Question about some career choices.

Question

Im about to be a senior in high school once it starts. I've really been thinking about my career. I want to be a commercial pilot or i could settle with tower control. Either way i've learned that i need to know how to fly. I know there is the air force but i'd rather leave that as my last choice because i really dont want to go. My first option i've considering is becoming a chef as a short career and paying off aviation school with the money i make. That way even if i dont become a pilot i still have a career to back up on. Or if you have a suggestion for another career feel free to say something. Im good at math but i like being active while working. I wouldn't like a desk job.

Answer 1

Becoming a commercial pilot is a VERY long, very expensive road.

Joining the air force or navy requires an 8-year commitment after earning your wings. Flight training to get those wings is usually a 2-3 year proposition after the completion of Officer Candidate School (OCS, which is a thee-month deal). It's purported to be far worse than enlisted basic training, which is only 8 weeks.

One isn't eligible for OCS without a bachelor's degree.

One can't expect for all this stuff  to follow immediately, one after the other. For example, my son had to wait 11 months after graduating from university for an OCS slot. He was sworn in 5 months before he graduated from college, so had a very long, paid vacation.

Once he finished OCS, he waited another 6 months for basic flight training to start, doing officer grunt work (flight scheduling, basically) while he waited.

He and his wife moved twice before even beginning basic flight training.

Everyone, regardless of prior flight training, must go through basic flight training. The learning curve is super steep (even for my son, who was at the top of his class at Embry Riddle with a major in aeronautical science), and even if you have through your FAA multiengine certificate, the flight rules are different in the USN or USAF, and you have to learn their rules.

If you want to do ATC (air traffic control), you'll need a college degree in some aspect of aviation or advanced mathematics. It's a VERY stressful desk job. The best thing is you don't sit there for more than 4 hours at a time. It pays very well, though. A year after one of my son's buddies from ERAU finished ATC training, he was making over $100,000/yr.

I hate to burst your bubble, but finding a well-paying job as a chef isn't a cake-walk, either. Even after my brother was out of culinary school for 10 tears, he still hadn't found a job earning more than $40,000/yr.-- not nearly enough to go to a civilian flight school and feed yourself, too.

My advice is to go to college, get your degree, do the ATC training, THEN learn to fly-- you'll be able to afford it.

I wish you luck-- it'll be tough.

Answer 2

Some community colleges offer courses in aviation.  If you chose a degree program that would incorporate those classes (even as electives) you might be able to get financial aid.  Try checking out your local 2 year colleges.