Path the pilots took?

Question

I would like to know what all did the pilots over here do to become a pilot. From their schooling to the subjects they took to the cost as well their experience. I am writing an article about in a magezine. I will be grateful for all those who help me.

Answer 1

I acquired Private and Instrument ratings just to be able to fly an airplane.  Today, getting such ratings would cost around $15,000.  If you want to fly for a living, the cost skyrockets.

Answer 2

I always wanted to be a pilot since I was a little boy. So I walked to an FBO one day and took a training flight. After about $55,000 I obtained my ATP to get ready to fly for an airline. Then came 9-11 and the aviation industry took a nose dive. So to support myself and the family, I had to find an alternate job in which I had done pretty well. But my love for aviation never diminished a bit. I am bit older now (Middle 30s) to fly for an airline. So I went back to school and got a degree in Aviation Management.

So you see, once you are an aviation buff, you never get rid of it. It is in our blood.

Good Luck with the article!!!

Answer 3

My parents planned on me becoming a lawyer. They had it all mapped out... and everything was going fine until we moved to a new house in Austin, Texas and our neighbor was Col. Harry Lester. He was an F-86 fighter pilot during Korea, and had the distinction of having his helmet in the Smithsonian musuem as he was the only person at that time that had ejected THROUGH the canopy of the F-86 and lived. (they didn't have breakers back then)  He gave me a resin static desktop model of an F-86 when I was 6 years old.. and that ended my law career. I read every book on aviation, and fighter pilots I could get my hands on (hundreds) My family moved to San Antonio and I rode my bicycle to the airport and took flying lessons when I was 16. That same year, I chanced to meet Gen. David Lee "Tex" Hill of the AVG FLYING TIGERS and he took such a liking to me that he got me into the American Fighter Aces Association convention as it was in San Antonio that year and he was the President.  There were only 2 people there that were not "Aces".. myself and Senator Barry Goldwater. I was introduced to, and met all of the pilots in attendance, including the newest addition, Steve Ritchie who had just claimed his 5th MiG in "Operation Linebacker" in SEA.  College at Texas Tech and worked on the line fueling towing washing airplanes and working as a part time sim tech for the T-37 and T-38 sims at Reese AFB. Then after college, OTS for the USAF, UPT Laughlin and on to the F-16,  B-course at Luke.   The big RIF came along and flying was down to hardly anything.. and if I wanted to stay, it would mean sunny Kunsan.... and all my buddies were getting on with AA, DAL, UAL, NWA etc... so... off I went to the civilian side. It was not all it was cracked up to be...  but had it's advantages. For a while in the "happy times"  we had great schedules.. hardly flew...but got paid for it... so I played golf and tennis and went sailing a lot and basically screwed off for about 15 more years until 9-11 came along... and that really wrecked the industry. I traded jobs from time to time trying to find a good fit...and never did, so I gave it up and went into business for myself.

Answer 4

Student pilot, private pilot VFR, private pilot IFR, private pilot multi engine, commercial pilot, certified flight instructor, and airline transport pilot. That is the usual path to land yourself in the pilot seat of an airline jet.

Answer 5

My Dad was a B29 Flight Engineer in WW2 and Korea.  Took his GI bill and got his commercial tickets.  He quit flying after my sister came along - flying was expensive even in the 50s for an E6 with dependents.  Anyway, he retired and worked as a civilian at a nearby AFB.  My uncles all flew during WW2 and Korea as well, so there wasn't much doubt about what I was gonna do.  Joined Civil Air Patrol, got some free flying.  Some of the guys my Dad worked with were also CFI's so I got some time with them.

Went to College, did ROTC-vision was too bad for pilot, so I opted for Nav.  Long story short-got F4s.  My plug here for future fighter pilots is in my class everybody who got an F4 or 'vark had at least some time flying civilian.  GREATLY helped with the initial phases of UNT.  Then later had the opportunity to transition to the Weasel.  Life was good-well until they started going out of the inventory.  Transitioned to ASOC/TACP (close air support stuff) and retired at 24 yrs.

Now do consulting for Joint Terminal Air Controllers...