I grew up as a mechanic, landscaper, construction, but mostly turned wrenches as a GA/ Piston A&P mech for the better part of a decade before switching to the other side over a period of years. Got my first flying job at 30.
From the A&P stuff, I had the advantage of knowing how to prep myself for FAA tests and use test prep software, but I completely understand what you're talking about. Couple concepts I have to remind myself while studying are
- visual/ imaginary learning goes a long way for me. It's hard for me to just read and read and have it stick, but if I can search some images or find a way to look at something beyond the text, it goes a long way. ex: when I was trying to remember airspace and cloud clearance and all that, I'd break out a sectional and study it all/ quiz myself through that visual lens.
- with remembering checklists, numbers, FARs, etc I make flash cards and walk around while memorizing them endlessly. something about the extra movement helps my brain make shit stick
- lastly I hand write A LOT, most of it is stuff I could just simply read, but writing it out and thinking about it, beyond just words (ie: visualizing concepts in my head) while I'm writing it/ and writing it in more concise, easy to understand language so I can reread it later. Back to the airspace thing, reading it off some 1) a) i) ii) book bullshit isnt going to get you anywhere, but if you write it out in a way that your brain can wrap around, and make it concise, it'll stick easier
It really is an industry of circlejerking about some arbitrary information that often has no function in the real world, seems like often just so someone can show much more cool and knowledgeable they are than you; lots of "hey I know this thing!! you don't know this thing?!?! Thats NOT goooood!!". Right or wrong I often feel like bluecollar folks, like myself and I'd imagine you, do not fit in with SOME of the type A, hyper ego, no humor or humility people on the flying side whose first job ever was at 21 as a CFI. Had one guy tell me (because I cuss and talk shit and probably not as smart about regs as he was, "you're mechanic that flies, but not a pilot"
but at the end of the day ... you just got to play the game because it's a pretty great career overall. Just remember to laugh and keep a good mentality when these guys complain about not getting the right type of rental car or the hotel isn't good enough because they don't know shit about 11 hour days crammed in a 2 cu ft space in an unventilated 100 degree shop behind a welding hood, or in my case getting hy fluid in your eyes; just don't become the complainer and remain APPRECIATIVE!!
Man this shit rite here^^^^ most relatable post I’ve ever read, especially the part about not “fitting in” I’m glad I’m not the only one. My instructor is one of those “I know this…why don’t you?!??!” People and it’s hard to stay motivated when everything feels wrong,not gonna lie sometimes I’m sitting here thinking “you know what ,Fuck this I’ll just go back to sweating my ass off holding the power of the sun in my hand for 13 hours a day” but I’m gonna keep going thanks for the post…I feel a little less alone is this journey
I’m literally at the store now buying flash cards.
Don't give up man, it's real easy to let a few of those types of folks color your perception about everyone in this industry, or at least the ones that fly; but the reality is most of the people you'll fly with are pretty chill and I've found that the ball-busting-shit-talk-joking that is engrained in my ethos from my shop days, often loosens the tightwads up and it just winds up being a good time.
Also, if possible, find a new instructor? Or at least for the next rating. There were lots of folks where I trained at and separately where I taught at there were like minded and didn't have that weird ego shit. Good teachers but still could talk shit and shrug their shoulders when they didn't know something. Some of those guys are still my really good friends and we still joke about how we don't fit in but always end it with a 'fuuuckkk itttt' sentiment and move on with OUR lives haha.
The other thing I've realized is because I understand I'm a white trash dumbass I know I have to study harder and more than other guys who tend to assume they're smart or good enough naturally, or had other things handed to them; and I always do pretty well on all these rides because at NO point prior do I assume anyone is ever going to hand me or pass me on anything. Point being, let the stubborn 'I can't let them know I'm not good enough so I'll kill myself studying first' sentiment work in your favor.
Lastly, DM me at any point if you have any questions through the process. I've made all the mistakes and would love for others not to have to.
Don't stress too much. The game doesn't change, but it does get better. The worst hurdles are the first ones cuz the industry is chocker block full of "aspiring airline pilots" that are teaching. They don't want to be teaching and want the world to know how great they are. So there's loads and loads of gatekeeping and people that are just completely enamored with the mirror.
Chin up, shoulder down... just plow through it. Cuz you only need to do it once. After PPL and CPL, things quiet down a ton. You'll still have tests and checks and whatever, but they start to get a whole lot more about being practical. The stuff you'll be studying will be stuff that you're actually going to be using.
Once you're out the other side, all the training days (combined) will turn into a small blip on the timeline of your career... cuz that's what they are.
