r/PilotAdvice

Hello, I'm currently a couple of months into an aviation maintenance apprenticeship in the UK. In around a month I'm starting my PPL training, as becoming a commercial pilot is my long-term goal.
I was wondering what advice people would give to someone starting their PPL, and also what sacrifices or difficulties people faced early when starting out in aviation. Financially and socially it seems like you have to give up quite a lot at the start, especially while training and building hours.
My current plan is to save up over the next few years, and maybe also apply for some fully funded airline programmes even though the chances of getting those are almost zero.

Me and my friend are located in Alberta, Canada and are looking to fulfill a hobby of ours and get a PPL. We are going into flying for our personal pleasure for now and may/may not go for a CPL in the future, so I would appreciate all the advice and guidance I can get from this reddit. I also want to know if it is reasonable to work towards getting a PPL while also maintaining our 9-5 jobs. I'm looking forward to also hear your experience and motivation behind becoming a pilot. Thank you guys.

Hi all,
I am 36 years old and I have been having a life-long ambition of being a pilot. However all my chances even before going to a flight school were shattered as I failed very badly on the Ishihara Test and I had a squint. I got my squint fixed however I still can't see pass page one of the Ishihara Test. Additionally I actually have some difficulty with locating an object in space as my hand eye coordination is also not very good!
I know this sounds way too gone already but I want to know is there even a slim chance of at least getting a PPL so that I could fly a Cesna?
Btw I can see very well, it's just my color and 3D vision is not good.

I just went over my at home sleep study test with my ent doctor. I got a 5 AHI. Just barely into the mild OSA category. I feel like I'm in the grey area because my sleep quality has been sucking and I have intermittent nights where I wake up while trying to fall asleep gasping for air. I'm probably only 10 pounds overweight and I try my best to sleep in a good position. Some nights are fine and some are spent 3 hours of breathing struggles. And it sucks when I have to call in fatigued or possibly flying tired because I didn't feel like I was subconsciously breathing right trying to fall asleep.

The doctor gave me the option of getting prescribed CPAP machine (or even a mouth adjustment guard) and that it isn't necessary at this level but still has done it before and can. The FAA requires a CPAP at 15 I believe. I left the office without a prescription and we left it open ended and at the moment just reminded me about best ways to sleep and to try a nose strip thing. He said I can call this week after deciding and he will still prescribe it, then I believe it's 30 days of data to send to faa.

My questions are-
Do I still need to report this to the FAA at a 5AHI
if so, can the doc just be like he only has a 5 and nothing required and all good. should I just commit to getting a CPAP? Is it really going to help me enough to make all the hastle worth it? If I get it do I always have to use it? Always have to submit the data? Ect

Any words of advice or info greatly appreciated!

My end goal is to be an airline pilot here in the Philippines and as a dual citizen I have opportunities to train in the US. So I was thinking that the best plan would to do all my training ppl - cfii in the US then build up to around 1000 hours as a cfi then return to PH with all that experience, convert from faa to caap license then start applying sa mga airline. I'd also like to secure a job offer before getting a type rating lets say sa atr.

Also the program for flying that I'd be taking in the US is a 2 year degree that includes ppl-cfii training. Then after getting that degree I would transfer to a university while working part time as a cfi to complete a bachelor's degree in applied science. So basically after 4-5 years in the US, I'd be returning with faa licenses, 1000+ hours as a cfi, and a US bachelor's degree.

So I'd like to know if this plan is reasonable considering my end goal, if I have an advantage against the other student pilots in the ph, and if there's anything I should change. Thanks guys, just need some advice.

Hello, all. I know another loan question. I know pay as you go is better in every situation I have seen, but hear me out.

I currently have 73 hours, all requirements met other than needing to retake my written for my PPL. And 4 hours of Multiengine.

A lot of hours for a PPL I know, but I saved what I assumed was enough (around 15K) my initial time and had to save and try again. But the time between lessons had a pretty great effect on my progression. My second time trying, was a whole other story. I passed the written, got my requirements and was ready for a check ride. By the time I was check ride ready I was close to broke but pulled some strings (and a few OT shifts) and paid for my big day. Just to have my CFI ghost me the morning of, with a checkride at 8AM. Leave me an empty fuel tank and no flight plan. Called the Examiner, let them know of the situation and that I would be running late. (You know how much they loved that) Needless to say it was over before it began. My nerves were shot and I answered the first question wrong and the Examiner told me and I quote “We’re gonna call it there.”

That last paragraph isn’t crucial to the question, but I wanted you to know the headspace I’m in, and the frustration I’m battling chasing the dream we all have.

I’m debating taking out a loan for 40k (30ish thousand for finalizing PPL and other certs up to my CFII) for a part 61 school and the rest for living expenses so I can fully focus on flying and getting said certs as soon as possible.

