How to Become a Pilot: My Journey Explained

[@g.tucker8682]

I went the civilian route. I goofed around in college for five years, and quit with no degree. I worked in the commercial art field for seven years and hated it. I finally realized I had to find something I actually wanted to do or be miserable all my life. Flying was it. I got my certifications in Part 61 and a Part 141 school. I instructed at that school for four years and finally got a job with a regional flying the ATR42/72. I'll retire out of the left seat of the B777 in '27. It's been a fun and bumpy road.

[@frizz6779]

Damn man , being the captain of a beautiful machine like the 777 . Best of luck ahead .

[@g.tucker8682]

​@@frizz6779 Thanks very much. I'll leave with only about four and a half years in the command seat, but it's a blast and I'll make the most of it.

[@MITZ1953]

Our 14 yr old grand daughter is taking pilot lessons. She’s flying already n has learned to land too. She’s joined the ROC and plans to be an Air Force pilot

[@LouieInOK]

Good for her! You go, girl!!

[@thatgirlmadge]

That's amazing!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@jamesmitchell1780]

What is the ROC ?

[@MITZ1953]

@jamesmitchell1780 sorry. It's ROTC. Reserve Officer Training Corps

[@Amdeejaymercury]

Wow✈️ that's just outstanding!! 👏

[@Unconditionallyloved1]

I could never be a pilot but I love watching your videos.

[@westerlywinds5684]

I wouldn’t like the stay overs in hotels and such, away from my wife and family. That would be my hiccup.

[@Cunningstunts23]

@@westerlywinds5684that’s the best part tho

[@1bizjets]

In 1979 I came to the US and walked straight into an airforce recruiting office in Phx AZ told them I wanted to be a pilot. Took the test passed the math test perfectly ,but I couldn't speak English well enough yet so the rejected me. As the story goes, I went on to become an electrical engineer and was blessed with the opportunity to work in aerospace avionics for 40 years instead 👍👍 Now I fly large scale RC planes 😊

[@frankhinkle5772]

A very interesting story. Thanks for sharing this brief glimpse with us.

[@willkoeppel]

As a young child, my father taught me many things about life. One of them was the following: If you want to touch somebody’s heart… you need to reach their heart… and the best way to reach their heart… is to speak from the heart! Captain Steve , God’s blessings for speaking from your heart in all your videos! You are a blessed man!🙏❤️😎

[@festerbestertester1658]

My experience was slightly different. I signed up through the Marine Corps. After a two-day physical in Quantico, they told me my left eye was slightly blurry, so either become a grunt or get out of here. I chose the second option. I ended up in airline maintenance. Not so glamorous or lucrative, but I mostly enjoyed it. I won't be making any Mechanic Mike videos.

[@SteveRoberts5330]

You can tell some of this was bittersweet for Cap to explain to us, especially the "now you know" at the end... THANK YOU Cap for all your years and your passion! We are lucky to have you here now every day!

[@shawnpa]

He's generous with his knowledge and passion. That makes for great videos.

[@TimPiccolo]

Never do I miss a video from Cpt Steeeeeeeeeeeve.

[@jenm2597]

My grandfather also became a pilot through the Navy (World War II) and was part of the Naval Reserves for years. He retired as a captain at United. We read the poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie MaGee Jr. at his funeral.

[@christophermurphy4850]

Thank you Captain Steve for making that video, and for making all of your videos. You provide not only information explaining the aviation industry especially aircraft, but you also provide a great deal of entertainment. I certainly enjoy when your videos pop up. Thanks again for being you.

[@andyfowler7810]

Bumped on to your shorts, mate!! You must be one of the most interesting ppl on instagram!!! Please keep on keeping on captain steve, we all adore you. Much love from the 🇬🇧 to you and your family

[@billducas]

A good friend of mine just retired from American Airlines as a 767 captain. He was also my instructor when I got my instrument rating in 1983. He had to do the mandatory retirement at 65, but I took the corporate route and retired at 58. Now he's flying private jets. I still fly my 1960 Cessna150. With that airplane, if you got time to spare, go by air.

[@jayeean3890]

@billducas I learned in a 152 - awesome little planes to learn/fly/own! I have a few hours in an Ercoupe from years ago as well... definitely give that a try if the opportunity presents itself!

[@shorty9124]

I’m glad we’re best friends now😊

[@bayilungachico8533]

I started my private pilot license courses in 1991 due to lack of finances I could move forward I hope that one day I will fly , thanks captain for your story,

[@RobertGill-y8d]

Thank you for your videos. Although I don't have much interest in ever being a pilot, I think airplanes are amazing machines, I like flying on them, and I enjoy learning about how they work. You have taught me so much, thank you for that. I've flown on a 777 before and was amazed at how something that big could get off the ground and into the air!

