Prepare for takeoff

Since my son, Gabe, started college, we've had several parents ask us about aviation. It's been so cool to see many other Maryville Spoofhounds get excited about learning how to fly and possibly making a career out of it.

If you have a kid who is interested, here are the questions we are asked the most from Spoofhound parents:

Where and when did he start?

Gabe started ground school instruction at the age of 17, about halfway through his senior year in high school. He drove up to the airport in Clarinda, Iowa, every Thursday evening. During the spring semester of his senior year and the summer, he split his practical instruction between Clarinda and Rankin Airport in Maryville. While unusual to have two flight instructors for one rating, that dynamic worked well for Gabe. Mitch and Kevin are both terrific and have different teaching styles. I think that helped prepare Gabe for when he went to college.

Does my kid need to fly before starting a program?

That depends on the school. However, common sense says it's a good idea to get your kid in the air (more than once) beforehand. Even if they've flown commercially a million times, flying in a small plane is a completely different experience. I've read about students who got to school and THEN realized they got airsick. That can be overcome but not easily and not by everyone. So arrange a discovery flight or find friends who have a plane who can take your child up.

Did Gabe get his PPL (private pilot's license) before he started college?

Yes. A PPL calls for at least 40 hours of flight time (among several other things like solo and cross-country flights). He began flying in earnest after he graduated high school. He passed his PPL checkride a couple of weeks before leaving for college.

Did your kid really fly cross-country when he was 17 years old?!

No. Cross-country isn't a literal term. It's a flight plan that involves flying solo into different airports over a certain distance. I can't remember Gabe's exact ones. He made a triangle using airports in Topeka, St. Joe and one in Iowa, I think.

Did he HAVE to get a PPL before college?

No, but it's a good idea. If your child opts for a R-ATP collegiate flying education (you can look up the term), the PPL is often the only required rating a student can obtain before starting college.

Schools require students to get the rest of their necessary ratings with them (instrument, single-engine commercial and multi-engine commercial). If a student has a partial PPL, then it will depend on the school how things proceed. If the student is almost close to completion, some colleges will allow them to finish up at a nearby flight school then start the next rating with the university. However, most will require the student to begin from scratch.

So, yes, it is cheaper and possibly less time-consuming to get the PPL before starting college. Plus, your student might also receive college credit if they come in with the PPL. I think Gabe got six hours for his. Having his PPL, plus all his dual credit courses, means he will graduate a year early. Another great way to save $$.

Note, there is a nationwide shortage of designated flight examiners for checkrides (the final oral and practical test students take to get their rating). In some areas of the country, students are waiting MONTHS. And if you get a bad weather day (or two?), that'll push it back further. It wasn't that bad for Gabe. He was able to get his checkride scheduled within a few weeks. But, as I've said before, that kid was born under a lucky star. Most students don't have that kind of luck.

My kid is set on going to college for aviation. How hard is it to get into a program?

Like with all courses of study, that depends on the school. Aviation programs are often more selective than other majors due to one reason: space.

There are a ton of overhead costs related to aviation programs, and schools have a finite number of planes and a certain number of instructors. Because of the logistics required for instruction, colleges will limit the number of students they admit to their programs each year. And even if your child gets into one of those programs, make sure to check when they need to commit to the school. Many colleges will require students to commit by January or February of their senior year in high school. If they don't, their slot will go to someone on the waiting list.

Why didn't Gabe choose the military route?

The military can be a cheaper route to learn how to fly (my dad joined the Marines after college and learned to fly then). Gabe aced the ASVAB test. And when I say "aced," he blew it out of the water. So he was definitely on the military recruiter's radar for flight. We got calls, texts and emails weekly. However, Gabe wanted to go to college first. He wanted to make sure he had the opportunity to fly (not necessarily the case in the military when you go in at 18). He will, however, have the option to join the Air National Guard after graduation.

Why didn't he just go to a for-profit flight school?

That's certainly an option for your student. Getting a college degree along with his ratings was important to Gabe. Pilots with a four-year degree will often have an edge in hiring during certain times in the industry. There are different FAA requirements for pilots depending on their instruction (for-profit flight school vs. college vs. military). So have your child look into those.

Does my kid need to have a medical certificate to fly?

Yes, eventually. To fly before they solo, students will probably need to pass a medical exam conducted by an AME (aviation medical examiner). There are varying levels, depending on how you want to fly (career vs. hobby). If your student plans to go into commercial aviation, shoot for the top exam: first-class medical certificate. Student pilots can get by with a second- or third-class, but it's always a relief to know they can get that first-class mark before college graduation

It is good for one year before it needs to be renewed. However, it will drop down to a lower rating after one year if not renewed at the higher rating. Some colleges will continue to allow a student to fly under a second- or third-class in those circumstances. The reason usually being the cost (which most insurance will not cover). I think Gabe's cost $150.

