Become a Pilot, Before it’s Too Late. (Here’s Why)

I wanted to make this video to encourage you through any Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt ("FUD") in regards to becoming a pilot and owning your own plane one day. I think there are a lot of little reasons so many of us put of becoming a pilot, getting that next rating, or buying an airplane. There are lots of good reasons. But if we're not careful I think that can lead to a lifetime of ultimately not pursuing flying. I hear from so many people in the comments and emails that 3 months turned into 30 years and they regret not flying sooner, so I wanted to put this video together to try to encourage you that wherever you're at, the best day to start is TODAY.

I hope it encourages you in your flying journey!

If we are meeting for the first time, I'm Charlie Gasmire, a commercially licensed pilot and airplane owner, and I make helpful content for private pilots. I own a 1975 Cessna 182 in Dallas, Texas, and make content sharing my lessons learned along the way so that it might help others.

[Flyguy]

In 2019 I woke up and told my roommate I couldn't sleep and was not liking my job and wanted to be a pilot. Today I'm flying at Southwest. This video is golden advice!

[desmondellis]

I’m 64, have been an on again, off again student pilot for over 40 years! I just signed up for ground training again, and am going to schedule another discovery flight.
Thank you for your encouragement. If I only fly another 10 or 20 years I’ll be happy! 🤘👍🏼

[MonsterDHFOX]

I start my school this Monday !! I needed this. The big thing I would include for getting a step done as well as ground school would be flight simulator. I did that after my buddy flew me in the Cessna and I had ground school and a sim paid for and it’s paid off, 9 months of sim time and learning aviation on my own and I’m starting school ahead of the game day one. The simulator gives you that I’m there feel and makes you believe you’re a pilot. Believing is everything.

[thejjtp]

Thank you the algorithm is strong. i am waiting for my FAA med and was going to give up over some nonsense. I have time the money i'm going to do it.

[markdavis]

I’m about to turn 54. I’ve had two major items on my life todo list and a couple of years ago checked off the first one, which was to get SCUBA certified. Woo Hoo!! My second is to get my pilot’s license. I’ve been speaking with a couple of friends who are pilots and I’m about to take that first step toward taking the test. I’m very excited! This video is another reminder and motivator that I can do this. Thanks!!

[ricklederman]

I spent most of my life in aircraft maintenance. I got a ride in a Stemme S10 self-launching glider in late 2015 at the age of 66. I immediately ordered a new one, ended up being a Stemme S12 that I received early 2018. The summer of 2016 I drove 2.5 hours each way from Swanton, Ohio to Ionia Michigan and a full time glider school. By the end of that summer I got my glider pilot's license. When my S12 was delivered in early 2018 I spent a little over a week with additional training in order to get my 'self launch endorsement'. A year ago I upgraded to a S12G, dual Garmin G3X. During all that time, twice I flew it to Oshkosh and EAA Airventure, putting my Stemme in the manufacturer's booth, and flying it directly over the center of Lake Michigan each way, safely at 10, 500 ft with its 53:1 glide ratio. It is never too late, although at 77, I have decided to sell the S12G, but do have amazing memories.

[J_Gurn]

Your video spoke to me. Made it to single and multi-instrument rating. Need my commercials and cfi's, but I slipped it to the back burner. Money was the reason, still is. Working at a window factory now. Sucks. Current and only plan is, build my 401k to $60k, while paying down debts and life, empty it, finish up at an accelerated program. Maybe not the best plan, but it's what I got for now. Turning 39 soon. 😮

[TechTSpirit]

I started flying an RC airplane, Wing Dragon. Then Belt CP RC Heli. Upgraded to Align T-Rex 600. Not satisfied with feet on ground while airplane is flying, I bought used big affordable paramotor. Now I have passed 20hrs fixed wing training. Rebuilding a pre-owned Lancair 235 now I aim at getting my license after solo. You are right, If you have a dream make a step forward no matter what obstacles may appear in front or you just leave your dream in bed.

[nwjbward]

Wanted you to know that this video was highlighted on Facebook under Student Pilots over 50!! Thanks for the insight and encouragement!!

[Reese-Hill]

I joined AOPA, then I also paid for Sporty's online training course. I think next I"m going to do what you said. I'm going to purchase me a log book and a flight bag. I've started putting money aside to pay for flight school I'm also waiting for the FAA to come out with their final MOSAIC ruling. I've subcribed to your channel and joined your online academy as well.

[mikev]

Spot on. I had a private at 19. Instrument at 21. Flew a few years then stopped . Married and kids. I took a 25 year break and couldn’t get it out of my mind. I had the same thoughts of how would I get back in? Could I afford it? What do I have to re learn, , as a lot has changed in 25 years. I remember looking at my phone with the phone number of a flight school. I said what the heck and pushed the button to dial. 5 years later I'm still flying and own my own Piper Cherokee. I didn’t think it was possible. I found many excuses not to fly again but just decided I needed to try. Not trying is a guaranteed failure.

We only get one time to live in this world. We can’t say next time I’ll do something different. Do it now if it’s something you desire

[mattstadt]

Hey Charlie and your followers, i am planning to go on a discovery flight before EAA Oshkosh 2024 and possibly get a fed med card if I feel confident about flying. I am 53 now and still exceptionally well health wise. Thanks for the inspiration, -Matt

[davidwiederholt]

My discovery flight is in two days and I am taking my son's along as well to start the process alit sooner then I did

[sirfoxalot]

The reality for me is having both the money and time. I need both at the same time or it can't happen. I am working on that as my prime focus now.

[alanparker]

Been looking for a plane for 2.5 years. Have no mentor so cautious and trying to find a pre buy mechanic, especially far from home where an aircraft might be located. Thats a lot of money to be spending so I better know what I’m doing.

[Philly-lqzr]

Awsome for you, great inspiration, 😊 ive flown a plane once, need to make that second step , ,

[Rogueaviation]

Flight training is like planting a tree. The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today.

I put learning to fly off for years, and went to flight school 20 years ago, now. Go for it, you guys. It's verty difficult, but it's a hell of a life.

[pilotlasse]

I am definitely guilty of this. Last year, I didn't fly anywhere near as much as I wanted to because I thought it was better to do just one thing at a time with my flight training. So I ended up spending all of my time studying for my written test and even now, I am more focussed on getting the funds for my flying career, instead of just taking the plunge and just fly the plane. This month, I did my first solo and since then I got very very nervous to get back out there due to those nerves. Flying planes for a living has been my lifelong dream and to attain my first ever pilot license is a milestone that is right around the corner. That thought of getting effectively halfway to my lifegoal after just 2 to 3 years of flying is getting a bit too far into my head and it's starting to scare me out of flying if I'm not careful.
The TLDR of it all is basicly that The Office meme of Steve Carell shouting ''OMG, Okay it's happening, EVERYBODY STAY CALM''

I'm not that worried about it all though, I am just in my early 20s (turning 21 soon), so I have plenty of time to get there.

Edit: the thing I am going to do next is plan out a whole day of flying where I'll train some more emergency procedures and a cross-country flight to the airports I have to visit on my solo cross-country and plan it TODAY.

[Hawka-Loogy]

Sir: you once mentioned acronym for anticipating Instrument Approach Clearance. Can you refresh?

[GeorgeShook-sufs]

I was a young lad between 5 to 7 years old when on the news Amelia Earhart was being interviewed on flying the transatlantic ocean made history as what did she eat on the flight and she said I had sandwiches and he asked you what kind and she laughed and she said chicken sandwiches. Everybody laughed because she was no chicken.