[@boywonderrr71]

Hey Steve, I'm 53 Im going to get my medical & hopefully get started with training @ ATP in Nashville

[@yvans8994]

Retirement you’ll still be FLYING HIGH AND SAFE

[@larrybaker5316]

thanks for sharing your experience on becoming a Captain. Fly safe Cap'n Steeeeve....

[@marieleahy3260]

The fact that you clearly love your job is such a gift! Thanks for sharing your story.

[@Juamarques]

Captain Steve, I want to say thank for inspiring those who are working towards their seat to the flight deck. Everyday I see you at least once on my feed, and you give the utmost respectful advice for those who are working towards their career in aviation (like myself, only got the PPL working towards CPL) or just bystanders. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your story and the encouragement. I sincerely hope one day, I can fly with a captain like you and take on the wise skills of captain you possess. God bless you captain Steve and Godspeed🙏🏼🙂

[@siddhantpatil900]

Thank you Captain Steeeeve, I just wanted to let you know that i am an aspiring pilot (not in US) and you motivate me every single day to keep pursuing my dream. I hope you keep making these amazing videos even after 65. I wish you lots of love and good health :)

[@fire5940]

Love these videos

[@donalddiem308]

Thanks for sharing Captain Steeeeeve ✈️✈️✈️

[@henrikelanschuetzer4261]

YOUR UPRIGHTNESS + INTEGRITY, Captain Steve are PHENOMENAL! Wishing You and Your family BEST OF LUCK nowadays and beyond Retirement 🥰🥰🥰

[@randallmaharaj7246]

GREAT JOB, I LOVE THE T JOB, FLYING, NEVER HAD THE MONEY, TOO POOR, RANDALL, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.

[@jayeean3890]

I became a Private Pilot 26 years ago, it's both my hobby and passion and I can't imagine not knowing how to fly. It was a labor of love leaning and as Captain Steeeve admits, it is a lot of fun! (Was in the navy as a Submariner, got out and years later became a pilot.) 🫡🇺🇸⚓️

[@ford2791]

I really hope you continue making aviation content when you retire. I love your videos

[@onemercilessming1342]

US Navy veteran here. Loved it. Miss it. Though in my day, girls weren't able to go to the Academy, or be line officers, or command ships, or fly planes, or serve aboard anything other than sub tenders or on aircraft carriers -- not as pilots!!! I envy you, and wonder what my time in the Navy would have accomplished had I been born 40 years later than I was!

[@henrikelanschuetzer4261]

Times keep on passing by: so happy to watch captains like Emily from Australia piloting 777, toppled by ladies as jet fighters! How wanderful!

[@onemercilessming1342]

@henrikelanschuetzer4261 But now I know what Dr. Carl Sagan felt when he realized that, in spite of ALL he had accomplished as an exobiologist, author, and power behind the Voyager disks, he was never going to go into space himself.

[@henrikelanschuetzer4261]

@@onemercilessming1342 might be Your " but" explains it all ? 😅

[@pcapone9040]

Steve, thank you so much for this information. My son is 16 and wants to be a pilot. Great stuff!

[@markg7963]

Most important advice I give to an aspiring pilot, is that along the way, you will encounter 1000 other people’s “kingdoms”. You have to be able to survive a minority of people that will stand in your way and tell you “No”. If you can survive that, then you are the person that will never give up on yourself, your airplane, your crew, your mission, or your passengers. Everything else is just baby steps.

[@DrumNut927]

Cap, thanks for your videos. As a recently retiree I understand your pain when looking at your future retirement. When you’re doing something you love you hate to lose it. But there is life on the other side, and it’s all about what you make of it.

[@mrrs8118]

My son-in-law loves his Captain job too!!

[@allanfreeman6131]

My oldest nephew went the Navy route flying F18's, when he got out, he started flying private planes and is now a first officer with a major airline. My youngest son, just got his private pilot license and is working towards IFR, multi-engine and commercial.

[@dkinney1000]

Captain Steve, you shine.

[@5714sqd]

If you don't get to fly, you can become an A&P. Excellent career prospects and above average remuneration. The military is a great place to start any career in aviation.

[@dilshananushka1]

Lovely to hear it Captain Steeeeve 🏆️🎁❤🎉🏆️🎊️🎁🏆️

[@VOIDDOS]

i can’t even explain how much i love your videos. You are such a great guy

[@josephcapps6416]

About 25 years ago, my oldest was graduating from HS. I happened to ask our family eye doctor and friend, who was an eye specialist/surgeon, what he might reccomend to our graduate. He said to become a pilot. Then due to the pilots limited work hours, you would have an opportunity for a 2nd concurrent career. We were in Nashville, he said that you'd be surprised how many docs had done that.

