What to do....need help

[AHPilot]

Currently a freshman in college in the DFW area. Went down to the ATP flight school today, really liked what I saw. I'm looking into the career pilot program, a bit pricy though 32K, but the training does look good. My options: Continue flying on the side, dishing out 90 bucks an hour and maintaining my profiency, can't really afford to keep dishin' out the moneys for pleasure cross countries or anything like that....basically I'm limited to a few hours a month, three to four probably, just to keep the basics. Do this until I'm outta college.
OR
Get some school done, I was thinkin maybe this summer or the following, get the money together, cough it up, and just jump into the career pilot program, get all my ratings, then find a job instructing while still in college---is that feasible?? Or I could transfer schools to one that has an aviation department and be an instructor for them--is that a wise move?? Are there young instructors?? (I would be 19 or 20)--Are there instructor jobs even out there?? And would anyone hire someone that young, while still in school? If I did do this when should I start the program? This summer after my freshman year is over, or should I wait more time? What would u do, based on my situation, the economy, jobs...ect??
ALSO
Went over to AA headquarters today to see what I could find on internships, turns out they still offer a flight internship, but only with a 4 year school with an aviation department....I guess one route, is: career pilot program, transfer to a school with an aviation program, instruct and finish school there, and try for the internship at AA...
I don't know....there are several options and thats the situation with many combinations possible....just wonderin what you would do...
THANKS A BUNCH IN ADVANCE,

Langston "LT" Theis

 

[El Cid Av8or]

I'd stay in college and build time when I could until I graduated. I too looked into the ATP program. I am going to be finishing up at my local FBO for literally about half as much money. And all my flight time will be PIC, not any "safety PIC". You could still do the rest of your ratings in one summer that way as well. With the number of pilots who have gone back into instructing jobs due to the trashy economy, you may, and I say may, have a hard time finding an instructing job. Regarding the internship, look around and see if there are more available. I think some large corporate flight departments may offer one.

Hope this helps...

 

[bobbysamd]

College

At the moment, your priority should be getting your degree. If you have the time, you can fly. But, get the degree now, on campus, while your mind is in school mode. There are people who start college, start flying, like flying better, to which we can all relate, get work, and never make it back to college, although they have good intentions.

Finish school now so you can devote your full attention to flying later. Consider going to summer school. You can finish faster. I realize that summer school sucks, but it's a means to an end.

Transfering to a college with a flight program might be the best of all worlds. Do not, for a moment, expect to land a job directly from an internship, though. Do expect to make contacts from the internship that will help you land a job later.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[LearLove]

1. STAY IN SCHOOL - holly crap I sound like my parents
2. FLY WHEN EVER AND HOWEVER YOU CAN / WORK ON RATINGS
get another job if you need to, if you want it enough you will find a way to do it. You've got plenty of time.

REMEMBER - GET SCHOOL OUT OF THE WAY, Then its all down hill.

Good Luck

 

[brianjohn]

AHPilot-


If it's any consolation to you, there have been several young-twenties instructors-- very good ones i might add-- at the college where i'm training. A 20 year old graduated this past year from my school with his CFII and was hired on as an instructor at a school in Texas while he finishes his four year degree there.
Not much advice, just some hope for ya.

 

[flywithruss]

I was chief flight instructor at a small flight school for a year and a half before taking my current corporate job. One of the best instructors I hired was 19 years old. He'd gone through Comair right after high school, and he was a great instructor. I was impressed with his dedication to his flying at that young an age.

However, I agree wholeheartedly with the other posts. Do NOT postpone college. Whether you get an aviation degree or not is your choice ... I got one, and I'm pleased with my choice. I also did an internship with a major airline, another experience I wholeheartedly endorse. Most internships, as you learned at AA, are available only through colleges and universities.

There are lots of options for your flight training, each with their advantages and disadvantages. Just remember to take every school's "sales pitch" with a big grain of salt.

Good luck!

R

 

[typhoonpilot]

AHPilot:

Consider that the next hiring wave will probably not start until late this decade, my guess is 2007. With that said, you have a little time to do this right no matter what your decision. It's not like we are in the middle of a hiring wave and you need to catch it or miss out completely.

Now, I am partial to this idea ( since it's the way I did it ). Complete all your ratings through CFI in the summer and by taking only a enough classes to stay enrolled in your particular college the following semester. Hopefully you can do this at a flight school that will hire you as an instructor after completing the ratings. It should be a flight school that you could then work at part time while continueing your college education. Full time in the summer. That way you should be able to add CFII, Multi -engine, MEI, and ATP ( In that order ) before graduating from college.

There are advantages to an Aviation school in that you will have a large pool of possible students to teach. Other advantages are a network of friends for job searching and a better knowledge base than the average pilot. Looks good on the resume as well.

It's hard to give good advice that applies to everyone because money is a definite factor. I didn't have much, so one of the big flight schools was out of the question. They are just too expensive. If you are competent and can find a good instructor at a decent local flight school you will get it done much cheaper and probably with a much higher quality of instruction. Just my opinion mind you.

Age shouldn't be a factor. I was 19 when I became a CFI and had no problem finding jobs or being respected by my peers.

Internships can be a great foot in the door, if you can get one. I'm not too familiar with the schools in Texas and what they offer in terms of Aviation degrees but that would be the less expensive route. Going out of state for me ( different state ) was out of the question due to cost. If you have the money there are some really good schools out there. As much as I hate to say it, Embry Riddle has a very good reputation as do the University of North Dakota and a few others. I am sure other board members can expand on the list.

You have time in two respects. One, you are young and two, you aren't missing out on the hiring wave.

Good Luck

 

[AHPilot]

Thanks so much everyone for the advice

Langston "LT" Theis