Days 1–7
Where To Start
✦ Complete
Questions To Ask at Each School
- How many aircraft do you operate?
- How many instructors are there, and how long have they been here?
- How many active students do you have?
- What ratings do you offer — Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, CFI, CFII, MEI?
- Do instructors use a curriculum or syllabus?
- Is this a Part 61 or Part 141 school (could be both)?
- Do you use a simulator?
- How often could I schedule to fly per week?
- What is the aircraft & instructor rate? Is fuel included (wet rate)? Is insurance included?
- How are the aircraft maintained — is maintenance done in-house?
- What do I need to get started?
- Optional: Do you offer financing?
Things To Consider
- Multiple aircraft and instructors = flexibility. If one plane goes down for maintenance or you need to switch instructors, you keep moving without losing momentum.
- Pay attention to instructor turnover. High turnover means inconsistent training — a real red flag for career-track students.
- Part 61 is flexible and self-paced, ideal for part-time students. Part 141 is highly structured with an FAA-approved curriculum, often allowing for lower flight hour requirements.
- For airline-bound pilots, you ideally want to complete most or all ratings at the same school. Not all offer Multi-Engine or CFI — fine, but plan ahead.
- At a minimum, you should be able to get scheduled 3 days per week. Weather will cut into that — but the capacity needs to be there.
Evaluating Your Options
Green Flags
- Multiple aircraft and instructors
- Instructors use a curriculum or syllabus
- Professional, organized culture
- Newer aircraft with modern avionics
- Honest, realistic timelines and expectations
Red Flags
- Disorganized scheduling
- Very few planes or instructors
- No curriculum or syllabus
- High instructor turnover
- Promises ratings at minimums — most need ~65 hrs for the Private
- Pressure to sign up before doing an intro flight
Days 8–14
Before Investing Into Your Training
✦ Complete
⚠️ Important — First Class Only
You'll need a First Class Medical to fly for the airlines. BasicMed is not a path to the airlines — don't let that option confuse you early on.
Getting Your Medical
01
Create an FAA MedExpress AccountGo to medxpress.faa.gov and set up your account before your appointment.
02
Fill Out MedExpress Form 8500-8Complete your medical history online — be thorough and accurate. This is your official application and baseline for every medical going forward. Save your confirmation number — you'll need it at your appointment.
03
Schedule with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)Find one on the FAA's website — or better, get a personal recommendation from an instructor or pilot you trust. Appointments typically run $250–$400 and many insurances will reimburse it.
Things To Consider
- An AME evaluates your physical and mental ability to fly safely — they are not your primary care doctor.
- If you wear glasses, bring them to your appointment.
- Expect a basic hearing test, vision exam, and heart & lung check. If you're 35 or older, you'll also get a baseline EKG.
- If you're unsure whether you'll pass, get a regular physical first — just don't use the AME you plan to certify with for that pre-screening.
- If you have a medical concern or history, contact AOPA Medical Certification Services. Prior substance abuse issues may require a FAA HIMS AME. Don't wait until hour 200 to find out.
- Double-check your name, DOB, address, and exam date — I've personally gotten one with the wrong year on the exam date.
- Scan and save all MedExpress applications and Medical Certificates in a dedicated folder.
Days 15–21
Knowing the Costs
✦ Complete
Getting Started — Upfront Gear & Costs
Intro Flight≈ $200
First Class Medical≈ $250
Headset≈ $250
iPad + Chart Subscription≈ $600
Flight Bag, Kneeboard, Logbook≈ $250
Online Ground School (optional)≈ $300
Getting Started Total
$1,500 – $1,800 to get in the door and ready to train.
Your Career Timeline
Tap any rating to mark it complete as you progress. Hours and budgets shown are realistic — not FAA minimums. Sequence may vary by school and student goals.
✈
Make It to the Majors
~310 hrs · Budget ~$137,000 · Your whole career ahead
After your CFI ratings, you'll build hours instructing toward the ATP minimums: 1,500 total flight hours required to fly for a regional airline (1,000 with an aviation degree, 750 with a military waiver).
Each initial rating requires a written knowledge test — start studying early, don't cram it at the end.
Budget figures include a cushion for training materials, books, written test fees (~$175 each), and DPE checkride fees (~$700–$1,200 per ride). These costs add up — don't let them surprise you.
Each checkride is conducted with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based on the Airmen Certification Standards (ACS) — the gouge to your checkride. Know it well.
All hours and budgets shown are realistic targets, not minimums. Budget for reality — if you come in under, that's a win.
