Pilot: It's my dream

[Jamaal_S]

I've always wanted to do this. I have 20/100 vision but that's not important. Like they say when there's a WILL, there's a WAY. The WILL I have, the WAY I'm working on.

Here's my plan:

-Get PRK

-Graduate college

-Go into flight training

Anyone have a similar dream?:)

[HUBBSTER]

With 20/100 vision you wont get in as a pilot but you might get in as a RIO or Radar Interecept Officer.

If you are serious you should look at schools like Embry Riddle which is an aviation college.

Also seriously consider joining the CAP or Civilian Aviation Patrol so you can get lots of hours in a plane & get paid for it

You should also get in shape, take up running, lifting, swimming etc to be in shape for boot camp

[Jamaal_S]

Hey thank you for the feedback! Vision cannot disqualify you as long as you get PRK or LASIK one year before operation. In 2007 they began to allow this. Of course, all other things being equal, they will chose the guy with the natural 20/20. But that's why you gotta be smarter, faster, stronger, and have more guts than the other guy :cool: Thanks again for the feedback and let me know if anyone else has a dream like this (don't be afraid to admit it, having dreams is DHV) or if there are any PUAs with wings out there hit up this thread. :D

[jetdriver1961]

Hey Jamaal, the vision thing isn't a deal breaker as long as you are correctable to 20/20....at least in the US. I fly 767's for a major US airline and flew with a guy in the past that had one eye!. I would suggest getting the degree (not so important as to what your major is) and getting your flight training either civilian or military....Embry Riddle is a well respected school but it's expensive.(its not the only way though!) The military will cost you in terms of commitment in years. Either way it will cost...a lot. It is no joke when they say you have to earn the wings. Once you get the ATP rating you will also need as much flight time as possible to be competitive. It is not uncommon for guys that finish their military commitment to come out of the service w/ about 1500-1700 hrs if they flew fighters, more if they flew transports. Many will start at a regional airline flying turboprops or regional jets to get the airline experience. After a few years typically you upgrade to Captain...which is what the major airlines are looking for... pilot in command time in multi-engine turbine equipment (type ratings). I will not lie to you though...even though you make it to the majors...it is a very tough life....gone all the time (tough on relationships), the pay/retirements and quality of life have taken major hits since 9/11 ( I make less now in 2010 than I did in 1997!)( I also spend about 3-4 days per month more out on the road away from the family to make less money than I did in 97). Many airlines have gone bankrupt thus trashing careers . If your airline goes under you start at the very bottom at another carrier. I don't want to discourage you....it is a tough way to make a living but it can be done. Read Sully's book to get some insight as to whats involved. http://www.amazon.com/Highest-Duty-Search-Really-Matters/dp/0061924687

I had an ROTC instructor tell me in high school that I'd never fly an airplane (I ended up going the civilian route)....if I had a dime for everyone who told me I couldn't do this or that I'd be retired by now! Good luck!

[HUBBSTER]

I didnt know about the lasik, thats great for you

If you really want this the flying U or a military academy is the way to go

btw Chuck Yeager had 20/5 vision :D so try to get yours to 20/15 at least bcus lots of people have 20/20

[Jamaal_S]

Thanks for the feedback! I am definitely going the military route. And I'm doing it for the thrill and experience! :D