The Most Difficult Part of Becoming a Pilot // #84

[@alexsze5455]

Got to the airlines in 3 years and about $50,000. These guys have legit info. I agree with them 100%. Anyone wants a career in aviation, these videos are gold.

[@robertyoushock]

I love hearing success stories like this! I'm planning on going to a part 61 (RMFS) and rough numbers land me about there. Planning to working a second job for the next 8 months or so, leaving me with about $20,000 banked. Either pay as I go, or a a loan for that last bit. Discovery flight and first class medical done. Might start Sporty's soon but I think it might be a bit early to try and commit that to memory.

[@kareemrose-benton2198]

I’d like to hear the path that you took. I have a similar budget currently out of pocket

[@Heyemeyohsts]

500 hours per year? For $30k ok

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Getting to the airlines in 3 years and $50,000! That's faster than some people get through college! Keep soaring high! Nice work. It might be great to have you on the podcast. Send us an email!!

[@alexsze5455]

@@kareemrose-benton2198 i started at a part 61. Then went to another state to finish my private cert. then bought a plane with 2 others. Trained in that airplane with a cfi. Flew 5 times per week. Cfi/cfii second year. Worked almost everyday as a cfi. 3 cjo’s and currently acp at a regional. Time and money. What mike and sean have been saying

[@user-ez9vp7sh7b]

Got my bachelors, did my time in law enforcement and was promoted to a police Sgt., decided to pursue a lifelong goal of flying, applied for a 141 academy and Southwest's 225 program, was accepted, obtained my PPL in less than 3 months. MY goal is to get CFII by the end of the year. I'm 28yo and have three kids, I found a loan with cheap interest to cover my schooling. MY thought is this...a few years of financial debt to pay for a dream I've always wanted or live with a lifelong of emotional debt that can't ever be paid off. The hardest part is starting. You know how hard it was to tell my family and my wife's family that I'm moving us two hours away so I can begin this pilot journey? The hardest part is starting. Age has absolutely nothing to do with this. As a police officer, I saw 90-year-olds die in a nursing home alone and I saw children die who thought they had their whole life ahead of them. JUST START!

[@johnsmithh662]

@tompyle8920hahah, you got it, brother!!

[@zails6518]

Hey, good luck getting to your CFII and accomplishing your goals! definitely its a hard at forst but will definitely be worth it

[@steelsaddle2339]

Where did you get financing?

[@dustintaber]

What company did you get the loan from? I’m planning to start this journey soon. It’s been a life long goal but I’ve been trying to save money but keep getting set back. I’m finally willing to get a loan and go for it.

[@user-ez9vp7sh7b]

@@dustintaber sallie mae! I got a 4.5% interest rate!

[@MaydayMishap]

The greatest anomaly I have encountered in my entire life is how friendly and helpful pilots are. I don't think there is any community in the world that even comes close to this. This is a huge selling point for this community.

[@Aviatewithaustin_]

The hardest part of becoming a pilot is getting a Checkride scheduled 😂

[@Ifly1976]

Facts

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

Yep, having that issue also

[@Ifly1976]

@@Aviatewithaustin_ to add insult to injury, the FSDO officer manager here has implemented a policy that doesn’t allow them to do check rides anymore. Doesn’t seem legal, being that’s a taxpayer funded operation.

[@jamesh7876]

That was the easiest part for me. My CFI handled it all. I failed and had to restart in two weeks or so.

[@jamesh7876]

@@user-jh5fm7ci6odo you still need it? And where are you? The DPE I used was awesome, and it was just within the past few weeks.

[@jasonjohnston94]

The chief flight instructor at my little Part 61 school, an older gentleman with decades of experience and multiple ratings for land, sea, and even glider, was going over a little ground instruction in my first lesson a few weeks ago and covered the principles of flight to include Bernoulli for lift, Newton for weight or gravity, and Ben Franklin because his face is on the $100 bill.

