How I Completed Flight Training Debt Free! 

great information...im a 48 year old computer scientist working on my PPL and im about to do my first cross country solo! Ive been looking to buy a plane and do a lease with a flight school or a flight club.

Great video! This was immensely helpful. I'm studying cybersecurity at college and considering following a similar path. Congratulations on all your accomplishments thus far, and all the best on your journey!

I admire your stick-to-it-ness. Dave Ramsey would be proud of your debt free acoomplishments. Your parents must be so proud of you. I subscribed so I can follow your journey.

I'm from NYC and getting into software engineering so, I loved hearing your story. Thanks for sharing!

Your determination and wise choices are truly inspiring, and your video is a valuable resource for those aspiring to become pilots without being burdened by loans. It's impressive how you've navigated this path, and your advice is a beacon of hope for many who dream of flying. Thanks for shedding light on the possibilities and showing that with the right approach, a debt-free aviation education is attainable. Keep up the great work, and let your story continue to inspire others to chase their aviation dreams without the weight of loans. 🌟✈

Dude, that’s So exciting!!! Flying has been my dream for a long time but the fear of debt has kept me from chasing the dream. You’re my new role model for swimming against the current and proving all these other broke pilots that it’s doable! So awesome!!

So inspirational!!! Your story is incredible. Endless thanks for sharing your passion❤ All details matter. Most than a half of pilots used to work in something else befire becoming whi they are now. It adds up the value to each story.

So cool man! You're decisions are an example to all of us. Thanks for sharing!

You Sir, are a very smart man. Your dedication and tenacity are truly an inspiration. Congratulations on a job well done!

Incredible information and straight to the point. Keep up the amazing work!

Kudos to you! I hope many others can follow your lead. True freedom comes only when you are debt free. You are much better prepared to weather the economic turmoil that can occur, such as covids impact on the airlines. You are fortunate to have discovered your passion at an early age.

Quality of life is essential, Im glad you had said that. You’re a smart young man, I think everyone’s life plan is their plan. We all have a path to take. I’m impressed by your decisions. You’re very well spoken and I wish you well in your career.

Nice video! I also completed all of my training debt free. You’re right, it does feel great to owe no man money. Maybe I will bump into you at an FBO one day. Safe flying!

Awesome story. started similar when I was a kid, did start flying, but money ran out. That was over 20 years ago, but I'm still hopeful to still get back to training. I plan on saving up for the full amount before starting up again. I'm not even looking to do it as a career, but just my PPL and instrument rating.

Very good info. Thanks. I got my degree by using a GI bill. Spending 4 yrs in the military. Able to get through commercial, plus some aerobatics for fun and experience. I wish you the best of luck! I’m sure you will be a great ATP. Are the airlines helping these days with the pilot shortage. I understand some airlines are assisting in training. They should be! Just like the Dr. shortage we need to be making it more realistic to become an MD, or medical professional. It can’t just be an occupation for the well to do. That obviously isn’t working.

Congrats man. Solid story, just found this video on accident. Respect. Say up young blood!

I’m in a similar boat! 22 just graduated with a BBA in Info Systems and am working in IT, now looking to follow back on the path of flying. Thanks for sharing!!!

Great video , doing my training over in the UK. Working multiple jobs to save up for the CPL / IR. Did my PPL debt free and i aim to complete it all debt free. You are so right doing it debt free is stress free. Yes it takes longer but you still end up with the same ratings and get into the cockpit. Patience and Perseverance is key!!

I came here to write down tips and tricks, and walked away with an important reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. As an anxious, stressed-out 40 yr. old in ground school, I want to say thank you so much for the advice!

Everyone has different lifestyles/situations but to me that's the best way to do it. Sacrifice, rack as much money as you can. Then go fly and don't stop. Time and money. Awesome video Michael.

Phenomenal story. I’m on a similar path right now- earned my PPL with no debt last year and I just left my engineering job of four years to pursue the rest of my ratings with the money I saved living frugally. Totally agree that as long as you get to do the thing you love doing, the overall earnings potential down the road is secondary. All the best to you on your journey! ✈️

Thanks for telling your story...I know many people going to regionals older than you while piled with debt...I got a computer engineering degree from Georgia Tech...I didn't even think of starting flying till I was 35 now 47 now working toward CFI but so hard with work + young kids...be thankful you are where you are at

Thanks for the info, wishing you all the best for the future

My God!! all the thoughts i have been to planning to do in order to reach my dream of being a pilot i can see that you are now talking about them,or am dreaming!!! but am so interested my buddy am more and more inspired by this video and it has cemented my ambitions to be a pilot,, all i need is just a starting point,,

Great Video Michael! I appreciate you sharing the struggle.

