Pilot Journey Forums

Hi guys.  This may not be posted in the right place, but it seemed there wasn't any recent replies or posts in the flight training forum.  I am a private pilot with 69.5 hours TT, 18 of which are XC, 4 IFR.  I have a BA in Computer Information Systems and have an excellent job in IT with a fairly large firm in Oklahoma City.  However, I always wanted to have a career in the aviation industry.  Whether its as a regional airline pilot, corporate pilot, freight pilot, whatever, I would love to be flying for a living.  I never had the money to go to flight school in college, but now I have SOME money, but not a lot.  I am looking for the fastest, cheapest way to get my multi, instrument, commercial, and CFI ratings.  I can't afford to go to an expensive 4 yr flight school like at the University of Oklahoma or something, but I think I could afford to go to a smaller private flight school that lets you train at your own pace (financially).  I am looking for other members and adminstrators thoughts on training privately with a goal of having a flying career as opposed to training at a 4 yr college and getting a degree in Aviation Science or Professional Piloting.  What is everyone's thoughts on getting the instrument and commercial ratings in a multi in order to build valuable multi time as opposed to getting the instrument and commercial ratings in a single and getting the multi as an add on.  Lastly, what are some tips on how to get these ratings in the shortest time possible and the lowest cost possible.  I thank anyone in advance for replying.  Thanks a lot!

If I were you, I'd call around to some of the area FBO's and get their rates for instructors and aircraft.  Visit some that look promising.  Remember, that it's you that determines how fast you can get your ratings, considering that the aircraft and instructor are on standby and not super busy.  Start off with the instrument, then the commercial and CFI.  Start acculumulating some hours and then worry about the multi.

Need a tip on how to complete them the fastest?  Focus.  Focus on your goal and study smartly.  Really focus on the instrument portion of the ratings, they will be the most used of everything you will learn, and will also be the hardest to keep proficient on.  When it's time for the airline interview, no matter where it is at, it will be 99% instrument.

Good luck

Combine your multi, HP, and Complex with some IFR training, if you train in complex, HP it all counts. once you get those ratings you can accumulate time when you can. The best way to accumulate time is with another pilot getting IFR simulated time. Some pilots need IFR time and need a safety pilot, you as safety pilot with ratings get PIC time and do not pay for anything. Most of IR, Comm is time.

Dan