I'd be surprised if she doesn't join a branch to fly something. She talks about it a lot.

Thank you, sir

Does she plan to go to college?

It seems to me she is different than many her age and she seeks out non traditional hobbies-
Kudos to you Moto for supporting that unique drive in her life-
That young lady is going to stand out in life among her peers-

Yes sir. She's going to TWU for their flight school. Her mother is a professor there and she has pretty much a full ride.

Sweet, she'll have many paths going that route.

My dad had a dirt strip without a hanger.. remember one time he was flying to airport in Stamford in really bad weather, to put plane in hanger. Swore up and down that he flew backwards over Lake Stanford with the winds so strong..

Very very cool

I guess I better let everybody know…

Probably should because it is definitely on its way whether you like it or not. Anyone who denies it is denying reality.

Based on your vast experience in the aviation community, correct?

I have both AI startup and aviation experience, so I'll offer some food for thought:

AI's Impact on Commercial Aviation:
Most commercial aircraft have a 25-30 year lifespan, so fully autonomous commercial aviation is likely still a ways off. The return on investment (ROI) for airlines won’t be there initially, and navigating Part 121 regulations will present significant challenges. That said, the military is already adopting AI, as they’re not bound by the same rules and have already started using autonomous drones in DoD applications. Killer AI aerial and terrestrial robots are already a thing.

Human Backup on Flight Decks:
I suspect there will be a human backup on most commercial flight decks for at least the next 20 years. Current aircraft orders and the long operating life of planes suggest this. Even if AI gets certified for Part 121/135 operations, corporate lawyers will likely resist due to liability concerns. Imagine the fallout if a company like FedEx or American Airlines faced massive lawsuits because they opted out of having a human pilot on board.

AI Future and Threats:
While AI may one day surpass human pilots in avoiding common errors, hacking and bad actors using AI for harmful purposes remain significant concerns. The possibilities for misuse are vast, as we’re already seeing AI being used to influence major global events, like elections. No single person should have that much control, but it’s already happening.

Career Longevity and Market Shifts:
If your daughter does find herself outsourced by AI eventually, there will always be niches like bush flying or float planes. However, the job market could become saturated, especially with experienced pilots potentially crowding out newer ones, similar to post-war periods.

On Buying a Plane:
When I was building time, buying a plane was a no-brainer. I flew waterfowl counts from Mexico to Alaska and did a lot of non-waterfowl aerial photography along the way as a side hustle. Those jobs, along with others like pipeline surveys, have largely already been outsourced to drones. I also towed banners, and other friends found work at jump schools and as CFIs. Those specific gigs are still available to build time, but many have been lost to drones. Today, with rising costs, it’s more complicated to assess ROI on buying a plane. Be aware of hidden costs, such as airworthiness directives (ADs) that can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs for small planes and a small fortune for corporate fleets I've been associated with. Insurance also varies significantly based on experience, plane type, and seat configuration. Generally, smaller planes with fewer seats can be more cost-effective to insure. Insurance is priced with the assumption all seats are full, but in reality, most private pilots fly solo when building time unless they are CFIs.

Changing Landscape for Pilots:
The aviation landscape has already shifted, but the biggest hurdle remains accumulating enough hours. While there is a pilot shortage, it mainly affects those with over 1500 hours of experience. There is no pilot shortage for pilots with under 1500 hours. Gender diversity can still be beneficial, but the current anti-woke movement presents its own set of challenges for equality. Something to keep in mind for all of us with daughters...

Aviation's Flaws and Future:
The airline industry's anti-free market seniority rules can be a real hurdle and need to be understood to help her navigate into the best possible position. Few young pilots give it much thought. I had mentors who had to start over after flying as senior captains for Pan Am, Braniff, Eastern, etc. To show how screwed up and anti-free market it is—one of my friends, an elite fighter pilot, Top Gun grad, instructor, test pilot, and multi-time shuttle astronaut, who was also chief astronaut for NASA, started flying commercial after retiring from service. Despite being one of the best-trained aviators on the planet, he started over at the bottom of the ladder, flying right seat as a co-pilot to a much younger and far less experienced captain in the left seat... That is the reality of the system.

It’s a system that has its flaws but also rewards those who make a career out of it. While AI wasn’t a threat in my generation, it is today to some extent. However, that's true for all of us. I believe being a pilot may be one of the last human gigs to be outsourced to AI, akin to trades like plumbing.

Wishing her all the best in her aviation journey—clear skies and smooth landings ahead!

It will be 20-30 years before you need to worry about it.

If she needs the need for speed after all the racing she’s done I would suggest training as a crop duster. That would be an awesome adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, I’m colorblind so after I took 20 to 30 hours of pilot training, I went and took my pilot physical. The nurse passed me but she was just being nice and I couldn’t see investing that much money and then in the next pilot physical I had to would have to take, I would lose my investment. It is a blast, though to go through the training where you do stalls and dives and practice Emergency landings in corn fields.

there you are bluemoon... you did use AI in the above response, correct?