergrad and grad school) Started training at Ari Ben Aviator in Jan '04 and 750 hrs 550ME later I'm going on my first airline interview next week....the day after my 34th birthday.
(As of right now, Aviator is the best choice I've made with my flying career....multi-engine time is the key to getting interviews.....and that's 90% of what we fly here.)

Morale of the story. I've never been poorer than I am at this time....(have to pay for college and flight school now) but I've also never been happier with what I'm doing. Flying is fabulous.......what an excellent view from the office!
nana2.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
Right on man! and congratulations. I can relate to your story cause my parents told me the same thing and I almost gave up on it but I found a way to do it. I just turned 33 years old this year and have decided to go for it too. I was also in the military, still am as a reservist ( Air Force ) still have a little GI Bill benefits left I think 3 more years. Working on finishing a degree and nearing my PPL which I started in June. I'm here in Arlington, Texas taking flight lessons at SkyMates, It's a great place. I will aim to try to be job ready by the same time next year if not then 18 months total. You inspire me !

Good luck on your interviews, I'm sure you'll land one.

Aloha!
Nalu
nana2.gif
 
Seriously, when I was a kid, I always wanted to fly in a plane. Since we were so poor, I couldn't. For that, I was mad at my dad and I told him that I'm going to be a pilot to try to get back at him for never taking me (I always asked to take a plane) silly me, remember I was a kid and didnt know we were poor. Im sure my dad thought it was all talk, but Im pulling throgh with it now. And I rode my first 737 the summer of 2002. It was so awesome, I stared out the window the whole 3 hour flight from Chicago to Florida. I had to wait a whole week to fly back, which is all I looked forward to once I got there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top