Expert: D. Norkus - 11/13/2004

Question
I am looking for a wa to fund my training. I have zero hours
and need all certificates leading to ATP.

Answer
"I am looking for a way to fund my training. I have zero hours and need all certificates leading to ATP."

Scott

As far as scholarships go to fund all your training, you are not likely to find any that will cover all your licenses & ratings from zero time. If that were possible, everyone would be doing it. The awards I keep a database of are mostly for females offered by womens groups. Most flight scholarships/grants I am aware of open to men want applicants to have achieved their Private Pilot before considering them for free money. (This show commitment to aviation, drive and initiative.) Plus, most scholarships will only cover a portion of the $40K-$60K it will cost you depending on how you train so it won't cover all your raings anyway. Also, scholarships are often only a one time grant for a specificed amount like $500, $1,000 or $2500. I have very few awards in my flight scholarships database that aren't female specific, but you can see my list and view the type of criteria the organizations granting the money are looking for here:

www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/page2.html


Your best option for any scholarship would be via a 4 year university aviation program. Even with one, you will still have to cover a substantial amount of your training on your own. I cannot advise on such programs. These scholarships are usually administered via each school, so tracking them down and organizing what is available may not be the easiest task. I can only refer you to the University Aviation Association for more information on 4 yr university scholarships:

http://uaa.auburn.edu/msie.htm

The only way to get your training funded for free is via the military, and of course that isn't exactly "free" considering the commitment required. Your other options would be pay as you go or take out a student or personal loan.

I assume you want to get all your ratings to pursue an airline or professional flying career? If so, I highly suggest getting at least your Private (if not your instrument rating too) before committing to getting all your ratings. If you want to fly for a career, you should be sure you have some experience in it first. Often there is a great misconception about what it's really like to fly for a living compared to how people imagine it. While it's great to take your hobby and make it a job, it's also a way to take all the fun out of your hobby.

To get the ATP, you need to have at least 1,500 hours. Even if you did get any scholarships to help you through all your other ratings, you would only have 250 hours as a new Commercial pilot. You would need to build up another 1,250 hours of flightime via jobs like flight instruction, banner tow or traffic watch. Going from zero hours to ATP will take at least 2 (if not 3 years) if you are quick about it and can get a job that will enable you to buld up time rapidly after getting your commercial.

Your question was simply about funding, but since it seems you are considering jumping into aviation as a career so I think there is so much more information you should educate yourself with. You should visit this site for some very useful info-

www.jetcareers.com

www.studentpilot.com is also another one worth checking out. There are message boards at both sites that will be very informative and you can post your own questions there too.

Here is my site about flying & careers for additional info:

www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

Hope this can help,
Dot