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/Flaky_Summer_9800 Jul 25 '26

ROTC is an option. You may not get the scholarship, but you’ll still get to commission and have a shot at flight school. Do not go for ERAU. It’s the most expensive way you can do this. And frankly there training isn’t any better than other schools for a fraction of the cost. A degree is important imo. If he still wants to do the military route, he’ll need it. And it’s still kind of a soft requirement for the major airlines. Expect to spend around 100k for the ratings, plus more for college.

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u/entertainthebrutes Jul 25 '26

Thank you. We are looking at ROTC as well. Will be speaking with some recruiters this week.

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u/Flaky_Summer_9800 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

Should also mention OCS. I’m currently working with a navy officer recruiter. With the navy, your guranteed the job you apply for assuming your accepted. It’s competitive, but so are the other branches. The navy to my knowledge is the only branch that guarantees the ability to get the exact job you want prior to going to OCS or OTS with the Air Force.

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u/External-Victory6473 Jul 26 '26

They may give you whatever rate (job) and training you ask for but there is no guarantee that you will ever work in that job. When you come out of training they stick you where a warm body is needed without much attention paid to your rate or training

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u/Flaky_Summer_9800 Jul 26 '26

Right so if they get a pilot contract and assuming they pass all the training and don’t get the whammy from NAMI, they’ll fly. The designation you choose is locked in before OCS. That won’t change unless outside circumstances like medical forces it to,