[@Db7-nh8mi]

Hi Guys, A flight instructor can make all the difference in the world. If a student doesn't click with a CFI, they should look for a new one. My instrument instructor was terrible. I failed my first instrument check ride because the DPE asked me questions the CFII never talked about. Rather than re-training with the original CFII, I requested a new one. Flew with them for a few hours, re-took the check ride and passed with "flying colors". I'm an older pilot that has been out of flying for over 20 years. I will be retiring from a diffrent career and going back into aviation because of your videos and podcasts. I wish there was something like this when I finished all my flight ratings. thanks again for a great resource.

[@Adam-hx1gw]

My journey has been rough so far but I’m not quitting and still grinding. Last year Jul5 I went in for my first solo (didn’t fly for previous 13 days for weather). My CFI said are you ready to solo. I said can we do the pattern together and I’ll solo tmo. He said no you’re good to solo today. I went out on my own and he went to Taco Bell. Prop strike on my first solo and mentally affected me to date but working thru it everyday

[@jlc0424]

I've decided to pursue my dream of aviation at 52yrs old. The sky has called me my whole life and I finally decided I'm going to do it. I'm finishing up my degree with 2 months to go and then I'm all in. I flew a lot when I was young in Civil Air Patrol and that's what created the spark that never left. I took a discovery ride and the CFI was a very nice guy but I felt like he was overcommitted and distracted. The flight was short and felt rushed. Thank you for the information, I think I'll take a 2nd discovery flight with a different CFI and see how it goes.

[@JonnyJets]

I’m currently an instrument-rated commercial pilot. It’s been 1 year since I got my bachelors degree along with that. Been struggling with the process of becoming a CFI as it’s been very overwhelming. I’m only 6 minutes into this video and it’s just staggering to hear that only 20% of us actually end up on the other side of flight training with our PPL. It makes me feel better about what I’ve accomplished and I hope everyone who heard that stat does too.

[@hollywood84660]

I’m just about to finish my flight training by September. I paid for my PPL and night rating finished it in 6months went to work in the oil field for 79 nights straight of 195hrs in 2week and was able to save to pay for my CPL and multi IFR, completed my CPL on my 25th birthday in May. Should be done everything under 2 years. Where there’s a will there is a way. Excited to see what the future holds

[@garret8787]

24 hours per day x 7 days per week = 168 hours. You claim to have worked 195 hours per week… you should be decent at basic math if you want to be a pilot

[@hollywood84660]

@@garret8787 ya my bad in 15days, not want to be I already am a pilot

[@bronsonbramlett762]

@@hollywood84660hahah you tell him. Good shit man

[@LaeFier]

That spaceshuttle in the bg is 🔥

[@irubenguler]

I started flight training about 3 months ago because of these guys! Super excited to continue my training! Currently about to get my PPL

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Awsome! Good Luck!

[@jamesh7876]

As a 33 year old man with two kids and a partner that doesn’t work, it took me 4 years to get my PPL. There were months were I only flew once. Days turned into weeks at times due to weather and my CFI and I’d schedules not lining up the best. But I did it, I actually just got it last Tuesday. I’d argue the money thing is pretty big, but also WHERE you’re doing it and HOW. I did part 61 at a club with a CFI who was also in the club. I had a different CFI going into it who ended up not being the guy after three or so flights and months of not flying.. a school with financing would be good, if you have the schedule for it.

[@sectorcodec]

Hardest part for me was always checkrides. Getting every question except one correct on the SAT? That’s still considered a perfect score. Mess up one thing on a checkride? That’s a bust.

[@timothyreese9446]

Thanks for the shoutout! No worries on the email response yet, I know life is crazy busy, haha. Great episode, as always. Needed motivation to push through to checkride in the next few weeks!

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Hey, no problem at all! Life can get hectic, right? Keep pushing towards that checkride, you got this!

