Is it Possible to Pass Four FAA Exams In Just 3 Weeks?

Approximately 3 weeks ago, I decided to make a career change from business owner to professional pilot.

Much to my surprise, the video titled "My Plan to Earns Six Figures as a Pilot within 18 Months - Starting at Age 53" went viral and garnered over 50,000 views in just a few days!

After reading through nearly 1000 comments, I noticed that quite a few people were asking me for details on how I'm planning to fast track my training and get it all done in just 4 months...and todays video is to explain my approach to taking the FAA exams.

I hope you like it! Please leave your comments/questions down below, ok?

Thank you!!

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👋 About Me 👋
Trent Dyrsmid is a successful entrepreneur and investor who happens to have a love of flying airplanes. After a successful business career, I've decided to start career 2.0 as a professional pilot to compliment my 2nd passion; investing in real estate. My plan is to use flying as my basic income, and then use the free time that flying will afford me to continue to find attractive investment opportunities as well as expand my online businesses.

Pilot + investor = happy abundant life :)

My Social Accounts:

[altboy]

I’m 48 and looking forward to taking the same journey you’re on.. Let’s do this!!

[frankponti]

I'm a CPL helicopter pilot moving to Canada in the coming weeks and this study method is what I've been using for my conversion exams. Congrats on all you've accomplished so far!

[odyshopody]

Great job Trent. I remember studying for may A&P exam the same way. This was back in 1994 and we were the first class that the online exam was available for. Basically just studied the test, you had 3 to take, airframe, powerplant and a general. Best way to pass an FAA exam! Good luck in flight school, I'm retiring next year and wasn't sure what I was going to do next, your inspiring me to get back into flying!

[jeffbutler]

I'm a 51 year old Cybersecurity / Technology entrepreneur. Tried military pilot but told too tall at 6'2+. Then started flight school in 2001 where my first ride with instructore was to be the evening on 9/11. go figure. Then life happened and knew I couldn't become an airline pilot because I did not have a degree. But seeing your videos and knowing they relaxed the stance on education, I have now decided to start heading towards my dream of being an airline pilot. I study and test extremely well and know I can do what you've shown can be done. Just wanted to say thank you and your videos are near perfect with timing and quality. I will continue to watch and wish the best of luck to you and to the rest of the knuckleheads on these postings. As @altboy3143 says, "Let's do this!"

[panthros]

I was 53 when I passed my PPL Checkride last October. I am currently working on my instrument rating (part time). Sadly Sheppard Air does not have a Private Pilot test prep as you mentioned so I used Sportys as well. Now for my instrument and later commercial, I will be using Sheppard for test prep. Sportys videos are great and they will better prepare you when get in the plane but not so well in preparing for the exams. I want to recommend PilotEdge for X-Plane and MSFS 2020. This gives you live ATC which is a critical skill to learn. Now is a great time to get into aviation. Good luck and looking forward to future videos!

[Marcosis]

Trent, im inspired by you! 52 with 169 hrs, ppl, inst, started comm, but hung it up in 2005 when we had our second child. Post 9/11 regional pay, and flight instructing wasnt going to cut it raising a family. Scheduling my 1st class medical to see if this is a viable dream! Go get it!!

[russellselby]

Hey Trent great stuff! My name is Russ, I currently work as a Regional Controller for SkyWest. 3 things I want to say, number1: Good luck in flight school, hopefully the weather cooperates and you have every opportunity to get out and fly everyday. 2: Your are correct with you opinion about SkyWest, it is a fantastic company to work for and is the best regional hands down. They invest in your success every day in every way. 3: I talk to pilots all day and while I help them with there issues I always tell them that they have the greatest job in the world. I also tell them that if I was younger I would go that route. When I tell them how old I am every single one says the same thing, “you’re not too old”. I plan on starting my training in September of this year and staying with SkyWest, by the way I’m 55 and will turn 56 in October, can’t wait. Best of Luck, God Bless!

