Refusing to give up!

[Cyrak]

Some of you may recognize me as having been on this forum for awhile now - I don't post very often, but I will occasionally ask a question or comment on something.

 

As you may know, I have been trying to find the funds to start my lessons for over a year and a half now. I know that there are many people just like me who struggle with this. I'm not asking anyone to believe that I am better or more deserving than others. But I REFUSE to give up on this dream simply because I cannot find the money.

 

So I have started a MySpace page devoted to that goal. I hesitated to even post a topic drawing attention to it, as I was not sure how it would be received, but if an answer is out there, the only way to find it is to ask, and this is the best way I know to reach someone who might be able to help me make this a reality. I sincerely apologize to anyone who might be offended by this - that was never my intention - I just don't know where else to turn.

 

Thank you to anyone who even takes the time to read the page - I welcome ANY advice or suggestions. If anyone might know of a solution, I believe it would be the members of this forum, whom I have always found to be so kind and helpful whenever someone asks a question or has a problem. You are part of the reason I am so determined to join this field.

 

Here is the address:

 

http://www.myspace.com/helifund

 

Thank you!

[slick1537]

Check out the whirly girl scholarships and grants they have for female pilots.

[Cyrak]

I think the answer is in front of you, possibly.... The US Army??

 

Thank you for the suggestion. It is a very good idea - for most people. But there are several reasons why it will not work for me.

 

First of all (and most importantly), they will not take me. And I don't need to tell you that if the Army, in their current situation, won't take you, no other branch will, either. They will not take me because I take medication which I cannot stop taking for the six months plus basic training that they require. I passed my Second Class Medical, so it does not preclude me from flying, but the military will not take me. Believe me, I've tried.

 

Secondly, even if the Army would take me, being in the Army is not what I want to do for a career. If I could be in the Army for a year or two, and then get out and have all those great perks, like being trained to fly, having the GI Bill, education credits, etc, then I might consider it, but it doesn't work that way. For one thing, it's not all that easy to get into the pilot program, and if you do, they want a serious commitment from you, not just a couple of years. Then, even after your commitment is fulfilled (if you live that long), there is still the fact that you are "on call" for several years even after you get out, and with the way things are going, the chances of being called back are pretty good. I want to get started on my goals NOW - not put them on hold for six to ten years while I fulfill a commitment to the government.

 

Finally, I considered joining the Army (again, if they would take me), when I believed there was a chance that if I joined the Reserve, or the National Guard, I would be serving my time here in the States. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Even the Reserves and National Guard are in Iraq, and since I disagree wholeheartedly with this war, and the motivations for which it is being fought, it would be unbelievably hypocritical of me to join the military during a time when I know I would be sent to fight it. Before anyone takes issue with that, I do support the troops. Both my father and my boyfriend are ex military. As I said, I even tried to join two different branches of the military myself, because I believe it is a valuable, life changing experience, which I would greatly benefit from - mentally, physically, and financially. However, I do not support the government behind the troops, and I cannot in good conscience become a part of that, no matter how much it might benefit me personally.

 

As I said, all of this is irrelevant, because I have tried to join, and they will not accept me. But I do appreciate the suggestion, and it would be a good one for anyone else. I suppose I should put the above into my MySpace page. I think I will do that right now.

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to try and help. As I said, I am more than willing to hear any suggestions.

[Cyrak]

Check out the whirly girl scholarships and grants they have for female pilots.

 

Thank you very much! I did look into this, but they only offer these scholarships to students already enrolled at a school, and they don't apply to a PPL or CPL, they are only meant to help with getting additional ratings, such as a CFI, or a turbine transition. I've never found anyone who offers grants or scholarships to those starting out, just to pay for lessons. And the grants they do offer are usually only a few hundred dollars, and never more than a couple thousand. They are meant to pay for books or ground training, not to be the primary source of funds for the basic lessons themselves. Everyone I've talked to has applied for these grants, but they already had a Sallie Mae loan to pay for the lessons.

