I'm a newbie to the whole flying world?

Question

I'm an E-5 in the U.S. Army my job has nothing to do with aviation. I'm currently deployed and i saw a commercial on the television about Embry Riddle. I knew the army wasnt my thing so I decided to pursue a degree in Professional Aeronautics in hope that one day Ill become a commercial pilot. I've always had a liking for flying seeming how I grew up near my county airport and I loved watching the planes take off and land and the little green light that swooshed around at night. The real question(I hope im talking to actual pilots or aviation experts) is, is this dream of mine realistic. I have no flight training at all and just think its a good start.

Answer 1

Absolutely it's realistic. Every pilot starts with zero experience. Now, since you're in the Army you may want to discuss with your CO about tranferring to an aviation unit to get you a bit more exposure. While you won't be able to fly unless you're an officer, you will get to be around avaition. Good luck!

Answer 2

oh, fabulous. sounds cool.

Answer 3

I'm a Certified Flight Instructor. Are you kidding? GO FOR IT. Even if you don't get accepted at Embry Riddle, there are lots of Part 141 and Part 91 flight schools out there.

To be a pilot, you cannot have any color-blindness. Beyond that, you need flying time. If you're young and want this, get started. Good Luck.

By the way, I am a construction safety guy. It pays well enough that I was able to buy a Titan T51 Mustang. That's where I get my flying jollies.

Answer 4

give it a try.. take an introductory flight at your local airport to see if you really do like it.. intro flights usually cost around 50-75 bucks i think.. the instructor should let you take the controls too..

something to think about.... programs like Embry Riddle are expensive, but a good bonus from going to a school like this is that they may be able to better prepare you for a job and you get a bachelors degree, which is needed if you ever want to fly for the airlines or corporate.. the instructors are all students who have worked their way through the program and will leave you in the middle of your flight training for something better.. i might suggest going to the local airport, finding an older instructor who instructs for a hobby or living.. He wont leave you hanging in the middle of your training.. while your going through flight training, you would want to enroll in a 4 year college.. the airlines dont care if you have a degree in aviation.. they just want you to have a college degree.. but im sure it helps if you get an aviation related degree.. plan on spending around 50k (just a number off the top of my head) just for all your flight training and then whatever it costs for you to get a degree..

one last thing to think about, ER is a sausage factory.. haha very few women there as compared to a normal university that offers several degree programs

Answer 5

CURT, that would be part 141 and 61...... Mr.certified flight instructor!

Answer 6

That's great but hurry there's hiring madness going on rite now out there. But I would not recommend the school you selected  its grossly expensive and the quality of instructors in always in question cause they hire students who just got there CFI and still go there to teach. I understand that it might be your only option if so, have fun you'll love it. But that county airport you lived near or a local community collage flight school might have higher quality instructors, lots cheaper too. Go to your local airport and sit around with the people there and ask questions you'll learn allot and you will be in good company to get a free ride.

Answer 7

Yes, it is... after going to erau get a job at a regional airline for no experience.  After 10 years with that company, you will have all the ratings needed to get a job at Southwest or COntinental.

Try airlinepilotcentral.com