struggling 16yr old student pilot.

[Timebuilder]

My advice:

Busy yourself taking math and science classes in your high school, and get the best grades you can possibly earn. Then, look for a scholarship to an aviation university, and take a minor in something not related to aviation as a backup.

Go to an AME (aviation medical examiner) and get a complete 1st class physical, and discuss your family medical history. Drag a parent along with you, since you may not know that one side of the family has consistently died before age fifty of a genetic coronary malformation, or some other aviation "deal breaker".

With teriffic grades and a clean bill of health, you have a good shot at getting others to help you follow your dream. You just might have to wait until you are 18, and that's okay.

Persistence pays.

 

[SelectZoneFive]

I started flight training when I was fifteen, soloed at sixteen and had my private at seventeen. And, if I can do it, you can to. Trust me on this one .

Stay away from loans at all cost, they will end up being a ball and chain. I have several freinds who are crippled by them. I flipped burgers, worked as a janitor , and finally got a job as a lineguy at the local airport.

There are several aviation scholarships out there. Two national organizations that come to mind and that have pretty good scholarships are Sporty's Pilot shop and the NATA. Also, if your local airport has a flying association or club for the locals to be members of, then sometimes they do some kind of gift certificate.

In addition a truer word was never spoken as far as the value of being at the airport. I used to get my folks to drop me off and pick me up. There used to be nothing better than sitting at the lunch counter and chatting "Aviation" with a corporate pilot or one of the old veterans. You can learn huge amounts of cool stuff from those guys.

Your airport sounds a little quite? So you will have to eyeball the scene yourself. But plug away at it, you'll be surprised at the results.

 

[TDTURBO]

All the above is great advice, I have always lived less than a few miles from my airport with an overwhelming urge to fly. I worked everywhere BUT the airport to save enough to begin flying lessons. I was on a mission and did it in 35 hrs, went to med school and 20 yrs later own my own plane. I always flew an hour a month during the lean times knowing I would return full force. I went through 11 yrs of college so I could one day afford what I love best, flying. Set your goals and stick with them!