<p>Is it a good idea to getting your private pilots license before going to the academy? Any benefits or cons about this?</p>
<p>-George</p>
<p>It looks good on your resume - one of the specifically mentioned possible EC's. It helps you to know if you really want to fly or not. I'm glad my son took flying lessons, but the benefits may be small compared to the expense. It may benefit him much more in his future years, but as a first degree it's not meaning very much.</p>
<p>Actually, I strongly encouraged my son to take lessons. It helped him know for sure that this was the right path for him. He loved it. </p>
<p>Having the license itself probably won't matter that much as far as getting in, but it may help later and, as RTBdad says, flying experience is specifically mentioned in the application. My advice -- fly a few hours to get a feel for it but don't go crazy with time and expense to get a license just because you think it will improve your odds.</p>
<p>Naw, it won't make a huge difference. Like they said above, its another EC to add, perhaps more appropriate to your goals. I have 55 hours, but I didn't take my final test before I-day for several reasons out of my control. </p>
<p>I highly recommend them for their stress-relieving value, there's nothing like droning along the skies to relax!</p>
<p>I don't know from experience specifically at the Academy, but I fly and I can definitely say its a lot of fun, and if you plan to become a pilot in the future, there's nothing like starting now.</p>
<p>After all, while planes differ and everything, the basic principles of flight apply universally so if that's something you plan on doing, I say go for it.</p>
<p>As far as cost, it's not a "fly for free" type thing, but you can join Civil Air Patrol and earn your license for a MUCH lower cost. You have to pay for fuel and stuff, but for example I am going through ground school/flight training for FREE through CAP due to a CAP flight scholarship.</p>
<p>It's a great program I recommend you looking into if you want to fly, but I will say don't just join b/c of that. That would be a mistake. But it is a benefit...</p>
<p>I've actually been in CAP for 3/4 of a year, I am a cadet senior airman. I've heard of the CAP flight program but I can't find any info at all on the cap site. I's like to do it (I think you need the mitchell award right?). If you can give me any info/links about it that would be great.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>George</p>
<p>Nope. Mitchell Award not required. I myself am also a C/SrA. Really, even a C/Amn could or maybe even an AB.</p>
<p>Anyway, priority is given to those 16 or older, since that's how old you have to be to solo and actually get the license.</p>
<p>Ask your squadron's Aerospace Education officer or send it up your chain of command. The most important thing is to make it known you are interested. The flight programs aren't really publicized much at national level, which is why you don't see much on cap.gov. It's usually a local thing.</p>
<p>Another option, if part of your summer is open, you can go to the special activity National Flight Academy. Applications are being accepted now for summer 2007. You can find it on the Forms and Publications link on cap.gov</p>
<p>It's cheap, as most CAP summer activities are. The program will get you all the way through your solo.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Look into your local flying clubs--they may have scholarship $ available. My dd never would have been able to earn her license without it. She soloed the morning of her ALO interview--I think they just talked flying the entire time!</p>