Funding Student Pilots

iniedrauer · July 10, 2010, 04:34:59 PM

I attended the Texas Wing Flight Academy this summer along with 10 other cadets. For the majority of us, we were all in the same financial boat. We either attended on a scholarship, or scraped together enough dollars over the past year. Everyone had serious doubts of whether that same method would actually work to complete their Private Pilot's License.

Over the weeks since Flight Academy, I have researched methods to use personally to overcome the money issue in completing my PPL. This past week, I put together a website that may provide a partial solution to not only me, but each of my classmates. This website sponsors one Student Pilot at a time. It includes information about them, their CFI and a "Donate" link, that allows anyone to easily donate to the cause of completing their PPL. I have started by sponsoring myself on the site. If the idea actually produces, I will sponsor each of my classmates one at a time.

www.makeanewpilot.org

Thank you for checking it out, and please spread the word. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

bosshawk · July 10, 2010, 04:54:15 PM

Congratulations. We need more young folks who are willing to take action to achieve what they want and not to wait around on the couch until someone else comes up with the money. Whining and complaining never gets anything: aggression and hard work does. Go get em!!!!

Eclipse · July 10, 2010, 04:58:23 PM

Using CAP insignia for personal enrichment is a violation of a number of regulations, at a minimum you will need NHQ permission
to solicit donations in this manner.

EMT-83 · July 10, 2010, 05:20:10 PM

Okay, I'll be one to say it. It's expensive to be a pilot. If you can't afford it, maybe it's time for another hobby.

CAP cadets already have a huge advantage over the average student pilot, because they can use CAP aircraft and instructors for primary flight instruction. Once you get your ticket, there are ongoing costs for proficiency flying, gadgets, medicals, etc. Who's going to pay for that?

My personal opinion is that this is in extremely poor taste. But hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion.

HGjunkie · July 10, 2010, 07:42:06 PM

If only this idea could be ported to other NCSAs. That would have helped out a lot.

DBlair · July 10, 2010, 10:07:12 PM

Nicely designed site.

I'm curious how you figure it will cost $2,500 for your PPL.

a2capt · July 10, 2010, 10:54:26 PM

$2,500 in a CAP aircraft is reasonable. Minimum, but reasonable.

Short Field · July 11, 2010, 12:01:56 AM

Quote from: HGjunkie on July 10, 2010, 07:42:06 PM
If only this idea could be ported to other NCSAs. That would have helped out a lot.

Just make yourself a sign and stand in the intersections with the rest of the homeless people. It is the same thing - except the people begging out on the street are at least off their couch and doing something for their money. "Need money for summer camp" could soon replace "Will work for Food".

davidsinn · July 11, 2010, 01:05:39 AM

Quote from: HGjunkie on July 10, 2010, 07:42:06 PM
If only this idea could be ported to other NCSAs. That would have helped out a lot.

Ummm...Get a job?

HGjunkie · July 11, 2010, 02:09:30 AM

Quote from: davidsinn on July 11, 2010, 01:05:39 AM
Quote from: HGjunkie on July 10, 2010, 07:42:06 PM
If only this idea could be ported to other NCSAs. That would have helped out a lot.

Ummm...Get a job?

not old enough to apply for anything in my area.

davidsinn · July 11, 2010, 02:32:54 AM

Quote from: HGjunkie on July 11, 2010, 02:09:30 AM
Quote from: davidsinn on July 11, 2010, 01:05:39 AM
Quote from: HGjunkie on July 10, 2010, 07:42:06 PM
If only this idea could be ported to other NCSAs. That would have helped out a lot.

Ummm...Get a job?
not old enough to apply for anything in my area.

There are plenty of ways to make money legally without working at a "real" job. Start your own business like mowing lawns or shoveling snow in the winter or fixing computers etc. You'd be amazed at how much money you could make by decrapifiying PCs for people at a cheaper rate than a pro would charge.

HGjunkie · July 11, 2010, 02:49:59 AM

Yeah, and i've fixed up one of my mom's friends computers and got her network up and running. Got 50 bucks out of it. I'm really good with pc's, but I don't have The time to actually do all the things that make something like that work. And since i'm not old enough to drive, that puts me in a sticky situation with my mom, as she would have to drive me all over the place. I'd love to start a small business, but I don't have the resources to do it. Oh well, one can dream...

Flying Pig · July 11, 2010, 02:52:09 AM

http://www.marines.com/
http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Heres how I did 60% of it.

Good luck on your goal. The problem is once you get your license, how do you keep flying to stay current? Notice I didnt say "proficient".

JayT · July 11, 2010, 03:29:38 AM

Am I the only one who find's this thing in poor taste? You're basically using CAP to panhandle.

Work hard in high school. Go into the military. Or get a scholarship and go to college. Or work your way through college. You obviously have talent with a computer, so work on that for cash.

Does your high school have a BOCES or other aviation vocational related program?

If your hobby is too expensive......work for it.

SJFedor · July 11, 2010, 06:41:31 AM

Concur. This receives a dislike from me. And I can't imagine your Wing commander would be thrilled to see it either.

RVT · July 11, 2010, 01:13:16 PM

Quote from: Flying Pig on July 11, 2010, 02:52:09 AM
http://www.marines.com/
http://www.gibill.va.gov/
Heres how I did 60% of it.

Actually if you to it right, that first one will pay for everything. Even keep you current for a few years. And there are four other choices!

Flying Pig · July 11, 2010, 01:21:41 PM

Thats very true...but at 18 years old, pilots were weinies and being a Infantry Machine Gunner was the only way to roll. At least thats what the recruiter told me. I then spent the next 8 years flying in the BACK of some really cool aircraft!

Thats is, when the weather wasnt bad. Then we walked.

dogboy · July 12, 2010, 12:08:42 AM

Quote from: HGjunkie on July 11, 2010, 02:49:59 AM
Yeah, and i've fixed up one of my mom's friends computers and got her network up and running. Got 50 bucks out of it. I'm really good with pc's, but I don't have The time to actually do all the things that make something like that work.

Something of a contradiction. You don't have time to work but you have time to learn to fly?

In other words, you have the time to have fun but not the time to work for paying for the fun.

davidsinn · July 12, 2010, 12:41:40 AM

Quote from: dogboy on July 12, 2010, 12:08:42 AM
Quote from: HGjunkie on July 11, 2010, 02:49:59 AM
Yeah, and i've fixed up one of my mom's friends computers and got her network up and running. Got 50 bucks out of it. I'm really good with pc's, but I don't have The time to actually do all the things that make something like that work.

Something of a contradiction. You don't have time to work but you have time to learn to fly?

In other words, you have the time to have fun but not the time to work for paying for the fun.

Different cadet. HGJunkie was looking for money for an NCSA.