If you're reading this, chances are you've been thinking about of becoming a pilot for as long as you can remember. Trust me, I totally get it. Starting out as a high school student pilot back in 2006, my passion for aviation was ignited. With the vast Kansas skies as my backdrop, I embarked on a journey that took me from soloing in a small plane to flying the Boeing 737 for a major cargo carrier. Let me tell you, becoming a pilot is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of training. If you're willing to put in the effort, the end result is truly worth it. So, grab a cup of coffee and I'll take you through my journey of becoming a pilot and hopefully, it will inspire you to start flying too!
I began my flying career his Senior year of high school in 2006 as a student pilot. I obtained my private pilot's license (PPL). The culmination of 40 hours of rigorous training, solo flying, and soaking in every word my instructor said. This set the foundation and my first solo flight remains etched in my memory, the rush, the adrenaline, the feeling of having the entire sky to myself.
After attending the University of Kansas, I took a job outside of aviation, and while I got to travel all over the world, I missed flying.
Having my PPL had just been the first step. The goal was now clear, but the path was long. I wanted to be a commercial pilot, clocking in 250 flight hours was non-negotiable. So I restarted my training. I got my instrument rating. This allowed me to fly in limited visibility conditions such as in clouds or at night. It is a different kind of skill than visual flying, VFR, but I loved the confidence I got from being able to by reference my instruments.
I added my Commercial-multi, Multiple Engine Instructor and Single Engine Instructor (MEI, CFI). These licenses allowed me to fly for hire and build time as a flight instructor. It was a huge accomplishment and I felt like I was on top of the world. My plan was to instruct my way into the experience I needed for a to qualify for my dream job as an Air Transport Pilot (ATP).
But what was I going to fly? In February of 2016, I purchased a Cessna 172P and decided right away to put a Garmin 530 in it. Like any typical flight instructor, I booked myself from the minute I thought I’d have the airplane back until sunset. Then I got a weather surprise. That's another story, but safely making the “go, no-go” decision when there's money on the line and people counting on me felt like my first day as a professional pilot. Spoiler Alert: I scrub the flight, and felt proud of it!
I spent a lot of time training other pilot, and found that I really enjoyed it, this gave rise to our flight school, Flex Air. But the real goal was to get my Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license, the highest level of pilot certification. My ATP was my gateway to the cockpit of commercial airlines. Surpassing 1500 flight hours and undergoing intensive tests, I was finally poised to achieve my dream.
Today, as I look back, from the first day at of flying to becoming a 737 pilot, every moment was a lesson, every flight a story. Each step, starting with my PPL, was instrumental in realizing this dream. It's no cakewalk, but for those willing to soar high, the sky isn’t the limit; it's home.
I didn't opt to become a pilot as fast as possible, I took a long time to finish the process. That was right for me at the time but today I recommend most people get accelerated flight training. But no matter your pace, remember: Your horizon is just waiting to be expanded. So, strap in, throttle up, and chase those dreams!
I learned to fly in Kansas and I think there are some great reasons to do flight training in KS. Today I am based in San Diego. There are completely different reasons to do flight training in San Diego, it teaches a whole lot of different skills, plus it has great training trips. No matter where you live, I hope you'll make a career in aviation, it has changed my life!