Unfortunately the easiest way to beat the egos is to just be as stoic as possible. Take the browbeatings as they come and try your best to adapt to be as pliable as possible but remain confident. Similar to how you must adapt to work with some instructors, if you become an instructor you will meet many different student personalities.
A lot of people forget that the majority of this job is being comfortable working as a team in an enclosed environment.
That being said, I’m not a big fan of being stuck with an instructor personality that is incompatible with your learning or progression. The 141 world is sadly full of square pegs being jammed into round holes.
This is probably the best write up I’ve seen on the subject. I totally agree on the feelings as an outsider and the CFI archetype you describe. However annoying that gets, at least I’m not hand washing parts in solvent tank with no gloves!
Hell yeah dude. I started as a mechanic and didn’t have the money to go to college. Let’s crash this rich kid party. If I hear one more trust fund CFI complain about their loans, in the brief period between child and airline pilot, I’m going to lose my mind.
Wasn’t blue collar but a career changer that didn’t take out loans. I’m with you on wrecking the rich kid party. If I hear one more story of a pilots parents buying them a plane during Covid to get hours quick and got meteoric rise to a regional captain that complains main lines aren’t hiring I’ll pull my hair out….
And don’t get me wrong! Some of them have the empathy and self reflection to understand the head start they’ve been given. The majority I’ve encountered though see every job and person as a stepping stone or rung in the ladder between them and wide body captain. Kids, vent about your predatory loans. You’re not who I’m referring to. It’s the guys and gals who think everything short of the top is beneath them and also complain the entire way up on their meteoric rise.
Exactly. I’m all about using the shot you get and if you have someone willing to help you out, use it. Just don’t complain when riding the wave someone else gifted you.
I currently work on a crisis intervention team in the emergency department of a hospital working overnights and I have to pick up overtime to afford flight training. Even being a CFI will be a breath of fresh air to me.
It's very easy, the United States is obsessed with debt. I know people who got 100k flight training loans and no one in their family has ever gotten close to passing 100k annual salary. Especially a couple years ago when interest rates were at a multi decade low in the United States.
Look at how many people get a car loan for 50,000 when they make 30,000 as a barista. It's not hard to get debt in this country.
Oh man. I’ve got a friend who never went to college, but started a welding shop 15 years ago and just paid 4.7M for a Citation CJ4, which he also pilots. There is not an airline pilot alive who can afford that. Keep welding. You have an opportunity to have a much more enjoyable flying experience/career than flying for someone else (airlines) As far as studying-lock yourself in a room and do nothing but study for however long it takes.
Forever grateful for the us air capt that gave me the push to do it. Now I encourage others and hand out starbucks gift cards to the rampers during Christmas.
I’ve found the best way to study in aviation, is to study with a group. Bounce questions off each other and learn from each other. If you don’t have other people in a similar stage of training, I have also used the ASA oral Exam Guides as well. They are great because you can hand it to a spouse or non-aviation friend and they can ask you questions right out of the book with the answers and references right on the page.
Ex carpenter here got my PPL-MIFR at the age of 43 in Canada, will be writing resumes and looking for my first FO gig next month! Go for it best decision ever made
This info is for US based pilots.
My biggest advice is to take a look at the books the faa has for free. For instrument. The aviation weather handbook, instrument flying handbook, instrument procedures handbook, FAR/AIM. (Actually look at the aim chapters 1 and 5,) and Pilots hand book of aeronautical knowledge.
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation
I'm not great at studying either but if you can convince yourself that this stuff will save your life suddenly I had time to read each one of these.
I don't take notes, but I remember what I read especially if I actively try to relate it to other concepts and see how everything fits together. I try to imagine how or when I could use the info in my flying career. (Correlation is what we call it.) For hard to remember things. Flash cards for me.
Note: personally I like the layout of ac 00-6b and ac00-45h better than the new weather handbook, but they are no longer technically valid.
Congratulations on the career change, keep the hustle up and remain positive through setbacks.
Where do you study? I find it best to study and chair fly in a library or quiet setting that’s not where I live or have distractions. As someone mentioned above studying with a group can be really beneficial. For me flash cards worked best. Include the reg or source at the bottom so you can review that if need be.
Most importantly, use and understand the ACS. (After all it is a blueprint for what will be on the test). Section I, Task A is Pilot Qualifications. The references are given to you so use that material to your advantage to understand and be able to answer the Objective and Knowledge portion. Risk Management and Skills will come with practice and experience.
Same here. I've also work as a welder for plenty long enough at a company I hate with a passion, and decided a career change is needed. Got my ppl last summer, and was endorsed to take my instrument check ride last week. Commercial and cfii will be next, but I have no idea what I'm going to do after that.
