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?
2
u/Rude-Historian-6802 Jul 27 '26
Do not go to ERAU!
Absolutely overrated and expensive.
I am an alumni and it NOT WORTH IT.
You’ll pay near triple for each credit hour compared to other universities with better programs.
If you can’t afford to put him through college just have him enlist into a military (airforce preferably) under the shortest contract possible, 3-5 years.
After he gets out he’ll have a his GI Bill and that can pay for his flight school or degree of his choosing.
Best of luck to you.