Private Pilot
Earning your private pilot certificate will open up a world unknown to most others. A two or three hour drive suddenly shrinks to a 40 minute flight over beautiful mountains and valleys. Golf courses, restaurants, islands, distant cities and more become instantly accessible for day-trips. Meeting and making new friends with like-minded interests along the journey is only part of the fun. A weekend trip to the San Juan Islands in northern Washington goes from being a 7 hour drive to a 1:45 flight! Many airports have courtesy cars which pilots are allowed to use (free!) and rental car connections for longer stays (rent and return the car right from the small airport). Many beaches and tourist attractions also have small airports nearby.
Commercial Pilot
If getting paid to fly is your goal, you can earn your commercial pilot certificate with only 250 hours (total) of training, which includes the time spent earning your private pilot certificate.
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Many employers such as cargo hauling, scenic tours, and small Alaska-based airline services offer immediate job opportunities to new commercial pilots as they build flight experience towards eventually obtaining an airline career.