Even with a max of 18% on the loan I think it’s worth it to finally have my PPL and ratings. I have a kid now, she’s 4 months old, and it’s just going to get harder The longer a wait. I have child care and my bills sorted the 10K is really just a safety net. Kind of a unique situation I have going on and wanted some opinions.

TIA!

I've been working a corporate job for a while now and I hate being trapped in one place with hardly a few weeks a year when I can actually go places and see the world. Looking into different jobs a pilot sounds like a good fit, plus the idea of learning to fly appeals to me.

So some questions:

Do pilots actually get to see their destinations? Even just a few hours or a day per location?

What's the schedule like? I assume it's not a work 5 days a week thing.

How young do I have to be to start? What sort of health issues could disqualify me?

Are pilots unionized?

What's the career path like?

If you're a pilot, what do you like and dislike about your job?

Hey everyone,

I’m 27 years old and currently working as an engineer. I completed my B.Tech and M.Tech in Structural Engineering in 2022, but for a long time I’ve had a strong interest in aviation and becoming a pilot.

Now I’m seriously considering switching careers and starting CPL training, but the investment is huge, so I want some honest guidance from people already in the industry.

My main concerns are:

- Is 27 considered too late to start a pilot career in India?

- Does age become a disadvantage during airline hiring?

- By the time I complete training and build hours, I may be around 29–30. Will airlines prefer younger candidates?

- Is the current market stable enough to justify such a big financial investment?

I know passion matters, but I also want to think practically before leaving a stable engineering job.

Would really appreciate honest advice from pilots, cadets, or anyone working in aviation. Thanks!

28yo career change

Moved to Switzerland in January 2025 for work, spent all the money I made in the first year to clear out my open debts (car payment) which I had open in Italy.

Now I make about 95k/year, live in canton Nidwalden, work in the aerospace industry as an aerospace software engineer (flight simulators) and I've been working in this field for 4 years now; before coming in Switzerland I was on helicopters sims, now on fighter aircrafts.

I'm thinking about this for a year now, my heart is still on helicopters and I'm thinking of leaving software and take a CPL-H to start working as a Pilot.

Financially I've been told that I would be able to take the training (120-150k range, with proper type rating and MOU) without a loan, keeping the corrent job and training part time.

But I was also told that it will take 4-7 years to get back to this paycheck, that it will be very hard to have a stable job, and some other "demoralizing" stuff...

I could never reach this dream in another country without getting into quite a big debt, so.. yeah, any feedback or opinion is greatly appreciated :)

I am 22 years old living in Canada, and finished up my university degree in business last year. Deep down, I have always loved the idea of becoming a pilot. I even got accepted into the Western Flying Program but decided to pursue business. After a year working a corporate job, I have realized how much I hate it. I am itching to quit and work my way to getting my CPL ASAP. Anyone been in a similar boat or have any advice on why or why not I should take the chance? If yes - any good programs in Canada?

Hello! I’m a an afghan refugee (26f) currently in Germany and it is my life dream to become a pilot, I am fluent in 7+ languages including C2 in English and working on my B1 German. Straight A’s in math and physics in my high school diploma from Saudi Arabia as I finished up my education there. My question is what are some the challenges that I might face in my journey seeking a CPL? I am highly passionate about aviation and genuinely cannot see myself in any other career. If you have some insight or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

So my friend who aspire to become a pilot but she has a tiny inconvenience, she is 4'9.(She's 16) Can she become a pilot? And also she has a skin allergy and sinus.

Also should she keep a back up option..a plan b in case things don't work out? Do you think she should give the same importance to her second option....which is prob engineering.

Hello, starting flight school in a week and I’ve been studying the online ground school portion for almost 3 weeks on-and-off.

What qualities, habits, and other variables do CFI’s like in students and which of these should a student pilot learn so that they can succeed in both training and the aviation field.

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TLDR landing hard, but this plane felt... Off. Wasn't sure if it was just new trainiers mishaps or the thermals where really aggressive or what

For reference, this was at an airport with an altitude of 200, freshly resurfaced RW36, with a dentist altitude of 1800 ft. Around 3 pm local time with temps at 85 farenheit, 30.09 for pressures, and winds running around variable to 320 degrees at 7 knots. Temps and pressures being about 60 degrees farenheit and 30.01 for a pressure. The plane was a 1977-1980 Cessna 172N which looked a bit on the medium to slightly neglected side and could have possibly been serviced a little better but still acceptable from an automotive mechanics side of things, save for a bald spot on the co pilots wheel that was not thread barren. I myself am starting out as a pilot, but only running about 3 flights with each bring about 30 minutes to an hour each, and today was the first time for landings and operating in the midday to afternoon.

The actual problem seemed to arise when on finalfor the circuit. Though it's easy to chalk it up to 'beginners mishaps,' it was alarming enough that as a military veteran, avid adventure motorcyclist, and paramedic; that it had spooked me and had sent me into shakes and anxiety for the rest of the flight.

