There are many kinds of pilots in USA -

As far as becoming an "airline pilot" without a degree, is basically impossible -
All major airlines in USA require a 4-year college degree -
Airlines like American, Delta, Southwest, Federal Express or United -

But you could become a pilot for a "commercial operator" -
But the qualifications you need to be hired by these are extremely high -
Such as having 1,000 hours transport jet time...!
Examples I would give you would be Polar Air Cargo or Kalitta Air -
They do not require a degree - And yes they operate 747 airplanes...!

Other pilot jobs you could do would be limited...
Examples, flight instructor, air taxi pilot, pipeline/powerline patrol -
No need to tell you, the paychecks are NOT very high -

Or go fly air taxi or small cargo charters overseas - such as Central Africa...
Pay would be a little better...

Any aircraft will remain in inventory as long as it can perform its mission efficiently. If another airframe comes along that can do the same job cheaper and better it will become king of the hill and the previous contender will be relegated to the scrap pile.

The F-4D Skyray was a good example as well as the Super Constellation for a civilian example. They were both brilliant aircraft seemingly ahead of there time when introduced but before they found their prime they were replaced by better technology.

Then you have the DC-3, C-47, that will fly as long as it is not augured in. Parts just keep appearing.

There are no tickets to print, and boarding passes are not available until you check in for your flight. Online check starts 24 hours before the scheduled departure.

You don't have to print anything out at all. If you'd like, you can check in at the airport, all you need is your ID. Normally I print the confirmation email so I have the confirmation number and full itinerary with me, but it's not required.

And one other point - this should have been posted under Air Travel, not aircraft.

That's a little hard to answer if we don't know what you are going to carry or where you are going to land in relation to your cabin.

We do know that from Southern Florida to Northern Minnesota is about 1500 miles, so at 135 knots you are talking a 12 hour journey minimum and you would probably need two stops, simply to relieve yourself, if not for fuel.

Assuming tht you are going to carry a decent load into a short strip, you can't go much past the Cessna 206 if the landing surface is OK, or the Cessna 185 if it is a bit rougher.

The 206 is a bit longer range and would theoretically get there in two hops on full fuel. It will carry more people and more gear.

But you would really need to stop twice, because assuming you have no fuel facilities at your strip, you need to have fuel to take off and get to a fuelling point on the way back and you would be tight for that if you were landing at minimum fuel, as you would be if doing it in only two hops. That being the case, either the 206 or 185 is OK for range. Properly equipped, both are reasonable IFR platforms, (but the 206 would be better).

The 206 seems to hold its value very well and since they still make them, maintaining it will not be an issue.

I would not consider taking a retractable into an unprepared strip unless the surface is very well drained and you have plenty of room, certainly not a Malibu or Mirage and the budget for one of them is silly compared to what else is available and more suitable.

If you are operating between paved runways, the Piper Saratoga or Lance are also worth a look, but they won't get into places that the C206 will.

Remember that total airframe and engine hours and particularly time until overhaul is probably more important than chronological age. If an aircraft has been moderately used and well maintained and has reasonably good gear on board, there is nothing wrong with a 50 year old airframe.

Skylanes did not change enormously over the years, there are nice ones from the mid 1970s with good times left on them, for under $70K

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/airc...

A Turbo from the new series will run $250K approx

I am not a fan of earlier Cessna Turbos, I flew a Turbo Centurion when they were new and the turbos really needed babying to ensure you did not cook the bearings, especially anywhere hot. You had to be very careful with run-up and run-down times and frankly the only benefit they really gave use was on "hot and high" take-offs.

They were considerably heavier on fuel than the standard C210, I imagine a C182 Turbo would be similar. A standard Skylane is a very nice aircraft, my favourite Cessna.

Privately owned "drones" operated for recreational purposes are legally limited to 400' by FAA regulations. Idiots using FPV systems and GPS capabilities often operate them over people and property at altitudes shared by man carrying aircraft. This is about to cause the FAA to shut down ALL model aircraft, INCLUDING the little wind up toys sold in department stores.

I hope the next thoughtless fool, with a new quad-copter, will consider this before he spies on his next door neighbor, or tries to get a thrilling shot of an airliner on final approach..