2.) I would like to fly jets. I am not interested in flying turbo props etc.
Whats wrong with TP's. You've never flown one so how do you know that you don't want to fly one? Flying a jet doesn't make you a man.
Guess what-I've flown them for the last three years (135/121 cargo) and I've been home every night in my bed making a pretty descent salary. Go figure.
Ever sice I was 6 years old, I have been interested in aviation. Now that I am old enough to start my training, I have descided that I would like to make flying a career. What I would like to know is what would be the best job from my description below...
1.) I would like to sleep in my own bed every night. I do not want to be living out of a suit case and sleeping at a hotel a couple days out of the week.
2.) I would like to fly jets. I am not interested in flying turbo props ect. Don't get me wrong, I would be a CFI for many years, so that is basically the last time I would like to get paid flying a prop.
3.) I do not want to go in the military.
4.) Salary is not important, however if at all possible I would like it to be $80,000 +
Thank you in advance
If you are indeed serious about a "flying career" your goals and objectives are idealistic at best. Does such a job exist ? Probably. What are your chances of walking into it, slim and none.
In this profession, like most, one has to "earn" your way up the ladder. You start at the bottom and accept whatever job you can get, gaining experience as you go. As you get more time and ratings and more importantly, experience, you'll have additional opportunities to "fine tune" your goals and decide what you really want to do in aviation. Nothing is given to you.
Perhaps you have something against the armed forces, and that's unfortunate because it's a great way to learn to fly and get paid for it. If you want to go the "civilian route", prepare to start at your local airport flying when you can, washing airplanes or whatever it takes to build time and experience. Be ready to walk down a long and expensive road.
From your original posting, it does sound like you are very naive. This profession does have some fantastic rewards but you better be ready to pay a price to get to that level and spend a lot of time trying to achieve your objectives or you're going to be very disappointed.
I'm lucky enough to have a job flying 717's and sleeping in my bed every night. Of course to get here it took a few years turning wrenches in the military, flying 135 freight in 50 year old airplanes, flying long-haul freight and being gone 18 days in a row every month (sometimes much more) and having someone walk in my resume to my current gig. Hopefully this is where I will retire. Your goals are possible, though more than likely will take many years of sacrifice to achieve. Things may also change as you mature and life circumstances change. Good luck, the ride will certainly be interesting.
I got bit by the Cessna 208 caravan bug. What is a good starting pilot job flying this aircraft? Also, when would I have to get my ATP liscence? Is it when I am flying an aircraft that weighs for than 12,500 pounds and carrying passengers? Also, would I need a type rating to fly a caravan?
I got bit by the Cessna 208 caravan bug. What is a good starting pilot job flying this aircraft? Also, when would I have to get my ATP liscence? Is it when I am flying an aircraft that weighs for than 12,500 pounds and carrying passengers? Also, would I need a type rating to fly a caravan?
It would benefit you to search on this forum a lot to gain a realistic view of the aviation world. It sounds like you are looking at the glamour rather than what actually happens. To answer your questions:
1.) To start flying the 208, chances are you will need a decent amount of hours and usually, but not always, Instructor Certificates and experience. Most commercial operators of 208s are cargo feeders (i.e. Empire Airways, etc) there are some exceptions like Skydive operations... however there is always a certain amount of hours needed for insurance requirements.
2.) You will never get an ATP license through the FAA, the FAA does not issue licenses, they issue certificates. If you want an ATP license you need to enroll in a JAA school. If you are talking about an ATP Certificate from the FAA generally speaking, you will need it to fly as a captian of an airline, however some companies may require it for various pilot jobs.
3.) For large airplanes (over 12,500lbs) and jets you need a type rating for the specific aircraft to act as Pilot in Command (PIC)
4.) You do not need a type rating in the U.S. (FAA) to fly a 208, in the JAA world that may be a different story.
By making statements like (I don't want to fly props, etc) you are really putting yourself in a corner and missing out on the intrinsic joys of flying...should you decide to take the aviation career path, you will find that the pay isn't what you thought it would be...and when you do get the pay you want, you will certainly have deserved it. Some airline pilots find flying a J-3 Cub out of a grass strip more fun than flying a large jet.
And why wouldn't you want to go into the military? Not only will you get some of the best flight training possible you will be serving your country and your flying will have a noble purpose.
__________________
If money can't buy happiness, you'll just have to rent it.
It would benefit you to search on this forum a lot to gain a realistic view of the aviation world. It sounds like you are looking at the glamour rather than what actually happens. To answer your questions:
1.) To start flying the 208, chances are you will need a decent amount of hours and usually, but not always, Instructor Certificates and experience. Most commercial operators of 208s are cargo feeders (i.e. Empire Airways, etc) there are some exceptions like Skydive operations... however there is always a certain amount of hours needed for insurance requirements.
2.) You will never get an ATP license through the FAA, the FAA does not issue licenses, they issue certificates. If you want an ATP license you need to enroll in a JAA school. If you are talking about an ATP Certificate from the FAA generally speaking, you will need it to fly as a captian of an airline, however some companies may require it for various pilot jobs.
3.) For large airplanes (over 12,500lbs) and jets you need a type rating for the specific aircraft to act as Pilot in Command (PIC)
4.) You do not need a type rating in the U.S. (FAA) to fly a 208, in the JAA world that may be a different story.
By making statements like (I don't want to fly props, etc) you are really putting yourself in a corner and missing out on the intrinsic joys of flying...should you decide to take the aviation career path, you will find that the pay isn't what you thought it would be...and when you do get the pay you want, you will certainly have deserved it. Some airline pilots find flying a J-3 Cub out of a grass strip more fun than flying a large jet.
And why wouldn't you want to go into the military? Not only will you get some of the best flight training possible you will be serving your country and your flying will have a noble purpose.
Would you say that flying for fed ex in a 208 would not be a good job to start off as? I would be a CFI for a number of years and gain enough hours to fly for fed ex. I would gain enough hours in a turbine to move on to bigger and better things (not necessarily jets). Am I oversimplifying things too much?
By no means am I against the military, but I would rather not get into it.
Fedex doesn't fly the 208's, they subcontract it out to other companies where the pay tops out around 50K, maybe. There is no pipeline or hiring advantage at big Fedex for flying the feeder 208's. A 208 job can be a good career job for some, a good time builder for others, or a complete nightmare which a guy would run from. It depends on the individual and where the individual is in his career.
I think the mins for the Fedex contract 208 jobs used to be 2000 total. In this day and age, I'd think the competitive mins would be more, but by the time your qualified, they could come back down.
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