17yo son is wanting to become a pilot. Looking for recommendations on local(Mandeville) fs

AI will be the new pilots. All drone automated.

Does he know what kind of flying he wants to do professionally? Lots of potential routes to take.

I’m unfamiliar with flight schools in that area, but will disagree with those suggesting a 4 year aviation degree. I would highly recommend getting a degree in an unrelated field to have non-aviation career options down the road to fall back on.

Guard service is a good option if he has any connections. Otherwise, encourage him to get his ratings completed as quickly as possible and start building connections & flight time.

If your budget can stomach it AND he gets TOPS, Send him to La Tech for the aviation program.
And if he can knock out his private pilot before going to a college aviation program that would be beneficial as opposed to showing up with zero hours

I'd encourage him to look at the AF reserve (403rd in Biloxi has C130s IIRC) or ANG. If he can get an enlisted loadmaster spot he'd learn a lot about flying plus make connections for any polit slots that open after he gets his degree. The training is over a year, so he'd make a lot of money, plus get educational benefits. Also, look for any CAP programs in your area.

Delta State in Cleveland, MS also has an avation program. Before that, I look for JCs in your area with a program.

Auburn has a great flight program well connected to Delta. My nephew will probably go there next year. The retired CEO of Delta built the current facilities.

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17yo son is wanting to become a pilot. Looking for recommendations on local(Mandeville) fs

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He should go apply to the Air Force Academy. A friend's son got accepted. Never had a single hour of stick time before joining. Now? He flies as Captain a C-130.

Awesome…and pretty cool that he knows what he wants to do at such a young age.

But this is complicated. Theres so many routes he can go, because of his age.

Where does he want to end up? What does he want to fly? Is he interested in serving in the military? Is money an issue? See what I mean?


There’s been a lot of good info put out by other posters, namely 777Tiger and Tuscaloosa. I’d love to help too, but give us a little more info on the above questions and then we can probably be of better help.

la tech

LINK /

LaTech & it’s not even close.

Get ya check book ready if he's not going the military route. La tech and Auburn have good schools. But it cost a frick ton of money for flight time