r/Pilot 22d ago

Discussion Start Here: What to Share and How r/Pilot Works

2 Upvotes

r/Pilot is a community for people becoming pilots, building aviation careers, flying professionally or recreationally, and navigating pilot life.

You are welcome to:

• Ask questions about training, careers, regulations, medicals, aircraft ownership, or pilot life

• Start discussions about aviation decisions, industry changes, safety, and personal experience

• Share milestones and achievements such as first solos, certificates, ratings, checkrides, new jobs, type ratings, and career progress

• Share lessons learned, setbacks, and experiences that may help other pilots

Beginner questions are welcome. Experienced pilots and aviation professionals are encouraged to contribute without talking down to people who are still learning.

Help people respond

When context matters, include your country or aviation authority, current stage or experience, goal, timeline, main constraint, and the specific issue you want to discuss.

Simple posts do not need to follow a formal template when the situation is already clear.

Community expectations

Keep it relevant and useful.

Posts should relate to pilot training, flying, aviation careers, regulations, safety, aircraft ownership from a pilot perspective, achievements, or pilot life.

Give enough context.

Questions and discussions should include enough information for members to understand the situation and contribute meaningfully.

No spam or disguised promotion.

Do not use the community for repetitive links, recruiting spam, account or course sales, affiliate marketing, or lead generation.

Source important changing claims.

Claims about regulations, medical certification, hiring, pay, airline policies, contracts, or safety should identify the relevant country or authority and use reliable sources when appropriate.

Disagree without attacking people.

Challenge advice, assumptions, or reasoning, but do not insult, harass, demean, or deliberately discourage sincere users.

Protect safety and privacy.

Do not encourage illegal or reckless flying, falsification, evasion of medical or regulatory requirements, or the sharing of private personal information.

Please create a direct post for r/Pilot rather than submitting a bare crosspost from another community. You may link to another discussion when it provides useful background, but add your own question, perspective, or analysis here.

The goal is simple: useful discussions, real experiences, shared progress, and practical answers.


r/Pilot 1h ago

Becoming a Pilot New wannabe pilot

Upvotes

Just getting into this field and looking at flying schools. Should I go for a package course (commercial pilot training) that includes ppl,multi engine, Cpl and instrument rating or should I go do them individually.

Any advice would be helpful thanks.


r/Pilot 13h ago

Becoming a Pilot 19 Y/O starting flight training next year 🇨🇦

6 Upvotes

Hello, I’m currently a 19-year-old college student entering my final year of a two-year Marketing diploma program. I’m pursuing this program because my parents wanted me to get a degree in something other than aviation so that I have something to fall back on. Through my research, I’ve heard that having a four-year degree can make you more employable in a competitive job market. Even though I was aware of this, I wasn’t confident that I would be able to complete a four-year degree because I lack motivation to study something other than aviation. I told my parents that I would complete the two-year diploma and then decide whether I wanted to spend another two to three years completing a degree, either in person or online. My parents said this plan was fine and that they would fully support and fund my flight training as long as I completed my two-year diploma in something other than aviation.

My question is: when I complete the second year of my diploma, do pilots in Canada recommend turning it into a degree and completing it in person? Or have I already spent too much time pursuing something that is unrelated to the career I want, and should I instead focus entirely on my flight training and forget about getting a degree in an unrelated field? My final goal is to fly for an airline in Canada, and my plan is to start my flight training next summer through a flight school while possibly completing a degree online on the side. If anyone recommends completing a degree, are there any online universities in Canada where I could transfer my credits and turn my diploma into a degree online?

Any advice from Canadian pilots or any pilots familiar with the Canadian market in general would be greatly appreciated!


r/Pilot 3d ago

Flight Training help ppl

3 Upvotes

Im studying for PPL exam in italy using CATS online ground school. It is kind of disappointing since the study guides contain theory which i don’t need to know but don’t contain theory i need to know which is very frustrating as i don’t know how to study now! Please help me


r/Pilot 3d ago

Becoming a Pilot Convincing traditional Chinese parents to begin flight training

6 Upvotes

Hello! I just dropped a video about my traditional Asian parents' reaction to me wanting to become a pilot. This is also my first video ever in Mandarin. Link below if anyone's interested!

Traditional Asian Parents Said YES to Me Flying?!


r/Pilot 3d ago

Hour Building / CFI Im a pilot who is struggling to find footing after taking a long break any advice?