Great information. I have passed this information onto a 18 year old who just graduated school. Such a great video.

Thank you for sharing your story! ❤

Good job, people don’t understand the pressure the debts places on an individual. Nice work.

Really helpful video! we have similar stories. I'm 20 and I've been wanting to become a pilot since I was 15 but my family just don't have the funds for flight training, so my brother suggested I go into IT (Cybersecurity) since it's also a field in demand and work so that I get the money for flight school. The problem is that I'm scared I'll hate IT even if it's just for a few years, but I have no other choice

You show you have the two most important traits for success, focus and discipline. Congrats on achieving your goal. How much Total time did you have when you started your Commercial rating training?

Great video. My son is a jr in high school. We are looking into him becoming a pilot. I will share your videos with him. We are outside of Philly.

well done man! you did it right

Well done young man... Respect...!

Thanks for your story, i appreciate your journey.

Thank you for this!! I'm beginning my pilot journey at 28 post-University and a layoff in 2023, and everyone's been looking at me like I'm crazy because I refuse to take a massive debt to things done. I know it's possible, and if it means I have to work harder than everyone else - I will do just that.

Excellent video Moor! Im proud of you you're going to go very far in life.

Great! Good luck! God bless

Living below your means, paying as you go, what novel ideas :) I am a C-ASMEL-I rated pilot with a AGI and IGI and paid for all my ratings with my A&P/IA. I was a week away from my CFI checkride and had a near fatal motorcycle accident, I was 40. Due to lingering medical issues from the accident, I was never able to pass a Class 2 medical. So I never got to live out my dream of being a professional aviator. I did, however, have a very successful career in Aircraft Maintenance. BTW, the US Navy paid for 75% of my BS degree. I applaud you sir and you entered the industry during a boom. As my old boss used to say; "Keep Charging, Don't Throttle Back"!

I'm about to start this summer at 30 years old and do it debt free as well.

Dear Michael Colley, your perspective on prioritizing avoiding debt over clinging to a few years of seniority is truly appreciated. After watching your video I'm not as worried as I was about starting immediately with only 30k of savings. I can wait a little longer, have more saved and go at this debt free. Inspired by your experience, I intend to seek scholarships, save significantly, and follow in your, and others', footsteps. I'm determined to make the rest of my life the best of my life. Career 2.0 here I come! Thank you for this video 🙏

When the dream is larger than the fear. We a are ground based animal, when your body figures out you are not going to quit... change can happen!

I think that’s a smart way of doing it because I hate nothing more than debt

I had a perfect part time job which fit perfectly with my FT work and allowed me to pay for all my training; but Covid had other ideas. That old pt job not an option any more, and my new FT job makes it more difficult to have one. I’ve all but given up ….very unlucky in aviation. 4th time’s the end. I’m in my 40s, and taking time health and money into consideration, I’ve had to force myself to give up lest I get into more depression. I do have my PPL with 185 hours and night rating. I’m not even sure a commercial career is for me. Hard to figure out when I lack ambition.

Awesome. Smart move!

I plan to start flight training next year!

Congratulation on achieving your aviation goal debt free. I watched a lot of Princeton flight school aviation webinar on RU-vid by CFI Westley. I'm 47-year-old married man with a family working on my PPL . I passed my knowledge test back in November and have about 17 hours logged. stopped because of $$ , what are the links to aviation scholarships you have applied for?

very nice story. I have done the exact same thing. Debt free and pay as you go !. Can you also please share the scholarship links ?

Michael, what do you think of training contracts? I hear these days airlines are offering to pay for 100% if not most of your flight training. Are they traps to avoid or should I consider them?

I have watched all your videos but when you said that you have links in the description but when I click on the description, there will be no links to click on.

I salute you bro 🎉

Where is the link to the scholarships? Thanks so much and congratulations so far Michael

Michael, In the video you mentioned that you were going to provide some scholarship info but I don't see it?

I live in ND. Where did you get your instruments in Minnesota?

I have to do it, just need to find a job that matches with a full time schedule

I am doing my flight training for free thru a program my company has

Great advice! Sounds like you’ve followed the Dave Ramsey advice.

I am working full-time while doing at least three lessons a week. I took a loan out, but I am saving money every month in a brokerage account, so when it is time to pay off my loans, I can write a check and be done with it.

