At least folks here don't complain about the number of postings other folks make....
Good series guys. There's a lot of instant maturity in the above posts to those that are willing to listen.
Shibby, the costs of ERAU are astronomical. Financial aid will not cover all of the costs, especially of flight training. $18000 a year is a low-ball estimate.
What does the government allow for a college freshman? Under $3,000.
Your best bet is scholarships. If you don't have any, start applying. Treat applications as another class.
Interested in the military? Four-year and three-year scholarships require a few years service commitment and you are done. Five years after graduation you could be clear of any college debts. ERAU-Prescott has the best Air Force ROTC detachment outside of the Air Force Academy.
To become a corporate pilot requires a private pilot certificate, an instrument rating, a commercial pilot certificate, a multiengine rating, and around 1000 hours of total flight time plus 100 hours of multiengine time. These are also low-ball figures. I know folks that did internships (if you go to ERAU, get an internship, don't waste the connection) and were hired right after graduation as a co-pilot. Charter requires 500 hours total time if you want to hang out at Las Vegas, or 1300 hours if you want to fly for many cargo operators.
Pay after graduation? Could be nothing, if you don't find a job. It could be $13,000 as a first officer for a low budget airline. Calculate those loan costs very carefully. Going for an engineering or computer science degree and the first job might pay $32,000 a year.
Head over to:
www.jetcareers.com
www.studentpilot.net
www.studentpilot.com
Ask the same questions there. Read all you can. It's the first and most vital step as a pilot: Find out all available information before embarking on your journey. (P.S. a plan helps too!)
Oh, and if you haven't had calculus at the college level before, you might want to seriously consider taking it in a semester other than the first one.
Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein