IATPL as a parent

[Flight4475]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here in terms of posting. I've followed this forum for a while as I have had a lifetime interest in aviation. Life took me many directions and I have currently been accepted to an IATPL program starting later this year.

I am not interested in any negativity on this thread or opinions on an integrated program vs modular. I am a 30 year old mom of 3 and I am looking for information on the demands of integrated flight training and what I need to prepare for as a parent going through this program. I am so excited and grateful that I am able to follow this dream but I have concerns about how to manage the course load and my amazing kids. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you all.

[digits_]

Which program are you talking about exactly: the flying licenses only which usually takes about 2 years or one that is more like a college with an extra degree taking 3 years or more?

The second one keeps you a bit busier while you aren't flying. But neither one of them should affect family life too much. Would you be training full time, or do you have a side job as well?

Have fun!

[Flight4475]

Thank you for your response. I already have an undergrad so I am taking a full-time, 18 month program that lands me with an aviation diploma and a frozen ATPL- it's one of the "0-250 hours and all the theory completed" programs.

I am blessed enough that I won't be working while in school. I am currently employed and I may stay on as a consultant 5-10 hours/week, that is still to be determined. I appreciate the reassurance that family life shouldn't be impacted too much. I love being a Mom but I am also so excited for this next adventure and I want to be able to wear hats.

[Tuza]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here in terms of posting. I've followed this forum for a while as I have had a lifetime interest in aviation. Life took me many directions and I have currently been accepted to an IATPL program starting later this year.

I am not interested in any negativity on this thread or opinions on an integrated program vs modular. I am a 30 year old mom of 3 and I am looking for information on the demands of integrated flight training and what I need to prepare for as a parent going through this program. I am so excited and grateful that I am able to follow this dream but I have concerns about how to manage the course load and my amazing kids. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you all.

Being a mom of 3 while flight training will be busy. Even without working. But it depends 100% on your organizational skills. Do your kids go to school, are home still, or online home-school? Do they have extra-curricular activities? Do you have support in a a mate of some kind or family?

You can do both but it takes discipline. I did not go the IATPL given that I started before this was an option. Would I do it now instead of what I have and am doing - maybe. Depends on what I want at the end. But as a parent who was even single for a bit, worked a full time job, did flight training full time, looked after the kids and their homework, took them to their activities 5x a week, and still managed martial arts x2 a week and soccer 1x a week for myself - It can be done. If you want it.

Good luck. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't or this or that. If you want it, get it.

[RedAndWhiteBaron]

I have mad respect for what Tuza has accomplished, even setting aside her success in a male dominated field, and as a mother. I assure you she can offer you far more sage advice than most people here.

[Flight4475]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here in terms of posting. I've followed this forum for a while as I have had a lifetime interest in aviation. Life took me many directions and I have currently been accepted to an IATPL program starting later this year.

I am not interested in any negativity on this thread or opinions on an integrated program vs modular. I am a 30 year old mom of 3 and I am looking for information on the demands of integrated flight training and what I need to prepare for as a parent going through this program. I am so excited and grateful that I am able to follow this dream but I have concerns about how to manage the course load and my amazing kids. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you all.

Being a mom of 3 while flight training will be busy. Even without working. But it depends 100% on your organizational skills. Do your kids go to school, are home still, or online home-school? Do they have extra-curricular activities? Do you have support in a a mate of some kind or family?

You can do both but it takes discipline. I did not go the IATPL given that I started before this was an option. Would I do it now instead of what I have and am doing - maybe. Depends on what I want at the end. But as a parent who was even single for a bit, worked a full time job, did flight training full time, looked after the kids and their homework, took them to their activities 5x a week, and still managed martial arts x2 a week and soccer 1x a week for myself - It can be done. If you want it.

Good luck. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't or this or that. If you want it, get it.

First of all, I want to say I have absolute respect and appreciation of what you've done an accomplished. Good for you !! Thank you for your response, it's what I was hoping to hear- that it can be done. I believe I am an organized, dedicated and determined individual. I saved up for this and applied for this program understanding that it is intensive and it would take discipline- as the start date has been inching closer I just wanted to hear someone say it can be done ! So thank you very much for that.

