Hi, I have always had a dream to travel and I always loved the idea of becoming a pilot.
I am 21 years old with an almost 1 year old son. My goals have took a detour these past couple years. Now my partner is leaving for the Navy soon this coming year and I really don’t want to give up or push back my dream of becoming a pilot to much longer.
I am wondering what the work load is like and how often training is. As well as if anyone has had similar experience and how it went for them. Also when it comes to financially. How much does all of required school typically cost and how soon can i expect to start a job after completing all training.
Thank you all in advance!
Effective flight training requires consistency. This is why the airlines and the military train their pilots daily and you should do the same. ATPs Airline Career Pilot Program is a full-time commitment over 9mos at a cost of $109k. Once you’ve completed training you’ll need to build the required 1500hrs to fly for an airline. Most people accomplish this by flight instructing. After that you’d need to apply to the various airlines of your choice.
I suggest you visit ATPs website. There’s tons of great info:
The ATP program is an accelerated airline career program. It will be more demanding that a full time job and take your sole focus for a year. After that if you choose to build your time flight instructing, you’ll spend even more time per day at the training center with your students.
I don’t say this to scare you, I just want you to have a realistic picture of what it will take from you. Without a partner at home to watch your 1 year old nearly full time, I really down see how it will work right now. It’s hard enough on pilots with kids at home, let alone single parents. I highly recommend waiting until your partner comes home or looking in to other options for childcare.
ATP’s ACPP is a full-time commitment in itself and while I admire the desire to reach your dream/goal, you may need to find some assistance with the little one. There will be days you will be at the training center all day, there will be nights you’re exhausted from learning, and days you will have to be up super early to fly… I haven’t raised a child/toddler so I can’t speak on that - but I can speak on human needs. Would you have someone that could assist you in raising the little one, since you stated your partner would be going to the Navy, shortly?
As for the financial aspect of the program, costs are publicly noted on the website, through Adam’s link. While being 21, the average 21 year old may or may not have good credit, or enough credit history to secure a loan solely… you will more likely need a co-signor. Terms of loans can vary and typically range from 5-15 years, depending on repayment schedules, etc. I know when I originally agreed to my loan in 2020, at a rate of 12.375%, my total finance charges would have been over $200,000 (almost a whole mortgage on a house) - it’s a commitment in itself. Since then, I’ve refinanced and currently show a 6.00% interest chopping my total finance charges a quarter of what it was.