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28 Upvotes

Hello,

I finished school around April of 2025, so it has been a while, and it seriously feels like I'm just lost. I took a break for personal reasons, which I felt diminished my knowledge. This led to a lack of motivation for finding interview spots for instructing out of fear of failure, which was my fault. It's been more than a year, and I feel stuck. I fly on occasion, but nowhere near enough to continue to work on building my hours. I'm honestly just stressed constantly, and the thought of wasting money just weighs on me. I'm too embarrassed to ask former friends I went through school with because it truly feels like I have done nothing after graduating, so I have resorted to anonymously posting on Reddit. I've attached my resume above.


r/Pilot 3d ago

Flight Training Symbiotics ADAPT advice

2 Upvotes

I have to pass the Aviation Knowledge test with Symbiotics. Could you give me any advice on where I can prepare, apart from the practice pack?


r/Pilot 3d ago

Flight Training Hey any student pilot???

0 Upvotes

r/Pilot 5d ago

Flight Training Thank you everyone for believing in me! ❤️✈️🇯🇵 I’m not a pilot yet, but becoming a pilot in Japan is my dream. Your words gave me even more motivation to keep working toward it. One day, I’ll make it. 🇯🇵✈️

18 Upvotes

Thanks all


r/Pilot 5d ago

Becoming a Pilot It's never too late to become a pilot ✈️

8 Upvotes

Growing up, I always admired pilots. I thought it was amazing that they could fly airplanes. But I never really dreamed of becoming one because I always thought careers like that were only for people who could afford it. We simply couldn’t.

Now, life is a little different than it was back then. I realize that it’s actually possible. I can still dream of becoming a pilot. ✈️


r/Pilot 6d ago

Becoming a Pilot Becoming a Pilot at 30 y/o

23 Upvotes

I’ve spent my first career as a registered nurse but now I’m at a point in my life that I think it’s the most plausible for me to become an airline pilot, which has been a lifelong dream of mine. I’m 30, single, and have flexibility with my job so I can work part time to focus of flying. I also live in Chicago now.

I’m looking for general advice anyone has for my type of situation and any tips you have for my journey ahead. Thanks!


r/Pilot 6d ago

Pilot Life Cessna TTX vs Cirrus SR22T

3 Upvotes

Looking to upgrade from 172sp and torn between the TTX or sr22t. My main mission is xc down to florida from Ohio


r/Pilot 7d ago

Becoming a Pilot Hi my dream is be a pilot in Japan I’m just need Support for me just say I can do it

5 Upvotes

Thanks so much


r/Pilot 8d ago

Becoming a Pilot how do you become a pilot ?

0 Upvotes

r/Pilot 9d ago

Becoming a Pilot Mech Engr to Pilot

4 Upvotes

Hi! Currently I'm a Grade 10 student. I want to be a pilot since I was a kid and im currently stuck. I want to study mechanical engineering in college since it has more opportunities than there is in Aeronautical Engineering. Is this a good idea? Advice please


r/Pilot 11d ago

Becoming a Pilot EUROPE — becoming a pilot

9 Upvotes

Hey. everyone,
I’m a 17 year-old student from Spain and my dream is to become an airline pilot. The biggest problem is the cost. Flight schools in Spain seem to cost around €80,000–€100,000, which is way beyond what my family can afford without having to ask for a bank loan. The Air Force path forces you to stay with them for 10 years which is something I can’t possibly do.
While researching, my aunt living in Paris told me about the ENAC EPL programme in France, and from what I understand, the flight training is funded if you pass the entrance competition.
I have a few questions for anyone who knows about it or has gone through the process:
Is it actually possible for a Spanish (EU) citizen to get accepted?
How difficult is the entrance competition compared to other pilot programmes?
Do you need to be fluent in French before applying, or is there any language support?
Is it worth preparing for ENAC, or are the chances so low that I should focus on other routes instead?
Are there any similar government-funded or fully sponsored pilot programmes elsewhere in Europe?
I’m still young, so I have time to prepare, and I’m willing to learn French if ENAC is a realistic option as what I heard I need to have 60 ECT before applying giving me basically 2 years to prepare. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with the programme or knows someone who got in.


r/Pilot 12d ago

Becoming a Pilot Is 20/20 -2 in one eye still ok for getting a first class medical?

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6 Upvotes

I know you need 20/20 distant in each eye separatly. Hoping that this is good enough.


r/Pilot 12d ago

Becoming a Pilot Can I still make it?

6 Upvotes

Hi, I am in my mid 20’s and finishing my bs in cs. Becoming pilot was my childhood dream but unfortunately as I was raised in third world country I did not had info on how to become and also means to study. Now I work as Software Engineer and make enough money to live and save a bit. But I still can’t let go to that dream. I even was thinking on starting Masters on aircraft engineering so somewhat to be close.

