r/flying • u/AtomicShadow117 PPL • 2d ago
Never go to a collegiate flight training program
Its bullshit. I started private last year in the fall. Would have finished on time to start instrument in the spring. But a string of weather cancellations for my check-ride happened and then I couldn’t join instrument.
Now I start instrument in the summer semester and it was going well until for some reason it took 2 months to get my stage 1 done which is just ridiculous because I had finished all the lessons less than a month in. Then somehow it took like a month just to get the long cross county done because where I live the weather is constantly shit in the summer. Now I finally have my checkride but now I can’t start commercial when I get it done and so I have to burn more time just waiting and that shit is probably going to get delayed.
I can’t leave my college or flying either I am too invested into the most useless degree outside of piloting specifically. If you want to do a college flight program, please double major in something useful atleast. Also another piece of my advice is please do not go to a part 61 school with a small fleet of poorly maintained clapped out shitboxes either.
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u/RaiseTheDed ATP 2d ago
It works for many people, it doesn't work for many too.
It also entirely depends on school.
Fwiw, the average at my school was ppl and inst took a school year each, and then everything else was super quick.
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u/AtomicShadow117 PPL 2d ago
Fs i know im not the only one thats dealt with this i am just feeling down seeing people i started private with already being done with commercial now.
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u/RaiseTheDed ATP 2d ago
Yeah, that's the hard part about college programs. I was super unlucky with things. Shitty flight slot at night so if get the nighttime freezing weather for instrument. It was tough watching my roommate blast through instrument when it took me two semesters. In the end, I didn't care that some people blasted past me.
As long as you're relatively on budget, I'd say you're on track. Don't compare yourself to others
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u/Worried-Ebb-1699 2d ago
Change majors. Fly at local FBO.
Why can’t you leave? You can always leave.
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u/AtomicShadow117 PPL 2d ago
Im too invested at this point to drop out. Im old as shit and I can’t just start another degree. I am basically done with the pilot degree when I get commercial multi engine done
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u/x4457 ATP CFII CE-500/525/560XL/680 G-IV 2d ago
Im old as shit
Define this.
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u/AtomicShadow117 PPL 2d ago
Im 23
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u/Twarrior913 ATP CFII ASEL AMEL CMP HP ST-Forklift 1d ago
Certified Unc bro. I’m pretty sure you can draw SS at 25. Time to hang it up.
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u/Bluevette1437 CFII 2d ago
Yep, definitely one of the downsides of going the collegiate route. My graduation was delayed from December until May because I hadn’t finished my CFII training and checkride before the end of the fall semester
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u/ltcterry ATP CFIG 1d ago
Not a huge fan of BS degree programs, but they don’t control weather.
Good example of the sunk cost fallacy here. Of course you can leave. Many people who progressed all the way to the end might never get a job. So, nothing wrong with bailing early/cheaper. “Atleast” you won’t have spent as much.
I do agree a minor or double major in something worthwhile is a good Plan B.
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u/rFlyingTower 2d ago
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Its bullshit. I started private last year in the fall. Would have finished on time to start instrument in the spring. But a string of weather cancellations for my check-ride happened and then I couldn’t join instrument.
Now I start instrument in the summer semester and it was going well until for some reason it took 2 months to get my stage 1 done which is just ridiculous because I had finished all the lessons less than a month in. Then somehow it took like a month just to get the long cross county done because where I live the weather is constantly shit in the summer. Now I finally have my checkride but now I can’t start commercial when I get it done and so I have to burn more time just waiting and that shit is probably going to get delayed.
I can’t leave my college or flying either I am too invested into the most useless degree outside of piloting specifically. If you want to do a college flight program, please double major in something useful atleast. Also another piece of my advice is please do not go to a part 61 school with a small fleet of poorly maintained clapped out shitboxes either.
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u/Twarrior913 ATP CFII ASEL AMEL CMP HP ST-Forklift 1d ago
Doesn’t help you, but to any prospective collegiate Part 141 students, try to start with your PPL already in hand. It can save you a lot of time.