Hi. I am 16, and I will graduate high school with my associates degree in 2020. I have been flying for about a year and a half and will obtain my private license on my 17th birthday in Jan. I am currently thinking about going ATP fast track after high school graduation, then working toward my bachelors degree while instructing.
My questions:
What do I do about my flight training in the meantime? I know I need to stay active, but it’s expensive, and I’m not sure how that will affect my plans for ATP.
I was considering getting a business degree, but I’ve been told that Aviation majors only need 1,000 hours of flight time, rather than 1,500. Like most people here, I’m looking to get into the commercial seat ASAP. Would an Aviation business degree get me there faster?
Thank you so much for any advice you can give. These are big decisions!
Hey Grace, I’m 17 and have my Private Pilot Certificate and also considering ATP. But you should know you cannot go to ATP until you’re 18. For me I will be 18 in a few months so it might be worth the wait, but if I was a year younger and already started training it would probably be faster just to do training at a local school, not wait an entire year till you turn 18 to go to ATP. (If you take 1 year to do training at a local school instead of 6 months at ATP, or if you waited a whole year then did 6 months at ATP would take 18 months total. And a local school will most likely be cheaper anyways.) Plus we will be a CFI or working part 135 or 91 when we have 1500 or more hours since we can’t get an R-ATP and start working 121 until we turn 21.
Also yes an aviation degree from an FAA approved 141 university allows you to get your ATP at only 1,000 hours. But with your age you should have more then 1,500 before you turn 21 anyways.
I would probably just stop flying for a bit (after obtaining your PPL). When it does come time to start at ATP, you can always get back up to speed.
To qualify for the reduced hours, you would need to attend all four years at an aviation college and do your flight training with them as well. For you, this would mean restarting your training and college experience all over. I doubt that you would find that it was worth it.
I would get a degree in whatever interests you, preferably something different than aviation as it is always good to have a backup plan.
As Chris said this is a very common misconception. Simply having an aviation degree will do nothing to reduce you hours towards you R-ATP. Again the flight training MUST be done as PART of the degree program. 2020 you’ll be 18, have your PPL and a 2yr degree. 2.5yrs later for your 21st birthday you’ll be sitting right seat at a Regional. Very solid and efficient plan.
Not much to add in terms of answering your questions, but just wanted to send a congrats and well done.
At 16 I was nowhere near understanding of what I wanted to do with my life outside of Friday night’s football game. So, great job in getting started toward your aspiring career and great job on seeking out advice. Keep working hard and you’ll be miles ahead of those your age in the near future!
Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement. I’m not sure I can deal with not flying for a length of time. I only fly once per week now, and I’d fly every day if I could afford it.
I appreciate the words of wisdom. This helps me to know the right path to take to pursue my dreams!