[@Louis_The_Fly]

Mike and Sean, for what it’s worth, I want to thank you for the great podcast/youtube channel that you guys run. I’ve been following along for a while now, went through all the material in the Pro Pilot Playbook and it is really amazing content and honestly I cannot recommend it enough to anyone else considering a career change. I am hopefully starting soon with my career 2.0(as Fly with Trent calls it) and definitely find myself stuck in analysis paralysis sometimes with how to balance life, money and training. I tend to listen to your videos on my way to work every morning and that keeps me motivated throughout the day, haha. I can’t wait to start sharing my journey soon.

[@AshleyWincer]

When I first started to learn to fly, I had great difficulties mastering my landing technique. My flight instructor had me go up with the Chief Flight Instructor to try and solve my landing issues and it worked..

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Thanks for sharing!

[@petrairene]

I agree that it's probably the most cost efficient to save up for the whole thing and then do your lessons in as short a time as possible. Because, how far do you get if you practice playing an instrument once a week. How far do you get if you get riding lessons once a week. One week between lessons/practice sessions you forget 80%-90% of what you have learned. If you want to get to the level where you can take your checkride with as few lessons as possible, you need to do a crash course. Like in the military. They put people with 350 hours into front line fighter jets. That includes aerobatics, close formation flying, air combat basics and flying under g. How? Because they train every day.

[@ikkinwithattitude]

As a student sport pilot in an area with questionable weather much of the year, one thing that I've found useful to work around the scheduling problem is "flying vacations" -- working out a deal with a flight school in Florida to fly 3-5 hours a day for the length of my vacation. It was incredible how much more confident I felt as a pilot after a week of that... and how much easier it is to maintain and build upon progress even with a limited schedule after getting over the initial hump of learning to physically control the airplane. (I suspect that part of that is that MSFS is much more useful for navigation practice than practice actually flying a plane.)

[@jaylazar]

Analysis paralysis is crazy. Your will over think it compared to just going for it

[@ACK88]

This episode really hits home right now. I'm about 5 hours into my flight training, only able to afford to fly once a week and my wallet really feels it every time I do. I'm semi-relieved on rain days when I can't fly, from a money perspective, but it also pains me to know I'm losing momentum and delaying my ultimate goal. Looking at the timeline flying only once a week is daunting. Earlier this week I applied for a loan to go to ATP to see if I can really commit full time. Waiting to hear back and figure out my next steps. Might need a co-signer or might just need to work and save for another year, maybe just keep plugging away and pinching pennies...I'll know in the next day few days. It's a complex puzzle, but I'm stubborn and will figure it out. Thanks for the podcast guys!

[@becraftcorey]

Don't wast your money on ATP find a flight school local to you , and do an accelerated path. There are a lot of ways to get Loans, ATP will screw you.

[@alhernandez5589]

I’m in a similar boat, currently took 1 discovery flight (2nd one takes place when weather clears up) and trying to decide btwn going for flight school now or building up a proper savings account and professional development. I’m ok with waiting just one more year if it means I can build up my savings and my credit worthiness, but after this year it’s balls to wall and I’m gonna have to get that Loan from WF. Scared money don’t make money

[@ezridax1279]

Agree with becraftcorey 100% ATP will steal your loan money. Don't do it! Go to a local flight school. Be in charge of your own training and money.

[@ACK88]

@@becraftcorey I'm going to my local flight school currently. My next lesson is on Sunday but the problem is I can only fly on Sundays, can't really afford to fly more than once a week plus I'm pretty wiped out physically from doing construction 50+ hrs a week. To do an accelerated path I'd need to quit my job but then how do I pay for school or the loan I'd get. There may be a few ways to get a loan, but not many ways to get a student loan with deferred payments until 6 months after graduation. Did you try ATP? How will they screw me? I get that its expensive (about double what my local school quoted me) but it seems like the trade off to be able to commit full time maybe worth it.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

Too long between lessons will cost you a lot of money in the long run. Might be better to save up first.

