Very good points.

I agree with most of the comments made and their validity.

If your goal is an airline career, go with one of the major flight academy's (especially if you already have a college degree).

Most are located in Florida. 

Some aviation colleges can also help out and make sure you will get properly trained and educated.

If, however, family and your present financial situation do not allow this, take some lessons locally.  You need to allow for 2-3 lessons per week to make it worth your while. 

I was lucky and was able to pay my way through, one rating at a time.  I started in August and had my PPL in March (working 40-50 hours per week)  I was only flying 1-2 per week and went through 3 different instructors.  Instructors have a tendency of being there one day and getting another job offer the next, especially in a busy airport area.

Anyway, I got my PPL when I was 27 and had a salaried pilot job when I was 30.  I did not go the airline route, and happy I did not.  There are those who like the airlines and those who do not want to work there.

I am extremely happy with what I do and am proof you can do it quickly with a family.

Brian

Yeong,

First off, congradulations for taking the first few steps.  I hope that you have gotten over your first set of butterflies and have chosen to continue. 

My suggestion, although maybe too late now, is to take a flight with another instructor.  If the last instructor made you feel uncomfortable, you may need another teacher.  Remember, YOU are paying the instuctor.  He should make you feel comfortable and create a positive learning enviroment.  If he doesn't, you will not learn as well, if at all.

Brian

Follow your dreams.  I can tell you that here in the US we do not need any more doctors that do not like their jobs!!  Lawyers too!!  There is no problem with a career change in your mid twenties; I did it.  I got my private license when I was 27, now I fly cargo.  A lot more gratifying than my last job managing a credit union!!

Brian

The most cost effective way is to become an instructor, in your case an instructor in the military.  That may not be possible on your current plan, but it is my 2 cents.  Otherwise, you can become a civilian instructor in your area, but the demand is usually not there for rotorcraft instructors.

Brian

Just to let everyone know, there is an airshow scheduled at the UTA (Tunica, MS) the weekend of October 21, 2006.  My company is sending me there for a static display of a FedEx Caravan and I will be there on October 21, 2006.  The only information that I have so far is it is for the Boy Scouts.  Not sure of what, if any, aerobatics or performers will be there.

Brian

Sugeest you speak with the flight school you plan on attending.  Once you make it to the states, there are financing options available, but the problem is that you are a foreign national.  I do not know of any financial institution that will lend money without having credit in the US.  I sold a house to a German national that worked with my wife for Seimen's Automotive.  He was in the US for a few years and needed paperwork from Seimen's and a co-signer (I think that one of the local executives signed) since he was in the US on a work visa.

Good luck, and I hope that you get everything straightened out!!

Brian

Jeff,

First we need to know, do you wish to fly for a company or airline, or do are you looking to purchase your own aircraft to make these transcontinental/international flights? 

I will give you some insight into your other questions.  There are only a few things to international flying that differ from flying locally.  It is just simply, more planning.  You just need to find airports of entry (those with Customs) that can review (if necessary) the plane and passenger documentation (Passports, possibly luggage, etc.).

Otherwise, it is pretty much the same (you will have to deal with different accents) and the charts/IAP's used may look slightly different, but no big deal.

The typical transition is piston-to-turboprop-to-jet.  The only difference is the complexity of the systems.  When you break it all down, they are all just airplanes and the 4 fundamentals of flight apply to all of them the same.

If you want to be a good pilot, learn the right way.  Once you have learned the right way, always do it that way.  Do not take short cuts.  Short cuts are bad habits that can be picked up along the way (not using a checklist, not doing a thorough pre-flight, etc) that will one day catch up to you.

If my experience has taught me anything, it is that I am always learning new things.  Maybe not "learning" things, but seeing and hearing things that I did not think were possible; 9/11 being the most notable.

Brian

Smaller flight departments LOVE A&P's.  If you got your IA, it would be more icing on the cake!  Good luck!!

Brian

JJ,

There are several dozen 141 flight schools out there.  Just try to locate one in your area (yellow pages, AOPA, other search engines).  It is important NOT to start flying until your paperwork (VA benefits) has been approved.  Also, plan on devoting quite a bit of your time to this.  Otherwise, you will not do well in a 141 enviroment.  Instead of once or twice a week, you should plan on three or more for 3-4 hours.  Do not forget to plan on having 1-2 hours of reading/reviewing for the next lesson as well.

Brian

I am not familiar with the flight schools in your area.  I am sure, however, that VA benefits will pay approx. 80% if you go thru a 141 program once you are discharged.  Now, while you are active, I am not sure.  Also I am fairly positive that VA benefits will not pay for 61 training.  From your military training, the 141 training will be a piece of cake.  141 is more paperwork and more structured.  The benefits from the structure means less REQUIRED flight time.  You will fly with more than one instructor, which is not required for 61.  What this allows is a set of checks and balances (alot of 61 schools will also do this, though) for the student and company (instructor).