[Kngcbr]

I'm also a parent of 3 when i started flight training and it can be done, lots of long Days and I agree that organization is super important along with time Management, just don't let any say it cant be done! I was always told as a kid their is no can't, only I have not yet accomplished this task.

Best of luck!

[Tuza]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here in terms of posting. I've followed this forum for a while as I have had a lifetime interest in aviation. Life took me many directions and I have currently been accepted to an IATPL program starting later this year.

I am not interested in any negativity on this thread or opinions on an integrated program vs modular. I am a 30 year old mom of 3 and I am looking for information on the demands of integrated flight training and what I need to prepare for as a parent going through this program. I am so excited and grateful that I am able to follow this dream but I have concerns about how to manage the course load and my amazing kids. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you all.

Being a mom of 3 while flight training will be busy. Even without working. But it depends 100% on your organizational skills. Do your kids go to school, are home still, or online home-school? Do they have extra-curricular activities? Do you have support in a a mate of some kind or family?

You can do both but it takes discipline. I did not go the IATPL given that I started before this was an option. Would I do it now instead of what I have and am doing - maybe. Depends on what I want at the end. But as a parent who was even single for a bit, worked a full time job, did flight training full time, looked after the kids and their homework, took them to their activities 5x a week, and still managed martial arts x2 a week and soccer 1x a week for myself - It can be done. If you want it.

Good luck. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't or this or that. If you want it, get it.

First of all, I want to say I have absolute respect and appreciation of what you've done an accomplished. Good for you !! Thank you for your response, it's what I was hoping to hear- that it can be done. I believe I am an organized, dedicated and determined individual. I saved up for this and applied for this program understanding that it is intensive and it would take discipline- as the start date has been inching closer I just wanted to hear someone say it can be done ! So thank you very much for that.

Lol. Good luck girl!

I'll also say that flight training will be vastly different than a degree. I spent a year at Uni and then went to Pre Med and left to become a pilot. I thought (due to fairly decent marks in prior years) that I would lick the flying. Hahahahahaha. Omg! It was like nothing I had ever encountered before! I used to be a grade ahead of myself in high-school only to get to flying and have to study, and yes, even got partials on a written and licence exam and was tired ALL of the TIME! Haha. Just in the beginning mostly.

Flying takes a lot out of you, so prepare that this will not be the usual classroom existence. But you do have about 800 hours of groundschool ahead of you, so that should be fun!

Do you have an aviation background? I didn't but had a bit of mechanical and mostly stubbornness to not give up.

Pm me if you ever want to connect. If not - good luck! See you in the skies. Just not too close hopefully.

[Tuza]

I'm also a parent of 3 when i started flight training and it can be done, lots of long Days and I agree that organization is super important along with time Management, just don't let any say it cant be done! I was always told as a kid their is no can't, only I have not yet accomplished this task.

Best of luck!

I like that! "Their is no can't" haha when I used to figureskate, we'd get put in the penalty box for 5 mins (which was a long time) for saying "I can't". Haha trains you tough.

And agreed! Time Mgt. is paramount!

[Tuza]

I have mad respect for what Tuza has accomplished, even setting aside her success in a male dominated field, and as a mother. I assure you she can offer you far more sage advice than most people here.

Thanks Red. That's very kind of you.

[Kngcbr]

I'm also a parent of 3 when i started flight training and it can be done, lots of long Days and I agree that organization is super important along with time Management, just don't let any say it cant be done! I was always told as a kid their is no can't, only I have not yet accomplished this task.

Best of luck!

I like that! "Their is no can't" haha when I used to figureskate, we'd get put in the penalty box for 5 mins (which was a long time) for saying "I can't". Haha trains you tough.

And agreed! Time Mgt. is paramount!

Amazing what sticks with us as kids and ends up paying off in stubbornness ha ha!

