Please help me choose the right path.

[gwones]

Hello and thank you all in advance for viewing this thread. I've searched and searched, read almost every post in this forum but I could not find a satisfactory answer for my specific situation. Please allow me to tell you a little bit about myself, just so you all know about my situation and provide a better advice.

I am a 23 years-old student, who has been fooling around for a very long time but finally decided not to waste any more time of my life and start worrying about my career. I've been in U of T before, dropped out, yes, and last year I was in Seneca doing flight program but dropped out in the middle of the first semester. I look back and realized that I did not have a clear goal and confidence of this path and thats why I was lost and ended up giving up.

To be honest with you all, I'm not all crazy about planes. I do not have any experience of flying one of my own, and I wasn't interested about flying since I was young, like most of other people who chose to go this path. However, I know one thing for sure that I want to fly and nothing out there is impossible. I understand that this career requires patience, responsibilities and knowledge, and I know that I can make this happen if I have a clear goal and plans.

I wish to fly in major airline and I'm aware of the fact that there are lots of ways to become a pilot. I've applied to Seneca(re-applied), Confed, Sault, Algon, and Conestoga. I know this may sound stupid.., but where should I start all this planning? I've taken some adult courses last year to redo my marks and now I have 85+ mark from the high school. I know for a fact that Seneca will let me in once again, only if there is a room but I'm worried that it would be too late once I graduate from a 4-years program.

In this specific situation, should I put the weight on 'Eduation'? or 'Time'? I'm also considering to join the air force once I graduate from college(this is just a consideration). What options do I have on my plate right now? and which one should I fork?

Now if I may ask all of you.., please, I would greatly appreciate if you give me some serious advice.

Thank You again for your time.

[KAG]

I'll be honest with you; Just from reading your post it sounds like your trying to convince yourself that flying is what you want to do. You don’t sound to me like you have the drive to make it to the majors let alone your first flying job as it involves tremendous dedication and drive or a lot of connections and luck. Even then there is no guarantee.

Forget grades, stats, and your best laid plans because this is an industry you cannot plan out!!!
Take me for example, I had 60’s in high school (never studied) but I was fortunate in that I knew flying was all I wanted to do. I was stubborn and dedicated and worked the jobs that were required of me to get to where I am -Westjet. Most people are not that driven to make it in this industry, example of the 40 students that started my college class only 8 are flying. Some are still tossing bags at major airports still talking about that first HO job, but are not willing to leave the comfort of their hometowns.

As for your path, there are so many paths to take (floats, instructing, medevac, corporate, night cargo, forest protection, aerial application(s) and so on,) and most lead where ever you want them to go, in your case the airlines.
This is not a 9-5 career and you will not have much of a life for the first say 5 years. It’s is a lot of work, but can be very rewarding. Myself I’ve had a blast and wouldn’t change much (maybe my high school marks) then again since I love what I do, I’ve never really worked a day in my life.

So to get back to your question, if this is really what you want to do (I mean really want it) I might reconsider the college route. If I had to do it all over again I would start by getting a job that pays well and start flying on the side. Pay your flying as you go. Yes you won’t have a college diploma, but you’ll have no debt once you graduate and that is worth just as much IMHO. Makes it easier down the road to make painful choices career wise. Get your licenses and go get that all-important first job. Diploma’s are nice to have but not need to have. I have a diploma and as far as I know it’ didn’t do much for my career.

[gwones]

Thank you KAG, for your advice. I agree with you and honestly, say, if I really really wanted this to happen, I might have worked my way through the tough work at Seneca, which I didn't. I make excuses but it all comes down to "How much I really want to become a pilot".

To be honest with myself, after many failures, now I do have the will, and the drive but I just don't know which step to take right now. I may have thought about this over and over again if this was something that I have dreamed of since I was young but this is something that I've discovered late at my age. I think this is the problem. However, on top of everything, I truly believe that this will be part of my life and I will become one.

I have applied to five colleges like I've mentioned above but I'm not sure which one would be the best path for me. Aside from deciding a college, since I have about 8 months until the new semester, I know that I can & should start working on something which would put me into the same position as everybody else, once I get into the school but this is where I get lost.., What are some things that I can do, to get myself prepared? considering the fact that I'm way behind everyone else, 'experience-wise'.

By the way, I totally respect your opinion about college, however, I wish to choose my path within the options I have above. No offence though Thanks again KAG and please come back to this thread if you can give further advice! I would really appreciate it.

[deflux]

As far as what to do between now and next September goes...

Have you actually flown a small aircraft before? If not then at least go to a local FTU for a familariztion flight...

Other than that, you could get a head start on the theory stuff. Go get from the ground up, the AIM, learn how to read the CFS, go through the air command weather book, etc.

[gwones]

As far as what to do between now and next September goes...

Have you actually flown a small aircraft before? If not then at least go to a local FTU for a familariztion flight...

Other than that, you could get a head start on the theory stuff. Go get from the ground up, the AIM, learn how to read the CFS, go through the air command weather book, etc.

Thank you for your advice deflux. I now know that studying is definately crucial and its on my top list I could use all the textbooks I've used from Seneca.

Also I will go and do a familiarization flight in coming weeks. It seems like you're from Hamilton? I currently reside in Oakville, would you be able to recommend me one place?

Thanks again!

[KAG]

I didn’t mean to come across as harsh, but I hate seeing people waste money, and I have met a lot of people that have spent 35K to never work a day in aviation. I figured my challenging your convictions might scare ya a bit, which it didn’t so good on ya.