Now to address your questions about your resume.  You will find out that it does not really matter where your training is recieved, with the exception of the flight universities such as Embry Riddle.  You will however turn a lot of heads with your military background.  I have seen many companies that appear to hire ONLY ex-military.  No joke.

Good luck,
Brian

Go to your benefits package/office.  Ask specifically about VA benenfits on civilan FAA pilots license.  The VA benefits will reimburse around 80% of your training.  Problem is, you must get the approval first.  And you will be limited in which schools you can go to (for the 80% reimbursement).  The school needs to be what is referred to as 141.  A bit more paperwork, but the end result is $$$ back in your pocket.

I do second the notion of getting your fixed wing first being "cheaper" then getting your rotorwing.  This goes to the fact that an airplane is about 1/2 the rental rate of a helo and once you have your Private Pilot License (PPL), the rotorwing add on is just a minimum of around 10 hours.  This should be a no brianer for your experience.  I would think, with your aviation knowledge from the military, you would need around 45 hours of 141 fixed wing training in the San Diego area.

Brian

Well, we did get a bit off the original topic, but we are the only ones here!!!  I am sorry to hear about your hardships; both family and career.  Sounds like you are a very dedicated pilot, which makes better pilots IMHO.  Some people look at this as a job; the day this becomes a job to me will be the day I quit!  I love flying too much.

I remember getting onto a G I, but never flew on it (my Dad's company plane).  He went on to fly GII/IIB and GIV.  He is now GIV instructor in SAV at Flight Safety.

Good luck with your future endeavors.

Brian

Don't take this the wrong way, but those are not typically rental aircraft.  You are probably going to have to find an owner that is willing to lease some time to you directly.  The Catch 22 is that unless you have plenty of time in the plane, the insurance company will not allow it.  I would think that the C310 would only require 25-40 hours in type but the others probably higher.

You could always look to purchase one, or find someone in partnering up.  I would be interested in any of those planes, and am actually looking at some C310's (not the R model, just too many engine problems)

Brian

Although for most people I do not recommend the flight academy's, they do have advantages for some.  If you know you want an airline career, I would suggest going to one that "guarantees" an airline interview once you have giving them your $40-60K.  Just remember, that you will get all of the basics of GA and be groomed for the airlines.  In other words, I do not recommend this route for pilots who wish to fly there families around in C182 or whatever. 

I have heard plenty of stories, and pilots are like fishermen, the stories get ssttrreettcchheedd a bit.  One was of an FO who was a wiz kid at one of the academies.  He had, however, never had any real actual IMC.  The captain looked over at him, and he was white as a ghost and pretty much useless the rest of the flight.

If you look at companies that are hiring 135 and even 91 (corporate avaition) pilots, versus the 121 carriers hiring, you will notice a VAST gap in experience levels.  Of course, the pay is also usually skewed just as much, if not more!!

Brian

It will depend on a few factors.  One factor being where you live.  If you live in a more rural area, it will probably be cheaper to rent the aircraft.  The flip side, is the instructors may not have as much expirience as a larger more metropolitan area.  Another factor is going to be what type of plane is offered for primary instruction  Most flight schools use older equipment, but that is quickly changing and fleets are replacing 1960's-1970's aircraft for late 90's and newer aircraft (say a $50K capital investment vs. $300K capital investment).  For instance an older, well kept C-172 can go for $60-90 depending on equipment and location in the country.  A 2006 C-172 will probably go for $125+ per hour. 

Also, the type of aircraft the flight school offers will affect the cost.  Some may offer only one brand/manufacturer (i.e. Cessna Flight Training Centers offer Cessna products), while others (most) offer a wider variety.  One of the most prominent aircraft for primary training is C172.  Others include Piper Cherokee's and Diamond Katana's.  For more advanced primary training, other schools offer Cirrus SR20/SR22.  I say more advanced because, these aircraft are faster and always come with advanced avionics.  We offered our SR20 at about $160/ hour and the SR22 at $200/ hour.

Anyway, once you find a school in your area, you can count on these costs:  minimum of 40 flight hours (usually 55-70 hours before checkride).  Minimum of 20 hours instruction, probably more like 60. (BTW, instructors go from $25-60/hour, depending on location and aircraft used).  Study materials, charts, misc items can go from about $100 up to $500 for the basics.  You can find some of the stuff used on E-bay, Amazon, AOPA, or the like.  You can also spend much more if you opt for DVD's and get more than the basics.  Headset (highly recommended, but most schools will "rent" headsets for a nominal fee) can go from $150-$1000.  Medical usually $70-100.  Checkride fee, if you use a DPE, $250-350.

Hope this helps.  Also, you may qualify for student loans or VA benefits.  If you think you may, check it out before taking your first lesson (the government gets real picky in this situation).  If this fails, there are still finance options such as Sallie Mae.

Brian