Pathway to Becoming a Pilot: Admissions and Career Insights with Penny Linsenmayer

College and Career Clarity

In this episode, Lisa and Penny discuss:

• Different pathways for your teen to become a pilot
• The unique college application process for professional flight majors.
• Planning for unexpected costs with the path to aviation.
• Medical requirements and certifications that help and hinder potential pilots.

Key Takeaways:

• Your student can fly solo by age 16 and earn their private pilot license at age 17.
• If your student majors in professional flight at a university or community college, they will be able to get their license with fewer flying hours by having done the FAA-approved curriculum through a college program.
• Flying is not for everybody - not everyone is comfortable in small planes or even in the air. Figure out if your teen can handle it before applying to professional flight majors.
• ADHD, wearing corrective lenses, or colorblindness are not immediate disqualifiers, but they can complicate the medical approval process requiring a longer amount of time
• Start early! This is a pathway that requires a lot of additional time, steps, and expense.

“Make sure that you can get a class one medical. The college programs are all going to require you to show up with a class one medical or evidence that you can get it. You have to have that to fly commercially, and colleges don't want you investing a ton of time and money in a degree that's never going to pan out for you on the career side.” – Penny Linsenmayer
About Penny Linsenmayer: Penny is an independent educational consultant based in Texas. She's the co-founder of Pathway Admissions, LLC and is a professional member of IECA, a member of IECA's Subcommittee on Affordability, and a member of NACAC and TACAC. Her niche areas of specialization include a focus on affordability and aviation admissions.
Episode References:
R-ATP Approved Institutions: faa.gov/pilots/training/atp/media/Institutional_Authority_List.pdf
FAA Airman Medical Examiner: faa.gov/pilots/amelocator
HIMS Airman Medical Examiners (needed for mental health-related reviews): faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification/media/hims-ames.pdf
FAA-approved Neuropsychologists: faa.gov/ame_guide/media/FAA_Neuropsychologists.pdf
FAA-approved institutions for air-traffic control programs: faa.gov/jobs/students/approved-air-traffic-collegiate-training-initiative-cti-schools
Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).
flourishcoachingco.com/video
Connect with Penny:
Instagram: instagram.com/pathwayadmissions
Facebook: facebook.com/pathwayadmissions
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/RaisingAviationTeens
Website: pathwayadmissions.com
Email: [e-mail]

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co