My Parents Refuse To Let/Support Me To Become a Pilot

[Shiny Side Up]

not sure if that was directed at me or not,

No it wasn't. Just a generalization. Statistically your chances of doing well at something or succeeding and getting support for an endeavor is 800% greater if its also what your father does. Children as it turns out are usually chips off the block - be interesting to see what the opening poster's father does for a living - it probably affects how much support he gets for what interests. Since furthering education - at least the kind which earns you some sort of piece of paper - costs money, being higher up the class ladder certainly affects the support one gets for it from their parents and the acceptability of having a higher eductation. Kids of course don't always fall into these molds, but a large majority do.

For your own situation, your father was a pilot so the chances of your interest probably leaned pretty heavily in that direction. Being an officer in the CF he also would have had a degree of some sort, so the acceptability of also doing that course was there as well. Your children will in all likelyhood also become pilots and pursue a university level education.

Biggest gift you can get from your parents is a genetic head start and a good worth ethic, neither of which cost a penny.

I can't really say for genetic, but since my parents didn't have much by the way of pennies, later in life I've come to realise that they did give me a good work ethic, though like many when they were young, I didn't appreciate it at the time.

[matt777]

If you don't like engineering and don't want to be one, don't do it. The amount of work required isn't worth it unless you want to do it and if you don't want to be learning it, chances are you will do very poorly.

[Pavese]

Plenty of good nuggets here amongst the chatter. Good to see that you're thinking ahead and how you can get there.

If really you are also interested in Aeronautical Engineering and flying is a passion you've got time NOW to make the best of both worlds by combining them! Not that I have first hand experience (except the Engineering) but there are plenty of test pilot Engineers out there so your challenge is to come up with a way to steer your career to get what you want and make a good living at it.

Your parents can probably see that Aeronautical Engineer is going to be a more certain way to a comfortable, consistent living than climbing the ranks through to professional pilot so that's good advice if it's something that you'll be happy doing. Go and research how others got where they are and don't stop until you've made it. If it's something that is attractive to you, have the guts to approach a test pilot Engineer and ask advice, you might just find a mentor while you're at it.

Seriously, I believe you'll get a good response by making inquiries like that. Pick up the phone and call Bombardier or Bell Helo or the aviation test facility of the NRC in Ottawa, ask for the Chief Engineer or Chief Test Pilot and don't stop calling until you talk to a few people who can give good advice. Trust me you'll find Engineer types that will be willing to offer advice. (If there's anyone with contacts, PM the OP! Isn't there someone on here that works on aircraft Rob Erdos flies??? here's a good chance to do something nice)

That kind of decisive goal setting will get you what you want and now is the time to start, before you have any other obligations to hold you down. It's an opportunity you won't have often in your life, if your parents want to support you while you get an education there's not much more you can ask for to get started with. If you can show them that you can have the best of both worlds they should be impressed with your mature thinking.

Excerpt on Rob Erdos from http://www.aero.com/expert/experts.htm:

Rob Erdos is an experimental test pilot and graduate of the US Naval Test Piloting School. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and holds both fixed-wing and helicopter Air Transport Licences. He recieved his wings in the Canadian Air Force, and flew operationally as a Search and Rescue Pilot, followed by a tour as an engineer test pilot with the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment, in Cold Lake, Alberta. He is now with the Flight Research Laboratory of the National Research Council of Canada, and is engaged in research flight testing in handling qualities, performance and airborne systems. He is interested in homebuilt and sport aircraft. erdos@shells1.intranet.ca

Go find out what's possible out there and grab it.

D

[Human Factor]

(If there's anyone with contacts, PM the OP! Isn't there someone on here that works on aircraft Rob Erdos flies??? here's a good chance to do something nice)

Someone here does work on the aircraft that Rob flies, yes.

[RatherBeFlying]

For a 14 year old with not much money, Air Cadets is an excellent start and a great way to develop contacts along with, possibly, gliding and power courses -- you have to earn your way into the courses with a bunch of work going along with the program. Once you have a glider license, you can work your way to a glider instructor rating. With the power license, you can get into flying towplanes.

Many glider clubs have low rates for junior members; our club runs a junior camp where we take soloed Air Cadet pilots and move them on towards cross country soaring. Selena Boyd who was at our junior camp a couple years ago is now flying in Junior contests worldwide. She came through Air Cadets. We often use an Air Cadet for midweek towpilot.

At 14, your first priority is good grades. Remember that as you go through high school and university, you will discover diferent interests, any one of which may prove a better choice for starting out in a career.

Hard work is always the key.

[mdscientist61]

Hard work is always the key.

He is absolutely right about the hard work.

I started taking flying lessons when I was about 15. My parents had to drive me to the airport when I first started. I earned the money to pay for the lessons myself. Back then, I had to work about 9 or 10 hours to earn enough money to pay for one hour of flying. I earned my PPL at age 17 and I earned my CPL at age 20. All of it was paid by earning money on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

I learned early about working hard, saving up for, and finally earning the things I wished for.

Today, you might have to work for 15 or 18 hours to earn enough money to pay for one hour of flying lessons, but you can still do it if you work hard.

Also take seriously the advice about joining the Air Cadets. It is very valuable for you.

Best wishes and good luck to you.