Rising Academy Style

Hello Risers and Doers,

Sheesh another long break! I know, I know…I cannot keep disappearing from blogging for such long periods! However, If I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t have anything to blog about! Lol, I promise I am going to get caught up on where I am. But first, back to where I left off!

In my last blog, I discussed what comes next after you solo. That next step is to obtain your Private Pilot’s License, or what they now call a certificate (or your PPL). My Journey to receive my PPL is much different from others and I explain it all in my blog titled “So, What’s Next.” However, I would now like to get into the “nitty gritty” of how I came to receive my certificates.

My story:

Years and years had passed since I first fell in love with aviation and decided I wanted to be a professional pilot! A solo flight, several flight hours, a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Studies, and near completion of a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science; it finally felt like I was going to get it done! And I did!

I applied to the American Airlines Cadet Academy and was accepted. I relocated to Pompano Beach, FL, from Tampa, FL, which is only about a four-hour drive and on December 4^th, 2018 I stepped foot into American Flyers Flight School. Here, I began my 10-month journey to receive my certificates. In this time frame, I received my Private Pilot Certificate (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Commercial Pilot Certificate – for a single engine airplane (CAX), Multi-Engine Rating (ME), and Airplane Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI). I was also supposed to complete my Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument Rating (CFII) but unfortunately, I was unable (I will explain this in a future blog!).

Whew! That was a lot of accomplishments in such a short period of time. I had to pat myself on the back because it was by no means easy! I cried a lot of tears but I also remember some great moments. I met people, classmates and instructors, whom I am sure will be friends for a lifetime! Now do you see why I haven’t been blogging! Those 10 months of my life were hectic and insane! I will definitely share more insight on the craziness! Lol, but I want you future aviators and aviatrixes to know that if I can do it, so can you!

If I can do it, so can you!
-the rising aviatrix

Okay, so I know this phrase is something people say all the time but I absolutely mean it! I wanted to cry, okay I did cry; and I cried a lot! I also wanted to quit, more than I wanted to finish! I had a very difficult time, and not just because the training was hard but other things happened as well. I struggled financially during this period. Remember this was an academy; we ate, slept, and breathed aviation. There was no time for work! I struggled with living arrangements and was even homeless for a week. I slept in my car during CFI training! I also struggled with being away from my son! He cried often about how he missed me and wanted to come home! I struggled to fit in, because unfortunately no one in my class looked like me! I just struggled overall! So when I say, “if I can do it, so can you,” I mean it from the bottom of my heart!

My Advice:

My first advice would be to definitely do your research before choosing to attend a flight academy. Don’t get me wrong, I am forever grateful for the program American Airlines has in place but I wish I would have done more research! Here’s the reason why:

Flight academies will get you completed in a faster time (if you can keep up) but they cost more! The training is rigorous and learning is fast! (in my opinion too fast! Sometimes I forgot something I learned a month ago because it was too much information to store in long term memory). Your finances have to be in order because more than likely, you won’t be able to work while attending the academy. Also check to see if the academy provides housing or is this something you will have to figure out on your own! Trust me, studying is the last thing on your mind if you don’t even have a safe place to sleep!
Know that there are other options! Colleges and universities have professional flight programs. With this option, you can earn a degree along with all of your certificates and ratings! In my opinion, the knowledge you obtain this way tends to stay engrained because it’s not so fast paced. You can take your time, and enjoy life a bit! However, degrees don’t happen in 10 months so know it will take you longer. Also there are other financing options with college degrees such as grants and work-study programs. Or even just working a part-time job! You don’t always have to take out a loan!
Another option is attending your local flight school. You can take your time and pay as you go. Again you can work while training and you don’t feel the pressure of keeping up with classmates because you are an academy! And you don’t have to relocate!

Whichever route you take, please don’t give up! If this is your dream you must keep at it! You must keep rising! I promise I will give more details on those struggles I mentioned in later blogs because I think it is important to share. I started this blog to be an inspiration, not only to others but even to myself! I think becoming an aviator/aviatrix is difficult for anyone and maybe you can relate to some of my struggles. Just having someone to relate to can feel so comforting and I pray my story helps! Let’s Rise!