Flying career advice for my son

[TheFlyingTurkey]

Hey everyone. I left my flying career 20 years ago and my 17 year old son has shown an interest in a career in flying. He graduates high school next May and I honestly don't know what advice to give him since I've been out so long. I still have my CFI/CFII/MEI and have taken him up and he seems to really enjoy it. So going forward I was just wondering what would be the most cost effective path to a professional flying career? Air Force ROTC is one option on the table. Wondering more about a civilian path. I did the flight academy route and worked there as a CFI... but the debt was such a burden. I'm seeing posts on the socials about new flight instructors who paid-as-they-went and are having a hard time getting jobs as CFI's. How would you advise your 17 year old son??

 

[DE727UPS]

There is a facebook page for this called "raising aviation teens". You should check it out. There's like 20000 members and this is the most common first post. Anyhow, staying at home and flying at the local flight school is the most cost effective, in my view, for the civilian path. Be sure he can pass a first class flight physical before you spend a dime.

 

[Pilot Fighter]

So, he has an interest in aviation and he’s flown once with his CFI dad? That doesn’t seem especially interested in aviation.

The most cost effective path might include you instructing and getting him to the PPL level before graduation and before long-term and potentially expensive education choices are made.

Advice to my 17 year old son? I don’t have one but it depends on the kid.

I’m not going to suggest going to a four year college unless he has the interest, drive, and ambition to complete a challenging (ROI) degree program. If that’s what he wants, how to pay for it is the next question. ROTC is an option if he’s open to military service. That military service might include aviation.

Otherwise, I’d probably be pointing my kid in a few concurrent directions. Perhaps joining the Guard and using benefits to fund a two-year trades program like electrician, welder, fire, medical tech (x-ray/ultrasound), or paramedic. In my state, grads get two years of free school applied to an AA or trades cert.

After that, if he’s attracted to military life, maybe Army WO pilot program is an option. Guard service looks good.

My advice to my kid would be avoid Bull•e degrees, learn a recession-proof trade, see if you like flying, consider military service, consider an aviation career.