[@bcole2353]

Thank you for all these fantastic videos. I looked it up Aqt/FAR Stands for Aviation qualification test/ Flight aptitude rating. Thank you very much for ALL that you are doing on this channel

[@nicopicco]

Yep, my son who doesn't fully have his drivers license is in flight school in Moncton NB. He loves it.

[@buckshot.522]

Most children who dream of becoming pilots never actually end up pursuing that path. Interestingly, those who never considered becoming pilots often do. As one of my friend and classmate, who graduated with me, initially wanted to become a Data Scientist but ended up becoming a fighter pilot. Now, he flies F-16s and JF-17s.

[@MyLife627Fl]

Love your videos, Steve hello from Delray beach

[@Mpbalaji1]

Thanks for sharing the nice story Steeeve. I have a dream to become a pilot from childhood, unfortunately I am color blind and couldn't proceed into aviation. 😥

[@birdiemarie6480]

Thank you for sharing.

[@mikeblackman1768]

Nice Captain Steveeee

[@festerbestertester1658]

One thing I heard while trying to go the military route, while the temptation is to try to get into the hotshot fighters, there's really not much market for that in the civilian world. So, if you ever leave the Navy or Air Force and look for a flying job in the outside world, you're really going to wish you had opted for the boring cargo or surveillance planes.

[@RC-479]

Love this story! "I had a VERY good time in college!" 😂 Great information and a colorful manner of storytelling. You were made for KZbin, Captain Steeeve! Here's hoping you get to 1 million subs quickly! 😊

[@suebt8794]

Thank you for your service Sir x

[@Keith80027]

I start college as a pilot and wanted to become an airline pilot. Airlines required a degree so I started my degree in electrical engineering and got hire by IBM and never went back to wanting to be a pilot again. You never know what life has in store for you.

[@Cunningstunts23]

Airlines do not require a degree.

[@Keith80027]

@@Cunningstunts23 Did then.

[@Cunningstunts23]

@@Keith80027 damn you kinda old I guess

[@dyates6380]

VERY interesting. Thanks for this.

[@dazzleheights]

❤❤❤❤thank you

[@thejohnboatfaithfishingand8078]

I know you wouldn't remember me, but I met and talked with you briefly when you spoke at our church in Grapevine, Texas several years back. I still share the link to your video "In My Seat" with people at our current church all the time. It is to this day one of the most memorable and touching videos I've ever seen. Former Delta, current Southwest A&P mechanic by the way. God made mechanics so pilots can have heroes too!

[@johntait491]

Steve, I think you are to be commended for posting this interesting and informative knowledge on how to become a pilot. Your consideration and kindness in offering these insights would be extremely valuable to those interested. I'm well past retirement age, but it does sound like a great career. 😉

[@soulsiphoner572]

Captain Steeeeve, please continue making videos after your retirement. 😔 ...currently doing a professional pilot degree at Charleston Southern Univ. Waiting on a special issuance for my medical certificate, can't wait to start flying!

[@gvflyer4079]

@Captain Steeeve - Post retirement you can get into flying private if you want to. Many guys have moved into flying Gulfstreams and Globals until they are 70. It is different flying but you would likely really enjoy it.

[@Raprada]

It’s my ultimate dream but unfortunately it’s probably too late for me. I’ll just live it through your content , captain 🫡

[@michaelgreenfield8484]

Love your channel Captain Steeeve!!! Keep up the great work and great content!!! Wishing you safe flying as you close out your career!!! Thanks of your service to our country!

[@ChavJag]

Cheers captain Steeeeeve

[@timothyotell2574]

Look forward to these

[@randallmaharaj7246]

THANKS STEVVVVEEEE.

[@theydongreen8865]

This was sooooo informative!!! Thank you so much! Love you! ❤

[@williamroberts5943]

Thank you for sharing, Sounds like you would enjoy becoming a CFI after retirement. God Bless!

[@user-tb3pu5um9t]

Thank you for that explanation Captain, very interesting. We enjoy your videos. Cheers from Brisbane AU

[@ConniePsjanostan]

P3 orion. I imagine the F14 tomcat. Inspiring story captain.

[@charleswillcock3235]

It's only effortless if you are any good.

[@janetharrington5467]

I flying American Airlines all the time. I hope yout my pilot at least 1 time before you retire.

[@doccops]

Enjoying your videos, from a fellow Steeeeve ;)

[@PeterHovis]

Steeeeve....fly safe

[@uwewottawah3284]

Cat. Steve, this is the way in case you live in the US, other countries have a little different ways. But the job is not effortless, you have to always be fit, physically and mentally. be up to date withe procedures, have a different social life. BUT as you said flaying for a major European carrier for 40 years I always went with a happy face to work.

[@Ultimateflying1]

What was your Call Sign in the military?

