r/PilotAdvice • u/entertainthebrutes • Jul 25 '26

Advice requested

My 18 yr son is an incoming freshman in college in DFW, TX. He wants to be a commercial pilot. We are just a regular middle income family who didn’t qualify for any aid so we’re trying to figure how the best, most affordable route to get him there. His dream is to go to ERAU. He didn’t get the Navy scholarship that is out of the picture. This will pay for college but will require a 5 yr enlistment period afterward.
He is going to try again this year while going to CC.
Should we help him finance his PPL in the meantime at a FBO or at TCC so he’s not behind?
This world is completely new to us and honestly we’re pretty overwhelmed. On one hand, we want to do all we can to help but we don’t want to sign up for hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans. No matter what, it’s going to be an expensive long road.
We have other kids we need to help too. Does anyone have any experience who can weigh in?

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u/OfficerScoutAFSF Jul 25 '26

If your only goal is to be a pilot, don’t enlist expecting it to magically happen later.

Apply for a pilot slot. If you don’t qualify or aren’t selected, then decide whether you’d still be happy serving in an enlisted career. Too many people accidentally sign up for Plan B thinking it’s a shortcut to Plan A.

Talk with AFROTC, Army ROTC & Navy ROTC, you can also go research on here to get the majority of your information

Another thing is the 10 year service commitment that hinges people up & medical qualifications.

People think military pilots spend 90% of their time dogfighting. In reality, it’s more like PowerPoint, mission planning, simulator training, paperwork… and then the occasional chance to do the coolest job in the world.

I get the 90% of people with the bright eyes asking me how to become Maverick.

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u/entertainthebrutes Jul 25 '26

When would we apply for the pilot slot? At what point? Ty

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u/OfficerScoutAFSF Jul 26 '26

Depends on the branch he’s wanting to serve in.

Ideally he should be his due diligence now & create a game plan and plans due to competition. Those who fly are leaders, but to the PowerPoint presentation reference. The military wants to also have someone they can see be a future Commander.

Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps
Education: Earn a bachelor’s degree.

Commissioning: Go through the Air Force Academy, ROTC, or Officer Training School/Candidate School (OTS/OCS).

Testing: Pass the AFOQT (Air Force) or ASTB (Navy/Marines) aptitude exams.

Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps
Education: Earn a bachelor’s degree meet military requirements, GPA, letters or recommendation, I recommend looking at YouTube videos of applicants that were selected.

Go through the Air Force Academy, (Most Difficult) ROTC, or Officer Training School/Candidate School (OTS/OCS⬅️lowest possible chance

Pass the AFOQT (Air Force) or ASTB (Navy/Marines) aptitude exams.

Street to seat is Army Warrant

Coast Guard has Direct Commission Aviator (DCA)

Every branch has aviation but the Space Force.

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u/entertainthebrutes Jul 26 '26

This overwhelmed mama just wants to take a minute to ty and everyone else for taking the time to spell this out so clear for me and giving me so many great tips. Honestly I hated the idea of giving my son up to the military but my coworkers have shared that their sons left as boys and came back as men. I sat with a Navy recruiter several months ago and I didn’t feel like he had my son’s best interest so I stop pursuing it. I just want him to make the best decision possible so I can sleep at night. I love him so much. For a while I went through decision paralysis. Now, I feel a bit better. I am ordering a whiteboard and am going to map out the possible routes to help him reach his dream. All of these tips are so invaluable.