I’m currently a mainline flight attendant and saving as much as I can with the intent of paying my own way through flight school. My credit is in a good place so I wouldn’t get the worst rate but the potential of borrowing such a large sum of money and getting into a position where I can’t afford to pay it back is a nightmare. Do you have any suggestions as to how much I should save before starting? I can set aside around $2,000 a month as I am fortunately in a position where I can stay home. But I’m 24 and would like to hop on the opportunity as soon as it would be smart to do so.

Awesome!!!!!

Thank u for the video

Pay as you go is a slower way to go but if you can do it that way, it's worth it. You'll save a lot of money in the long run from not having interest payments. If you already went to college/trade school and have already established yourself with a good paying career that allows you to save up a ton of cash then it's a solid plan. Unfortunately, for the rest of us average joes that's not a viable option. For those of us who didn't go to college/trade school and are stuck working low skill, entry level labor because we don't have the education, training, certifications, etc. it means being stuck. You work full time for meager pay and an ever increasing cost of living. It's a paycheck to paycheck existence where you can't afford the luxury of saving up any meaningful amount to pay for something like flight school. It's a struggle just to get by even if you're frugal. For the average joe, taking your chances on a huge loan is probably going to be your only shot unless you're willing to join the military.

This has been a touch choice I’ve been thinking about for a while I don’t come from any financial background and earn just enough to save a little bit every month, I would love to say at 25 I’m debt free (I’m currently 21) but I think I’m leaning towards taking a loan still not sure

Hey fellow Rutgers alum. I just turned 27 last month, you think it’s too late to train to be a pilot? Thanks and best of luck!

So where’s the advice for people who don’t have parents 😅 great video 🤙🏾

Is it a must to get a college degree to become an airline pilot? What's your thought on this?

Do you think you need a 4 year degree to become an airline pilot? Im 18 just graduated highschool but still unsure how to start my journey in aviation

Great information Mr Colley, i’m 27yrs old graduate and i realize i want to be a pilot. Is it possible for me?

You are an excellent communicator.....no shit

Just an FYI, college is no longer a requirement to get to the airlines.

What kind of parents did this man have? He is so mature when I was his age I still had my head up my a-s

I have an associate degree in cyber security will that help in becoming a cargo pilot?🤔

Michael: I am turning 70, retired and considering obtaining my PPL. Is this realistic?

Can you please tell the name of fly school where you completed the pilot course?

Hi, I dont see the Links for scholarships?

I'm currently a student pilot pursuing my PPL at the ripe age of 39. I'm still working full-time in sales but my goal is to eventually transition to the airlines and to do it debt free (I've been debt-free for the last 6 years and really do not want to go back). If anyone has ANY advice, I'm all ears.

What do you think about joining the air force after college to do this?

What school in South Jersey did you attend? Trying to decide on the school to get my PPL. Thanks

So u worked through instrument rating then stopped working at commercial?

I think you have the better route than your friends because you're degree can offer you another job besides a pilot and less debts

You need a 4-year degree to be hired as a pilot?

where in south jersey did you get instrument rating?

Please, I want to know if as a ghanian and living in ghana, can I be a pilot in the United States.

I had to start to stop due to running out of money. I'll likely just continue until I get a stable income career job.

I thought you didn't need a bachelors degree to become a pilot? I am also in IT trying to transition except I am self taught.

My brotha knows how to apply his opportunities to the privileged.. Respect. I still get prejudice from Americans despite being American cause I look mixed and raised abroad! After doing corporates ladder speed run, I was tired of the hypocrisy and identity politics, I am going to resume my flight training to get back to where all that matters is hours and attitude instead of politics and point of origin!

How would you recommend Veterans become a pilot with the GI bill?

Can you provide flight training? Since you have your CFI? I’d like to build flight hours.

Where do I find the scholarships?

What club did you join in south jersey and what flight school did you attend in Minnesota?

Hasn’t the 4 year degree requirement been dropped?

Sup my gud brotha. Interesting story. I hav two aviation challenges in case ur interested. The 1st is: How aviation has changed ur life. 2nd: Say the phonetic in 30 sec. or less. If u could plz do me a favor by accepting these challenges by using the #TMCSC in yur title, i would greatly appreciate it. HNY #salute my gud brotha!!!!!

Which airport in south jersey did you fly out of? I fly at cross keys (17N)

How long can a complete flight training take ? More than 18months?

whats the club? im in new york too

Smart

Being black helps scollership from NAACP?

Scholarship links?

💫

I'M ALL EARS!! 😃

hi michael I love to be come a pilot