 

I have spent a lot of time sitting down with the financial aid people at the school, going over every traditional method of financing. If it were that easy, I would not still be asking for advice and ideas a year and a half later. I appreciate the suggestions, but it is going to take thinking outside the box to come up with a solution. That is the idea behind the webpage - to provide a place for anyone with a creative idea to correspond with me, without taking up time and space on this forum.

 

Thanks again!

[Hawkdriver]

I say get a job, save up or get a loan like everyone else. There is no quick answer.

 

 

Begging for funds on myspace is pretty much the same as standing on a street corner with a sign.

 

 

Maybe I should start a myspace page asking for free money for my Jeep Fund?

Edited September 16, 2007 by Hawkdriver

[Cyrak]

You mean "President"? I felt the same about Bill Clinton... I served under him, by the way. If you don't believe in our Gov system, then maybe you need to consider moving? I am pretty tough on beliefs about our Country. I am very pro "If you don't like it, leave!" Go try out another country for awhile and then rethink what you said about the US. I lived in Europe for 3.5 years, I know how it is over there. There are many in this world that hate our Country because of the "Free" part. It scares them, because they can't control the "People".

 

I have driven through "Communist Party" demonstrations at the base gate and their street rallies in the local city. Hammer/ Sickle flags flying and yelling Yankee Go Home or Down with the US.

 

End of soap box, lol.....

 

You may be like me, having to take the long road to flight.

 

Good Luck

 

I was reluctant to post my reasons for not joining the Army, because I was afraid of sparking just such remarks. I have seen too many excellent forums and intelligent discussions go down in flames because political views got out of hand. I have no problem defending my views, and I will gladly do so via PM, if you wish, but this is not a political forum, and I do not wish to see it become one. Religion and politics are very polarizing topics. Those with strongly held opinions on these subjects have personal reasons for believing as they do, and rarely change them, whether they are countered with intelligent discussion, or viscious and ugly debate. I deeply respect and admire the posters I have interacted with on this forum - you are always kind, helpful, and supportive of those of us starting out in this field. I appreciate any and all input on the topic I posted, but I will not engage in political discussions here. I hope you understand.

 

Thank you very much for your reply. I would love to hear about your "long road to flight". Did you pay your own way?

[Cyrak]

I say get a job, save up or get a loan like everyone else. There is no quick answer.

Begging for funds on myspace is pretty much the same as standing on a street corner with a sign.

Maybe I should start a myspace page asking for free money for my Jeep Fund?

 

I understand your reaction. I was afraid I might get just such a response. However, to my knowledge, I have exhausted every possibility I could think of, and I have been told by many people (some of them on this forum) to "never give up" and that if something is important enough to you, you can find a way to make it happen. Unfortunately, some of us, despite having a job, aren't lucky enough to make the kind of money it takes to be able to "save up" $60,000 in any realistic amount of time, let alone to pay for lessons outright. If I had a career that paid that much, I might not be so interested in learning a new one. I was told by the financial aid office at the school that even those with perfect credit have difficulty qualifying for the Sallie Mae loans without a co-signer. If you were fortunate enough to have someone who was willing and able to co-sign on a loan for you, then you are more fortunate than I.

 

I accept the fact that there is no "quick answer". I never intended to give the impression that I was searching for one. As I said on my webpage, I would be thankful for ANY answer, even if it involved time and hard work, if I could see a clear path to my goal. Simply "saving up" is just not realistic. While I did mention the possibility of philanthropy, that was not my primary objective in starting this webpage, or posting this topic. As I mentioned, I agree with you that I am not any more deserving than any other aspiring student, and I never implied that I was. I would never presume to ask, or expect, anyone to simply "give" me money, without getting something in return. What I DID ask for was suggestions on what I might do to RAISE the money, or if anyone had personal experiences they could share that might help.

