wikz

I wish I could say 60K doesn't feel like that much debt lol. Thanks for your input @ViperMan, its always appreciated.

Yeah, the ratio of the money returns between flight school and college isn't great, but with college almost done and the funds taken care of, it seems like I wouldn't be able to use it for anything else except my kids college and I hope by that time, ill be an airline pilot with no issues in paying for it. Also with being a guard guy, I dont get BAH unless on TDY's or deployments, and I dont get TA unless on orders that are a month or longer. Other than that, I believe I would only be able to get BAH while using my GI Bill like you said. I agree with your argument and wish I could've used the GI Bill for college to receive more money, but I think I missed that window. And like brabus said, going into debt now to save it for my kids college (assuming they want to go) to receive the maximum benefits of the P911GIB in the future is debatable.

I don't think id ever be "good" just flying commercial. Don't get me wrong, I love flying and would be VERY grateful to fly for an airline. However, if I ever pursued the airlines before going to UPT (if I ever was picked up), it would be to set myself up for later in life (be financially stable, meaning I can start to give back to my family instead of take, and also to be the best pilot I can be before going to UPT). You are correct, i'm already 2 years out from my bachelors and college is pretty much taken care of by federal student aid. That's why the GI bill looked so favorable to use for ratings, but viper man brings up some good points which I will take into account. Kamaka air offers turbine time, so im glad you brought up what the majors airliners require. I'll definitely look more into that.

well in my mind, I won't be able to apply for the 199th until the 2027 board because I have to finish college and get my AFOQT and TBAS done. From there, I will start flight school again and get to CFII in a year or two = 2028/2029. I probably won't be picked up for the 199th until ive applied for a couple-few years which is just time for me to keep building hours and instruct. id probably reach 1500 in 2030 and fingers crossed im hired around this time to fly for the HIANG. the pipeline has been pretty bad recently and our F22 select who just left for UPT got hired in 2021 which means ill most likely have four years to continue instructing or attempt to get hired by HA, or fly for HA. however, this is all hypothetical and im positive it won't be this smooth and fast tracked.

Yeah I also was thinking it would be kinda dumb to go through the whole process of learning to fly and becoming an FO for HA just to leave for UPT shortly after. well this is the first time ive heard someone say not to use the GI bill for flight school. I was planning on it, because im honestly not sure how else to pay for it other than scholarships, or just taking out a big ass loan and paying the monthly minimums for it until I have enough money to pay it off.

I honestly haven't even tried to look at UH's AFROTC program because Im going to American Military University right now to speed up the college process and because it's cheaper. I can pay for the PPL out of pocket, but its a matter of how im gonna pay for the rest of the ratings after if I do go for it. yeah the economy is kinda f'd, especially in Hawaii.

hey springer! yeah, I fly in Kona right now and its great, but I think im gonna be flying on Oahu after college (where I live). I have looked at places on the west coast but some are just as expensive or even more. maybe im just not looking good enough, but from my experience in Kona, rent, groceries, etc. is no joke which is why im leaning more towards going to a school where I live so I only have to worry about paying for flight lessons.

dude id love to; ive heard that's also beneficial for UPT. maybe sometime in the future after I get my GA ratings ill look into that.

Kamaka Air thankfully only requires up to CPL and a deal if you work at the front desk with them for at least 6 months, they will hire you. I am interested in flying for HA if I was a part-time raptor guy, but then again that's not my motive for all this. I do see where you're coming from though. I definitely dont want to go into a shitload of debt, but am willing to if it gives me a better chance at coming back. thanks for your 0.02 cents brabus. always appreciated sir!

I definitely dont have the funds but im hoping to got on the next 6 monther coming up so I can qualify for the GI Bill. thanks for the information brody. CFII just became more favorable.

what's up y'all! I am in the process of getting my PPL and I absolutely love flying, and will be continuing after I finish college; however, I am stuck between the two options listed above in the title. Ive heard so many different stories of how having time before going to UPT is good because you have a good idea of how to do things, or how it can also be bad due to unlearning civilian flying habits. it seems to me like most of our guys at the 199th FS had time before going to UPT such as Skywest, HA pilot, CFI, charter airline, and I definitely think i'm gonna jump on that train. I understand that Uncle Sam would be paying for those ratings and it would be a waste of money, but I want to ensure I comeback to the squadron if I ever got picked up by these guys. I don't really care about how much hours I'll accrue, but rather which skills will transfer over to UPT more. if I trained students as a CFI/CFII, I feel like VFR and IFR flying will be engrained in my head which I think will be good? However, I will mainly be teaching and not flying meaning I could possibly lose the flying hands? I also think CFI flying will look better on a resume then charter/cargo flying. On the other hand, I have buddies who are also trying to fly for the 199th that fly for kamaka air (the charter/cargo airline im talking about) who said they would vouch for me if I ever tried to fly for them. It probably would be an easier way to gain hours, and I would actually be flying, however, its less focused on maneuvers, etc. I would appreciate any thoughts you guys have! Thanks in advance!🤙

howzit going guys and gals, I have a question on the rushing process and was curious if anyone had some answers. how long is too long, and you've started to overstay your welcome? Being a DSG, I usually just head upstairs after drill and cruise with everyone, and they usually have roll call which, obviously, rushees aren't allowed in so we hang around outside until it's done. Anecdotally speaking, hanging around that late to just talk story with the pilots after is good faceTime and shows your eagerness for lack of better words. However, this drill, most of the rushees dipped out before the roll call and it was just me and a couple dudes waiting until late into the night. granted, they came out occasionally for breaks and said the usual "ahh you guys didn't have to stick around," and talked story with us. But, it was later than usual and we all had a consensus that we probably have been here too long for their liking, so I shuttled them back to the NEX and let our new guard pilot that we were all heading out. should we have stayed or was it a good call to count our wins and head home?

that's what im saying

not fair

that's actually crazy

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Howzit going aviators! I just finished sophomore year of college and am about to start my part 61 flight school in a couple weeks. However, I have had a few weeks to myself and it sucks not being able to be productive towards this goal. Ive been talking to our pilots about it and most ask me, "do you have leadership experience outside of the military or in your enlisted shop?" "do you volunteer?" and it made me realize that I don't have much special extracurriculars or stand-out leadership experience. Ive asked my supervisors about leadership and I was pretty much told that as an E2 its impractical which is justifiable. As a result, I was thinking about what I can do for my church, or doing student government for American military University, however, i'm not sure if where i'm aiming is what they want. For any guard pilot, past or present board member, or anyone that has some gouge on this, what other things in my free-time can I do to make my application for fighter squadrons more appealing? Thanks in advance bros!

two has no complaints. 🤭

wow

BAD COMPANY, I CANT DENY! 🎸

damn...no fighters?!

sexy lookin jet.

possibly...

surprisingly likable song one of our pilots was stepping to this morning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Py87_TdJ60