Expert: David A. NewMyer - 7/8/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello David,

  I am currently 14 years old heading my way into Freshman year in a couple of months.  I've had the passion for flying since I was 8 years old, I began flight simming at around that age just flying around.  Until later on when I became serious about it.  I currently have Flight Simulator X and I am able to work most of the planes and many realistic addons, I can use the FMC, Mode Control Panel, Auto Land, VOR, all that stuff.  But now is the time for me to get serious.  I need a suggestion on what to start out with.  I live in San Francisc, California.  I want to start flying lesson now and I need your opionion on where to start, if you can give me some locations in my area.  Also I definetly want to be an airline pilot, yes im young but I am very mature for my age and all my decisions are usually correct.  My parents have the money for me to get all my trainning, etc.  They just want a place for me to go.  Is it possible you can give me locations on where to go, and if possible what avaition university to attend when Im 18 years old?  Also, whats the legal age to fly other people in the United States, such as me flying my family.  

Thank you very much!
Don Milestone

ANSWER: Hi,

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist.

First of all, there is an excellent flight academy that operates out of Livermore, California and also out of Atwater, I think....sort of near where you are.  It is called SIERRA ACADEMY OF AERONAUTICS and can be contacted at www.sierraacademy.com   I would suggest that you contact them about pursuing your FAA Private Pilot Certificate.  You must be 16 years of age to hold a Student Pilot Certificate (and formally to begin the training process).  You must be 17 years of age to be certified as a Private Pilot....to be licensed to fly solo.  You could technically fly your family at that point, but, I would always opt for as much experience as possible and as many ratings as possible before putting loved ones on your airplane with you.  In other words, at least an instrument rating is recommended to be in your possession in the event you run into bad weather while flying by yourself or with anyone aboard.  By the way, you can be certified as a pilot of a free balloon or a glider at your current age of 14.  If that interests you, you might want to Google or Yahoo search "glider instruction" in your area.

As far as a college to attend when you reach college age, I would suggest that you contact the University Aviation Association and order THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE which is a listing of the vast majority of the larger aviation universities.  The University Aviation Association can be reached at www.uaa.aero or at 334-844-2434.  The cost of the guide is about $20.  Some of the schools that you might want to check out are:

Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univeristy (they have a campus in Prescott, AZ as well as in Daytona Beach, FL)
Western Michigan University
University of North Dakota
Purdue University
Kansas State University at Salina
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Parks College of St. Louis University

These schools offer some of the higher-rated aviation programs in the nation.

I hope that this helps.

Best wishes to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello David,

  I see that it is perfectally possible for me to attend the Sierra Academy of Aeronatics, but one thing.  I must be 16 years old to start trainning there correct?

Thanks

Answer
HI,

Thanks for your follow-up question.

Yes, the age 16 rule would apply in this case because I believe that Sierra Academy would want you to be able to hold a Student Pilot Certificate to begin training there.  But, to be sure, you might want to ask Sierra Academy.

Best wishes to you in your flight training,

Dave NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu