I've always wanted to be a pilot!

[WannabeWealthy]

All:

OK, a little background history about my old dream. Ever since I was in high school, I dreamed of wanting to be a fighter pilot in the USAF and then moving on to be an Astronaut at NASA. Well, there were several things (at that time) that stopped me:

1) My eyesight was poor (and still is).
2) I failed Calculus so I couldn't pursue the degree I wanted.


Well, after 20+ years later, I accomplished:

1) 7 years in the USAF as a B-52 bomber avionics mechanic.
2) BS in Computer Science (I finally matured to handle the discipline and got As in all math courses).
3) Paid off my student loands.
4) Have an excellent paying career as a Computer Graphics programmer.
5) Have a lovely wife and daughter.
6) Have a new home.

Now, I'm getting old (41) and my old dream continues to plague me. What I would do to just get my private pilot's license before I die? That would make me feel like I really accomplished the same goal even if it's not a jet fighter pilot.

The approximate costs to get a pilot's license is about $7k. I don't want to mess up my EF or cushion, but I have no other bills right now (wife just got a job to handle her own SL). I was thinking about selling my MR2 to fund it.

I'll give myself 1 year to think about this and get on better financial ground.

Thoughts?

[resolution]

I don't remember enough about your financial situation to know if you can afford 7k right now, but I wanted to congratulate you on your wife's new job!

[mamasita99]

Just do it! I'm excited for you, it seems like a great way to fulfill a dream! I wish I could find something I'm that passionate about...Give yourself some time to think it over and brainstorm ways to pay for it.

[zibazinski]

DD looked into it and it was about 5k but you could do it over time. You didn't need to have the money all upfront.

[sheilaincali]

One of my closest friends is a pilot. He graduated with an Aviation degree from our University and started out as a flight instructor. Now he is a private pilot for a super wealthy gentleman and flies him all over the world. But back to his flight instructor time- he had a lot of students like you. Students that maybe took a little longer than others to finish all of their training and flight time because of families and careers. But never did he have a student that regretted his or her decision to get their license. The local airport is set up as a pay as you go situation. So you pre-pay for your flight time and after you use up your bank of flight time you can pre-pay for more.
Start out with an introductory flight lesson (here they are $50). If it's really your dream, and you can afford it- then as they say in the commercials "Just Do It"

[WannabeWealthy]

Thanks guys/gals!

My only debt right now is the mortgage. I'm going to really think this over though. I don't want to feel like I'm rushing something this big. Also, will sell my 3rd car to fund most of it.

-M

[grumpybastage]

You ever think about flight sims to get started? They might make the learning curve easier? Not sure if will save you money, but at least you would know what you are getting into. Also, if you live near an Air Force installation, check with the Aero Club. They offer low cost lessons and ground schools all the time.