What's a good age to start flying lessons?

Question

I'm 14 and I turn 15 in December. I'm thinking it's a reasonable age and a good time to start getting hours in. What's your view? Thanks.

Answer 1

Well, I'm also 14 and i was looking forward to start flying lessons, but I think the FAA, and the canadian standard is 17, however, there is a slim chance it might depend on the school. Check with your local flight school.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I agree with Coffeebuzz except that I would add you might want to go out to the local airport and take a "discovery flight" to see if you even enjoy flying.  That is if you haven't flown before.

Answer 3

start next summer when your 15 and a half. I'm also in the same situation as you (turning 15 in December). The summer is the best time to start because you can keep up with what you learn and you don't have to worry about school. Then... when you turn 16, you will most likely be ready to solo. Then when your 17, you will be more than ready to take the practical and written tests.

This way, your not spending more money than you need to. and you can't get your license until your 17 anyway.... hope this helped.

Answer 4

well in 16 there are some place that start to to teach the art odf flight but if you look forward becoma pilot and a succefully andexperienced inyur life then fulfill your bachelos afterhighschool then join the airforceand become apilot cause in the airforce u cannot unless u have an bachelors and then after serving in the airfoce as a pilot u will be accepted in any career in flight international pilot or domsetic then you can apply in airlines hope this helps  

Answer 5

There are a lot of factors to consider.  The two biggest:

-How often are you planning on flying?

-How much money do you have saved?

Judging by how you said that you want to start getting hours in, it sounds like you want to fly professionally.  You can't solo until you're 16, and you can't log PIC time until you solo.  PIC time is required for certificates beyond your private.

You can't earn your private pilot certificate until you are 17.  You can't earn your commercial pilot certificate until you are 18.  If you start now, your age will hold you back unless:

- You only fly once or twice a month, or

- You fly more often and take time off until you are close to turning 17, or

- You have unlimited funds and you can keep on paying for flight time to keep you proficient until you turn 17.

The first two options are undesirable because you'll spend a lot of money reviewing.  You need to fly on a regular basis to maintain proficiency when you are learning.

All options above are far more expensive than waiting until you are 16 and then fly 2-3 times a week and earn your private pilot certificate in less than a year.  So unless you have more money than you can spend, I'd recommend waiting until early 2010.

EDIT: Ozzie, good point.  I agree 100%.  It's never too early to take that first discovery flight!

Answer 6

u should start ASAP!!!!  there is no ifs ands or buts....procrastonating is a pilots biggest enemy...im starting in january and im 19...but i have been saving for ever...a car..my own headset and a great computer for flight simulator x (probably could live without) but its great to live airplanes at school and home so....i want every thing to be perfect. when i was 15 my dad was gonna get me into flight lessons but family issues came up...take advantage of this opportunity...i cant wait until january..HAPPY FLYING!!