[@thatgirlmadge]

Oh I wish I knew this 40 years ago! 😢 My dream is to still get my private pilot's license! I'm 63. So after your mandatory retirement from the airlines, would you be interested in starting a flight school/ be flight instructor? Wow if I could learn from you?!! Not sure if I have the math/ calm in all situations skills, but what a dream come true to be a Pilot. Huge respect to you Sir. 🇺🇸

[@zmk4555]

I love watching ur videos captn steeeeve! If i were to be selected to be a pilot, i would credit you for sure! - from Singapore 🇸🇬

[@TheBloodhound58]

Don't forget the Guard options.

[@frequinnasty7303]

My flight school is in Philly!!! If u got the 141 route be prepared to part with ur money.... 💸💸💸💸💸

[@terrymcnaughton1430]

I bet it will be ready tough to have to retire from a job you enjoy so much.

[@sushantsadre]

❤

[@andrewmeitner4818]

Hi Steve Please show us a picture of you in your military uniform. Thanks ❤

[@jimprior5700]

It can often be a tough career on a marriage , many spouses don't like the other being away too much especially on international trips even though they are then home a lot too.

[@TristanLammer]

Ohh noooo😢 you're not gonna retire in less than a year. Please not😢😢 you are the best pilot

[@biopack5307]

I'm stuck in Morocco to Washington DC. Will you pick me up and take me to Indiana. Please please

[@biopack5307]

Feb 23

[@CSSZiegler]

Civilian flight training route is a choice between Part 141 or Part 61

[@patricksmith4424]

The one thing about getting a pilots license is the cost, so if you go the military route that is all taken care off. Also you can presumably put thousands of hours of fly time in. The downside of course is there maybe a nasty war to contend with. I think British airways will train pilots from scratch but they must have 2 good advanced level grades in maths and physics (not easy). Of course if you have those two, a plethora of other careers are open to you as well.

[@rgoubin1]

💜✈️

[@skypeter-thompson]

Did you ever fly P-3 Orions out of Moffett Field in California? I grew up under the approach path for that installation. Seeing all the different aircraft coming through spurred an early interest in aviation.

[@monadking2761]

So Captain Steve, So you flew P3s. I remember them flying at NAS Millington way back in 77. As a Navy pilot, did you ever trap a wire or get launched off of a Cat? BZ sir for your service. Oh, I did work at Hamilton Standard on all the black boxes for the 727-757 series cabin pressure systems. It was interesting after working at Sikorsky.

[@EBMisKing]

What are you planning to do after retiring?

[@FountainSongs]

When Steeeve became a pilot, you needed 20-20 vision (or close to it). There was no laser eye surgery back then. So if you had bad eyesight, as I did and do, you're SOL. Nowadays, it's much easier than in the ol' days! .... Right Steeeve?

[@carolelinda6476]

LOVE your videos Capt. Steve. I heard that there was legislation introduced to increase the mandatory retirement age for pilots to 67.

[@cameronlukas5671]

Captain Steve please post more aviation content after you retire @Captain Steeeve

[@momoii3838]

Now I know what to do in my next life

[@funnyfarmdad9997]

Steve, after you retire from commercial flying can you hire on as a pilot for a company flying corporate executives around?

[@Jemmcanna]

You will be so busy in retirement that you will wonder why you worked so long. You should have added you total flight hours (Up to now) in the video. Thanks' Steeeve!

[@arthouston7361]

I'm still kicking myself because I didn't follow Gary Roughead to Annapolis from Valley Forge. I ended up paying for all of my own training.

[@justoutoftime511]

Steeve, how many type ratings do you have?

[@Susan-c9q2h]

unfortunately, this is Tom, the hubby - we share. What type P3 did you command - I was in the AF, wearing the aluminum wings of an enlisted guy. If you flew the EP-3E, then it was the equivalent of the C-130A/B that I flew on - roughly 6K hours in 10 years service. Carry On. BZ

[@dv8nxs944]

Can you fly anywhere else after mandatory retirement? Or are you not allowed to pilot anymore?

[@lcxb8575]

If your squadron ever came through SIZ, I probably had something to do with your orders. I still miss some of the people I served with.

[@jonathanpringle8238]

have you ever had ATC say the infamous line to you "I have a phone number for you to call"?

[@Cunningstunts23]

Many pilots do, that phrase is not the dreaded brasher warning though. I’ve gotten told that from ATC once in Newark after responding to to an RA caused by a helicopter that violated the airspace . They simply wanted to record my information as data for the go around. Unless you hear the words “possible pilot deviation” then “I have a number for you to copy” is simply a friendly request for further information, not condemnatory in nature whatsoever.

[@davidanderson2915]

Becoming a Captain should be based on your abilities... not your seniority in the pilots union.

[@Broken_n_Famous]

I'm on my 41 what you think I'm old for this ?..... I already have PVT and 455 TT so how I can get a cosigner since I can't fin no one the be my cosigner Steve