 

If you are as determined and passionate about having a Jeep as I am about becoming a helicopter pilot, and you believe it would have as much of a positive effect on your life and its direction, then I absolutely do encourage you to devote a MySpace page to it. I have received so many supportive replies telling me not to give up, and so many creative ideas and suggestions - who knows, one of them may be the one that helps make this a reality for me, and I will remember it for the rest of my flying career. It is worth the negative responses for that possibility.

[wannabe heli pilot]

Cyrak, I had good credit not perfect (700+) and qualified with no co singer so maybe work on that? Have you checked it lately?Your credit that is?

Edited September 16, 2007 by wannabe heli pilot

[Cyrak]

I didn't mean to come across as wanting to have a political discussion.. I just want you to think about what you posted. I could have had the same thoughts, if I had not served the USA. It is easy for some to forget or not appreciate our country and all that it offers all of us as citizens. No harm, I just wanted you to really think about it. I don't like the civil war aspects of Iraq either. Terroist is one thing, civil war another.

 

I am a part time student, work more than 40+ hrs a week, with wife and kids starting to graduate this year. It sucks taking so much time to get where you want to be. I understand that. I thought after 2.5 years I would be a working CFII by now. Life changes and now I have a growing medical bill list from all the doctors and hospitals from my kids this past year, further delaying my plans.

 

With what you spent on your current career seems you would be making a pretty good penny? Maybe buy a heli and lease it back to a school nearby and fly when your not working till you get enough hours to instruct and build up your TT to start a descent job/salary??

 

I am glad I read your myspace about your Vet Training, since thats one option my kid was wanting to take. $120K!!!! Uhh, I think they are gonna need to rethink their decision on that one. She is not that passionate about it either, just thinks thats what she wants to do, ya right, $120K, she is gonna have to show me more interest in it.

 

Again, good luck..

 

No offense taken. I know you understand what I was trying to say. I will send you a PM with a further explanation, so you will know that I do not think so differently from you.

 

Despite the obstacles that I face, I am thankful that I decided this was what I wanted to do before I had kids, or became tied down to a particular place. I very much admire people like you, who can manage all of those things at once. I do have a full time job, and even if I manage to find a way to pay for the lessons, I will still have to take them around my work schedule. I am fine with that. Get up early, fly for an hour or two, then go to work. Maybe take a longer lesson on the weekends. I have no delusions about being a full time student, as nice as that would be. I understand how frustrating unexpected bills can be. That is primarily the reason I am having so much trouble. Past bills (some of them medical bills) are both preventing me from being able to save any money, and have damaged my credit to the point that I do not qualify for the loans everyone else seems able to get. Even if my credit were perfect, I have been told it is very difficult to qualify without a co-signer, and that I simply do not have.

 

As for my current career, I have been in this field for eight years, but I am only a licensed veterinary technician, not a veterinarian. Some info (for your daughter as well, if she is interested): Veterinary assistants are usually hired right off the street. At most clinics, all you need is a love of animals, and some life experience with them. They have been threatening to change the laws for several years, but at present, this is the way it goes from there - you can either go to a technical school which takes from 1-2 years, and then take the national Veterinary Technician exam, which is offered every six months, or you can be an assistant for five years, and then you are considered "grandfathered" and qualify to take the test. That is how I did it. After five years as an assistant, I took the test and became licensed. That was three years ago. It is NOT a high paying job. Higher than some, I suppose, but still only about $25,000 a year. In the grand scheme of things, that is still entry level. And the sad thing is, for that $120,000 in loans and eight years of school, a veterinarian usually only makes $35 - $40,000 a year to start. Unless you want to spend another two to four years interning to become a specialist (like a surgeon), it doesn't really go up very much. They work long, hard hours, and sometimes are still on call when they finally do go home. If it is your passion, it can be very rewarding. After eight years, I know it is not the life I want. So you can see how I could be undaunted by what is involved in becoming and being a helicopter pilot. I am burned out, and frustrated with having gone as far as I can in this field. As much as I would love to be able to do what you suggest, and buy a helicopter and fly part time, I am far from making a "pretty penny", and this is far beyond my reach.

