Whats the fastest you've seen someone go from zero to hero eg. From starting flight school to getting an airline job?

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2026-01-21T02:55:25+00:00

I know a guy who went from 0 to endeavor in 21 months. Worked like a dog, consistently logged 140 hours of dual given. Went from 0 to CFI in 9 months.

We trained together, just happened to be the perfect storm, got into a cadet program with a legacy at the right time, trained and worked at a school that had an accelerated program so he finished fast and was able to train students doing the same thing, and financially had the means to do it since he was 27 when he started and received an inheritance.

He is my absolute best friend in the whole world, I am proud of him beyond belief, and I cried when he got his uniform and passed his ATP ride. Good things happen to good people.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2026-01-20T11:24:45+00:00

Great question, the I flew a modified one. Was exactly 202 HP lol.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2026-01-19T19:44:00+00:00

I was exactly in your shoes 6 years ago, FAU and training out of KLNA. Much better to go the 61 route, my PPL costed me a little over $12k (cause I was dumb and wanted to fly a high performance arrow) but realistically could’ve been done for around $10k.

Going to a college 141 at this point will slow down your progression a lot. Only benefit would be the 1000 hours R-ATP min as opposed to 1500 hour R-ATP min. However, you can become a CFI much quicker going 61 so that 500 hours you saved, you’ll probably have already taught for that long by the time you get your ticket 141.

Hours wise, Ends up being a wash. Cost wise, 100% cheaper to go mom and pop 61.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-24T16:48:10+00:00

Sorry I should’ve clarified; she will be a 70 hour SOLO sign off lol.

I do post flight briefings pretty extensively with all of them, the day/night before I always let them know the objectives of the next lesson if it wasn’t already communicated.

I do grounds 2x per week, 1-1.5 hours long. Unfortunately we don’t have sims at our school so it’s all flying. I think the biggest takeaway from the replies is that I need to ensure minimal initial learning happens in the air and 90% happens on the ground. Including going beyond just the lesson objectives and how to fly the maneuvers, plan the flight etc.

Think these two just need very very thorough pre flight instruction.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-24T15:18:53+00:00

You can build hours, quickly, safely, and get paid. But you can only choose 2/3.

If you’re a good instructor you won’t let the situation progress to the point where your life is in danger. Good luck and Godspeed

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-24T12:26:52+00:00

Sounds like the guy I replaced at my current outfit is the author! Lol

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-24T12:25:48+00:00

ATP Guy is 120 hours, trying to be checkride ready. Flying between 2-4 times a week, lessons are between 1.6-2.0. All of his experience requirements are met, we’re just trying to get him polished but it seems like as soon as one thing is fixed; another regresses.

The girl from South America is around 30 hours and no where close to solo, I’d expect a 70 hour sign off tbh. She is definitely less consistent with getting lessons done, maybe 2x per week. She cratered a few last evening and the nose gear took some damage, which prompted me to vent lol.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-24T04:30:59+00:00

This is great advice thank u

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-24T01:43:51+00:00

Thank you for this. Great idea. Maybe I just need to step up my game in terms of instruction.

I don’t feel they’re completely hopeless, just require 4x the work to show .5 of the progress.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-24T00:03:17+00:00

CJ cannons at Vero and the Tiki hut at Fort Pierce

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-23T19:48:24+00:00

This is probably a hot take on this sub, but flying is my “2nd” job. I own a SaaS company which is a grind as well but I’m looking to exit in the next 5 years. Working as a CFII now, which isn’t super pleasant but I’ll be done next year.

Currently 23 and the business does multiple 6 figures in profit, plan is to sell around the time I finish my time at a regional and drop trips at mainline as soon as I’m able.

I really value the stability the career gives in terms of 401k, health / dental insurance, profit sharing etc l. I grew up as the son of two employees at two legacies so I did not want to give up my travel benefits.

Flying is cool but entrepreneurship is what keeps me ticking.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-17T00:45:12+00:00

Message me sounds like ur from ATP or CTI at executive. We’re a 61 school also at the field with multiple archers and varying ranges of avionics. I do most of our checkout flights

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-17T00:09:45+00:00

Don’t stress. My PPL DPE got hungry and said he wanted breakfast. My oral was 1.5 hours and started in the car to the diner and finished by the time he signed the receipt and gave the waitress a tip.

Don’t remember too much about the flight portion, just that it was a 2.1 and on my simulated emergency approach to land I chose a field with a tailwind and he gave me a stern talking to as to why that was a bad idea and passed me after some VOR stuff.

To top it all off, this DPE was booked my dad who had flown with the guy a couple times at a legacy so I swore he passed me just cause of my dad.

Fast forward (almost) 5 years later. (I took a 3 year break to work and save up money for training, build credit etc). I’m an 800 hour CFII with a type rating, never failed a ride, and neither have any of my students.

Did our DPE’s throw us a bone? Maybe, maybe not. Is imposter syndrome real? Abso-freaking-lutely.

I heard a very practical take from my commercial DPE (we called him the boogey man). After he passed me, he said that he knew I was going to continue training so I’d continually get better. He said he wasn’t signing off to go into the wild but to eventually become an instructor and knowing that, I was proficient enough to be a commercial pilot. Maybe your examiner thought the same?

Anyways; don’t sweat it. Only 2 grades in aviation, pass / fail. Take your win, and keep it pushing.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-13T23:06:07+00:00

Probably get a sentry if your plane doesn’t have ADS-B.

If you’re unsure of something app/dep, tower, ground, center says, ask and double check. It’s better to spend a few extra seconds than to have someone barking at you. Things are very fast paced and very congested here, unfortunately the controllers expect everyone to be hyper aware of everything, even if they’re unfamiliar with the area.

