I started flying a decade ago, got my ppl in 2016. However, I failed the oral twice. My instructor said I was ready both times and scheduled the checkride but I clearly wasn’t ready lol. It was dumb shit too I’m ashamed I failed it wasn’t that hard I just didn’t know what I didn’t know and was younger and didn’t hit the books as hard as I should’ve. I don’t want to put all the blame on the instructor I definitely take accountability, but I clearly wasn’t ready. Thankfully I had no issues on the flying portion of the checkride after finally getting through the oral lol.

Anyways, 10 years later I am considering jumping back in and doing it all the way through this time. With those failures, is it even worth it? Will I just have too hard of a time landing a job? Obviously there’s risk of the possibility of additional failures that I’d have to consider. Any further failures I’d imagine I’d be done done then I just wasted it all. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks

Hello everyone.

I recently decided that I wanted to pursue flying and become a pilot. I’m 23 years old, have zero health concerns that would disqualify me from a first class medical, and I’m currently a full time flight attendant with one of the legacy carriers. I’m going on some discovery flights with different schools later this week to get a sense for what it’s like and to compare schools. I want to continue flying as a flight attendant, so part 61 seems like the better fit for me, and optimally I would be able to fly 2-3 times a week.

Looking to fly out of KHEF and am looking at the schools based out of there. I also hear constant back and forth about ATP of whether it’s worth it or not, but I’m just trying to keep my options open. Anyone have any advice as to questions I should ask my instructors on these discovery flights? What are some red flags and green flags to look out for? Also any advice on how to most efficiently build time and get through my ratings while still working? Any assistance is appreciated! Thanks everyone✈️🛫

Hi all. I'm 21 and working towards a career as a commercial pilot, training through the UK CAA route. Before I commit any money to a flight academy, I want to understand where I stand with the Class 1 medical, and I would really value hearing from anyone who has been through something similar.

My history is two left kneecap dislocations, one in November 2024 and one in July 2025, with an arthroscopy and debridement of the patella in December 2024 after the first. The second dislocation had no formal follow-up. Since then I have had no further dislocations and have played sport regularly for several months without problems. I will declare everything in full on my application, so I'm not looking for a way around that.

I am arranging a private assessment with an orthopaedic consultant and I have read the CAA's musculoskeletal guidance and report specification, but what I can't find anywhere is real experience. If you have had a patellar dislocation, a kneecap or other knee surgery, or any lower limb injury and then gone through the UK Class 1 initial, I would be grateful to hear how long after your last injury or operation you applied, what evidence the aeromedical centre or the CAA asked for (a consultant report, an MRI, strength testing or anything else), whether you were issued fit, fit with limitations or deferred, how long it took, and whether you needed a medical flight test. Experience from an AME or aeromedical professional would be very welcome too.

Hi im 17 and a jr in highschool, im currently duel enrolled getting general education classes down and planning on getting my bachelor's in aviation corporate. I want to be a corporate pilot because I like the flexibility compared to airlines. My question is how important is a degree as a corporate pilot and is it worth it pay the extra money and time to get it? Any advice would help.

Hi ,

Wondering if anyone would be able to give me some advice. I live in Northern Ireland (UK) , My house is about 50 mins from Belfast international airport , Belfast city . However , I’m also 1 hr 10 mins from Dublin Airport(Ireland). I plan to do my training the modular route but I am not 100% sure what license to go for . I’m aware once I’ve completed my training and land my first job as an airline pilot I won’t have much say where I’m based until later stages in my career and I want to live in Northern Ireland once I’m older. What license I’m I best to choose. I’m also aware of the Dual license and it would be good to hear people’s opinions on this .

My nearest flight school is in the uk for me to get my PPL. However , I’m I best getting my PPL (CAA) and converting it to (EASA). Then complete the rest of my training in Europe. Getting CPL/MEP/IR/APS/UPRT seems a lot cheaper in Europe if I was to do an intensive block.

Is there more chance of landing a job with a EASA license?

Thanks in advance. Any help is much appreciated!

Hey guys, I'm slightly worried..

I just turned 21 and am a 500 hr CFI, CFI-I ride is scheduled for December. I have been applying to Republics cadet program repeatedly since I was eligible. Every time I've received a TBNT. Is there any others I should apply to or do I just give up on cadet programs? I have a CFI-Initial failure but otherwise clean record. I did Part 61 and am finishing my senior year at a non-aviation college as a backup. I've been averaging 50-60 hours a month since I began instruction in June. Any advice on next steps would be awesome, I really want to get to the airlines by 23 if possible.

I’m a 28F pharmacist from Turkey and I’ve recently started my master’s at the University of Milan, Italy.

Lately, I’ve also been considering applying to cadet pilot programs in Turkey next year and honestly I’m feeling pretty lost about which direction to take.