Turning from Base to final, we would start a slight bit high. From our position at 1.5 miles away from 36, we where about 800-900ft high (with runway altitude being approx 200 feet) and the PAPI would show full white for each approach onto final. While workig with transition from 2nd notch flaps to full flaps, we where working approx 70kias to 60, sometimes even 55 given my tendacy to slow our descent on accident.

1 mile out and now about 600 ft in altimeter, the plane seemed to start violently fluttering, constantly being pushed in every direction and while yawing and pitching all the while. At times, it felt that the plane had issues and had to be handled more akin to sumo wrestling rather than using the gentle and soft hands akin to riding a horse. Never where we stable in our approach, as their was never a way to direct smoothly....only roughly each time.

Coming toland and working ourselves into the glide pathb with some slight variation between 2 and 3 whites on the papi, it was commonplace for the plane to be fishtailing as we where 200 feet AGL. Only once getting to ground effect did we get any sense of normalcy, with us needing to angle to the left in order to continue straight at about the 11 oclock angling. However, new to this, the aircraft was common to lurch and rotate, feeling to tilt before settling onto all three castors... Which, felt like their was no authority over when using solely the rudder at landing speed. This happened many times over where the landing was harsh; never a bounce, never porpoising but always a good bit of instability with never the aim you truly commanded. I did happen to catch that this plane had elevator trim that aimed to the right, but it did little to alleviate this and could have contributed to fighting the controls while taking off from a touch and go.

Compared from a newer 1998 Cessna 172S, this aircraft felt night and day. No constant fighting, no constant pressure, nothing. Fairly easy times. I'm primarily looking for advice and for second opinions on if this is the normal, or if it's abnormal the way it was. If more data is needed, please do reach out. The flight instructor was calm and a accomodating, but a bit 'buddy buddy relaxed,' which, I wasn't exactly certain if this could have been an issue either.

I’m currently 18 and I’m about to graduate highschool and I was thinking of just working and doing part 61 flight school to complete my ratings. And I wanted to ask if it is a good idea to just do that with no college for no and then after I’d become a CFI or something I’d begin an online degree (I already have some credits due to classes I took in highschool) and also what the chances could be like of being hired at a regional if I’m at that point still in my online degree program?

(I’ve already taken a couple flights already in the fall, and I have a first class medical)

I’ve been unemployed now for 8 months since getting my CFII. I’ve time built and independently instructed. At 150 hours short of my minimums and absolutely hating life. It’s a rush to minimums for nothing.

I recently got accepted into a fully sponsored pilot training program at a major airline (won’t say which one for privacy reasons).

They cover 100% of the training costs, and I’d even receive a salary during training. Realistically, this is an opportunity I never thought I’d get.

The thing is, I’m conflicted.

I also have another path available in music / sound design, which is something I’m already skilled at and have spent years studying. Creativity has always been a big part of my life.

On the other hand, I’ve never actually flown a plane before, so I genuinely have no idea whether airline flying is something I’d love long-term or whether I’m romanticizing it. I think the structure, responsibility, and technical side sound appealing, but I also wonder if my personality fits the lifestyle. I’m pretty introspective and idealistic (INFJ, if anyone here cares about MBTI stuff).

For pilots here — especially airline pilots — did any of you go into aviation without knowing if you’d truly enjoy flying? At what point did you realize “yes, this is for me” (or the opposite)?

And beyond just the money/opportunity side, what kind of person actually thrives in this career long-term?

I know this is an incredibly fortunate position to be in, and I genuinely don’t take it for granted. I also understand some people here may have worked extremely hard and spent huge amounts of money chasing the same opportunity, so if this post comes across as insensitive or ungrateful in any way, I sincerely apologize in advance.

Pretty much what the title said,
I chicken out on my first solo today, even though two different instructors told me I got it down and was ready to do my first solo, I still felt like I wasn't ready, I don't know what but I felt like I had a mental block or something. I just know I didn't felt ready at that moment once I gotten down and taxi back to the ramp, I had a huge regret and wanted to go back up and do it.
Anyone got tips or advice to get over this feeling? I think it's imposter syndrome just cause I only had 23hr flight time.
TYIA

I'm starting flight school in 2-3 weeks and I've been studying online ground school to prepare.

How did you balance your time while learning? What kind of job did you work while in flight school?

If you could remake your schedule for maximum optimization, how would you structure it?

Im a Filipino student who aims to be a Pilot in the future. I took the entrance test for the top aviation academy in the country (National Aviation Academy of the Philippines) and I got offered their program for BSAT (Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation Major in Advanced Flying). For context this course provides CPL, IR, MER and 180 hours of flying for free. It is extremely hard to get in, only 25 slots were given this time out of thousands of applications.

Im conflicted because even thought it is a great opportunity, its not the most practical because getting into the aviation industry is not as easy especially if this is my course. Ofcourse I applied to other universities for engineering degrees but those are private institutions and i come from a lower middle class family.

I just need advice on what path I should take, I'm young so I look forward to the advice of the more experienced people, thankyou so much.