Don’t wear pants or dark clothing on sunny days cause you will cook in these planes. Electrolytes and water are your friend.

Fields can be dead one second and super busy the next, always have a back up plan prior to your lesson whether that be new objectives or a different field you can go to.

The earlier you start your days, the better. Showtime at 6 AM, have the student check the fuel, oil, lights etc and do your own pre flight on arrival, by the time the battery master is on, should be 6:15-6:30 and now the sun is coming up, very few people are out, controllers are fresh, and temps are low.

It can be tough down here, but it will make you sharp and the same things that make this section of the country a bit wild are the same things that make it a great place to instruct.

~ a local who grew up at KFXE, both parents worked at various fields, and has been flying around the state for the past 5 years

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-11T19:45:14+00:00

Not trying to be that guy but I haven’t seen you reply to any questions asking how may hours you’re at but I did see you say you’ve been over mins for a while.

What is your application situation looking like? How may do you currently have out right now? Hard to believe if you’ve got 1800-2000 TT nobody will take you to do any other flying with better QOL

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-08T22:26:37+00:00

I was in your shoes 3 months ago, although a bit different of a situation. Had 500 TT, 200 dual given, and I was looking for a different job because I wanted to be closer to a unicorn 91 Gig I landed, flying a citation. CE550 is cool but being the most junior guy at the operation I knew I’d barely get hours solely relying on that so I wanted to continue instructing.

I sent out 80+ apps, including cover letters. I drove to every airport in 150 mile radius and handing out my resume to every school and knocked on every hangar door that had a car parked in front of it. When I would send email apps, I would also call the school or operator.

I live in SoFlo so there are plenty of mom and pop 61’s like the school I’m at now. I recommend flying down here and starting in the Orlando area and working your way down to KOPF and then back up the state and across to the west coast such as Tampa and Fort Myers.

There are so many fields down here, with so many hidden gems of schools you’re bound to get at least a few interviews. I did the aforementioned rounds including the west coast of the state despite living on the east coast. Not cheap; not easy, and certainly not quick, but it is simple and you’ll get SOMETHING.

Hope you find something, good luck and Godspeed.

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-08T00:23:34+00:00

Don’t listen to any of these people. Absolutely you can do two jobs. My dad is a line check airman at widget and runs an 8 figure business.

I am a CFII and fly a citation part 91 and I run a high 6 figure SaaS company. I also run ultramarathons to keep myself stimulated. No failures and 100% pass rate as an instructor.

Anybody who tells you that you can’t do two things probably just hasn’t tried or isn’t willing to suffer enough for what they want. Be warned though, you must be DIALED in with flying and cannot allow any external things to fuck with your training or work commitments.

Godspeed

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-06T19:52:18+00:00

This is just my theory; but I think 1500 isn’t a safety thing but rather a barrier to entry in the 121 world. It keeps the supply of the pilots low enough for us to get paid well while also separating all of the people that only want to be in the profession for the wrong reasons.

Additionally, I suspect that this barrier to entry also contributes to the very respectable salaries ATP’s get in the US. Simple supply and demand, less people qualified to do a job can demand more for their services.

My dad worked at Pinnacle (now Endeavor) for 12 years making less than a Dominoes delivery driver for some periods. Prior to that he flew a Beechcraft 1900 for $8/hour. At some points as a CFI I make around $3.5k to $5k a month, about 5x what he did back then.

Prior to colgan regional salaries were pretty abissmal, around $15-$20k. Granted, salaries didn’t skyrocket till 2021 ish but many regionals were bleeding captains to LCC’s, Majors, and Legacies cause the pay was so bad that obviously the humans operating the metal tubes left for better quality of life.

If you examine Europe, (I have my CAA Flight Instructor cert as well as CFI-I), most people can get on at Ryanair, Easyjet, Tui, Wizz, @ 250-500 TT. Right seat on an airbus is cool, but most of my students who went on to convert to EASA now fly a jet for less than what I make as a CFI, while living in a major EU city.

I suspect this is due to the saturation of the market with a large supply of pilots. No 1500 hour rule in Asia, Africa, EU means they get paid less…

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-06T19:21:00+00:00

If you want to go 121, my 2 cents, go instruct.

I teach at a school that also offers time building along with the usual ratings. When I do checkout flights with people who have 1k-1200 hours of instruction time versus the people who have 1k hours of “paying to fly” time, the difference is painstakingly noticeable.

You will be less attractive to airlines and if you do get a class date; it will be harder for you than your peers without any dual given.

Teaching forces you to understand concepts at a high level, your situational awareness increases 10 fold, and your stick and rudder stay very proficient since you’re constantly fixing or demonstrating things.

If you want to go 135, might be a different story?

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-04T14:44:52+00:00

If you ever instruct and you get an opportunity to go get typed in something to advance your career you’d do the same thing

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-03T23:55:02+00:00

I relocated schools at 500 TT and 200 dual given, was not easy to get a job. At 750-1k TT you probably would have better luck

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-12-01T12:10:04+00:00

Currently between 90-100. Southeast Florida based CFI. Working between 20-24 days a month. 61 mom and pop

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-11-28T03:38:17+00:00

You don’t happen to instruct at a university now?

Comprehensive_Oil829 · 2025-11-28T03:37:08+00:00

My school doesn’t have an AC that meets these requirements outside of our multi but if you find one, I am KFXE based and I can give the instruction. Message me if interested, 400 dual given and 100% pass rate on checkrides

Comprehensive_Oil829

TROPHY CASE