Plenty of kids pretend to be a pilot growing up, but very few go on to pursue actual flight training. Becoming a pilot is hard work, but a rewarding experience that can take you to new places or lead to an exciting career.
So why should you follow your dreams of flight?
- You can explore the world at your leisure: Interested in trying out that new BBQ joint a state over or spending a day island hopping? What about seeing the world from a whole new vantage point? When you learn to fly it’s easy to be spontaneous and explore the world around you in a whole new way.
- It is an in-demand career field: As US airline pilots approach the federally mandated retirement age of 65, the industry faces a global shortage of pilots. Reports forecast a need for 804,000 pilots over the next 20 years. Many students are entering cadet programs with promised careers, tuition reimbursement, bonuses and more before even completing all their training. You can fly for an airline, cargo transports, charter services, tourist flights, government entities – the possibilities are endless.
- Learning to fly is a huge accomplishment: There is a lot more to flying a plane than just jumping in the cockpit and taking off. There are hours and hours of ground school instruction where you need to learn approaches, theory, how to read weather patterns and flight instruments on top of the hours and hours of actual flight time where you put this schooling into practice. It requires dedication and determination but when you master it, you are left with a sense of accomplishment that is hard to beat. Once you are a pro at flying you get to experience the thrill of controlling a powerful machine that is several thousand pounds, and the freedom to take it wherever you want.
- You become part of the Club: Pilots and the aviation community tends to be a very social group. From famous actors to local aviation heroes with stories to tell, it’s impossible to know who all you may run into out on the ramp. Countless organizations hold fly-ins where pilots convene to share their love of aviation, and many hold national events with hundreds of thousands of attendees who are enthusiasts just like you.
- You are your own personal airline: Not a fan of commercial airlines, security screenings and crowds at airports? As a pilot you can purchase your own plane or become a fractional owner (think of it as a timeshare in the sky), allowing you more freedom when traveling and often reducing the time it takes. There are thousands of airports across the country that cater to small aircraft, so your options abound when deciding where to go.
Learning to fly is freedom and unlocks endless possibilities – so what are you waiting for – start living life in the sky!
