What is step #1 to becoming a pilot?

Welcome!! Air Force rulz!! ..LOL, we may have similar situations. I'm a career changer too. I had a full- time civil service job which I decided to give up and now there is no turning back. I attend a part 61 school where I plan to do all my ratings. Here were my steps:

1.Is this what I really want ?
2. Get your medical ask for a class 1
3. Research schools in your area and do an intro flight
4. Did you enjoy the intro flight ? You'll get useto the bumps in the sky..LOL..
5. Final decission ? Follow your dreams...

Steps 6 and so on..you'll figure it out. Since your wanting to keep your full-time job it is possible to obtain all your ratings on a part time basis and like you I'm in my 30's and I'm not getting any younger so manage your training wisely. Good luck my friend..Hey by the way did you work fighters or heavies when you were in the Air Force ? I'm still in ,the Air National Guard here in TX, C-130s got 9 more years to hit 20 for that small military pension...LOL..worth it though..I pay less for gas then folks paying off base...hahaha..LOL the perks of being in the military.

Aloha!

Nalu
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Step 1 for any flight school: Discovery flight / finding an FBO. Go to local FBO's (or ones further away), check out the operation and find one you like. Personality mesh, good maint., and just generally nice people are a plus.

Step 1a: Get a medical certificate

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I'd have to agree with these being first. You might like the idea of being a pilot, but some people take a discovery flight and find that they don't like it. Getting past that, presuming that you DO like flying, you need to make sure you're medically qualified to do so, and so you should go to an aviation medical examiner and get a First Class medical certificate. (Some people will tell you to just get a second or third class, but get the first class anyway--this is about ensuring you're physically qualified before investing a pile of cash in ratings.
 
First let me introduce myself... 25 y/o single turning 26, graduated in college a year ago, currently working as a marketing assistance at one of the advertising company. My income is somewhere around $3000 to $3500 a month depending on OT and bonuses. I am sick and tried of my work, espeically the money isn't that great, I just can't imagine myself doing this until retirement. Now I am considering a flying career, and I notice how the earnings are at the beginning, but looking at a long term, I will be more happier and able to hit 100k in about 10-12 yrs, afterall, I think I rather fly for living. Here are some of my options..

1) Save $1500-$1800 a month for a year long, then start my flight training with 20K to 25K cash in my hand, and pay the rest through loans.
2) Start my flight training before the end of this year with $5k in savings and get a 50K loan.
3) Continue doing what i hate and get a $2500 raise annually.

My car is just paid off, and I don't have any student loan..
Now, if you are in my shoe, what would you do??
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Get at least your PPL while still working. Going into debt should be avoided if it can be and delaying your training is not a good scenario either. After you get your PPL, you can better gauge your finances, and your training path. You are young enough that quitting and training full time is not necessary, especially going into debt to do so. What I have done over the past few months is simplified my lifestyle and saved about 2/3's of my income to build up savings that should take me though the rest of my training (multi, CFI/II/MEI). I'm going to quit my job and go full time to accelerate things, but I am 5 years older than you so time is more a factor.
 
You have a great plan. You can find schools that will cost under $40K . I'm looking at spending less then that to aquire all my ratings. You have little more time on your side as far as age goes and you have your degree so that's good. If you are able to put away $25K to $30K in two years then its very possible. I chose not to go the academy way cause it was to costly $70K to $80K . I'm going at my own pace fast or slow at a part 61 school here in Texas, SkyMates. They offer affordable Pro pilot programs and the crew here are a great bunch of guys ! I did my research first before I decided on SkyMates..my greatest advise research all the schools and find one that fits in your budget range and visit the school .

And then there is the downside?? Being single and having a hard time putting away money. I was there at one point in time..LOL..It appears that you have your finances in check so just stick to it and in two years you'll have the money to begin the journey.

Nalu
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hey yo my 2 cents:
older than 30, dont quit ur job to goto a regional. why take a 50 percent or more paycut to hop in the left seat of an ERJ after spending a years salary, to "be happy what im doing"? come on old dudes, your oversaturating the pilot market for us younguns with ur pipedreams.
sorry that may seem harsh but really think about it.
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Jones said:
hey yo my 2 cents:
older than 30, dont quit ur job to goto a regional. why take a 50 percent or more paycut to hop in the left seat of an ERJ after spending a years salary, to "be happy what im doing"? come on old dudes, your oversaturating the pilot market for us younguns with ur pipedreams.
sorry that may seem harsh but really think about it.
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In 4 months I'll be a CFII,MEI just along the lines with you young buck!! Why be afraid of us ? I guess you haven't matured enough to know that nothing in life is guaranteed?? Its never to late for anything..." I'll never quit eventhough I may stumble"..we've tought chimps to go into outer space ??outer space...are we less capable now ?? LOL...fly safe young buck teach your students well..even your older ones...LOL...

Nalu
 
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