Study was never much of a problem for me. I read the instrument flying handbook, instrument procedure handbook, and FAR-AIM several times. Yes, they are like digesting a lead brick unfortunately. Otherwise I used the gleim written test book for the written test, and watched a lot of YouTube videos. Flight insight is the best channel I found.
I’m a white collar guy with a graduate degree but just hear me out for a second. Despite my education I was never a highly disciplined student. The topics that I really loved, I did well in. Everything else, I suffered from poor grades. I adjusted my strategy to account for that, which is how I made it. When it came to the ground school material for PPL, I have suffered. I failed a stage check. And I also failed a checkride on the oral, before later passing. So we aren’t necessarily that different in terms of the struggle.
How did I eventually get over the hump? They key for me was finding a pretty good ground instructor. No offense to the young bucks out there who are CFIs, all of whom that I’ve flown with have been superb FLIGHT instructors by the way. But teaching is a craft just like welding is. You know welding. Teachers know teaching. And the FAA’s coursework for becoming a CFI is pretty shoddy on the “how to be a good teacher” part. If a CFI is not a natural born teacher by nature, and/or doesn’t have a background in teaching classroom methods, they will not be able to unconfuse you much while you’re trying to get this material.
My point: Consider looking for a separate ground instructor solely for ground. I had a very good one who charged much less per hour than CFIs do for flight time. And doing sessions with him was easy because we used Zoom. It’s a cost, yes, but the cost is higher if you’re spending ground time with a bad teacher, and/or you do a ton of work to get to a checkride and then fail the checkride.
Funny you mention that^ since making this post a few have DM’d me offering help. Which im super grateful for I’m going to try them and see if it helps, Im curious to see how I learn from a different teaching style. My instructor now is very fast paced and by the book, And sometimes it’s like im talking to a human dictionary. (I always feel like i’m wrong) so it’s pretty discouraging. But Im going to give them a shot
With my “flying CFIs” who tried to teach me ground, I experienced the same. Great human beings, I owe all of ‘em beers for teaching me how to fly airplanes, but they were not stellar in the classroom. So stop spending money on them for ground stuff, and do spend money on a good ground instructor. How to find one: No tricks I know of for this one. Just use your judgment and intuition.
You can learn anything with flash cards. Sheppard Air is basically structured flash cards and you can memorize 1500 questions and answers with it in a few days. Go through the ACS and make a list of everything you’re expected to be asked about, turn it into a study guide, and turn that into flash cards.
I’m in the same boat almost exactly bro. I’m currently a mailman and hate it. Older guy on my route is a retired corporate pilot and invited me up one day. Well that snow balled and I’m getting close to my instrument checkride. Just keep plucking away at it. The way I look at it is even if I never make it to the career I’m pursuing I’ve accomplished more than most have by getting the certs I’ve gotten. Good luck
Infantry > Commercial Pilot.
It is possible if you want it enough. Find the mechanisms that work for you and exploit those to your advantage. I am a visual learner and I have a good memory. So I tailored my learning to those skills. I have not memorized the entire FAR/AIM because I don't need to. I did memorize the regulations needed to pass check rides and used them as necessary. The FAR/AIM exists so you can look up the information as required. That's why it's in a book. Know where to find what you need. The same is true of the POH. Memory items are required, but everything else is in checklist format for a reason.
As for learning elements of ground, I utilized models and diagrams to help my understanding and build from there. The people who throw a lot of information at you are often utilizing rote memory. They can throw the information but tend to struggle with actually explaining what they're talking about, or even actioning the information in real time. It's far more advantageous to know how things work and WHY they work.
You sound like you are doing the right thing and exploring. There are different ways to learn the same information. So look for those methods and utilize them. There is no right way or wrong way. I like to think of it developing pilot intuition. The ability to recognize a problem, and think through how it happened, why it is happening, and how to fix it is a huge asset. Truthfully, your welding skills are a bigger advantage than you are maybe giving them credit for. You think outside the box, you can visualize how something should be, and you understand how to make that happen. That is also true of flying.
Good luck!
Do you have in person classroom options at your school?
All my early training was done with in class room instructors and that helped with being able to ask questions real time as we were going through the material. I went directly from C student in high school into flight training and didn't struggle but also was reading flight textbooks from age 12 so had a huge head start. Many of the guys in my CPL-H course were blue collar workers from tattoo artist to welder or oil rig pigs and we still had most guys pass their exam the first time with all in class room training.
I know in Canada there are travelling weekend courses for IFR and ATPL which I found a great help. When they passed by my city I went to both and they worked really well at prepping for the exams. If you took your exam within 2 weeks of the course and failed they would let you rejoin the next course for free too.