If your high school student is thinking about the commercial route, do NOT wait until the summer before they start college to make the medical appointment. Not every physician is rated to do a first-class medical, so you'll need to call sooner rather than later to get that appointment on the books. Gabe went to Kansas City to get his.

Also, if your child has ANY medical history that could delay achieving a first-class medical certificate, call an AME ASAP. There are any variety of medical conditions that can cause a delay in getting that all-important medical certificate (including a history of ADHD, eye issues, etc.). You will need time to get through the system (it can take more than a year).

Does my kid need flight insurance?

It depends on the school. My son hasn't needed it for his PPL or while enrolled in college.

Is it expensive?

Uh, just a little. <sarcasm>

Please refer to my earlier answer about the high overhead cost. Planes, insurance, instructors, flight simulators, etc. aren't cheap. It's not like - say - getting an English degree where your college's main expenses are faculty, a classroom and curriculum.

And remember, the cost for your child's college degree (tuition, fees, room and board) is completely separate from their flight costs. And, unfortunately, there aren't a lot of scholarships for flight costs. Those will often have to be paid out-of-pocket or through loans. Depending on the school and the rating, you're looking at an extra $10,000 to $20,000 PER RATING.

No, that's not a typo.

So, yeah, the flight costs are basically equivalent to paying for another degree. But if your kid is committed, there is always a way. And remember, your kid's long-term earning potential will be solid, so that helps when making those types of difficult financial choices.

What kinds of classes/extras did Gabe take and participate in during high school?

He focused mostly on science and math classes. He does well in those areas and, at the time, was thinking about aerospace engineering as a career. He also took a lot of dual credit courses through Northwest. He wasn't overly active in high school. He did participate in sports and robotics. He scored high on his ACT, which helped, but wasn't in the top 10 percent of his class.

For the schools Gabe applied to for flight (Embry-Riddle, University of North Dakota and Kansas State), his math and science classes, dual credit, ACT, high GPA and the fact he was already pursuing his PPL led to his acceptance into those programs. He didn't need a laundry list of student activities to be accepted.

So tell your student to go ahead and apply to some of those top programs. It doesn't hurt to try. Kansas State has a terrific in-state tuition match for Missouri students who academically qualify, and the University of North Dakota allows students to apply for in-state residency after one year. Embry-Riddle, a private university, offers some scholarships. The University of Central Missouri also has a flight program if you're looking for something in-state.

Does he like Embry-Riddle?

Absolutely! When we found out he was accepted, we made the commitment that we'd do whatever it takes for him to go there if that's what he wanted. For Gabe to go to a school like Embry-Riddle for aviation is like sending your kid to Harvard for law or MIT for engineering (sorry for the mom brag).

The program itself is not easy. It's rigorous, and they demand a lot from their students. But it has to be that way due to the nature of the profession. Whatever college your student chooses, they will need to be independent, able to communicate well, advocate for themselves and work hard. Lessons for everyone, no matter what career path they follow.

Most importantly? They gotta love flying. And I mean LOVE it. If they don't, encourage them to get a PPL and just fly for fun. A lot of people fly without making it their profession. But to get to a place to fly for a living? It's gonna take a lot of sacrifices and a lot of money.

Any other advice?

Yes, it can be scary for your child to fly an airplane. LOL Gabe has earned his PPL, instrument and single-engine commercial ratings. He is wrapping up his CFI (certified flight instructor) certificate. And I still get nervous. I suppose I always will. I just need to trust that his hard work means he's prepared and that his instructors would never sign off unless they felt he was capable. Saying a prayer of protection for him each morning also makes me feel better.

Have your child talk to people in the profession. Some folks here in Maryville were great resources for Gabe. I can share those names if you contact me. Getting first-hand knowledge of the business AND the pitfalls is a big help.

Tell your kid to trust their gut on which program to choose. There are a lot of great programs out there. And some not-so-great. I'd stay away from social media groups. As with most things, the complainers make the most noise. Typically when people have a good experience, they aren't blowing up the internet about it. Have your student follow professional or nationwide groups instead (that aren't specific to just one school). Gabe also followed some younger professional pilots who have YouTube channels. He learned a lot from those people.

Check to see which colleges have partnerships with the majors (Delta, Southwest, United, etc.). Some airlines have collegiate internships or mentorship programs. However, they can be selective. For instance, Delta has a premier collegiate mentorship program that is only paired with about a dozen universities nationwide.

At the end of the day, just ask the questions. We are a little over two years in this process and still have a ton to learn. The more information you and your student have, the better off they'll be.