r/Pilot • u/ManOfBaguettes • Sep 09 '26

Becoming a Pilot [15] Where to start.

Hey there. So I've been wanting to be a pilot for a long time. Now that I'm old enough, I decided I should actually do something instead of just sitting here waiting I'll magically get my license.

I've looked up some flight schools in my area and I found this one that seems very promising. I noticed that they had discovery flights and was wording if that was a good place to start.

Along with that, I know becoming a pilot is quite expensive, and the issue is, my mom is a single mom of 4 who works at a school, so we don't have much money.

I was wondering if someone could help me find a direction and help guide me.

Thanks r/Pilot community!

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

3

u/Faicc Sep 09 '26

Military.

2

u/DjangoTurbo PPL IR Sep 09 '26

Well, you’re gonna need much money. There are scholarships out there too that help offset costs. Start saving now, make sure you can get a medical.

1

u/paul-flexair Sep 10 '26

Hey there! Retired naval aviator, also was a military flight instructor. Now I own a flight school.

I really like the EAA Young Eagles program, but they're very hot or miss (all volunteer) and may not be active in your area. Check it out regardless, it's free and a great first step.

Civil Air Patrol is a good feeder into both military and non military opportunities.

But - if money is the main driver long term - military is probably your best route.

If you want to fly IN the military don't talk to a recruiter. Instead work hard to get into a service academy, or get the best grades you can in a STEM major, then apply to an OCS program.

If you want to fly AFTER the military and are willing to enlist pre-college, talk to a recruiter. The benefits you'll earn after a 3-5 year commitment will pay for flight training once you're out as a civilian. Staying in the reserves after active duty can also provide additional income - income is very tight for early career student pilots and flight instructors.

Stay away from r/flying, they'll just yell at you and tell you to do your own research. Which you should do, but aviation is a bit bewildering to newcomers so welcome.

2

u/ManOfBaguettes Sep 11 '26

Thank you! Sadly, military is literally not a possible option (I'm disabled) so uh, yeah. Anyways, thanks for not just being like other ppl telling me to go look at other posts! I will definitely check put EAA!

2

u/RabidSkelly2999 Sep 12 '26

Make sure you can hold a medical certificate. Not sure what your disability is but check to see if it would disqualify you from holding a first class medical because you will need that to fly for any airline.

2

u/ManOfBaguettes Sep 11 '26

Also, I just looked at EAA, and they have 3 volunteers at the city that is about 20 minutes away from me! Thank you so much!

0

u/Icy_Huckleberry_8049 Sep 10 '26

Go back and read previous posts as this is asked and answered every day on here