 

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I wish you luck with your training - just out of curiosity, did you get a loan to pay for it? Did you have to have someone co-sign for you? Or did your military service help pay for it?

[gmsemel]

Well the Army is not for you. They need men, for the combat arms. The wars will be going on for the next 70 or so years. So its really a moot point. You can do what I did, I shot Coyote's for pelts in winter, when the pelt prices were good, cold wet and hard work. I also spent time on Commerical Fishing boats, mostly lobsters out of Maine. Again Cold wet and hard work. Spent four years out in Bethel Alaska flying airplanes, Cold wet and hard work. Saved enough for the transition to helicopters.

 

Try to get on one of the Alaskan Crab Boats, the first season or two, will get you some money on a good boat, more with some exprience. Then again its cold hard wet work. Or you could do what a friend of mine did, while going to A+P school, he drove pizza and used that money to set himself up in business. Then again that was up in Alaska, Anchorage, during the winter, so it was cold hard, some what dry work.

 

Get yourself a second job, it will take you four or five years, rather than beg on Myspace or what ever they call that thing.

[Cyrak]

Cyrak, I had good credit not perfect (700+) and qualified with no co singer so maybe work on that? Have you checked it lately?

 

This is exactly what I'm talking about! This is useful information!

 

Who did you get the loan from? How long ago?

 

Not to disagree with you, but what do you consider "perfect"? Over 700 seems pretty perfect to me!! I just got a car loan in March, mainly for the purpose of improving my credit, and I have not checked recently, but at that time, I believe they said it was about 620? From the way they act when I apply for something though, I would think it was in the 400s. I am doing my best to pay off my debts, and I have a credit agency working on removing some of the negative items, but it is slow going, especially when you are trying to pay rent and a car payment and insurance and all the other expenses of simply being alive (and living in the Seattle area).

 

Thank you very much! Any info you can give me (or anyone else who has qualified without a co-signer) on what number you need, or different places that might give a loan to someone with less than perfect credit, would be greatly appreciated!!

[PhotoFlyer]

This is exactly what I'm talking about! This is useful information!

 

Who did you get the loan from? How long ago?

 

Sallie Mae financial...

 

I have 7 or 8 students who have completely financed through SLM. One of them had credit so bad that he had to get 6 loans (no, I'm not kidding) with 6 different co-signers. The interest rate stinks, I'm sure, but it will help improve his credit and he can always consolidate it later.

 

AOPA offers flight training loans. Pilotfinance.com. loantolearn.com. There are a number of other financing options, just google flight training financing.

 

Have you found a flight school yet? If you haven't that would be a good place to start, they should be able to help point you to financing.

[slick1537]

Get a second job in a warehouse. They pay good. Sell all your extra junk on ebay.

[fry]

Damn girl, you've got a real dilemma...got an irrepressible "dream" to fly helicopters (although you apparently have never flown anything) and no way to get there from here. Can't borrow, can't save, can't get a better job (or another job) and can't go in the service...reduced to begging on the internet like a Nigerian princess. It's really sad. Have you considered sales? Silver State is probably hiring, you could testify to your "dream" at one of their revival seminars?

 

By the way, you mentioned (on the JH board where you also posted you tale of woe) that you've had this "dream" for a year and a half, what have you been doing all that time?

 

Here's my suggestion (you asked for some), push back from your keyboard and go to the local community college admissions office. Get started in school, get some education and start bettering your situation. Good lord girl you're 30, develop a little pragmatic ambition and stop "dreaming" (and begging).

[Copterpilot213]

I'm sure you've probably already checked this out but I figured it couldn't hurt to tell you.

 

My girlfriend is a member of the 99's http://www.ninety-nines.org/ they have a lot of things to help women in aviation and as far as I know they don't have the same kind of requirements or limitations that whirlygirls does.

 

I hope this helps, I admire your conviction and hope to see pictures of you flying some day!