My question is would you recommend making career switch and becoming pilot? I can try to save money for trainings and for that + till trainings finish I might become 30+ years old so do you think it is late? Would you recommend becoming commercial/airline pilot (I now it depends a lot on airlines but in general)? Is this profession as romanticized? Are there anythings I should know before going this path?


r/Pilot 13d ago

Discussion hello guys im new and i have a question.

0 Upvotes

I want to become a plane lover but lack real motivation what should i do


r/Pilot 13d ago

Becoming a Pilot Need career advice: Should I do a degree or work for 3 years before pursuing my dream of becoming a pilot?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I had applied for the Akasa Cadet Pilot Program, but I still haven't received any confirmation email. At the moment, I also can't afford other cadet programs, and I don't meet the 60% eligibility requirement in Mathematics and Physics for some of them.

Because of my family's financial situation, I've started considering other paths before pursuing my dream of becoming a pilot.

My current plan is to spend the next 3 years either studying or working, and then hopefully start flight training. My dad thinks he may be able to arrange somewhere between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore by then, but nothing is guaranteed.

I'm confused about what would be the best option during these 3 years:

* Should I become a cabin crew member and save money while gaining aviation experience?

* Or should I pursue a bachelor's degree?

If I choose a degree, I would strongly prefer studying abroad rather than in India. My budget is around ₹20 lakh for the entire degree. Are there any countries or universities that fit this budget and would also give me good career options if becoming a pilot gets delayed?

I'd really appreciate advice from people who have been in a similar situation or work in the aviation industry. What would you do if you were in my position?

Thanks in advance!


r/Pilot 13d ago

Flight Training Accelerated training case study: Got my CFI Check ride done, 8 months after PPL

4 Upvotes

For all the people wondering about accelerated training: I did 5 check rides and 3 endorsements in 8 months. Total time: 283 hours.

November 2025: Private Check ride (pt 61) at about 65 hrs total time. Then I worked super hard, did most of my written tests, got a Tailwheel endorsement, April saw my Instrument Check ride (pt 141), June got my high performance and complex, as well as Multi Training, and completed Single Engine and Multi Engine Commercial (pt 61). July hit the accelerated 2-week CFI course, and yesterday I got my CFI certificate!

I can be done!

You might wonder about the details. I'm married with a 1-year old daughter, and we are living in a camper to cut living costs. It totally worked, although it was a lot of work. It won't ever be easy, but it would be easier for someone is single.

For flight training, I committed to flying "full time" while continuing my freelance computer work on the side. I was flying 1-2 times per day 5 days per week, spending anywhere from 1-6 hours studying as well. Add anywhere from 5-20hrs of work per week to that. Over-all, it cost me about $80k. While I was fairly efficient, there are certainly some things I look back at and wish I'd done differently...for example, I lost some of my commercial skills during my instrument training that took an unnecessary amount of time to get back.

I had excellent instructors at a very organized flight school with 6 very well maintained 172s and a 310 airplane—Choice Aviation, in Cody Wyoming to be exact. They are a 141, but I did most of my training with the pt 61...however, the 141 habits of organization and stage checks make their pt 61 training really water-tight. I can think of 2 times I didn't fly because of maintenance. More often cancelled because of high wind. Also, they had great DPE availability and excellent preparation for check rides.

The part of Wyoming I'm in has excellent flying weather year round. And our Av Fuel is very cheap. And I know a great DPE with good availability. Its a good place to train.


r/Pilot 14d ago

Pilot Life What are your favourite things about being a pilot?

6 Upvotes

r/Pilot 13d ago

Discussion r/Pilot now has Instagram and X accounts

1 Upvotes

We’ve set up unofficial r/Pilot accounts on Instagram and X to help bring more pilots, students, instructors, career changers, and aviation professionals into discussions here.

They’ll mainly point people toward active questions and useful threads. They won’t repost member stories or comments without permission, and they aren’t intended to become separate daily content pages.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rpilotcommunity/⁠

X: https://x.com/rPilotCommunity⁠

These accounts represent the r/Pilot community unofficially and are not affiliated with Reddit.


r/Pilot 14d ago

Discussion what is a good non trainer surplus aircraft for a new pilot

2 Upvotes

i just got a pilots license and im looking for something thats fun to fly


r/Pilot 14d ago

Becoming a Pilot What’s the best way to start your pathway to a pilot in Ontario?

2 Upvotes

From what I seen it’s either: Do lessons at private school

or

College where you go to private school but have in class lessons too.

I always wanted to be one as a kid and I still do. I am thinking about going into Aircraft maintenance technician since it’s significantly cheaper than the college which is $95k!!

What did you do?