If you’re dead set on Flight College then you will get into one in time, your marks are more then good enough. In the mean time study a few books, mainly air law (AIM), basic theory of flight and the flight training manual or whatever it’s called now a days. Get yourself ready to write your Pstar exam.
I would also try to get a job at a local airport doing whatever just to be around planes and pilots. Working at a small school would be perfect as it would give you lots of chance to learn free of charge by asking instructors questions about everything from lesson plans to career choices. Any exposure you can gain to aviation now will pay back tenfold during your training and help you decide what path to take once your finish. The first step is to get flying, nothing will happen until you get your licenses.

Also, I have worked with many pilots that didn’t decide they wanted to become a pilot as a career until later in life; it’s not always a boy/girl hood dream. All it takes is dedication.

[deflux]

Closest FTU to you would be Spectrum Airways at Burlington Airpark (which is actually in Milton)

I don't have any experience with them but I haven't heard anything bad either...

[gwones]

I didn’t mean to come across as harsh, but I hate seeing people waste money, and I have met a lot of people that have spent 35K to never work a day in aviation. I figured my challenging your convictions might scare ya a bit, which it didn’t so good on ya.

If you’re dead set on Flight College then you will get into one in time, your marks are more then good enough. In the mean time study a few books, mainly air law (AIM), basic theory of flight and the flight training manual or whatever it’s called now a days. Get yourself ready to write your Pstar exam.
I would also try to get a job at a local airport doing whatever just to be around planes and pilots. Working at a small school would be perfect as it would give you lots of chance to learn free of charge by asking instructors questions about everything from lesson plans to career choices. Any exposure you can gain to aviation now will pay back tenfold during your training and help you decide what path to take once your finish. The first step is to get flying, nothing will happen until you get your licenses.

Also, I have worked with many pilots that didn’t decide they wanted to become a pilot as a career until later in life; it’s not always a boy/girl hood dream. All it takes is dedication.

Thank you again. Like what you've said, it's not always a boy/girl hood dream. I should start putting something into an action. At least I could spend the next 7-8 months studying textbooks right? Maybe it will help a lot once I actually get into college, academically. I should just get this college education over with asap. I should also start looking for a job at the local airport too in the coming weeks.

I appreciate your advice again KAG! Have a good one

[gwones]

Closest FTU to you would be Spectrum Airways at Burlington Airpark (which is actually in Milton)

I don't have any experience with them but I haven't heard anything bad either...

Thank You very much deflux! I've just found their website as well

[Embraer190]

I'm also considering to join the air force once I graduate from college(this is just a consideration).

Military offers good pay and benefits, but you have to work hard and the selection process is tough. Keep your options open. The advice the other guys have given you is good.

[Omzmoh]

Hello gwones,

This is funny because I am in the exact same situation as you. I've been reading posts on this site for a long time and could not find any answers to help me with my situation. I am 23 years old and have been wasting a lot of time deciding what I would like to do for a career. I went to Georgian college and completed one year in their Laurentian Psychology program before I switched to business last September. I had been seriously thinking about becoming a pilot for a couple of years but didn't think it was possible. My financial situation was the greatest and it seemed the only way it could happen is if I joined the military. I also didn't dream of becoming a pilot since I was a kid, so I never explored the industry and some of the different paths you can take to become a pilot. I also question whether or not it's too late to start a career as a pilot. I know it's a tough industry and it takes a lot of hard work and time to work your way up. Am I too far behind? I will be 28 years old with a few hundred hours by the time I finish the program.

Anyhow, after spending 2 months in the business program, I decided to drop it and finally persue a career as a pilot. Getting a degree is important to me and I would like to be well educated so my options were limited as to which school I should apply to. I decided to apply to Seneca's flight program for this fall and I am actually going in for the pre-admission testing two weeks from now.

You said that you went to Seneca and started the flight program. I was wondering what your thoughts were of the program and if it's what you expected. If you don't mind giving me some advice, can you tell me how the pre-admission testing was and if it was difficult to get accepted?

Thanks for your time. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

[precision_approach]

I have to say that to a guy who didn't start flying until he was 51, the worries of 20-year-olds that they have left it too late is pretty amusing.

That said, there is a whole summer of good flying weather ahead before college starts and it makes sense to get some training in ahead of time. Remember that only about 30% of the people admitted to the college flight training programs will make the cut at Christmas. If you want to be in the 30% you likely need a leg up on the competition.

I would encourage anyone to get an academic education as well as acquiring the vocational skills to be a pilot, not because it will help in the job market, but simply because you will never regret it as you get older. I've studied a pretty wide range of subjects at the university level, from astronomy to zoology, economics to russian, with a couple of degrees in geography and geochemistry thrown in for good measure - and my "real job" is none of these. I manage a computer network, yet have a library full of art books and novels - as well as the obligatory shelves of aviation books and magazines - and don't regard time spent on all these other pursuits as wasted in any way. I can carry on a decent conversation about most things in life and can struggle along in a couple of languages besides English. Being directionless sometimes has its benefits.

Getting back to the main post, the offered advice about working the ramp at a flight school is a good one. Don't expect great hours or good pay. You're there to soak up the atmosphere (and the 100LL). If you do that for a summer and still want to fly as a career, then probably you have the dedication necessary.

Full disclosure: I have an interest in Aviation International in Guelph. We might - MIGHT - have a ramp position available once things warm up. Absolutely no promises at this stage. Of course we do have aircraft and instructors available for that leg up I mentioned above. Our new website is under construction, but contact info is available at www.aviationinternational.com

[zlin_pilot]

From what a military recruiter has told me, CURRENTLY you need a university degree to be accepted. This was changed really recently, as a few years ago, you needed nothing but to pass the selection process. That was when they were really short pilots...apparently they are not scrounging for pilots like they used to be so they upped the pilot acceptance minimums to a university degree. I'm sure this will change in the near future as they become more desperate for pilots again.