[cherminator]

Making and saving alot of money via a job is difficult. If you really want to acheive your goals and dreams, you need to become a student of investing and entrepreneurialism. There are many ways to make extra money and make it grow, without having to put up with an ungrateful boss. Check out these books , purchase and read a couple that catch your interest and don't look back.

 

It worked for me.

 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/105-99...ords=make+money

 

If the above link doesn't work, just type in the keywords "make money" in the book section of amazon.com.

[cherminator]

Here are a few titles I found:

 

Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge, and Overcome Your Financial Fears Forever

Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love

75 Proven Ways to Make Money Between Jobs

Buy It, Sell It, Make Money: Your Guide to Finding and Reselling Luxury Goods for Personal Wealth

Girl, Make Your Money Grow!: A Sister's Guide to Protecting Your Future and Enriching Your Life

How to Make Money Online with eBay, Yahoo!, and Google

[Fastlane]

For once I agree with Fry. At what point did you tell yourself "Yeah, Myspace! THAT'S a good idea, I'll beg for money there!"

 

Are ya kiddin me???

 

Do you honestly think that you are the first one to have this problem? Or the last? I've been grounded for 6 months because of injuries, lack of funds, WORKING 2 jobs to pay for flight school, family commitments.

 

You seem pretty steadfast in your beliefs and views, such as anti-military (I AM NOT), maybe you could take that hard headedness and adapt it to your "dream." Put in the extra shift at work, get a second job, don't buy the new purse, SAVE the dollars. Seems like you have an excuse for every idea thrown at you, except hard work, diligence and sacrafice. That's the ONLY way to get there, not begging on a street corner.

Edited September 16, 2007 by Fastlane

[jsmith13]

Why not sell the new 2007 Mazda, drive the old Toyota and move in with mom and dad. The 35-40000 dollar a year job you have should pay for quite a bit of R22 time!

[Cyrak]

Damn girl, you've got a real dilemma...got an irrepressible "dream" to fly helicopters (although you apparently have never flown anything) and no way to get there from here. Can't borrow, can't save, can't get a better job (or another job) and can't go in the service...reduced to begging on the internet like a Nigerian princess. It's really sad. Have you considered sales? Silver State is probably hiring, you could testify to your "dream" at one of their revival seminars?

 

By the way, you mentioned (on the JH board where you also posted you tale of woe) that you've had this "dream" for a year and a half, what have you been doing all that time?

 

Here's my suggestion (you asked for some), push back from your keyboard and go to the local community college admissions office. Get started in school, get some education and start bettering your situation. Good lord girl you're 30, develop a little pragmatic ambition and stop "dreaming" (and begging).

 

I'm curious. What has happened in your life to make you so bitter, jaded, and cynical? What is truly "really sad" is that unlike 90% of the pilots on this forum (and JH), who are helpful, supportive, and remember what it was like to want to be a pilot, but not know how to make it happen, your first response is to be as vicious and sarcastic as possible. Why is that? Does it make you feel better about yourself? Do you gain some kind of self-righteous satisfaction from insulting and belittling someone who was simply asking for advice? It's very easy from the end of the journey to look back on someone just starting out and judge their choices and mistakes. We all make our own way, and have our own reasons for the decisions we have made in our lives. I was not asking for an analysis of mine. If you don't approve, you are more than welcome to simply ignore this thread - no one is forcing you to read it. But if you choose to be involved, please keep your negativity to yourself. Thank you.

[Cyrak]

For once I agree with Fry. At what point did you tell yourself "Yeah, Myspace! THAT'S a good idea, I'll beg for money there!"

 

Are ya kiddin me???

 

Do you honestly think that you are the first one to have this problem? Or the last? I've been grounded for 6 months because of injuries, lack of funds, WORKING 2 jobs to pay for flight school, family commitments.

 

You seem pretty steadfast in your beliefs and views, such as anti-military (I AM NOT), maybe you could take that hard headedness and adapt it to your "dream." Put in the extra shift at work, get a second job, don't buy the new purse, SAVE the dollars. Seems like you have an excuse for every idea thrown at you, except hard work, diligence and sacrafice. That's the ONLY way to get there, not begging on a street corner.

