Now on Amazon
A Parent's Guide to
Becoming a Pilot
Your child wants to fly. This guide gives you a clear, honest picture of what that journey looks like — the costs, the milestones, the medical requirements, and how you can help without getting in the way.
What's inside
The Pilot Pathway
Private, instrument, commercial, CFI — what each step actually requires and how long it takes.
Real Costs
Honest breakdowns of what training costs, and every funding option available: scholarships, 529s, GI Bill, loans.
Medical Requirements
Which FAA medical class your child needs and what to know before their first exam.
Training Options
Part 61 vs Part 141, university programs, and how to pick the right path for your family.
Career Outlook
What the pilot shortage means for your child's long-term prospects and income potential.
How to Support
The difference between encouragement and pressure — and how to be the parent every pilot needs.
About the Author
Dan Lauerman, CFI
Dan is a Certified Flight Instructor based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with years of experience guiding students from first flight through commercial certification. He wrote this guide after fielding the same questions from parents over and over — and wanting to give them a real, honest answer.
Meet Dan →Ready to support their aviation journey?
Get the complete guide on Amazon — available as Kindle e-book and paperback.
Get it on Amazon →Have questions about flight training in Wisconsin? Reach out to Dan directly.