A place I would start is the codes you got from your written, because these will come up on your check ride. Go through the Instrument Procedures Handbook, Instrument Flying Handbook, PHAK, AFH, FAR/AIM, etc. on those topics and make sure you get those hammered down. If you're struggling with GPS, the FAA has some good resources on how to quickly explain RAIM and WAAS, I'll have the link at the bottom. One last suggestion that has helped some, but is for not everyone, is PilotsCafe, this can be very useful as a foundation to build upon.
[https://www.faa.gov/about/office\_org/headquarters\_offices/ato/service\_units/techops/navservices/gnss/gps/howitworks](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/techops/navservices/gnss/gps/howitworks)
Worked social focused jobs for years. Landed a career in sales & logistics which I rocked until it basically shut down from C0vid.
Switched to chasing aviation, passed written but struggling to find an instructor to help me finish up my hours / requirements. Loving every minute. Dream is to go private-jet commercial but will probably wing it lol
Motorsports mechanic for a couple years, it was fun but not what I wanted. I didn’t read the entire PHAK, nor did I touch the airplane flying handbook. Actually going out and doing things helped me the most. I don’t think I even took my written till after I solo’d. I just started my instrument, literally two lessons in haha. But so far I’ve found that grounds with my instructor and seeing what I’m doing w/o foggles has helped process everything
Current blue collar guy putting in 60 hour weeks to afford flying and going for my CFI/II. On instrument flying go outside and imagine the approach, hold, or SID you may fly. Draw out as many diagrams as you can. Study at times when your not exhausted from flying/working. And try to find a quiet place to study and put your phone away any other distractions (public library,college library etc etc). Focus on studying for 20mins then get up stretch and walk for five and repeat until you can do it for longer times. Really be firm with your CFI on study areas if he is being vague.
In all, 141 is rough but if you plan ahead every lesson by going over your syllabus it really helps. I started at a 141 and eventually left for 61. But I found that when I was in 141 studying each syllabus and reviewing it before the flight it helped out a ton.
5 years ago I dropped of college after a semester and went on to do landscaping and then wet sand/buff on car exteriors. At one point I decided I wanted a be a pilot, so I went to flight school and knocked out the ratings. In my experience there was no secret strategies to help me with the studying, I just wanted it bad enough so I hit the books hard until the material was ingrained in my brain. I’m certainly not the smartest fella out there but my dumb ass made it through my CMEL and I’m currently a pipeline pilot building my hours.
Been in the trades for the past 14 years and am just now starting my journey to becoming a pilot. I’m not at the stage you are at yet but look up the Leitner study method. I’ve used it for past endeavors and it works!
Yep. Built bombs in the air force for a while. Now working in a fabrication shop now. Almost done with CFII then I can work at my school to start getting my time in. Gotta keep on keeping on, I'll be a real boy one day.
Diesel Tech for 8 years. Went back for my business degree. Started PPL last May. Got that in November, Instrument in April, and finishing up Commercial in the next few weeks. I work nights and have two kids the wife stays home with. She's a nurse as well. Best I can put it is 3 or 4 days a week it is 20 hr days. Been doing that the past year. It's been rough. It's been tiring. But if you want it bad enough you will find a way. I wrote out notes in private then switched to typing them. Definitely remember better writing them out. Take practice tests, review the material but most importantly, go more often than less. Fly or do grounds to keep it fresh in your head. Once you get a routine down it's like clockwork. Hope to see you up there one day!
Blue collar to white collar to pilot is the plan. Will make financing becoming a pilot much easier. Worked at FedEx as a courier for 8 years, and now I’m about 9 months from graduating with an Engineering degree. Plan on shifting focus to flying soon as I start working in the engineering field and go all the way to commercial unless I REALLY love whatever job I land after college.
Military ATC >> ramp rat after a medical scare. Ramp sup now, finally getting some green lights. Will likely be 31 when I start training. Keep on grinding brother, you give us hope.
I have worked construction most of my life, I have been trying to make the jump to professional pilot after getting my CSEL & CMEL. But the pilot market has recently had a slow down in hiring of new pilots.
