Al's Intro

[AlfonsoT-IL-609]

Hi Bob,
My name is Alfonso, but I go by Al. And just like most everyone else on here I was guided by my love of flying. So here's my Bio

Name: AL
Age: 35
Born & Raised: Englewood, NJ
Current Location: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Chief in the US Navy
Education: 10 classes short of a BS in Electronic Engineering From Thomas Edison State College
Interests: Motorcycles, Video games, Football, Flying and Reading
Background: Ive been in the Navy for 17 years, married with 3 children and 8 Hours of total flight time and about 300 hrs of various MS Flight sims.

Like many others, I joined the military with the idea of flying for the military but immaturity and life (as you said) got in the way. I tried to do it on my own but the expenses were a bit overwhelming. Now that I am coming close to the end of my 'first career' I am planning for my second. My DREAM career. I'll be retiring in 3 years and plan to attend ATP for my flight training. With the help of my VA benefits and my savings, I should be able to cover my training costs with without causing my family to much discomfort or having to take out a loan.

I guess my question/concern is in the next three years what can i do to prepare my self for school and a follow on career? I know you're probably saying "Jeez dude you got 3 years to go!!!" I guess the military has has seeped into my soul and made me this way. "Always be prepared". My plan was to attain my private license before i got out of the military, which will be a chore seeing as i will be on a ship for those last three years but it is feasible. I think it would save me a few $$$$ if i did versus going through the 0 to pilot program ATP offers. What do you think? Well thanks in advance for your time and have a great day.

Al

Secret Formula of Success
High Motivation + Low Expectation = Success (90% of the time)

[ExpressJet Bob]

Hi Al,

Welcome to the forums! I got a great laugh out of your signature line.

I also appreciate the detailed background info... that really does help when we start discussing flight training.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with preparation... and I applaud you for taking the steps now to succeed in the future. With 3 years to go before attending a program like ATP, you actually have plenty of time to study and possibly even finish up your Private License locally on your own time. It took me two years to get mine at my local FBO on my own pace, and at that time I wasn't really focused on it as a career since I had a new family and job I enjoyed at the time.

Also, remember that your VA bennies don't pay for your PPL anyway... so, you may as well get it out of the way at any Part 61 flight school locally. Doing this will keep your head in the game for the nect few years, and keep your interest in flight at a higher level. It will also solidify whether or not you want to do this for your next career.

So... I agree with your own recommendation.

Also, by the time you retire from the Navy, ATP should have multiple VA Approved locations available to you, so that will help as well.

In the meantime, keep in touch and let me know if there's anything I can help you out with along the way.

Bob

[AlfonsoT-IL-609]

Bob
Thanks for the reply. One last question. Is it possible to finish ground school w/o logging any hours? For instance if i don't have the time to any flying in but want to take all the written tests. Thanks again.

Al

[ExpressJet Bob]

Al,

You can most certainly complete all the necessary writtens without ever flying. In fact, it's recommended that you have the writtens complete before attending ATP's accelerated program. This is usually done via self-study and you can utilize any number of online products, DVD's, or books to sucessfully study and prep for the tests.

That said... you need to be aware that each written exam you complete has an expiration date of 2 years. So, you will need to take your practical (checkride) before the test expires.

Since you are still 3 years away from retiring from the military, then I'd say you can get your PPL written done during that time period as long as you are looking to complete your PPL within 2 years. Then, when you are within @ 1.5 years of attending ATP or any other flight school program, then you can start focusing on your other written tests.

Does that make sense?

Bob