[@dylanpeterson6449]

The issue with cost is it assumes the fastest path to the regionals (121). PPL -> Instrument -> CPL -> Multi add-on -> cfi/ii -> MEI and before you know it your 90k in the hole. If you do your own ground school and you skip CFI/Multi you can go from 0-250 cpl (50 simulator, 100 shared) for 35k and start making money doing pipelines/tow as a 250 hour pilot making money. Then while on your journey you go back for your Multi.

[@AlphaWhiskeyAviation]

I think the second reason of time and your explanation is spot on. I was on my schools schedule 3 days a week. It would have been more but I was keeping my day job since I have family financial obligations. Trying not to go into debt for my PPL made it cost so much more. I’m waiting on a working plane and good weather to line up for my long XC with 80 hours in my logbook. I’ve only managed to get 2 flights in since early May. Without a doubt I am doing my IR somewhere that I can take a week off work and have all the money ready upfront. Same with ME and Complex.

[@MegaZboo]

I believe most have to relocate if a person wants to continue their pilot training to become a career pilot. The thought of starting over is hard for people in general.

[@morton.aviation]

I see the time issue commonly used as an excuse for those who can’t admit they cannot handle it

[@aviatortrucker6285]

When I got started with flying, I was in an aero club in the military. My educational benefits we’re not allowed to be used for flight training other than ground school. Prior to that, the Vietnam era G.I. Bill was allowed to use as flight training. It was very hard to get a loan for flight training unless you were going to a flight training Academy, such as ATP, I was doing it in the beginning as a hobby under part 61 you will probably never get a student loan for. They would only give you a loan on an approved school. That is part 141 which means you’re devoting all your time to training and you do not have a regular job or family to support in the meantime. there are exceptions to this rule. Obviously for me being on active duty, I was not able to attend a formal flight school.

[@aviatortrucker6285]

I started flying back in 1982. In the aero club that I was in I was able to get a Cessna 152 dual for $47 per hour. I don’t think I would ever be able to afford to start from Ground Zero today.

[@joeburgess2464]

I want my VFR PPL. I just want to fly to places that sound fun to visit with me and the missus. I've analyzed everything I'd need for several years. Finally I just started because, not doing sucks more than failing.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

I put up 2,000 bales of hay to pay for my cfi ride. I was so broke at that point that extreme manual labor was the only way to pay for that final checkride. Had a job the next morning and the flow of money was reversed!

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

That sweet keep it up!

[@BobbyGeneric145]

@@ProPilotPlaybook that was 15 years ago...I'm at my forever airline now. Your vid looked interesting even though I had no need for it.

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

@@BobbyGeneric145 Just reading all this... I love your story! This is the entire purpose of the Pro-Pilot Playbook. If you truly want something you'll figure it out. Although I grew up in farm country, I didn't do the hay jobs. I bar tended at night and flew during the day, eventually it turned into flight instructing. Sean

[@TW1231235]

Listened to you guys a lot last year, started flight training in January of this year. A lot of new information, and sometimes overwhelming, but there's nothing I'd rather be doing and it's a lot of fun.

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Thanks!!

[@aviatortrucker6285]

One thing you haven’t mentioned is a medical. To become a private pilot you must have a third class medical. The standards have gotten stricter than they were 40 years ago. If you are on any kind of medication for blood pressure, diabetes, or other critical ailments that with the medication are well controlled, you get what is known as a special issuance. That means you have to go visit the AME or medical examiner twice the amount you would for the normal medical certificate. If you were trying to fly professional, you may not get hired, especially the airlines if you cannot hold a class one medical.part of the reason I didn’t pursue this as a professional career was I was always on the cusp of the maximum allowable range for blood pressure that would be a washout.

[@AviatorAngela]

🎉 Thanks guys for the pep talk. One day I'll stop missing the time frame for the coaching sessions! ❤

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Yes- We miss you!!

[@benh2134]

Great info as always fellas. I'm chomping at the vit to get going again after 13yrs out.

[@MrBharper1978]

Started last October. Decided to buy a Cessna 150 and here 8 months later I’m 170 hours in and airplane is about to go on for avionics to do my instrument training. Heck of a ride so far, but man I’m burning my candle at both ends to afford it.