[FallinRhythm]

You're giving me great encouragement at 33 years old at only 30hrs. I'll likely use the same ways you studied for IFR and beyond. Even at this age I felt for a while that I was "too late" to get into flying as a job. But after every flight I want to be a commercial pilot more and more. And seeing your last video it's just a huge confidence boost that this a good career path to be on. Thanks!

[tompurvis]

Your flight sim setup is interesting and worth a video. Because 8 watched your video, YouTube has introduced me to several others starting their PPL journey. You are by far the most organized and confident. You are also the only one I would love to see you in the cockpit of the flight I’m on.

[stevegergen]

I'm 48 and going through the same process. Really enjoy your content. Loom forward to flying with you some day 🙂

[JB_Hobbies]

Learning a lot over a short amount of time is not as good for long-term retention as learning little-by-little over a longer period of time. But, with your anticipated flight schedule, the critical information will come up over and over again, which will help a lot for long-term retention. Things you might forget are random things like emergency transponder codes; basically stuff that just doesn’t come up a lot in day-to-day flying.

[sigma]

Your videos are a staple of information for me. Thank you for making them. I'm in the beginning stages of starting. So far, I got my Medical 1

[nicksantos]

10 - 12 hrs a day! that puts things into perspective of what it takes to achieve challenging feats. Thanks for the vid, Trent!

[davidelliott]

Hey Trent, congrats on your new and exciting adventure, simply AWESOME!! I too am doing exactly the same thing as you. I’m 54 and start an accelerated part 141 flight program called, Sling Pilot Academy, out of KSEE in two weeks. I also like you completed 5 FAA exams using Sheppard Air(the best study program) and plan on using my sim during the majority of my downtime as well. I just wanted to wish you all the best with your mission and can totally relate, seeing how our paths are extremely similar. I look forward to following your progression and wanted to thank you for all of the inspiration and amazing content. Let’s do this Brudah!!!! Please take great care of yourself and stay healthy, safe and blessed. David Elliott

[lowoveraviation]

Hi Trent. Congrats on your decision to follow your dreams. You're never too old (as long as you pass the medical of course.) I'm also a 53 yr old Canadian pilot (Vancouver) and have been flying for fun since 1988. I think you're doing it right. I always advise people who inquire about flight training to give the cash to the flying school, go hard on the ground school so you have the theory down, then fly at least twice a day once you start flying. It's a great way to retain what you learn in the airplane. I also have been using MSFS since version 2 and it has been a huge help. I'd also recommend filming your flights inside the cockpit with audio over the intercom as it makes a great way to review what went right and what went wrong. Best of luck and I'll keep watching to see how you make out. Blue Skies!

[fitnessmaderoyalty]

It’s never too late man, inspiring brother

[travisp]

Trent, I'm right down the road from you in Mountain Home, I'm a crew chief on the Strike Eagles out there. I'm currently working on my PPL and A&P and I'm looking to do something similar to what you're doing. Thanks for helping us guide the way, I'm right behind you, I turn 50 soon and I'd love to be a regional pilot based in Boise! Keep up the great content!

[EricTheBlue]

Hey Trent, I'm 35 looking to make the transition into flying for a career. Your videos give me hope. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing on YouTube with us.

[ghosttords]

Im only 21 but I came across your videos and it’s solidified my drive to become an airline pilot! I was planning to pay my PPL out of pocket and then loan out the rest and speed run through it. And your videos have been a great help

[davidstewart]

Just wanted to pop in and say thank you for doing these videos. They are quite helpful and encouraging. I’m on a similar path friend. I’m forty-eight years old and about to complete my private pilot training. And I’d like to say that you’re absolutely right about flight simming to supplement your training. I’ve built myself a home simulator cockpit running xplane11. The simulator has been… instrumental… to my progress 😉keep up the good work and thanks again 👨‍✈️👍