My RW aviation plans

[Jimmy]

Well I thought I should start finding out excacly what I should plan to do with my aviation carare. I don't want to end up doing anything less than flying intl for an airline, yet I have a much bigger goal in mind.. in all seriosness I want to be an astronuat, funny ae, its prety unrealistic and far fetched, Iv always thought thats what I want to do and over the last year or so its beggining to seem less unlikely.

So I want to plan things well so I don't stuff anythign up, things like how to get a ppl then all the other lisences and working for airlines and things. Although i'm only 13 I want to plan ahead. anyway it wont be long and I could be doing my ppl training..

The reason im posting here as I want to try and get as much information as I can, there are a few around this fourm that would know about this stuff, I want to find out stuff like costs, how I should handdle the costs for training and ages for lisences etc..

Anyone who with knoledge on this subject please post here.

I want to get all my flying lisences at the youngest possible age, get the atlp (21 I think you have to be) work for an airline for several years studying all the things Ill need to (witch I don't know what thatl be) and then well apply to nasa as you can see I am not quite clear on the process..

So what stuff do I need to learn at school, and plan to after school and how much I need to save. ahh sooo many questions sorry about length of post, hopefuly someone wil make sense of my ramblings


Thanks
James

[JonARNZ]

I don't have detail for you James, just some encouragement.

Go for your dreams dude, there is no reason in the world why you can't be exactly what you want to be.

Remember what I said to you, there are plenty of people in the world who will tell you you can't be this or can't be that, stay strong in your own vision for who you want to be and fly!

I look forward to seeing photos from Mars, with your smily face looking back at us!

[flynz]

I think the air force is a good option to become an astronaut although that may not be the same for the NZ AF, nuff said.

[kiwiflyboy]

Physics would be a big subject to study, and also Math, you will need to be on the ball for these. From my understanding most Astronauts come from a testpilot background in the USAF, and I wouldnt be surprised if they had College Degrees. I'm not to sure what the situation will be with space travel by the time you would be entering it, but im sure it will be a lot better than it is now. A suggestion could be to email Nasa, or have a look on their website and try find some details about current Astronauts. One thing i will say, is enjoy what your doing no matter what it be, and keep your options open....

[BerG]

I suggest you brush up on your spelling skills before writing that email to NASA.

For the record I think most pilots would love to be astronauts, I personally would. But in reality it's not gonna happen.

You would have to be the best test pilot the USAF has to offer.

It would be an accomplishment in itself for an NZer to get in the USAF as a pilot would it not?



Sorry for the negative post but I dont think it's fair to get the kids hopes up.

[Charl]

I suggest you brush up on your spelling skills before writing that email to NASA.
Sorry for the negative post but I dont think it's fair to get the kids hopes up.

With Jimmy's approach to things, he'll just buy NASA and get them to design him a custom ship.
You have to set yourself goals, no matter how impossible they may look from where you sit.
Nobody ever achieved anything by saying "I can't".

[Kelburn]

Jimmy,
go for your dreams.
Ever since I was.. well as long as I can remember I've alllways wanted to fly planes and ever since I was about, probably, 8 or so I've wanted to fly the 737-300's (pity Air NZ's throwing them out).

[Alex]

Most astronauts (historically) got into NASA as an astronaut through the USAF. However recently there have been teachers, scientists - you name it - have been into space, as long as you are driven and know what you want to do and how to do it, you'll get there.

Alex

[JonARNZ]

And lets not forgot Virgin Galactic opening up shop in 2009 (or sometime around then), lots of opportunities for people who are passionate and want to acheive.

[G-HEVN]

From the PPL perspective, you can solo at 16, and hold a licence at 17. I don't know age limits for the ATPL, but I wouldn't be surprised at 21 (Be aware that in WWII, you coulld fly a Spitfire or B17 in combat at 18!)

Someone else will hopefully be able to provide actual NZ prices, but here in the UK you'd pay around £7,000 (NZ$20,000) for a basic PPL, and £50,000 (NZ$150,000) for a Frozen ATPL. Yes, it is PHENOMENALLY expensive. Then you have to pay for any type ratings (e.g 737 etc.) on top. To build up the hours you'll need to actually get a job, you'll end up instructing, or crop spraying, or glider tug flying -- anything to get the hours in the logbook!

In terms of what to study... Maths, Physics, Economics/business studies, English & other languages will all serve well. Also, as BerG said, watch the spelling. I know everything's casual on the forums and we tend not to worry so much, but airline jobs are massively over subscribed and you need every little edge you can find. They will find every and any excuse to wheedle out candidates. Bad spelling and grammar really can lose you the job. Get into the habit of correcting yourself now, and it will serve you well in the future. Also DO NOT get into the habit of writing "txt-speak", basically for the same reason.

[ronwestnz]

taken from the Manawatu Districts Aero Club Website

Costs may vary locally, but gives idea.

Private Pilot Licence Requirements (PPL)
   
Age:
To be eligible for your PPL you must be at least 17 years of age.
Education:
To gain your PPL you must have passed written examinations for the following subjects: Air Law, Air Navigation and flight planning, Meteorology, Aircraft technical knowledge, Human Factors and Flight radiotelephony. But don't worry we will help you with these.
Medical:
You will require an approved Class 2 medical certificate for your PPL.