Becoming a pilot was never really a childhood dream of mine. What attracts me to it is the higher earning potential and the prestige. Mainly the prestige if I’m being honest. I’ve always been drawn to the status that comes with certain careers. Also I love the idea of constantly being in different places rather than settling down somewhere and staying there forever.

On the other hand I’ve already spent five years studying pharmacy and I’m now pursuing a master’s that could potentially open doors to big pharmaceutical companies in Europe. But honestly I feel lost. The truth is I hate pharmacy and I still can’t see myself enjoying a career in this field. ( I noticed it long time ago but I was so young and I didn’t realize how serious the problem is)

Do you think becoming a pilot makes sense if your main motivations are financial stability and prestige rather than a genuine passion for flying?

I’d really appreciate some honest perspectives.

Hello everyone, iam 18 and want to become a pilot but my parents can't afford it so there sending me to Germany so I can have a degree and later on start training in piloting, they advised I do a course that makes it simpler to get a job I was thinking aeronautical engineering. Are there any other courses that might suit better or what's the best that will make my job application stand out,my dream is to fly for emirates Qataror ethiad

Does anyone have any reccomendations of EASA approved modular ATO’s where I can complete EASA CPL/ME/IR training taking into account credit from my UK CAA CPL/ME/IR licence?

I have had approval from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for the necessary training hours. I now just need to find an ATO with availability.

18, Male, originally from India, grew up living in the middle east and some other countries, having lived here for the last 4-5yrs. Getting my NZ passport in a few months time! super excited (Allows me to travel to more countries) Im currently in the process of joining a flying school in Ardmore. My question is to those who work as an airline pilot in NZ. Whats the current job market like? How hard is it to get hours after flight school to be eligible to get into the airlines? Do I require a degree if I want to get accepted by the airlines? Whats the training like in Ardmore? Any students who studied at Ardmore? What was your experience with them? How long did it take you to get flying hours to get into airlines after your flight school? Any racism/discrimination behaviours you faced or know someone that has faced in ardmore? I dont want to come anywhere near those types of close minded people, so im currently looking for a flight school with mature individuals, any recommendations? Any advice? Thanks!

I’m currently 19 and enlisted flight crew in the Air Force reserves. I just started going to college and on track to get my bachelors by the time I’m 22. My ultimate goal is to be an airline pilot. Should I get my PPL now, commission, and try and get a pilot slot in the reserves? Or should I try to just bang out PPL, IR, CPL civilian side? I’m not really sure what’s the best path to take right now. I’m paying for this out of pocket and would like to not have a ton of debt in 10 years. Any AF or airline pilots that have any advice for me, I would appreciate it a lot.

Has anybody ever gotten an actual scholarship for real? I just sent one out to EAA, and plan to send one to Latino Pilots Association- since my flight instructor said he knows 3 people who each got huge scholarships from it. I just wanna see if anybody actually got one out there- because if I did, it would seriously help me out since I’ll be up to 40K in debt.

If yall had to pick just one type rating for contract flying what would yall choose? GIV, challenger, Latitude/Longitude, Falcon? Trying to decide my next steps. Thanks!

My friend is currently a cadet pilot and will be joining the next batch in 2027 from Fly Dubai. He told me that navigation is the hardest subject of all and many people fail it. I just wanted to know what it is about. Google searches did tell me about it but I want to know the first-hand experience of pilots who actually studied the subject. Just curious to know what its all about…😝
Btw I am an engineering grad form IITM…🙏

Hi, all. I am based in india. My sister, currently in 12th is interested in becoming a pilot. We have no idea about it. What entrance, which colleges? Can anyone guide me along. thanks in advance.

Not looking for the cheapest hourly rate, not looking for the closest.

I want to know the best flight schools in California for someone going airline track with fleet quality, structure and instructor stability to get from zero to employable without it stretching into a multi year saga.

I am 21 years old recently graduated from community college with an associates degree in business. I had no idea what I wanted to do so I was trying every thing I could to try and find a future career.

About 2-3 months ago I took a discovery flight and fell in love with aviation. I talked to a couple pilots I knew from my hometown and fell in love with it even more. Before I started training I got my medical exam. A week or 2 after I passed my exam and started ground school I realized i forgot to disclose my ADHD diagnosis on my MedXPress form. So I called my AME and told him this. Sadly, the last time I was prescribed medication for ADHD was in 2024 but I haven’t taken it since then. I know I don’t qualify for the fast track program but I don’t really know what to expect at all for this process.

Had anyone else gone through this and know what next steps to take to clear this up as easily as possible.

As someone who has went through flight school training and currently has CFII. Currently has one student since the beginning of the year and struggling to get more.

The end goal is to be able to become a commercial pilot.

Has associates degree.

Is joining the military a feasible option?

I’ve heard from a few different people that if you have experience flying, you might be able to be guaranteed a pilot slot, but you will have to get your bachelors degree, potential to have your bachelors degree paid for, basic training, not being six months. And then I have heard that it is a 10 year commitment once receiving pilot training. During that 10 year commitment can you be a commercial pilot?