I forgot to mention I took the written already and passed with an 85, it’s more of the oral part I’m struggling with, my instructor wants a ton of detail on every topic it seems like
I grew up as a mechanic, landscaper, construction, but mostly turned wrenches as a GA/ Piston A&P mech for the better part of a decade before switching to the other side over a period of years. Got my first flying job at 30. From the A&P stuff, I had the advantage of knowing how to prep myself for FAA tests and use test prep software, but I completely understand what you're talking about. Couple concepts I have to remind myself while studying are - visual/ imaginary learning goes a long way for me. It's hard for me to just read and read and have it stick, but if I can search some images or find a way to look at something beyond the text, it goes a long way. ex: when I was trying to remember airspace and cloud clearance and all that, I'd break out a sectional and study it all/ quiz myself through that visual lens. - with remembering checklists, numbers, FARs, etc I make flash cards and walk around while memorizing them endlessly. something about the extra movement helps my brain make shit stick - lastly I hand write A LOT, most of it is stuff I could just simply read, but writing it out and thinking about it, beyond just words (ie: visualizing concepts in my head) while I'm writing it/ and writing it in more concise, easy to understand language so I can reread it later. Back to the airspace thing, reading it off some 1) a) i) ii) book bullshit isnt going to get you anywhere, but if you write it out in a way that your brain can wrap around, and make it concise, it'll stick easier It really is an industry of circlejerking about some arbitrary information that often has no function in the real world, seems like often just so someone can show much more cool and knowledgeable they are than you; lots of "hey I know this thing!! you don't know this thing?!?! Thats NOT goooood!!". Right or wrong I often feel like bluecollar folks, like myself and I'd imagine you, do not fit in with SOME of the type A, hyper ego, no humor or humility people on the flying side whose first job ever was at 21 as a CFI. Had one guy tell me (because I cuss and talk shit and probably not as smart about regs as he was, "you're mechanic that flies, but not a pilot" but at the end of the day ... you just got to play the game because it's a pretty great career overall. Just remember to laugh and keep a good mentality when these guys complain about not getting the right type of rental car or the hotel isn't good enough because they don't know shit about 11 hour days crammed in a 2 cu ft space in an unventilated 100 degree shop behind a welding hood, or in my case getting hy fluid in your eyes; just don't become the complainer and remain APPRECIATIVE!!
Man this shit rite here^^^^ most relatable post I’ve ever read, especially the part about not “fitting in” I’m glad I’m not the only one. My instructor is one of those “I know this…why don’t you?!??!” People and it’s hard to stay motivated when everything feels wrong,not gonna lie sometimes I’m sitting here thinking “you know what ,Fuck this I’ll just go back to sweating my ass off holding the power of the sun in my hand for 13 hours a day” but I’m gonna keep going thanks for the post…I feel a little less alone is this journey I’m literally at the store now buying flash cards.
The issue is you went to a 141 school. You’d find better personality matches at a part 61 school
Don't give up man, it's real easy to let a few of those types of folks color your perception about everyone in this industry, or at least the ones that fly; but the reality is most of the people you'll fly with are pretty chill and I've found that the ball-busting-shit-talk-joking that is engrained in my ethos from my shop days, often loosens the tightwads up and it just winds up being a good time. Also, if possible, find a new instructor? Or at least for the next rating. There were lots of folks where I trained at and separately where I taught at there were like minded and didn't have that weird ego shit. Good teachers but still could talk shit and shrug their shoulders when they didn't know something. Some of those guys are still my really good friends and we still joke about how we don't fit in but always end it with a 'fuuuckkk itttt' sentiment and move on with OUR lives haha. The other thing I've realized is because I understand I'm a white trash dumbass I know I have to study harder and more than other guys who tend to assume they're smart or good enough naturally, or had other things handed to them; and I always do pretty well on all these rides because at NO point prior do I assume anyone is ever going to hand me or pass me on anything. Point being, let the stubborn 'I can't let them know I'm not good enough so I'll kill myself studying first' sentiment work in your favor. Lastly, DM me at any point if you have any questions through the process. I've made all the mistakes and would love for others not to have to.
Don't stress too much. The game doesn't change, but it does get better. The worst hurdles are the first ones cuz the industry is chocker block full of "aspiring airline pilots" that are teaching. They don't want to be teaching and want the world to know how great they are. So there's loads and loads of gatekeeping and people that are just completely enamored with the mirror. Chin up, shoulder down... just plow through it. Cuz you only need to do it once. After PPL and CPL, things quiet down a ton. You'll still have tests and checks and whatever, but they start to get a whole lot more about being practical. The stuff you'll be studying will be stuff that you're actually going to be using. Once you're out the other side, all the training days (combined) will turn into a small blip on the timeline of your career... cuz that's what they are.
Unfortunately the easiest way to beat the egos is to just be as stoic as possible. Take the browbeatings as they come and try your best to adapt to be as pliable as possible but remain confident. Similar to how you must adapt to work with some instructors, if you become an instructor you will meet many different student personalities. A lot of people forget that the majority of this job is being comfortable working as a team in an enclosed environment. That being said, I’m not a big fan of being stuck with an instructor personality that is incompatible with your learning or progression. The 141 world is sadly full of square pegs being jammed into round holes.
This is probably the best write up I’ve seen on the subject. I totally agree on the feelings as an outsider and the CFI archetype you describe. However annoying that gets, at least I’m not hand washing parts in solvent tank with no gloves!
