Hi,
I am curently 14 years old and desperatley searching for help. I Have THOUSANDS of questions but i will only address some for now. First, just to let you all know to be a Transport pilot is and will always will be a dream for me. So please help me, beacuse i have no clue on where or how i shpould start. Now for the questions. What should i do at this age which will hlp me in the future? At age should i start flight school? How much does a transport pilot get yearley( i know it depends on the airlines, but i just want an estimate)? I many hours do i have to work?
Well... thats it for now, like i said I have tons more. Plese feel free to put in any extra helpful advic.
Thank you.
All Comments
First - does you mean that you don't think you can achieve being an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot)? Hopefully, I'm interpreting what you wrote incorrectly.
OK - what you can do to realize your dream:
First - high school. Work hard. If it's boring work harder. You'd be surprised at how many fields touch aviation (yes, even biology!). And yes, I wish someone had told me this about a thousand years ago.
Second - if your folks are OK with it, start working on your ticket. There are two options at your age. You can get your glider rating now or you can work towards your private certificate in powered aircraft, with the realization that you can't solo until you're sixteen and you can't get your certificate until you're seventeen. My youngest student started with me when she was thirteen, flying every other week until she turned 16. She just got her ticket at week ago.
Third - Study aviation. Not just textbooks, either. Magazines, books (avoid coffee table books), Discovery channel, whatever. Learn what is good data and what is nonsense. This will help you form good judgement.
Fourth - Reference to item one - do not let this interfere with school work! You can always put off flying, but your life is on a very rigid schedule right now (believe it or not). My rules for high school-aged pilots and their parents are pretty simple; I treat the student as an adult and handle all issues with them (I do not want parents involved in the decisions to solo or take check rides - too much pressure on the pilot), except for school grades. If school grades go down, then I strongly urge said pilot take a break and get their GPA back up. You don't have to go to an aviation school to get a job with an airline but having a college diploma is a must (yes, ERAU and UND alums, I know it's better to have come from there, but as a manager for a major company, just the fact you got a degree in anything means a lot).
Fifth - find a mentor. Doesn't even have to be formal, but just someone that the aviation community in your area respects that is willing to talk flying. I do this in my office with a couple of new pilots at lunches once or twice a week. I enjoy it, and it keeps me sharp as an instructor. And yes, I have a good friend who is my mentor, so it's not just for newbies.
I'm sure that there are lots of good ideas out there that can be added to this list, but I wanted to get the ball rolling.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Thanks for posting Rvmeder. Yes, your interpretations is incorrect. I do believe that i can achieve an ATP. I apprecite your advice. I am sure it will help me in the future. Please feel free to post any more advice that you may have.
If any body else has any advice or ideas, please dont hesistate to post.
Thanks,
I see no one has mentioned flight simulator here. It is not the 'real thing', but for $39.95 you can get a pretty good virtual education. Save up and get a used CH flight yoke and rudder pedals from eBay. I suggest Flight Simulator 2002 if you have a slower computer - again, used on eBay for $15. Go through the entire flight school programs. Read every manual in FS - no matter how boring they are. Fly the aircraft that come with the product as the features work better than most free downloads. Use the built in log book in FS and record all of your flights. Learn to fly IFR, and practice IFR cross countries. When you really start flying, you will have a great headstart and be able to quickly move through your certifications.
I happen to be fifteen, but I do believeI can help. First, obtain a pilot's manual. I would highly recomend Snderson's (pilot's training program) material. Flying magizine had a good set of books called Flight Breifing for Pilots. I have no idea if theydisscontinued them. I have seen several others (including Rod Mecheods) that don't compare well to the first two I named. Secondly, take an airplane ride before buying a simulator. That in really important in that you will never be satisfied with sitting back on your haunches doing nothing. I would name this first, but it may take you time to get your manuals and the thrill of the flight may very well wear off. I have to stop here and say that what the others have said about standard education is very important! Read your pilot manual(s) every day. It is stupid and illogical to think " oh well, I will learn once I start taking lessons." If you live outside city and/or county limits, try to find an airport further away from the city (but not outside the limits of practal or reasonable driving distance), because the cost will be allot lower out there. If your parents cannot or are not willing to pay for lessons, it is VERY essencal that you work hard in school. The better your grades, the higher chance of an enployer acceptign you at a younger age, and your parents allowing you more responsibility, creditibility and lending you more trust. Flight simulators have their place and are very good teaching you the responces of the airplane to your responces. It will hone your skills flying approches, takeoff drifts, crosswind takeoffs and landings etc. etc. You have to be carefull not to let yourself get into the habit of watching the windshield and not the insturment panel. Also, I wish (very respectfully) to object to the statement "you can purchase the rudder pedals and yoke off eBay." Everyone I've talked to has said those two items are wholey unesssary. I had more to say, but it has since sliped away.
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