[@npcwars1406]

How much was the airplane and how did you find a hanger to store it. And how much does maintenance cost

[@bsdontop1000]

My main issue is the funds to go to get all my licenses full time, and being able to psy my mortgage, bills and food at the same time lol 😞

[@bobf1174]

The flying part of the checkride. Learned flying in the fall, winter and spring. Air was crisp and smooth. Day of checkride was 95 degrees and lots of thermals. My first experience with them. Doing slow flight and got caught in a downdraft. The examiner failed me. Was bullshit. Had to do a couple more hours of instruction and pay another $100 to him. I passed. Good way to collect more revenue for him. He drove a brand new BMW

[@micclay]

My advice to a young person is to do whatever you have to do to become debt free. If you're only payment is the $1500/month you'll be paying for the 100k you borrowed, you'll be ok. Within a few years you'll be making enough to make extra payments toward the principal.

[@Adrian_Solid1]

This great advice bro 😎

[@Yannionemansdream]

You guys are the definition of greatness. Love from Jerusalem ❤️

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Wow, thank you!

[@RodSerling-y6p]

The most tedious and boring is endorsements and reading/interpreting part 61. I am not a lawyer and this knowledge makes me want to sleep............ but it's required if you want to be a good CFI.

[@ViperVideo]

I read that there are airline pilots that only have 1 eye. As long as they prove to the FAA that they can operate the aircraft safely then it's fine.

[@paulnagel8161]

Love the encouragement!

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

Easier and said. DPE's are in short supply. Trying to get one scheduled.

[@Proloverful]

@Sean my boy you talk soooo funny with those points I laugh so much. But I get it. You are sooo correct!!

[@markymark6229]

What’s the intro song? It’s very motivational

[@SamW.]

Hey! Question here from a non American citizen looking to start pilot training. I beginning to see there’s just a lot of complications around flying as a non citizen and I understand that. I’m looking to get my ppl at a part time flight school while finishing up high school. After that, moving to college for a degree in aviation. My question is, would it be hard for me, a foreigner to become a commercial or corporate pilot working in the US? Like how hard would it be to get a visa sponsor from an airline or company after I finish my ppl and graduate from college with all my hours and certificates? I just really wanna know if it will at least be POSSIBLE for a foreigner to become a pilot in the US and make a career out of it. Thanks a lot for your help😃 Love the content!

[@rapinncapin123]

Great video again!

[@sociopathicnarcissist8810]

The funny thing about Australia is that it costs about the same to become a Medical Doctor or Commercial Pilot, although it does take 7 years to become a doctor, so these are fees only.

[@djmccommons2604]

Dang! Hopefully I'll catch you one day at Lunken!

[@robertwatson17]

Pursuing my PPL in Jamaica, 4 hours in. School only has 1 plane so 1 hour a week is the best guarantee I can get for now. I'm making the best of each hour and ensuring I practise with my simulator as much as possible and it's been working. I just need to get over some nerves over the sensations of unusual attitudes because other than that it's been awesome

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Keep pressing on & you will get over it!

[@robertwatson17]

@@ProPilotPlaybook 🙏Thank you

[@bsdontop1000]

Home study and going full time to learn, i want to do this, just dont have the financial capital to manage to docthis with a family and mortgage

[@jameswiard2354]

The hardest part is financing by far. CFIs charge alot and gas ain't cheap

[@ZERO-911]

This flying gig is STILL a connected rich kid sport/club with extremely rare exception. I battled my way in the back door a lifetime ago and I can IMMEDIATELY identify those that battled their way in, as well. Those individuals are my favorite people to work with for almost EVERY CONCEIVABLE reason. Thats the only kind of people I'd hire if I was somebody, unfortunately I'm not and never will be. I'm 777 captain NOBODY, still hoping the real "club members" won't find out that I snuck my way in to THEIR club. I've almost pulled it off, I'm 65 in 3 years.