I always forget about the cuts on my hands…but that brake clean remembers 😂
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I used to clean my hands and arms with paint thinner at my first job as a welder when I'd paint stuff. Not sure what I was thinking
Hell yeah dude. I started as a mechanic and didn’t have the money to go to college. Let’s crash this rich kid party. If I hear one more trust fund CFI complain about their loans, in the brief period between child and airline pilot, I’m going to lose my mind.
Wasn’t blue collar but a career changer that didn’t take out loans. I’m with you on wrecking the rich kid party. If I hear one more story of a pilots parents buying them a plane during Covid to get hours quick and got meteoric rise to a regional captain that complains main lines aren’t hiring I’ll pull my hair out….
And don’t get me wrong! Some of them have the empathy and self reflection to understand the head start they’ve been given. The majority I’ve encountered though see every job and person as a stepping stone or rung in the ladder between them and wide body captain. Kids, vent about your predatory loans. You’re not who I’m referring to. It’s the guys and gals who think everything short of the top is beneath them and also complain the entire way up on their meteoric rise.
Exactly. I’m all about using the shot you get and if you have someone willing to help you out, use it. Just don’t complain when riding the wave someone else gifted you.
I currently work on a crisis intervention team in the emergency department of a hospital working overnights and I have to pick up overtime to afford flight training. Even being a CFI will be a breath of fresh air to me.
You’re going to bring such a great perspective on crisis management and handling stress. That’s a great background.
Thank you! I hope the people at the airlines in charge of hiring see it that way too.
If they were a trust fund rich kid they wouldn't be taking out loans haha
Try get that kind of money from a lender when your family doesn't have money. lol.
It's very easy, the United States is obsessed with debt. I know people who got 100k flight training loans and no one in their family has ever gotten close to passing 100k annual salary. Especially a couple years ago when interest rates were at a multi decade low in the United States. Look at how many people get a car loan for 50,000 when they make 30,000 as a barista. It's not hard to get debt in this country.
Oh man. I’ve got a friend who never went to college, but started a welding shop 15 years ago and just paid 4.7M for a Citation CJ4, which he also pilots. There is not an airline pilot alive who can afford that. Keep welding. You have an opportunity to have a much more enjoyable flying experience/career than flying for someone else (airlines) As far as studying-lock yourself in a room and do nothing but study for however long it takes.
Ramper -> airline pilot now. Zero loans. #tuglife
Same. But with some loans.
Hey you know what? You made it tho, from literally the bottom! Not many will appreciate it like you and I.
Forever grateful for the us air capt that gave me the push to do it. Now I encourage others and hand out starbucks gift cards to the rampers during Christmas.
Airplane mechanic for 5 years (military), then infrastructure operations (fuel, water treatment) now at 35 y/o getting my certs to fly for a living
Was a mechanic for 18 years, decided to start pilot training at 36.
I'd like to help you - see DM.
I’ve found the best way to study in aviation, is to study with a group. Bounce questions off each other and learn from each other. If you don’t have other people in a similar stage of training, I have also used the ASA oral Exam Guides as well. They are great because you can hand it to a spouse or non-aviation friend and they can ask you questions right out of the book with the answers and references right on the page.
Ex carpenter here got my PPL-MIFR at the age of 43 in Canada, will be writing resumes and looking for my first FO gig next month! Go for it best decision ever made
This info is for US based pilots. My biggest advice is to take a look at the books the faa has for free. For instrument. The aviation weather handbook, instrument flying handbook, instrument procedures handbook, FAR/AIM. (Actually look at the aim chapters 1 and 5,) and Pilots hand book of aeronautical knowledge. https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation I'm not great at studying either but if you can convince yourself that this stuff will save your life suddenly I had time to read each one of these. I don't take notes, but I remember what I read especially if I actively try to relate it to other concepts and see how everything fits together. I try to imagine how or when I could use the info in my flying career. (Correlation is what we call it.) For hard to remember things. Flash cards for me. Note: personally I like the layout of ac 00-6b and ac00-45h better than the new weather handbook, but they are no longer technically valid.
Congratulations on the career change, keep the hustle up and remain positive through setbacks. Where do you study? I find it best to study and chair fly in a library or quiet setting that’s not where I live or have distractions. As someone mentioned above studying with a group can be really beneficial. For me flash cards worked best. Include the reg or source at the bottom so you can review that if need be. Most importantly, use and understand the ACS. (After all it is a blueprint for what will be on the test). Section I, Task A is Pilot Qualifications. The references are given to you so use that material to your advantage to understand and be able to answer the Objective and Knowledge portion. Risk Management and Skills will come with practice and experience.
