So you want to be a Pilot? - Getting Started

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks Central. That's a good overview. I'll add few things. The medical, it's not that it's a big expense, but people should understand that a health problem could derail a potential piloting career at any time. This is one of the big risks in trying to become a professional pilot. You could do everything right, then because of an accident or health issue suddenly find yourself unable to continue your career after you have invested a massive amount of money time and energy in your efforts. Regarding air sickness. You can work through that and sort of cure yourself of it. Many famous pilots including Werner Molders and Bob Hoover has serious air sickness when they started but forced themselves through it. 141 vs. 61, I just want to stress that nobody in a job interview will ever ask you what flight school you went to or what type it was. That just doesn't come up in airline interviews except possibly as a point of interest or discussion. All the licenses are the same. Some over priced schools try to make it sound as if they have a reputation that will help carry you through your career. It's not true, nobody cares what school you went to. Your correct about the online courses. On line and home study is the way. You can go over things again and again at your own pace. Almost all airline ground school stuff is done this way now. Great video, and thanks for making it.

[@iflycentral]

Oops. Forgot to mention the medical. That is somthing that I believe is discussed well enough in most ground school courses though. It was in the one I took. Thanks for adding your supplementary information here. I was hopping you'd add to the convo. Thanks.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

@@iflycentral Yes many talk about the issue of getting a medical, but few seem to talk about the risks of loosing one and thus loosing your career after the massive investment. That's something that really needs to be considered before pursing a career as a pilot. Few other careers have that kind of financial risk to them.

[@julianday]

Gliding , flying sailplanes , is a good way in and an excellent grounding in aviation. You may even decide to not bother with a power licence after trying this.

[@iflycentral]

This is true. Some people go this route. I obviously come from a powered flight background, so that is all I really know. I've not had the chance to try sailplanes, but they look fun.

[@julianday]

@@iflycentral yes , have a go , in the uk I’ve flown over 300 k and over 20,000‘ in a 1950s glider. The modern ones are far better , you will be hooked.

[@justicier10-7]

Thank you for doing this video Central. Flying as a career is what I've wanted since I was a kid, and it hasn't been financially feasible until the past year or so. Given that I'm not starting in my early 20's (37 right now) I think the Part 141 option is my best bet because the way I see it, the return on investment will diminish rapidly if I'm not all trained up and flying as my day job by age 40. I do have enough saved up to do my PPL and maybe a couple additional certs in a Part 61, but everything else involved would be a much longer path that I cannot cover up-front expenses for.

[@iflycentral]

Sounds about right. I do encurage you to read the pinned comment. Greg has a lot of experience on the ATP side of things. Might help further inform your decision.

[@justicier10-7]

@@iflycentral Medical is a concern, definitely need to make sure I get cleared, otherwise the plans are moot. ATP is one of the 141s I'm considering, the other was Lift Academy out of Indianapolis... not ideal since I live in Florida

[@13aceofspades13]

Scary how much a 141 can cost is no joke, the school I want to go to $80,000+ for GA Mechanics and my pilots license in total, and only about $25,000 of that is the mechanics aspect....

[@iflycentral]

Yeah. I really don't recomend 141 for pilots licence unless one is aiming for the airline's, and only then if they are planning / have the option to work for said school as an instructor after training to pay off some of their costs.

[@snow1-2pinkkush46]

Does this only apply in us or pretty much the same for every country cause here in canade it appear much more complex ahah you need your private liscence before doing the commercial liscense

[@iflycentral]

This is a very U.S. focused approach. It is typically more expensive in other countries, however, some of the same info applies. Also; many people from other countries come to the U.S. to get their certs as I understand it.

[@snow1-2pinkkush46]

@@iflycentral make sense it much longer here i just look it up