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I want to get my pilots license but I have NO IDEA how?

Okay, so my goal is to either attend an Air Force Academy or join an ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) through a 4-year University. I am currently a Junior (11th grade) in High School and I want to get my pilot license in the summer of 2025. I know what the requirements are for an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) private pilot certificate:

1. 17 years of age

2. Fluency in English

3. Hold at least a third-class medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner

4. 40 hours of total flight time (20 with an instructor/10 solo/specific types of training such as flight maneuvers, navigation, cross-country flights, and night flying)

5. Ground School completion through an FAA-approved school

6. Pass the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam (70% or higher to pass)

7. Pass the Checkride (An oral exam and flight test conducted by an FAA-designated pilot examiner)

However, I do not know how or where to find a flight school, ground school, or flight instructor that is affordable for a 17-year-old teenager from a low-income family working several part-time jobs already.

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Jason’s Answer

These are two wonderfully ambitious goals Ava. Good for you! This place appears to be in your area - http://cfi.com/index.htm. Costs aren't listed, but if you can pay something, and you're a good student, reach out to them and see if they offer programs to help you achieve your goal. Ask them if they are aware of any programs they're aware of that might help offset your costs. Write letters to local charitable and/or veterans/ ROTC programs sharing your dream and ask for support. You never know. Some local veteran's organization may offer to support you with a grant or some kind. Do a bake sale. Call it Help me Soar! and sell cookies for $1 each. Maybe it will go viral. Write to famous people with pilots licenses. Tell them you want to fly too. Try a go fund me. Also, a search for pilot license scholarships showed this -
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2023/december/pilot/you-can-fly-1-million-for-students
https://www.av8prep.com/aviation-library/pilot-training/financial-aid-options-and-scholarships-for-pilot-license-candidates#:~:text=Financial%20Aid%20Options%20for%20Pilot%20Training%201%201.,and%20Foundations%20...%205%205.%20Employer%20Sponsorship%20
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2021/january/26/faa-accepting-applications-for-aviation-workforce-grants

I think you can do it. It will take some work, but don't let the cost of something stop you from pursuing your dreams. Get people excited about your dream then ask people that align to that passion and dream to support you.

Good luck!

Jason recommends the following next steps:

Figure out how much it costs to get a pilots license
Figure out how much of that you can pay. Now you just need to cover the difference!
Ask the people at flight schools if they are aware of any grant or financial aid options
Write a letter asking for financial support to fulfill your dream. Microsoft's (free) CoPilot can help you with a template and draft the letter.
Create a tracker list of the places you want to send the letter. Email and mail as many of them as you can. Show up to non-profits and veteran's organizations. They will be excited to see your enthusiasm. Be sure to always say thank you!
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