I wanted to be a Professional Pilot....?

Question

I'm 15 yrs old right now, and i wanted to be a professional pilot. I always wanted to fly overseas flight(I.e. From USA to Philippines,PRETTY LONG FLIGHT).... I've been researching how to be a pro pilot but the money is too much... I researched that you can get your private pilot license when youre 17 yrs old, but how am i gonna get the money??? Getting a Pilot Financial Aid money??? I think getting a Pilot Financial Aid money would be good, but im only 17 yrs old... Can they approve me??? I'm Thinking about getting my training after high school graduation or when i turn 17... Any Advice??? But i heard that getting a College Major Degree other than Aviation is also good... I've wanted to be a successful Professional Pilot.... I've been dreaming flying with Qantas Airlines or Philippine Airlines..... So Please Help me Guys....

I appreciate your answer.. Please Tell Me Everything you know that could help me....

Tnx Alot....

Answer 1

Before you go any further check your medical fitness please.

Check this site

http://pilotsmedical.tk

Answer 2

Having a successful pilot career doesn't require you to get your license right at 17.  Like you said, most can't afford it at that time unless their parents pay for it.  Heck, at that time you have something more important to pay for...you first car!  I know you're anxious to get your pilot's license, but don't put yourself so far into debt to get it early that you can never get out of it.  I rarely flew with people who did their training that early in life.  Most did it during or after college.  In fact, about half of the pilots I flew with were career changers and didn't start flying until their 20s, 30s, 40, etc.

First, concentrate on getting good grades in high school and not getting yourself into trouble (crime, drugs, alcohol, etc).  Next, concentrate on going to college and getting a useful degree (i.e. something other than aviation).  Once you're at this point, start flight training as the money is available.  It's going to be hard.  You won't be able to afford to go out drinking with your buddies.

As to how we afford it?  Lots of different ways.  The most common way is to take out loans...big loans.  Remember, it's a lot easier to get a loan than it is to actually pay it back!  You're going to be stuck with a monthly payment that is just as high as a really nice car's monthly payment, or a cheap house's mortgage payment.... for 10-15 years.

Other people, like myself, couldn't afford the loans during college.  So, I went after my 2nd career choice first, electrical engineering.  For a kid out of college, that career paid pretty well.  I saved every penny I could.  After 4-5 years doing engineering, while doing flight training on the side, I was in a position where I had enough money saved so I could afford to finish my training.  I also had enough money so that I could afford to take a job as a flight instructor, making hardly anything.  It also really helped during my first couple of years at a regional airline.

The route I took not only gave me the financial backing to afford an aviation career, it also gave me a degree and a good amount of experience in a good second career.  This helped me out a lot when I decided that airline flying wasn't for me and that I wanted to have a normal life and job.

Answer 3

Read this article:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/pilot.h...

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Like so many things in this world, if you ain't got the money, you are out of luck in life.

Sorry.

Good Luck...

P.S.  flight school are not colleges.  They often do NOT qualify for financial help.  Call up the schools to see how others qualify. They will be happy to tell you as they will eventually be making money by helping you.

Answer 4

You can certainly get Financial Aid money at 17, but you'll most likely need your parents help. You can go straight into training after you graduate, I believe.

Also, make sure you're not colorblind before you get too invested. Sorry, I couldn't resist. =]