I am submitting this entry to solicit information and/or advice on how
to continue. My desire is to fly professionally as a pilot. I have
not yet decided into which category of commercial aviation I wish to
follow (airline, corporate or bush pilot). I have attended two schools
since deciding to become a commercial pilot. Unfortunately, I have not
completed a bachelors degree nor the requirements of a commercial pilot
as of yet.
The first school I attended was Salt Lake Community College in Salt
Lake City, Utah. I used this institution as a stepping stone towards
completing my degree at a four year university. At the community
college I enrolled in classes that would fulfill the lower division
requirements at a four year school. This also provided for an economic
way to evaluate if aviation was truly a career I wanted to pursue.
I then went on to attend Westminster College also in Salt Lake City,
Utah. Here I nearly completed the requirements for a Bachelors of
Science Degree in Aviation. My major was Flight Operations Management.
I was in the unique situation of having the option of completing the
flight lab portion of my degree requirements either with Westminster's
instructors and aircraft or to provide my own instructor and renting
airplanes independently. This was due to the fact that Westminster
did not have a operational flight line at my time of enrollment. I
choose the later of the two choices due to expense considerations and
the fact that Westminster's flight line was new to the college. This
included new aircraft, instructors, associated administration and
policies. Understandably there were several "kinks" that needed
working out. Upon completion of my instrument rating and my commercial
certificate I was to present them to the registrar to receive credit
for the degree requirements. These achievements were to be treated
analogous to additional transfer credit.
I completed all of the prerequisites for graduation except for the
above mentioned rating and certificate. I was allowed to participate
in the commencement ceremonies and was even awarded "The most
outstanding student graduating in aviation." by the faculty of the
aviation department at Westminster College. The understanding was that
I would finish the flying portion as soon as possible. All went well
for a time. I was actively flying and working on both the instrument
and commercial portions at the same time. I had accumulated
approximately 185 hours of total flight time including simulated
instrument, cross country and P.I.C. time as necessary for the
instrument rating. A month and a half post graduation I was injured in
an accident while rock climbing in Southern Utah. The results were a
broken heel and I was unable to walk, unaided, for nearly four months
time. I have since fully recovered. The accident, along with the
regression of skills due to the absence from the cockpit, prevented me
from completing my obligations for obtaining my degree.
That was four years ago. I have since missed aviation tremendously
but as life goes on and distractions occur one can be distracted from
one's goals. I have realized that I possess a strong desire to finish
what I started and continue along the path to becoming a commercial
pilot. I have researched several of the accelerated pilot training
schools and have considered attending just to expedite the acquiring
my certificates and ratings. (I would like to go as far as CFI, CFII &
MEI). But, I have put so much time, effort and expense into pursuing
a degree I have a hard time justifying taking the accelerated route.
In addition, what if I am unable to fly in the future and a degree
unlocks additional doors to alternate career in aviation?
If you possess any information that may help please reply. Also, any
advice concerning a choice of schools (accelerated flight training or
bachelor degree programs) would be appreciated as well. Financial
assistance will be required as I have exhausted my resources. Does
anyone have information regarding loans, scholarships or grants
pertaining to aviation studies? How much of the total costs (tuition,
flight time, materials, equipment, FAA written exams, check rides,
living expenses, ect.) will financial assistance provide? I'm at a
loss as to how to continue. Please Help.