[@thefreshies]

I got my ASEL in March, but am now considering aviation as a possible second career. Im curious how long it would take not just to get to the airlines, but how long to get paid what I am getting paid now working in tech.

[@MikeyM1422]

First time here.. I’ve been sitting in my garage watching videos on flying. I like many have that itch to fly. Am I nervous (hell yeah)..Family, loans etc… But I want to do it.. I just reached out to a flight school here in Delaware. That to me is a big step.. Oh! And I have the wife; “why don’t want to do this” “Do you know this sounds ridiculous”.. Wait! My son; “Dad, are you serious”.. They’re entitled to their opinion but dam… Can I get some support? Anyhow, I’m going through with this… Thanks for this video

[@cg5138]

I can relate to you. If it interests you, you should go for it! Plan for 2 days a week to really comprehend and move quickly through it. Most schools give you a discount if pay a block rate. It is a roller coaster of excitement and difficulty. Just to give you little back story I'm 40 with wife and kid and I'm about to get my ppl. It is a fun and challenging. Hope that helps.

[@xaviergates3694]

Just downloaded the app!

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Thank you for downloading the app! Your support means a lot to us.

[@promethieos1875]

You cant compare college education to aviation education, atleast not financially, since for most colleges you can atleast receive adequate loans at a reasonable rate, aviation doesnt have anything like that. I mean look at this biggest, and frankly only, loaners available, Meritize and Sallie Mae. We are talking 15% apr rates on $60k+ loans, its unreasonable for most people who dont already come from a family of modest means atleast. Grants are basically non existent, and paying your way, while possible, will set you back 5-10 years on your career path. Aviation needs an overhaul, and soon, while we still have pilots in the workforce.

[@adamkorekach9936]

Is 51 too late to start to even consider airlines?

[@ChessSocialism]

Pilot as a name for a child is honestly awesome. And unisex!

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

The checkride

[@andrewmaclean9810]

Hardest part is getting your medical if you need some special issuances

[@Rennyteam359]

Will simulators be the answer to cost of flight time?

[@MaydayMishap]

Money is why I am a msfs pilot.

[@Hedgeflexlfz]

A bachelor’s degree can easily be 100k, but people only criticize flight training

[@nathanslandings1982]

The hardest part is knowing when and how to tell yourself no. You got to say NO a lot

[@nuancematters]

What if you're blind in one eye and it's not correctable with glasses but the other eye is fine? I'm legally allowed to drive...would I be automatically disqualified from flying?

[@captaintaylorsnipes]

No, you would not be automatically disqualified. You would need to get a SODA letter from the FSDO though.

[@nuancematters]

@@captaintaylorsnipes that's good to know, thank you for the response

[@luiviene7]

Is your app on android? Cant find it

[@carlsmith2826]

Are you guys VA certified?

[@chatty9856]

Pilot Catastrophe. The own a claims adjuster firm in Alabama

[@deadpoolthepsycho_________2428]

6:53 & 7:01 😂🤣🤣

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

That was the best part of that book!

[@w1sconsinjohn455]

People that complain about how much it costs because it isn’t normalized. Meanwhile, going out and purchasing a 35000 bass boat with a 65000 diesel grocery getter IS normalized.

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Such a great point!!!

[@mytech6779]

All seems legit for private certificate. The hardest part of becoming a commercial pilot is that a commercial pilot certificate doesn't qualify you to be a commercial pilot. The FAA wants you to go purchase another 250 hours before you can legally do any real commercial work as they have continue to destroy most part 91 opportunities with the total ignorance of economics that only a tax funded bureaucrat can get away with. (Yes, some of it is at the demand of an equally ignorant congress.)

[@austinrussell101]

I got a loan and i still ran out of money fml 🤦‍♂️😂

[@Heyemeyohsts]

Pontius Pilot

[@jeremymarchand430]

First 5 minutes were a waste of time.

[@alexsze5455]

1st!

[@otarotoekawaring8786]

Legally blind😂