Things To Consider
- A 4-year degree is valuable, but currently not required at most airlines — you can get hired without a degree, you cannot get hired without hours. Prioritize getting hours.
- Flight training is expensive — but so is a 4-year degree ($108K–$124K), and the return is far greater. First-year Regional FOs earn $95K/yr. Major Airline Captains earn $350K–$1M/yr. This is 100% true.
💰 Airline Pilot Pay Simulator
Want to see exactly what pilots make at a major airline? Run the numbers yourself — Free Airline Pilot Pay Simulator →
- A common myth is that you need a lot of money to start. I was a dishwasher before I started — no money, no connections. If I can do it, you can do it.
- Split aircraft rentals on cross-country time builds, fly consistently to avoid relearning, use simulator time during instrument phases.
- For every 1 hour in the air, put in 3 on the ground. The 3-to-1 Rule. — a real aviation standard used in flight planning too. It works both in the air and on the ground.
- Just because you paid doesn't guarantee the rating. Instructors need to be confident enough to sign you off.
- Professional pilots train to proficiency, not to hours.
Funding Your Training
💵 Cash Options
- 529 Plans
- Save & pay as you go
- GI Bill (if you have military service)
- Work for the flight school or airport — sometimes includes discounted hours
🏦 Loans
- Sallie Mae Flight School / Airline Career Loan
- Stratus Financial — pilot-specific lender, highly recommended
- AOPA Flight Training Finance
- Flight Training Finance LLC
- ATP Flight School In-House Financing
- Federal Student Loans
- Personal Loans
- Income Share Agreements (ISA) — pay nothing upfront, repay a % of income after you're hired. Ask your flight school if they offer one.
🏆 Scholarships
- ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association)
- OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals)
- WIA (Women in Aviation International)
- NGPA (National Gay Pilots Association)
- AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)
- EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association)
- EAA Young Eagles — specifically for students getting started
- NATA (National Air Transportation Association)
- The Museum of Flight
✈️ Airline Pathway Programs
- Alaska Airlines Pilot Development Program
- Delta Air Lines Propel
- United Aviate Academy
- AA Cadet Academy
- Southwest Destination 225° Cadet Pathway
- SkyWest Airlines Pathway Program
- Envoy Air Cadet Program
The reason so many of these programs exist is simple — the aviation industry needs pilots badly. When I started training, most of these didn't exist. The demand is real, and it's working in your favor.
⚠️ Critical — The Funding Rule
Do not start a rating unless you have 100% of the funds needed to complete it. Skills decay fast without consistent flying.
Always budget an extra 20% cushion above the quoted cost for weather delays, checkride delays, maintenance groundings, or scheduling gaps.
Days 22–28
Your Airline Pilot Career Starts Here
✦ Complete
Day 30
Wheels Up
✦ Complete
What To Expect On Your First Lesson
Expect a mix of ground briefing and hands-on flying. You'll learn pre-flight inspections, basic cockpit controls, and then take the yoke to practice straight-and-level flight and gentle turns. There's no pressure to perform — instructors do a great job of keeping a relaxed environment.
- Your first takeoff is going to feel exhilarating. Cruising around the skies is incredibly freeing — soak it in.
- Relax. Your first 2 weeks are going to feel like a fish out of water — that's completely normal.
- Your instinct will be to white-knuckle the controls. Trim is your friend — get used to using it.
- Log every flight accurately. Total the columns in pencil. If electronic, double-check your decimal points.
- Knock out your ground school early so your lessons can focus on flying, not theory.
How To Be Successful
- Brief every flight before you get in the plane. Debrief after. Ask what went well, what could be better, and what you're working on next lesson.
- Always. Be. Chair-flying. For every hour in the air, put in 3 on the ground. Use this for the rest of your career.
- Fly as much as you can, as consistently as you can. If you can't fly, still show up to the flight school. Be the student who's always there.
- Use study communities within the flight school and online. YouTube is great, as well as Reddit (r/flying).
- Use AI for general knowledge — not airplane-specific guidance. Always back up what you learn with official FAA sources.
- Everyone gets behind the plane at some point. Every professional pilot started as a novice. Stay consistent. Keep your eyes on the end goal.
What Comes Next
These milestones are beyond the 30 days — they are the beginning of your real journey.
1
Complete Private Pilot Ground School
2
Complete Written Knowledge Test
3
Pass Your Private Pilot Checkride
Good Luck.
You now have everything you need to get started. The path to the majors is long — but it begins with a single flight. You've got this.
Questions? Email Me