I am have been trying to think of ways that I can pay for flying lessons.I have been paying for them for a while and am starting to run out of money. I am pretty occupied with school and sports (I’m in high school) during the weekdays, so it would kind of be hard for me to get a job to pay for them, so I would love to hear how you paid for your lessons and of scholarships/loan programs you know of.
I also intend to pursue a career in the aviation field.
#1 by Rob G on February 28th, 2010
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Wait until you are older, have a real job and can afford to take flying lessons. Seriously, very few high school students can afford to take flying lessons especially when there are more important things to worry about (your first car and paying for college). The only high school kids I knew that took flying lessons could only afford it because their parents paid for it.
Flying is expensive. Concentrate on getting your first car, going to college and preparing for your career. When you happen to have some extra cash, then worry about flying lessons.
I had to wait until I was a couple years into my first career (about 23 years old) before I could even think about being able to afford flying lessons. Flying is a luxury and something you shouldn’t be spending every penny you have on.
edit: I would still give the same advice even for people planning on being a career pilot. A car and college is more important right now. While in college, concentrate on your studies (which should be in a field completely unrelated to aviation so you have a backup career). If you happen to have enough spare time and money, during college, then sure start flying. If you have to wait until after college, or even after working full time doing something else, it is perfectly fine and something many airline pilots had to do… including myself.
#2 by T.J. on February 28th, 2010
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Well aside from getting a job there aren’t a whole lot of options. AOPA.org and other websites might have some scholarship opportunities but they are limited. A loan is another option but not really worth it if you aren’t pursuing aviation as a career. Do you go to school all summer as well? I have part time jobs when I am in school and a more-or-less full time job in the summer. If you’re serious about flying you may also want to cut down on the sports to get a job.
Try applying at an airport around you. Airports prefer to hire people with some aviation experience and a desire to learn about it. You’ll be able to meet pilots who can help you along the way and you may even pick up some cheap flight time (just paying for fuel or something).
If none of these work, wait a few years and see how things work out.
#3 by John on February 28th, 2010
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Get a steady job. My cousin flies Sikorsky helicopters, flying is a lot more expensive that it use to be.
#4 by Daniel on February 28th, 2010
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I have a job and I’m saving every penny on flying lessons contrary to what Rob G says. I am a very stubborn person and I probably will not have a car when I’m 16…
As for loans..Don’t do it if you don’t have to. You could end up paying 20k more in ARP/Interest rates
Moral of the story…Wait until your in College and then decide what career you want to pursue.
#5 by Alloy Boy on February 28th, 2010
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You can wait until you can work a steady job and then pay for it, or you can get a loan when you get done with high school and blast through the training as quickly as possible.
You can also can go to mechanic school and fix planes for flight time.
Convince your dad to help you buy a little Cessna 152 and learn on that, the sell it.
There is a book – Aviation Scholarship Directory that has a lot of scholarships, check that out.