School is a Beast!

[RudderAuthority]

I can't tell you the last time I flew, a month?

I am in my sophomore year of highschool, I take honors courses, I try really hard to get my B+ average. My parents just kind of dropped the bomb that the college I want to go to (Embry Riddle flight school) is going to cost a lot of money so scholarships are a must.

On top of that the rifle team depends on me as a shooter that is going to be there and support the team.

Finally extracurricular activities and a life come in last.

The Sim is OK but it's not the same, I feel like I have a commitment to this hobby which I am not keeping up but at the same time I know school is of the utmost importance.

Time is a valuable thing young men.

[Vic3D]

Hey man,

Focus on your studies for now. You are in high school, it's crunch time. You will have much time to fly here and there every other weekend and during the summer. It will be so cool if you get to go to Embry Riddle. You will be glad you did your best in the end, and I'm sure you will get your scholarships.

Pucker up!

Vic

[Ryguy]

I know how you feel. I'm a junior in High School. I have 5 honors classes, all straight As and a handful of clubs to keep up with, plus my band, and church band, plus the girlfriend, and it's tough. Every day though I go after school to the school where my Mom works and get in about an hour worth of flights. That's my time, and I nobody can mess with me while I'm flying. After that, it's back to all the other stuff. This works out nicely. I still have plenty of time to fly, and yet still get everything else done.

[3DFreak576]

yeah, like he said. dont worry about RC so much, it will always be there. Its like riding a bike, you never forget how to fly. Work on your school work and getting to scholarships... i know riddle costs a pretty penny, but believe me, once your here you will be the happiest person in the world. Its so cool knowing that everyone around you shares a common intrest in aviation, and that makes it that much easier to talk to people and make new friends.

There are a couple of rc pilots on campus, one of wich is working with some mech. enigineering guys to make his shankbone autonimous. Another i know flys a bunch of foamies and small electric helis.


See ya in a few years!

[Edge 540]

Yeah....it gets worse. My profile is the only reason I get to fly. I keep it in my dorm room. Even so, I only flew 3 or 4 times last term while here at school. Not very many days at the field, but I definitely burned fuel while I had the chance. Half a gallon in one afternoon.

[Edge 540]

Foamies are nice too, but thats different. Its difficult to find time during the term, but when break hits....watch out!!!!! I got home for Christmas and went to the field 4 days in a row and then twice that weekend. The field is 20 minutes away too. You also have to be willing to make the best of poor weather. When I go flying...I'm GOING to fly. Period. Limited time?...make use of it!

[jack01]

Hey man,

I know how you feel. I'm a sophomore in college, so I was right where you were not too long ago. School is extremely important, so keep that up! Trust me, when you completely own the ACT/SAT and can have your pick of colleges, it'll be worth it. Plus, your parent's tend to get off your back more. I've wondered which one was more important..

At the same time though, you need to step back and have a little fun. You need to find that balance between maintaining good grades and having as much fun as possible. The real world is coming at you fast. Enjoy what you have while you have it. You don't want to look back when you're 30-40 and have many regrets.

Now, as far as college goes: I'm assuming you want to be a pilot, correct? I'm working on getting an airline job one day too. Like I said earlier, I'm in the same boat you are, just a few years ahead. Embry Riddle is an awesome school, but there are other great schools that have good flight programs. Around here there is Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. There's also Middle Tennessee State in Murfeesboro (Nashville), TN. Both of those are good schools with great aviation programs. Unless you're planning on getting an administrative job, the airlines really don't care where you went to school or what your major is. I'm going to the University of Memphis for a Commercial Aviation major. They don't have a dedicated aviation program, so I'm going with private instructors (best overall training, IMHO). I'm not trying to change your mind on Embry Riddle, I'm just saying there are other good schools that are a WHOLE lot less expensive. My first instrument instructor had over $120,000 worth of student loans lined up after he graduated from Riddle.....

[Freddy Warbird]

	Quote:
	My first instrument instructor had over $120,000 worth of student loans lined up after he graduated from Riddle.....

WOW!

Good to here you get good grades Rudder. I suffer greatly in school, and Believe me, it isn't because I want to fly all the time. Math....X+2= what?

[red_z06]

Rudder:

Focus on what will put food of the table first. This is a hobby and as such, it is done when other obligations are met.

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

Spend more time in the books, and less time on here!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!!

No, but on a serious note here.................

Jack has good advice. I too suffered in HS, but was due to my own neglegence. All I wanted to do was FLY!!!!! Believe me, my grades suffered. Then once I graduated HS, I spent 8 years in the work force, until I realized that I actually have to have a degree to make something of myself. That and a really good friend was a MAJOR thorn in my ass!!!! Now with all that said and done, I now have a 2 year degree in Electrical Engineering Tech. Smartest move I ever made!!! I'm making more $$ right now, than I ever thought I could.

Trust me. Once you turn 25, you'll be glad that you did this NOW, and not waited until you forced yourself into it!!!!!

Bunk~

[wizard]

Everyone is telling it like it is. School first. As for enough time to fly, I don't think that there is ever enough time to fly. Take care of the important things in life first (School, family, job you get the idea) then get out and enjoy your hobby when there is time.

I try to fly every chance I get, even if it is just a foamie or small electric out beside the house, (I actually just got back in from running out a battery), and it is never enough.

[RudderAuthority]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jack01
	Now, as far as college goes: I'm assuming you want to be a pilot, correct? I'm working on getting an airline job one day too. Like I said earlier, I'm in the same boat you are, just a few years ahead. Embry Riddle is an awesome school, but there are other great schools that have good flight programs. Around here there is Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. There's also Middle Tennessee State in Murfeesboro (Nashville), TN. Both of those are good schools with great aviation programs. Unless you're planning on getting an administrative job, the airlines really don't care where you went to school or what your major is. I'm going to the University of Memphis for a Commercial Aviation major. They don't have a dedicated aviation program, so I'm going with private instructors (best overall training, IMHO). I'm not trying to change your mind on Embry Riddle, I'm just saying there are other good schools that are a WHOLE lot less expensive. My first instrument instructor had over $120,000 worth of student loans lined up after he graduated from Riddle.....

I do want to be a pilot as you may have guessed. I have heard many great things about embry riddle, I know several people from my school who have gone/are in Embry and they think it's just great. But as compared to other colleges I don't know how the embry compares as far as education and or campus and I have family in Florida only maybe 30min from embry riddle so I could have a place to stay to avoid room and board *unless required first year*.

looking at scholarships, I need to get a move on them now but if I start filling out scholarships for the AMA, all 70+ ones for aviation and go and do an internship I can bring the cost down to a manageable price, although involving much work beforehand.

I have looked at the airforce and navy ROTC scholarships but I realized that I'm only looking at those, not because I want to be in the military but because I want a scholarship, and so I've heard that's not a way to go.