[Tuza]

I'm also a parent of 3 when i started flight training and it can be done, lots of long Days and I agree that organization is super important along with time Management, just don't let any say it cant be done! I was always told as a kid their is no can't, only I have not yet accomplished this task.

Best of luck!

I like that! "Their is no can't" haha when I used to figureskate, we'd get put in the penalty box for 5 mins (which was a long time) for saying "I can't". Haha trains you tough.

And agreed! Time Mgt. is paramount!

Amazing what sticks with us as kids and ends up paying off in stubbornness ha ha!

[Flight4475]

I'm also a parent of 3 when i started flight training and it can be done, lots of long Days and I agree that organization is super important along with time Management, just don't let any say it cant be done! I was always told as a kid their is no can't, only I have not yet accomplished this task.

Best of luck!

Thank you for your response. It's so great to hear that parents have been able to accomplish flight training while balancing their home life.

[tsgarp]

I was debating wether or not to post. At the risk of being a downer here goes...

Getting through the program will likely be doable. You might want to think about what comes after. If you are the sole provider for your family, you will likely find it very difficult to make ends meet on a starting aviation salary. With the current situation (by which I mean COVID and the incoming recession which it is going to cause) you are very likely to be under employed, or outright unemployed, for the next 5 to 10 years. You will not attain employment stability for a very long time.
You can also anticipate the need to be very mobile, either that or accept a very slow career progression.
A career in aviation looks fun when you are on the outside, it can quickly loose its shine once you are in. Don’t get me wrong, being a pilot beats having a real job, but it comes at a price.
From what the OP posted, she sounds like she might already have professional qualifications. Most of the happiest pilots I know make their money outside of aviation, buy a nice plane and fly it when and where they want. If I had the brains and skills that is what I would do.

[Flight4475]

I was debating wether or not to post. At the risk of being a downer here goes...

Getting through the program will likely be doable. You might want to think about what comes after. If you are the sole provider for your family, you will likely find it very difficult to make ends meet on a starting aviation salary. With the current situation (by which I mean COVID and the incoming recession which it is going to cause) you are very likely to be under employed, or outright unemployed, for the next 5 to 10 years. You will not attain employment stability for a very long time.
You can also anticipate the need to be very mobile, either that or accept a very slow career progression.
A career in aviation looks fun when you are on the outside, it can quickly loose its shine once you are in. Don’t get me wrong, being a pilot beats having a real job, but it comes at a price.
From what the OP posted, she sounds like she might already have professional qualifications. Most of the happiest pilots I know make their money outside of aviation, buy a nice plane and fly it when and where they want. If I had the brains and skills that is what I would do.

Thank you for your insight. I posted this to see and hear all sides and you have all very valid points/concerns. Luckily, my husband is supportive and we are fortunate enough that his salary (without mine) gives our kids what we feel is a good life for the time being. You bring up other points that are definitely worth considering and thinking about.

[tsgarp]

I was debating wether or not to post. At the risk of being a downer here goes...

Getting through the program will likely be doable. You might want to think about what comes after. If you are the sole provider for your family, you will likely find it very difficult to make ends meet on a starting aviation salary. With the current situation (by which I mean COVID and the incoming recession which it is going to cause) you are very likely to be under employed, or outright unemployed, for the next 5 to 10 years. You will not attain employment stability for a very long time.
You can also anticipate the need to be very mobile, either that or accept a very slow career progression.
A career in aviation looks fun when you are on the outside, it can quickly loose its shine once you are in. Don’t get me wrong, being a pilot beats having a real job, but it comes at a price.
From what the OP posted, she sounds like she might already have professional qualifications. Most of the happiest pilots I know make their money outside of aviation, buy a nice plane and fly it when and where they want. If I had the brains and skills that is what I would do.

Thank you for your insight. I posted this to see and hear all sides and you have all very valid points/concerns. Luckily, my husband is supportive and we are fortunate enough that his salary (without mine) gives our kids what we feel is a good life for the time being. You bring up other points that are definitely worth considering and thinking about.

Right on, hope to fly with you someday.