Is this an unrealistic dream?

Unrealistic? Certainly not! Totally possible.

But I didn't say it wouldn't be challenging. I think you are already aware of that. Unless you are from a wealthy family, it's going to be difficult to cover tuition at ERAU, let alone helicopter flight training. I'm sure you're aware that a degree from ERAU isn't going to necessarily make you a better pilot, OR make you a better business person. But it is a first class school...no doubt about that.

So finding the money to do that is probably the toughest part for most people. And when you start a business, you need capital to put up front to buy or lease the facilities and the aircraft. That means you'll need investors and/or venture capitalists and/or huge bank loans. Also factor in that you would be spending quite a few visits with aviation attorneys helping you with all the legal and liability issues.

If you have the desire and drive...then that's really all you need. People who never lose sight of what they really want almost always get what they want. Good luck to you.

**Edit: Going the military route is certainly valuable experience, not to mention cost effective flight training. But military-trained pilots are not as a rule "better" than civilian pilots, at least in the U.S. I know some military pilots, and know this is a fact. What makes you a good pilot or not is your eagerness to learn, the wealth of experiences you learn from different types of flying, and your committment to safety.

An Air Force captain who has spent four years in an F-16 fighter squadron certainly knows a lot about high speed, high altitude flight. But don't for a second expect me to believe that he's "better" than a quality pilot who spent four years flying singles, multis, and taught other students flying skills. I'd accept a "flight skills" challenge from a current or former military pilot any day of the week, provided it was in an aircraft and situation we were both familiar with.

For-profit schools such as ERAU and others do not get you a better quality of flight education, can't guarantee you a job and they are the most expensive. Last week an ERAU grad asked how to get into the military flight schools because after sending out applications and having interviews he discovered that not only was he still unemployed, but worse, he was " unemployable". Airlines were not only unimpressed with his ERAU training, but actually scornful of it. I never met a Navy pilot who attended a civilian flight "academy". According to a CBS 60 Minutes report, for-profit schools have the highest student loan default rate because their education is so substandard that the students can't find a job. 'Nuf said. Get your degree in any field other than one related to aviation. When flying jobs go south, they take the entire industry with it. According to BOAC, they could furlough every pilot they current employ and replace them all out of the applications they have now, plus there would still be still be few dozen left overs. Give you a clue?

If you are considering starting flight training prior to having your degree, don't start. If you are already flying prior to having your degree, stop. If you are going the civilian route, start flying after college and schedule your lessons as closer together as possible. That way you avoid reviewing which costs the same as instructional flying. The military has students fly at least once a day and twice on the day of a scheduled night hop. Football teams have 2 practice sessions a day prior to the season opener for the exact same reason. No review

Those who are not "like that" for AF or Navy are Jane Fonda's nephews -

The USAF has the "largest airline" in the world - cargo and passengers -

C-5, KC-10, KC-135, C-9, C-141, C-17, E-3, E-4, E-6, T-43 etc...

Not only they pay you and feed you, and give you a bed -

And training is free - the best, in T-37 or T-38 jets... better than C-172...

Then when you are done with active duty, go to the reserves -

And you got a red carpet for the major airlines -

But maybe you rather be a CFI in a C-152 for 10 years or so -

Then make a career with the regionals (first year salary $18,000 gross) -

ERAU nerds get daddy to pay $150,000 for degree and flight training -

If not near $200,000 nowadays... ?

You can be lucky enough to get in a flight school that hires you when you get all the CFI licenses like me. Theyre rare but possible!

ERAU hires alot of its students back as IPs.

Not sure I understand the "I'm not like that" about the military route....

Yes, I think that's unrealistic. You wouldn't even be considered for an instructor job without thousands of hours in and a spotless record. That kind of experience usually comes in the military.