I think that you've got a unique situation. Your son is able to see first
hand the doors that aviation can open for people. You and your family have
jumped into GA with both feet and Joe is exposed to the fruits of that labor
each and every day. For Joe, it has become common to jump in the airplane
and travel hundreds of miles to visit people and things that otherwise would
have never been seen. With this in mind, remember that each pilot is an
individual.

Examine and explore Joe's motivation for not just "learning to fly" but his
motivation for becoming a pilot and using the privileges, it may be
different from the normal "because it's cool" and it may not be "because Mom
and Dad do". No doubt his motivations will change as he matures, but long
term goals can be kept in mind. A solid basis in practical aviation will be
worth it's weight in gold as he moves on to other endeavors.

In many ways I agree with Jim ME. Advanced ratings and the knowledge gained
obtaining them will help him in what ever career he chooses, there are still
many top paying jobs in aviation, some even as pilots. Corporate pilots
that have a strong business background will always be in high demand. The
decision making skills gained in the cockpit and in the flight planning room
will be invaluable later in his life. Joe has many things going for him that
put him in a position to take full advantage of what aviation has to offer.
He has a wonderful basis to build upon. He has two supportive parents that
can evaluate, critique, and encourage. (oh, they also own an airplane).

I'd start when ever he is comfortable.

Jim
"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:3fUig.26692$1i1.20490@attbi_s72...
My son is 15. He'll be turning 16 in August, and starting his Junior year
of high school.

He's been flying since he can remember, and has many hours in the right
seat. (He's got over 1500 hours as a passenger with Mary and me.) His
first dozen or so hours behind the yoke were "IFR" -- because he couldn't
see over the panel! He can do everything except land the plane -- and
I'm fairly certain he could do that, but I'm not about to risk our lives
(or my plane) to find out.

We both agree that he's ready to learn to fly "for real". So, last week
we sat down with a local flight instructor to check out his options on
learning to fly.

Our options are simple.

1. He can take flight training this summer, and solo before school starts
in the fall. Unfortunately, he is then stuck for an entire year before he
can take the check-ride.

2. He can hold off until next summer, 2007.

Prior to age 37, I could only walk around on the ground looking up
enviously at aircraft flying overhead -- so I have no frame of reference
on this issue. For those of you who were lucky enough to train as
teenagers, did it work for you? Should my son wait a year, so he can go
at it full-steam and get the ticket?

Or should we strike while the iron is hot?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"