Hello everybody! My name is Travis and I was just approved for financing with Sallie Mae for the Career Pilot Program Fast Track. I am extremely excited about this opportunity and honestly didn’t think my finance application would get approved. To all of the potential students out there with a subpar credit score, find a good co-signer. Sallie Mae will overlook some minor mistakes as long as you have a reputable co-signer. Due to a mistake on my part a few years ago, my credit sat at 595 when I applied and I had my aunt co-sign. The anticipation of waiting for the answer drove me crazy so I hope this will help alleviate some stress for those with low credit. While I didn’t get the best interest rate, I see this program as an investment that will pay dividends in the long run. FYI I’m taking out 115k and was still approved.
I have my introductory flight on Sunday and can’t wait. I am transitioning out of a career in law enforcement to take on this endeavor. I am looking to potentially start around March 15 - April 1 when the weather is nice here in KC. In the meantime, I still need to get my first class medical out of the way and will be hammering away studying for the written. Any advice from some of the veterans will be much appreciated! The fear of failure has been sitting in the back of my mind as I am coming into this with no prior experience in aviation, just a blue-collar work ethic, and determination to accomplish my goal of being an airline pilot. I look forward to conversating with you all and hopefully crossing paths with some of you on the runway in a few years!
Thank you for the introduction and the information on your loan application process. Keep in mind that many people refinance their loans after completing the program into something with a lower rate.
Please let us know how the introductory flight goes and when you sign up.
Travis,
Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on being approved for your loan. That’s one of the biggest hurdles to entry in this career. Also, thank you for your service in law enforcement!
When it comes to advice, it seems like you’re doing everything right so far. Financing secured, medical to go and writtens in progress. Don’t worry about not having any prior experience. Many people don’t outside of an intro flight! Your work ethic and “blue collar determination” will be far bigger factors contributing to your success over the long run than any previous experience.
Have fun on your intro flight! Please keep us updated on your progress to securing your class date.
Congrats on getting your loan approved through Sallie Mae, securing the funding is probably one of the hardest steps in this journey. In the longevity of things, it will only be a fraction of the journey to where your path takes. The First Class Medical you will want to get out of the way as soon as possible, some of the biggest issues I am seeing with names (full name) not matching from ID to medical.
Enjoy your introductory flight, it’s a fun one!
Since you’re planning to start in March/April, you will have time to start working on your King School Private Pilot Ground course, I highly recommend getting a head start once you are given access to the Student Extranet. I’ve been recommending my private students to also study for the Commercial written since it is similar material, and you could get two writtens out of the way; if time allocated then you could work on the Instrument ones. You can do as many writtens before your start date as you would like. This would really set you ahead of the game.
Travis, first off congratulations on getting approved!
I have a start date at the MKC location of March 7th and I can’t wait for that day to get here. My head was in a very similar place to yours but I’m glad I’ve pursued it to this point.
Get those written’s knocked out and hopefully I’ll see you around!
Hey Travis! Thanks for saying hello. Also thank you for your service to the community.
My only advice to you right now would be to check out the FAQ section. In there you will find helpful articles on how to set yourself up for success including getting the written test done before your start date. One note about the writtens, getting them done ahead of the program is optional, but highly encouraged. Don’t worry if you don’t get any of them done. There is enough time in the program to complete them.
Thank you all for the replies and advice. I look forward to collaborating with you all and will keep everybody interested updated on my progress throughout the program.
Travis, I am located just outside of KC in the lees summit area. If you have any questions on anything don’t hesitate. I just scheduled my instrument and flight instructor instrument written for this coming Tuesday.
Oh, nice. I live in South OP and work at the plaza. I’d definitely like to get together for a cup of coffee sometime if you have time to talk about study tips, ATP, and aviation in general. Let me know if this is something you’d be interested in. Go Chiefs!
Congratulations Travis on taking this step into a new career. I completed the program in November at MKC. They have a great group of instructors at one of the coolest airports to fly in and out of.
Hey guys, fellow Missouri guy here though currently living in Wyoming…my wife and I are likely moving back to the area in the next year or so and would love to continue to hear how your experience is at MKC as we have family in the area and I’m looking into that school. Heck maybe one of you will be my flight instructor in the future!!
I’m actually instructing at ATD (confusing with ATP also at the airport) just down the street. I still stop by ATP and say hi to everyone every now and then.
Update:
I have locked in my start date for March 14! I started the Kings Private Pilot ground school program on Feb. 11 and took my PAR written exam today Feb. 25th. I received a score of 97%.
Now, I have a little over two weeks to make my goal of at least getting the PAR, IRA, and FII done before starting the program. Can’t wait to get in the air!
Congratulations in locking in a start date and excellent work on the PAR written!
I will be honest, getting both of those written exams done in two weeks might be a bit optimistic, but it is certainly worth a shot. Try to keep those upper 90 percentile grades going.
Thank you for the update, please keep them coming as you go through the program.
That is a great way to be starting the program, Travis! Getting those out of the way will set so much time aside for you during the program to focus on other things. Well done!
Promise us that you won’t waste the extra time that you’ve just carved out for yourself. There is always something to be working on. Keep this momentum going throughout the program.