Private Pilot's License

Not only was I hesitant but also nervous and embarrassed to create one of these. I felt I didn't deserve it because I'm doing fine in life, by no means am I struggling and there's plenty of others who need the money more than I do. I then forced myself to think like the protagonist. I want this. I'm dedicated and passionate enough to accomplish this goal and what if other people want to help me as well? Sometimes people like to help others, even if they don't necessarily need it. Less than 1% of the American population has some form of pilot's license. I can and will be a part of that 1% one day, whether it be now or when I'm older. I just feel as if the time is right now.

One of the boldest (and most expensive) numbers on my bucket list is to receive my private pilots license.

You're probably thinking my dad owns a plane but would you want someone learning to drive in your $60k Mercedes? Now make that Mercedes a manual because his plane is a taildragger which is even harder to learn in. If you don't understand, just take my word for it. Now think about someone learning to drive your brand new 60k manual Mercedes on the hills of Seattle with 4 inches of space between the car behind you and in front of you. I will need to rent a plane for the first (on average) 25 hours before I will be skilled enough to (hopefully) fly his plane (but the cost of gas comes into play.) He doesn't even know I'm considering it.

You're also probably thinking, why can't my dad teach me for free? Your hours have to be signed off by a certified instructor which my dad is not. He can (and has) taught me basics but there's a reason why less than 1% of the American population has a license.. it's a difficult bundle of knowledge to learn and teach. Oh and it's expensive.

One needs a minimum of 40hrs with a certified instructor (takes most people 55-60hrs.) An instructor costs $45hr and plane rental is $135hr (includes gas.) On top of that there's test fees (I believe around $500) along with insurance ($300yr) as well as a $200 physical done by a certified doctor.

Ground school is normally 35hrs total at a cost of $450 with a test you must pass at the end of the course. I have already read books and manuals at home in order to skip the time and costs and just pay to take the test (and hopefully pass.)

With test fees, insurance, doctor physical cost and a minimum of 40 hours of flight training, it will cost me $8,200.

I sometimes feel awkward donating to people I know. "Is $5 too little? Will that be a slap in the face? But I don't want to spend $20. So I end up not donating anything." But the truth is, even a dollar is a dollar more than what I had. I'm still embarrassed typing this out but it's worth a shot!