How do I finance this??
Posted by DefiantWave8316@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 24 comments
Hey y'all. I have wanted to fly since I was a little kid, but for some stupid reason, got caught up in societal messaging and ended up pursuing a classic 4-year degree path instead. I've never used my degree, nor do I plan on using it. I currently work at a nonprofit and I love my job, but it's not what I want to do long-term.
I desperately want to fly. Flying is the only thing that lights me up inside. When I see planes take off and land, I get full body chills and sometimes it even makes me cry. I'm clearly passionate about it. I know this is what I want to do. And when I say "this", I don't mean airline flying. I have no desire to pursue the airlines, although I LOVE watching them all take off and land. I'd genuinely rather fly small planes all day.
The problem is I have like... no money lol. I'm sure this is a pretty common theme on this subreddit. But I'm just looking for some realistic advice (please keep it realistic, not pessimistic).
I'm working on saving up for my PPL right now, and am also hoping to find some scholarships or grants to apply to. I'm a woman, so if there are any grants/scholarships specifically aimed at getting more women into aviation, please feel free to share those resources.
I know this whole process of getting fully licensed to fly professionally will probably cost upwards of $80k.
How smart/dumb is it to pay for the PPL, and then let's say I don't find any other funding sources for the rest of my licensing/ratings, take out loans to finance the rest of it?
I'm hesitant to take on debt because I've been debt free for the last few years. I don't inherently think of debt as bad, but it does stress me out to think about paying off even more student loans than I've already paid off.
I guess I'm looking to bounce ideas around in terms of how to finance this without a large savings account, GI bill, etc.
Thanks in advance, happy flying
Complex-Brief69@reddit
Paying cash for PPL and using loans for the rest is fine and pretty much the standard recommendation.
Save up 15k and go from there.
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
good to know, thanks
TxAggieMike@reddit
Do your best to remain debt free forever.
Many CFI’s barely make enough to cover rent, food, utilities, and transportation.
Do you really want to tack on a $1200 debt payment to that?
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
absolutely not. yeah, i'm learning through the responses here that this is a baaaad idea to take out loans. i deeply appreciate your advice!
Santos_Dumont@reddit
Based on your post history money is not your problem.
Using marijuana and flying are incompatible lifestyles.
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
wow that's super judgmental of you. I'm sober.
Plastic-Scar-5074@reddit
I guess the faa is judgmental too. 2 years since using an illegal substance (marijuana) if you want a medical
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
yes, i understand that. why do you think i quit?
moxiedoggie@reddit
You quit less than one month ago. Flying isn’t for everyone.
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
the way y'all go and stalk peoples' profiles is weird af. not once would i think to do that, i'd just answer the question in front of me lmao. weirdos.
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
agreed. it is for me, though.
redditburner_5000@reddit
This was the right thing to do.
Well..uh...that's a problem. You need money to do this thing right.
Use your degree and earn more money.
Perfect. Keep doing this!
Not very smart. Big risk.
This is a monumental achievement. Don't trade it away for high interest debt pursuing a fickle career. Be smart, save, and take your time.
When you get your certificates, you'll be less desperate for work and will be able to take offers that others can't because you'll have the ability to stretch a little further.
Don't. You should do everything you can to cashflow the certificates. If it were easy, everyone would do it. But it's not.
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
thank you, i really appreciate this advice! i don't want to use my degree, it's a depressing field at the moment, but i am definitely working on earning more money in the nonprofit sector.
flying-ModTeam@reddit
You want to become a pilot? That's great! Most of us at r/flying have been in your shoes before.
Please browse through our FAQ as we have amassed a large amount of material and wisdom over the years about how to become a pilot, whether you're considering flying as a career or just as a hobby. We're sure to have address nearly any concern you might have about the process.
In the event that you have any specific concerns we haven't yet addressed, please feel free to post a question about your situation.
Good luck and have fun!
mrdickhead@reddit
AOPA has a bunch of scholarships, including some specifically for women.
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/students/aopa-flight-training-scholarships
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
thank you for this!
TxAggieMike@reddit
Please read what u/RaisetheDed has to say about Paying for Flight Training With Loans/Debt
Your best path is worry/obtain one certificate at a time.
Focus on completing PPL and do so out of pocket.
This is the conservative way that keeps you from financial trouble. Especially if you change your mind about the full send during or shortly after PPL.
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
thank you so much, will read up right now!!
bhalter80@reddit
Save up, if you can't save 15k in 2 years you can't pay off a loan
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
real!! i can do that.
akav8r@reddit
Just remember, there are a lot of people out there right now that took $100K in loans thinking they would get a job right away and are now facing the harsh reality that they can't get hired anywhere... and now have loans they have to pay off.
I know one personally who is making $38K/yr as a CFI with no end in sight.
DefiantWave8316@reddit (OP)
this is really good to know, thank you
nwmountaintroll@reddit
There is no easy answer. Each path requires sacrifice. I tried loans, scholarships, paying out of pocket, scrounging, and eventually after a few years of that joined the Army because none of it was working. Then when I left I spent my savings and a year of GI Bill doing a rotor transition program and lived in my car on reserve in the employee lot at my base during my first year at an airline.
You gotta do what you gotta do.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hey y'all. I have wanted to fly since I was a little kid, but for some stupid reason, got caught up in societal messaging and ended up pursuing a classic 4-year degree path instead. I've never used my degree, nor do I plan on using it. I currently work at a nonprofit and I love my job, but it's not what I want to do long-term.
I desperately want to fly. Flying is the only thing that lights me up inside. When I see planes take off and land, I get full body chills and sometimes it even makes me cry. I'm clearly passionate about it. I know this is what I want to do. And when I say "this", I don't mean airline flying. I have no desire to pursue the airlines, although I LOVE watching them all take off and land. I'd genuinely rather fly small planes all day.
The problem is I have like... no money lol. I'm sure this is a pretty common theme on this subreddit. But I'm just looking for some realistic advice (please keep it realistic, not pessimistic).
I'm working on saving up for my PPL right now, and am also hoping to find some scholarships or grants to apply to. I'm a woman, so if there are any grants/scholarships specifically aimed at getting more women into aviation, please feel free to share those resources.
I know this whole process of getting fully licensed to fly professionally will probably cost upwards of $80k.
How smart/dumb is it to pay for the PPL, and then let's say I don't find any other funding sources for the rest of my licensing/ratings, take out loans to finance the rest of it?
I'm hesitant to take on debt because I've been debt free for the last few years. I don't inherently think of debt as bad, but it does stress me out to think about paying off even more student loans than I've already paid off.
I guess I'm looking to bounce ideas around in terms of how to finance this without a large savings account, GI bill, etc.
Thanks in advance, happy flying
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