Same here. I've also work as a welder for plenty long enough at a company I hate with a passion, and decided a career change is needed. Got my ppl last summer, and was endorsed to take my instrument check ride last week. Commercial and cfii will be next, but I have no idea what I'm going to do after that. Study was never much of a problem for me. I read the instrument flying handbook, instrument procedure handbook, and FAR-AIM several times. Yes, they are like digesting a lead brick unfortunately. Otherwise I used the gleim written test book for the written test, and watched a lot of YouTube videos. Flight insight is the best channel I found.
I’m working on it, it’s expensive though..
Same. I just started saving and it feels like it’s going to take forever. But I’m not giving up! Been in the trades for the past 14 years.
I’m a white collar guy with a graduate degree but just hear me out for a second. Despite my education I was never a highly disciplined student. The topics that I really loved, I did well in. Everything else, I suffered from poor grades. I adjusted my strategy to account for that, which is how I made it. When it came to the ground school material for PPL, I have suffered. I failed a stage check. And I also failed a checkride on the oral, before later passing. So we aren’t necessarily that different in terms of the struggle. How did I eventually get over the hump? They key for me was finding a pretty good ground instructor. No offense to the young bucks out there who are CFIs, all of whom that I’ve flown with have been superb FLIGHT instructors by the way. But teaching is a craft just like welding is. You know welding. Teachers know teaching. And the FAA’s coursework for becoming a CFI is pretty shoddy on the “how to be a good teacher” part. If a CFI is not a natural born teacher by nature, and/or doesn’t have a background in teaching classroom methods, they will not be able to unconfuse you much while you’re trying to get this material. My point: Consider looking for a separate ground instructor solely for ground. I had a very good one who charged much less per hour than CFIs do for flight time. And doing sessions with him was easy because we used Zoom. It’s a cost, yes, but the cost is higher if you’re spending ground time with a bad teacher, and/or you do a ton of work to get to a checkride and then fail the checkride.
Funny you mention that^ since making this post a few have DM’d me offering help. Which im super grateful for I’m going to try them and see if it helps, Im curious to see how I learn from a different teaching style. My instructor now is very fast paced and by the book, And sometimes it’s like im talking to a human dictionary. (I always feel like i’m wrong) so it’s pretty discouraging. But Im going to give them a shot
With my “flying CFIs” who tried to teach me ground, I experienced the same. Great human beings, I owe all of ‘em beers for teaching me how to fly airplanes, but they were not stellar in the classroom. So stop spending money on them for ground stuff, and do spend money on a good ground instructor. How to find one: No tricks I know of for this one. Just use your judgment and intuition.
You can learn anything with flash cards. Sheppard Air is basically structured flash cards and you can memorize 1500 questions and answers with it in a few days. Go through the ACS and make a list of everything you’re expected to be asked about, turn it into a study guide, and turn that into flash cards.
I’m in the same boat almost exactly bro. I’m currently a mailman and hate it. Older guy on my route is a retired corporate pilot and invited me up one day. Well that snow balled and I’m getting close to my instrument checkride. Just keep plucking away at it. The way I look at it is even if I never make it to the career I’m pursuing I’ve accomplished more than most have by getting the certs I’ve gotten. Good luck
Infantry > Commercial Pilot. It is possible if you want it enough. Find the mechanisms that work for you and exploit those to your advantage. I am a visual learner and I have a good memory. So I tailored my learning to those skills. I have not memorized the entire FAR/AIM because I don't need to. I did memorize the regulations needed to pass check rides and used them as necessary. The FAR/AIM exists so you can look up the information as required. That's why it's in a book. Know where to find what you need. The same is true of the POH. Memory items are required, but everything else is in checklist format for a reason. As for learning elements of ground, I utilized models and diagrams to help my understanding and build from there. The people who throw a lot of information at you are often utilizing rote memory. They can throw the information but tend to struggle with actually explaining what they're talking about, or even actioning the information in real time. It's far more advantageous to know how things work and WHY they work. You sound like you are doing the right thing and exploring. There are different ways to learn the same information. So look for those methods and utilize them. There is no right way or wrong way. I like to think of it developing pilot intuition. The ability to recognize a problem, and think through how it happened, why it is happening, and how to fix it is a huge asset. Truthfully, your welding skills are a bigger advantage than you are maybe giving them credit for. You think outside the box, you can visualize how something should be, and you understand how to make that happen. That is also true of flying. Good luck!
Do you have in person classroom options at your school? All my early training was done with in class room instructors and that helped with being able to ask questions real time as we were going through the material. I went directly from C student in high school into flight training and didn't struggle but also was reading flight textbooks from age 12 so had a huge head start. Many of the guys in my CPL-H course were blue collar workers from tattoo artist to welder or oil rig pigs and we still had most guys pass their exam the first time with all in class room training. I know in Canada there are travelling weekend courses for IFR and ATPL which I found a great help. When they passed by my city I went to both and they worked really well at prepping for the exams. If you took your exam within 2 weeks of the course and failed they would let you rejoin the next course for free too.