 

I am truly disappointed in the negativity some of you display, as well as the rush to judgement of someone based on a few misunderstood facts. In the past, I have always found the posters on this forum to be positive and supportive. I have no desire to engage in a debate with anyone about my previous life choices, or defend my political beliefs. All I asked for was advice and ideas. I realize that some of you may not approve of the way I went about this, but what is the point of being nasty about it? Why would you attempt to turn the focus onto trashing me? If you don't have an idea or a solution, then just move on. Don't waste your time or mine.

 

For the record, what I said was that I DID try to get into the military - twice. They will not take me. I never said I was anti-military, I said I "disagree wholeheartedly with this war, and the motivations for which it is being fought". If you had read that entire post, you would have understood that. I admit that it was a mistake to even open that can of worms, since no one can seem to have a rational discussion about it without letting emotion take over, but unfortunately, I am an honest person, and I believed it was relevant to the point.

 

I am sorry for your hardships, and it is not my intention to downplay them, or to suggest that I am more deserving. However, to imply that I have not had my own issues to deal with, and reasons for not being where I would like to be, is incredibly presumptuous. You will not find anywhere, in my webpage, this thread, or any other, where I have even hinted that I was looking to accomplish this without "hard work, diligence, and sacrifice". I am simply trying to find the most efficient path, and perhaps learn from others' mistakes or successes.

 

I wonder why, like Fry, you would choose to take this attitude, rather than being positive, or simply finding something else to do. It accomplishes nothing except to make you look petty and jaded. I apologize if I have offended you or anyone else, but it should be obvious to everyone that was not my intention. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to truly read what I have written with an open mind, and have offered their support and suggestions.

[wannabe heli pilot]

"Who did you get the loan from? How long ago?"


I received my loan from student loan express in March of this year.Three years ago I also financed a vehicle which boosted my credit with on time payments. I have been working to build credit for a while. There are others in my school with not so good credit as well that still received loans with more than a 10% rate. Fry,Jesus loves you!

[Cyrak]

 

"Who did you get the loan from? How long ago?"

I received my loan from student loan express in March of this year.Three years ago I also financed a vehicle which boosted my credit with on time payments. I have been working to build credit for a while. There are others in my school with not so good credit as well that still received loans with more than a 10% rate. Fry,Jesus loves you!

 

Thank you very much! Three years, huh? That is exactly why I bought my new car, even though I didn't really feel I needed one. Everyone told me it was the best way to improve your credit. I know that is true, but right now, it just seems like a huge drain on my finances!

 

I think this is going to be my best bet. I have been trying to improve my credit anyway, but it just seemed like I could never get it to the point where I would qualify for one of these loans. You have given me hope that it is possible, with time. Thank you again, and good luck in your training!!

[Hawkdriver]

For the record, what I said was that I DID try to get into the military - twice. They will not take me. I never said I was anti-military, I said I "disagree wholeheartedly with this war, and the motivations for which it is being fought". If you had read that entire post, you would have understood that. I admit that it was a mistake to even open that can of worms, since no one can seem to have a rational discussion about it without letting emotion take over, but unfortunately, I am an honest person, and I believed it was relevant to the point.

 

 

Exactly the point I gathered from the start. I honestly believe that you would have joined the Army to suck the benefits out if you could, but since we wouldnt have you it's ok at that point to declare the "real" reasons while you wouldnt join. Pathetic.

 

 

I think the point most are trying to make here is no matter how you phrase it, making a paypal account and asking for money on myspace is exactly what it looks like. Begging. There is no outside the box to think about. It's called fiscal responsiblity, hard work and patience. I am sorry you are getting mad at the ones that are pointing out reality to you.

 

What you think is impossible is actually done by people all the time.

[Pitch Pitch Pull!]

Honstly, you should write a book. You seem very educated and can write well enough to keep people interested (me at least).

 

Good Luck!