Flight Experience:
You will need to complete a minimum of 50 hours flight time (most people take slightly longer) which must include:

    * Minimum 15 hours Dual and 15 hours Solo
    * 10 Hours Cross Country (5 hours minimum solo)
    * 5 hours Dual Instrument Time
    * 5 Hours Advanced Dual (Post solo)

Cost:
A full time PPL course will cost approximately $8,500 for the flying fees. For further details on costs please contact us.

Commercial Pilot Licence Requirements (CPL)
   
Age:
To be eligible for your CPL you must be at least 18 years of age.
Education:
To gain your CPL you must have passed written examinations for the following subjects: Air Law, Air Navigation and flight planning, Meteorology, Principles of Flight, General Aircraft technical knowledge, Human Factors. But don't worry we will help you with these.
Medical:
You will require an approved Class 1 medical certificate for your CPL.

Flight Experience:
You will need to complete a minimum of 200 hours flight time which must include:

    * 100 hours pilot in command
    * 30 hours cross country
    * 10 hours night flying
    * 10 hours Instrument Time

Cost:
A full time CPL course will cost approximately $31,000 for the flying fees. For further details on costs please contact us

[Jimmy]

thanks guys, what I'm thinking currently thinking about is how I'll go threw all the stuff between ppl and atpl, and how ill manage the costs and hours needed. But with what I study at school ill have to consider the long term goals, I will study physics, astro-physics ( ) maths, english ("the crowds rejoyced") science and the mandatory stuff plus anything else that would be a good idea to learn, like?

About the airforce thing, I imagine that the usaf is the way the mojority would try to get in to nasa, yet why not try threw a differant way, there would be less compatition with other people? I would like to put together a detailed plan of say the next 15 years, mistakes could be made if I made decisions as they come.. ?? I barely know what happens between ppl and atpl, and then again between atpl and flying around up in space..

  I suggest you brush up on your spelling skills before writing that email to NASA.
For the record I think most pilots would love to be astronauts, I personally would. But in reality it's not gonna happen.
You would have to be the best test pilot the USAF has to offer.
It would be an accomplishment in itself for an NZer to get in the USAF as a pilot would it not?
Sorry for the negative post but I dont think it's fair to get the kids hopes up.

a bit of negativity doesn't hurt, well I don't think so, with negativity comes realisticness, going for my distant goals isn't going to be simple at all, I havn't got "hopes up" its merely what I am aiming for..

Anyway what aero club should I begin with, would I take loans, etc.. stuff like that I would love to know please


oh btw should I really send an e-mail to NASA?

Thanks
James

[kiwiflyboy]

oh btw should I really send an e-mail to NASA?

No harm asking, for some info on what sort of experience/qualifications their current astronauts have, not like its something "Top Secret". By Astronaut I'm sure you mean a flying the space shuttle astronaut, not a person going for a ride for scientific purposes (I think the teachers and stuff that have been in space, have been the latter)

[kiwiflyboy]

Sorry for the double post, but I just found this and thought it might be useful..... It's amazing what the results google can yeild

How to become an astronaut : NASA

[BerG]

oh btw should I really send an e-mail to NASA? 

By Astronaut I'm sure you mean a flying the space shuttle astronaut, not a person going for a ride for scientific purposes (I think the teachers and stuff that have been in space, have been the latter)

The shuttle is being phased out in a few years so if he makes it he will more likely be in one of these:

With Jimmy's approach to things, he'll just buy NASA and get them to design him a custom ship.
You have to set yourself goals, no matter how impossible they may look from where you sit.
Nobody ever achieved anything by saying "I can't".

Of course you have to set goals, but I disagree that you should set ones that are most likely impossible.

As I said, I would love to be an astronaut, however I know it's not gonna happen, so instead my goal is to become an Airline Captain.

Who knows, perhaps space flight will become a common thing in 40 years and I will be able to re-establish my goals to become an astronaut!

Anyway, good luck Jimmy. You would become a national hero if you were to become the first New Zealand astronaut.

[ardypilot]

All the best with your dream Jimmy, it's great that you know what you want to do in life so young, as you have your whole life ahead of you to plan for it.

I've wanted to be a pilot ever since going to airshows as a kid, and it is only now that I am beginning to realise my dream by selecting the appopriate courses at school that will help me get into flying school.

By the way, at the Auckland Aero Club it will cost $9995 to get your PPL- a little more hefty than at Manawatu.

[ronwestnz]

Something else to try is grab this Orbiter - free space simulator

learn everything to do with space flight with it

[Kelburn]

Dunno if this helps, but it'll cost $10,233 to get a PPL at Wellington Flight Centre

[G-HEVN]

Half-price flying! I knew there was a reason for going to NZ!

("the crowds rejoyced")

Rejoiced

[Jimmy]

okay so I should expect around 10k for ppl, unless I can find a job now id have to wait until i'm 15 and can work some were like a supermarket to pay costs, would I be able to complete ppl in 2 years then at like 17 and a half leave school and do cpl and lots of flying time between 17 and 18?

The whole astronuat thing is very distant future, although I would like to find out the best way to go about acheving my biggest goal, like in terms of what to study, but I am most concerned about getting to the airline pilot posistion as smoothly and easily as possible, not much point just focusing on the last (and rather unlikely) thing anyway theres plenty of time to figure out how ill do it all...