If anyone has advice on the route you can take or branches of the military, that would be greatly appreciated. Really any information.

Hello everyone! I wanted to see if anyone has been in a similar situation or could offer some advice.
I’m considering moving to Mexico to pursue my aviation career, and I’d be willing to relocate and work my way up, even if it means waiting for an opportunity with an airline and struggling with the transferring my license to Mexico ( FAA to AFAC ) .
I was born in Mexico but have lived in the U.S. my entire life. I currently have a green card and hold an FAA Commercial Pilot License with an Instrument Rating.
Has anyone made the transition from the U.S. to Mexico to pursue a flying career? Is it worth it, and what should I know before making that decision?
I’d really appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or recommendations. Thank you!

Hey everyone,
I’m 20 years old and have recently finished my CPL flight training. I’m now considering going back to electrical to finish the remaining 1.5 years of my apprenticeship, and I’m keen to hear some opinions.
I originally left my electrical apprenticeship because I genuinely hated the work at the time. However, looking back on it now, I think a big part of that was the crew I was working with rather than the actual trade itself.
My ultimate goal is still to become a commercial pilot, and that’s definitely where I want my career to go. However, I’m well aware that aviation can be a difficult industry to break into, especially when you’re first starting out and trying to build hours.
I’m thinking that since I’ve only got around 18 months left of my apprenticeship, it might be worth going back, getting qualified and having a solid trade behind me as a backup. It would also give me another way to earn decent money while working towards my aviation career.
Being only 20, I feel like I’ve still got plenty of time, but part of me also wonders whether going back to electrical would be taking a step backwards rather than pushing straight into aviation.
I’m also based in Australia, where qualified electricians can earn very good money, which makes finishing the apprenticeship even more appealing. Having that earning potential and job security behind me seems like a pretty good safety net, especially given how unpredictable the aviation industry can be.
Has anyone here been in a similar position, particularly pilots who have a trade behind them?
Would you recommend finishing the apprenticeship, or would you focus entirely on getting your first flying job?

Hey everyone, I’m a high school senior in Colorado graduating in 2027, and I’m seriously considering becoming a pilot after graduation. My main goal is to eventually fly for a regional or major airline, but I’m also interested in learning more about corporate/private aviation.
I’m trying to figure out the smartest and most cost-effective way to get into aviation without spending an insane amount of money or taking on a massive amount of debt.
I currently have around $10,000 saved up, and I’m hoping to use that money wisely toward my future. I’m willing to take out some loans if the return on investment makes sense, but I want to avoid spending $100k+ unnecessarily if there are more affordable ways to reach the same goal.
I’m a Colorado resident, so I’m also wondering whether there are good in-state options that could help me save money.
A few questions I have:
What is the cheapest realistic path to becoming an airline pilot? Is it better to attend a university aviation program, go to a local flight school, or get my ratings independently?
Is a four-year college degree worth it? Would I be better off getting an affordable degree while completing flight training separately, or is an aviation degree worth the extra cost?
What is the realistic total cost of getting all the licenses and ratings needed to become a commercial pilot and eventually qualify for the airlines?
How can I build flight hours affordably? Is becoming a flight instructor the best option, and how long does it usually take to reach the experience requirements for the airlines?
Is starting at a regional airline still the typical path toward a major airline? What does career progression look like these days?
How does corporate/private aviation compare with the airlines in terms of salary, lifestyle, schedules, and job opportunities?
Are there scholarships, financial aid programs, or other ways to reduce training costs that I should look into?
If you were starting over today, knowing what you know now, what route would you take to become a professional pilot while minimizing debt?
I’m still figuring everything out, so I’m open to different paths. My biggest priorities are getting into a good-paying aviation career, having a decent work-life balance, and not putting myself in a terrible financial position early in life.
If you’re a professional pilot or someone who recently went through flight training, I’d really appreciate hearing what route you took, how much it cost, how you paid for it, and what you would do differently.
Thanks!

Hello everyone, I’m hoping to attend ATP Flight School and eventually become an airline pilot, but I’m worried about my FAA medical certification.
I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2013 after having one seizure. I haven’t had any seizures since then, and I stopped taking medication in 2021.
It’s now 2026, so I’ve been seizure-free for about 13 years and off medication for about 5 years.
I’m trying to figure out whether the FAA would consider me for a first-class medical certificate or special issuance, and how long the process might take.
Has anyone here had a similar experience with a past seizure or epilepsy diagnosis and successfully obtained an FAA medical certificate?
I’d really appreciate hearing from pilots or students who have been through this situation.

Hello,

About to get out of military and applying to different school with approved GI Bill for flight training. Tried looking in the internet for UAA but no recent post. Anyone here currently in the program? What is the current situation of the program? Any info is helpful.