private pilots license?

[FISH_AFA30]

hello! I am soon starting my applications to both usda and usage, and I am wondering how much, or if it will at all be a benefit to my application/chances to get my private pilots license, I have finished ground school, but is it worth it to prioritize it over other extracurriculars?

 

[FISH_AFA30]

hello! I am soon starting my applications to both usda and usage, and I am wondering how much, or if it will at all be a benefit to my application/chances to get my private pilots license, I have finished ground school, but is it worth it to prioritize it over other extracurriculars?

sorry autocorrect, I meant USAFA and USNA

 

[Heatherg21]

Welcome, new member.

I’m going to be the jerk that suggests all of your communication be precise and grammatically correct. Even SMS messages, or SAF forum posts. Get into the habit of capitalizing where you should. Self editing prior to posting is key (I tend to type fast and have to correct my posts before edit window closes, guilty!).

I have not seen any advantage to any applicant having a private pilot license. It will not ‘transfer’ to any academy.

Does it demonstrate desire, focus, and drive? Possibly. Speak to that.

Does spending that big ticket money to obtain that license guarantee you any advantage while seeking an appointment??? Don’t think so.

The character traits that make you seek hard things and work towards things beyond your peers do have merit.

 

[Capt MJ]

If you haven’t yet read every page, link and drop-down menu item on those SA websites, I recommend doing so. I don’t think you will find any place on the USNA website that recommends having a PPL. They want to see sustained excellence in academics, athletics, leadership. You’ll find things such as:

General Advice for Grades 9-12

General Advice for Grades 9-12 page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sat Jan 18 04:50:09 EST 2025.

www.usna.edu

Class Portrait

Class Portrait page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Jan 17 04:23:52 EST 2025.

www.usna.edu

There is nothing wrong with pursuing a PPL as part of activities you are doing to develop and grow, but it’s not one of those magic things that shoves your application to the top of the stack. It may have value if you want to prove to yourself that you can solo with confidence, enjoy flying and makes you want bigger, faster, more powerful birds. My family has sponsored many USNA midshipmen over the years who came to USNA dreaming of wings of gold, never having had the time, funds or access to seek a PPL, took a powered flight course, and realized this was not for them, not one bit of it.

Be sure to tend to all the things USAFA and USNA tell you they are looking for first - then add in other activities.

 

[usnabgo08]

Remember, you are being evaluated on the whole person…so everything is at play and not one thing is necessarily going to be the tipping point. A PPL is likely to be beneficial in the sense that there is likely an understanding in admissions of the amount of hours it takes to obtain, determination, passing a standardized written and performance qualification, etc. But as said above, it won’t necessarily help a sub par application…whether academics or other leadership opportunities. Continue to make your application as well rounded as you can…that will increase how competitive you are with the admissions board. I’m also assuming you are a junior (based on starting application soon)…if you are a senior it is probably a tad late, but could also help if you reapply.

 

[THParent]

It didn't help me. I had a license at 16 and when I got to the Corps - not only were they unimpressed - they added (with much fanfare): "That's nice kid, but now we're going to train you to be an actual pilot".

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I've said it before here....anyone can learn to fly an airplane. It's really not that challenging. (I can say that, I earned my Pilot's license at 17). Earning a pilot's license in itself isn't going to get you a lot of points toward Admission. However, if you can weave it into your lifes journey (I went to work to earn money to learn to fly, and in the process demonstrate goal setting achievement, maturity, and grit...) it may be meaningful.

It didn't help me. I had a license at 16 and when I got to the Corps - not only were they unimpressed - they added (with much fanfare): "That's nice kid, but now we're going to train you to be an actual pilot".

USAFA and USN aren't necessarily looking for "pilots." They are looking for future leaders of character who may one day become pilots. Bringing a pilot's license into military flight training can actually be a negative.....you may have to unlearn practices that you learned before. I expect that military flight instructors would be merciless if you repeatedly make mistakes that you learned in civilian flying.

I will say though, I found my civilian flight experience valuable when I was in NFO training back in the 80's... I was comfortable in the plane and really didn't have to work through the "OMG, I'm flying...." sensations that some of my classmates who had never been in anything but an airliner felt.

 

[time2]

Most high school students have to pick/choose from among the various ECA's/sports/leadership opportunities because there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything in addition to excelling in academics. Pursuing a private pilot's license over other things because you think it will enhance your SA application is probably not a good decision. Some may also not be able to afford the added expense.

 

[Ivy22]

A PPL honestly isn’t going to make much of a difference in college applications in the grand scheme of things. Even for military flight school spots, it doesn’t really have a benefit, sometimes can be a detriment to unlearn bad habits. Maybe an instruments rating might give a slight boost in flight school for instruments phase, but at that point, that’s a ton of money and time spent for what the military is going to teach you anyways in flight school. (And you may have bad habits to unlearn, no military flight instructor likes the student who is always like “well in civilian aviation, I…”)

I’d say maybe pursue it if you are actually interested in it (and have the time and money) not just because you think it’ll boost college applications or pilot slot chances.

 

[reagan9]

I'm in the process of getting my PPL, have gotten into USNA, and I agree with what everyone above has said regarding the potential benefits. For me, I was able to weave it into my essay in order to demonstrate some lessons that I had learned and how I had grown, and I used many examples from my experiences to answer interview questions. However, there are undoubtedly plenty of other activities/sports you have done that would be just as good answers if not better. One thing that ended up being pretty cool was that for my nomination interview, 4 out of the 5 interviewers were former pilots. They asked me about flying, and we all started talking about it and hit it off right away, so it made the interview go well. But in the end, I don't think it was a make or break factor in my application by any means. I've had a blast learning to fly, and if you have the time, money, and passion to do it without sacrificing other important aspects of your application, I'd say go for it if it interests you. Even getting several hours in or just to a solo could be helpful in determining if this is a career you may want to pursue. Just my two cents and personal experience for you. Hope this helps!