Opinions on the best route

C

Chadro

Well-Known Member
Ok so i have wanted to be a pilot as long as I can remember but, have always axed the idea due to cost. I'm getting close to 30 and have finally decided I want to go for it. I am about 3/4 done with my BA and have been working full time putting my wife through school. She doesn't currently work so it is tough to take lessons here and there as I don't have the extra money, plus there aren't many schools around here.

My wife has almost no student debt and I only have about $8,000. She'll be an RN in about 1.5 years so at least she will have a good, stable job. We live in St. Louis and the only real options I know of around here are Air Associates of Missouri and St. Charles Flying service. We moved here from the Atlanta area and may move back when she is done with school, I know there are more options there.

My main questions are:

-Does anyone have any info on either of the two places I mentioned? I actually can't find much.
-Is something like that a more viable option then say ATP or Aeroism?
-I'm looking for something to take me from zero to hero in say less then three years that won't cost me my soul, is it doable?

The end goal is of course the majors but, getting started is proving to be quite the hurdle. I hate to say I am rushing but, I'm not getting any younger haha. I know you guys get questions like this all the time so I hate to pile it on but, I appreciate any advice you can provide. Thanks.
 
With the 1500 hour rule coming in August, even ATP will only get you so far before you have to start instructing. Are you willing to take the pay cut during the year or more it will take you to build that time? My advice would be to do an intro flight, see if it's really for you, and if so, do your Private part 61 at a local fbo. Once your wife is done with school, maybe moving would be a good thing as far as flight training goes?

Good luck!
 
Ozziecat's got some good advice. I'm in the same boat as well. I already got my PPL back in 2008, spent the last few years saving up the bucks for school. Been flying for the last year or so. If you can save up the money beforehand vs. get a loan and then take the paycut, while trying to pay it off, it will go much smoother I think. Anyways get your PPL first, before you make any big decisions. By the end of it, you should know where you stand.
 
Of your wife is onboard with you doing this then I would first finish your BA, pay off your existing debt, and save as much as possible while she's completing her RN. If you can swing it in the meantime get your PPL and see if this is actually for you.

If when all that is done and you can swing it then by all means go for it, it you should do it in whatever way accrues the least amount of debt. The places like ATP will only take you so far, and I believe their only advantageous to you if you already have the cash to pay for it. Do NOT graduate from these places with three instructor ratings and a 60K+ amount of debt. You will be hating life after that if you do.

Something else to consider is when you and your wife may want to have children and what your budget of both time and funds may look like beyond that.
 
What airport do you live closest to? I've heard lots of good things about St. Charles flying service, haven't heard too much about air associates. I also know of another place at CPS, called St. Louis flight training. They are a small operation and I know the owner, he is a nice guy. With all that said I would pick the one that has the best combination of price, proximity to you, and reputation. And then work on your PPL for starters. Pay as you go, don't plop down 6 or 7 G's upfront anywhere. That way if you don't like the first place you picked you can switch anytime and you're not tied down to the school you started at. You can take baby steps (PPL, instrument, commercial) but still do it as quickly as your schedule and $ allow.

You didn't mention any kids so I assume you don't have any. Try to keep it that way for a few years if you're serious about this, because that would put a serious damper on your finances and free time to work on your ratings. And you really have to pay your dues as a working pilot for a few years before you are likely to get a "good" job that you can really support a family with.

Hope it works out for you, good luck!
 
Flight training is costly. To get through MEI so you can build good time instructing, you will need a student loan. At least if you want to get the ratings done quickly so you can start building time as an instructor. Look at schools with a high student number if you want to be a busy instructor and get your 1500 at a faster rate. Small FBO,s will more than likely not produce 50+ hours a month. Larger schools can easily produce 80+ hours a month of instruction time...

Good luck!
 
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