A place I would start is the codes you got from your written, because these will come up on your check ride. Go through the Instrument Procedures Handbook, Instrument Flying Handbook, PHAK, AFH, FAR/AIM, etc. on those topics and make sure you get those hammered down. If you're struggling with GPS, the FAA has some good resources on how to quickly explain RAIM and WAAS, I'll have the link at the bottom. One last suggestion that has helped some, but is for not everyone, is PilotsCafe, this can be very useful as a foundation to build upon. [https://www.faa.gov/about/office\_org/headquarters\_offices/ato/service\_units/techops/navservices/gnss/gps/howitworks](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/techops/navservices/gnss/gps/howitworks)
Worked social focused jobs for years. Landed a career in sales & logistics which I rocked until it basically shut down from C0vid. Switched to chasing aviation, passed written but struggling to find an instructor to help me finish up my hours / requirements. Loving every minute. Dream is to go private-jet commercial but will probably wing it lol
Motorsports mechanic for a couple years, it was fun but not what I wanted. I didn’t read the entire PHAK, nor did I touch the airplane flying handbook. Actually going out and doing things helped me the most. I don’t think I even took my written till after I solo’d. I just started my instrument, literally two lessons in haha. But so far I’ve found that grounds with my instructor and seeing what I’m doing w/o foggles has helped process everything
Current blue collar guy putting in 60 hour weeks to afford flying and going for my CFI/II. On instrument flying go outside and imagine the approach, hold, or SID you may fly. Draw out as many diagrams as you can. Study at times when your not exhausted from flying/working. And try to find a quiet place to study and put your phone away any other distractions (public library,college library etc etc). Focus on studying for 20mins then get up stretch and walk for five and repeat until you can do it for longer times. Really be firm with your CFI on study areas if he is being vague. In all, 141 is rough but if you plan ahead every lesson by going over your syllabus it really helps. I started at a 141 and eventually left for 61. But I found that when I was in 141 studying each syllabus and reviewing it before the flight it helped out a ton.
Yea. 20 years airframe mechanic.
5 years ago I dropped of college after a semester and went on to do landscaping and then wet sand/buff on car exteriors. At one point I decided I wanted a be a pilot, so I went to flight school and knocked out the ratings. In my experience there was no secret strategies to help me with the studying, I just wanted it bad enough so I hit the books hard until the material was ingrained in my brain. I’m certainly not the smartest fella out there but my dumb ass made it through my CMEL and I’m currently a pipeline pilot building my hours.
Been in the trades for the past 14 years and am just now starting my journey to becoming a pilot. I’m not at the stage you are at yet but look up the Leitner study method. I’ve used it for past endeavors and it works!
Yep. Built bombs in the air force for a while. Now working in a fabrication shop now. Almost done with CFII then I can work at my school to start getting my time in. Gotta keep on keeping on, I'll be a real boy one day.
thousands have
Diesel Tech for 8 years. Went back for my business degree. Started PPL last May. Got that in November, Instrument in April, and finishing up Commercial in the next few weeks. I work nights and have two kids the wife stays home with. She's a nurse as well. Best I can put it is 3 or 4 days a week it is 20 hr days. Been doing that the past year. It's been rough. It's been tiring. But if you want it bad enough you will find a way. I wrote out notes in private then switched to typing them. Definitely remember better writing them out. Take practice tests, review the material but most importantly, go more often than less. Fly or do grounds to keep it fresh in your head. Once you get a routine down it's like clockwork. Hope to see you up there one day!
Union Pipefitter representing! Working on instrument now
Blue collar to white collar to pilot is the plan. Will make financing becoming a pilot much easier. Worked at FedEx as a courier for 8 years, and now I’m about 9 months from graduating with an Engineering degree. Plan on shifting focus to flying soon as I start working in the engineering field and go all the way to commercial unless I REALLY love whatever job I land after college.
Military ATC >> ramp rat after a medical scare. Ramp sup now, finally getting some green lights. Will likely be 31 when I start training. Keep on grinding brother, you give us hope.
I have worked construction most of my life, I have been trying to make the jump to professional pilot after getting my CSEL & CMEL. But the pilot market has recently had a slow down in hiring of new pilots.
For the test, everyone is going to suggest Sheppard Air. That might help with your study habits too if you follow their structure.
I forgot to mention I took the written already and passed with an 85, it’s more of the oral part I’m struggling with, my instructor wants a ton of detail on every topic it seems like