Where do I go next?
05-26-2025 | 12:14 PM
#31
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,895
Likes: 690
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I've looked at several studies on good feeder/predictors of future success in aviation. None of them mentioned martial arts instructor. That's a great skill but so is carpenter, kitchen designer, drywaller, Amish framer, etc. Flying takes effort, training, and skill, but the studies don't mention hobbies or second jobs that are indicators of future success..
Based on my general experience in aviation, military, and martial arts I'd say there's a large Venn diagram overlap with the personality traits. Would be similar for say scuba instructor.
Discipline, diligence, attention to detail, and of course determination to see things through (generally need to rank up quite a bit in MA in order to instruct). More so than say drywall. I know several martial arts instructors who are quite accomplished in professional careers, and just teach MA on the side.
Of course it doesn't guarantee anything, only one way to know for sure.
05-26-2025 | 12:30 PM
#32
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 74
For a number of years, the path was very literally instructing to airlines, as regionals have long represented an entry-level job.
05-26-2025 | 01:26 PM
#33
All is fine at .79
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,486
Likes: 42
From: Paahlot
My apologies. I typically don’t spout off my accolades. I know it’s not a typical thing for people to go from instructing to airlines the way I have done. I just want this so bad. I’m just trying to make sure I’m going in the right direction. By no means am I trying to say I deserve anything. I am also not the best at what I do. I’m just trying to keep my head up and move forward. I appreciate everyone’s advice. Truly!
This next step to a turbojet will prove very challenging but very rewarding.
Approach everything with ‘failure is not an option’.
Best of luck.
05-29-2025 | 05:58 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,418
Likes: 120
From: Window seat
[QUOTE=JohnBurke;3915289]
That was true of many flight engineers I saw attempt upgrade.
/QUOTE]
Pan Am had such a tough time with long time FE's upgrading that they gave them X (10? 50?) hours of SEL time to get used to flying again. Back in the 1980's AA had some guys that had been FE's or 13 yrs, or longer, before they got their FO upgrade. The longest span I heard was 17 years. Some guys hadn't flown in years and struggled in their upgrade to FO.
That was true of many flight engineers I saw attempt upgrade.
/QUOTE]
Pan Am had such a tough time with long time FE's upgrading that they gave them X (10? 50?) hours of SEL time to get used to flying again. Back in the 1980's AA had some guys that had been FE's or 13 yrs, or longer, before they got their FO upgrade. The longest span I heard was 17 years. Some guys hadn't flown in years and struggled in their upgrade to FO.
05-29-2025 | 07:31 PM
#35
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 637
Likes: 53
From: Doggy
[QUOTE=Sliceback;3916055]
That was true of many flight engineers I saw attempt upgrade.
/QUOTE]
Pan Am had such a tough time with long time FE's upgrading that they gave them X (10? 50?) hours of SEL time to get used to flying again. Back in the 1980's AA had some guys that had been FE's or 13 yrs, or longer, before they got their FO upgrade. The longest span I heard was 17 years. Some guys hadn't flown in years and struggled in their upgrade to FO.
Hmmmm. Sounds very similar to DEC candidates who quit aviation around 2008 because the going got tough. Then…after 12 years or so they decided to come back when the going got better. And they haven’t touched an airplane in years.
Then you have to figure in second career folks.
But those pesky regional captains with 4 or more types under their belt…….
That was true of many flight engineers I saw attempt upgrade.
/QUOTE]
Pan Am had such a tough time with long time FE's upgrading that they gave them X (10? 50?) hours of SEL time to get used to flying again. Back in the 1980's AA had some guys that had been FE's or 13 yrs, or longer, before they got their FO upgrade. The longest span I heard was 17 years. Some guys hadn't flown in years and struggled in their upgrade to FO.
Then you have to figure in second career folks.
But those pesky regional captains with 4 or more types under their belt…….
06-01-2025 | 07:07 AM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,244
Likes: 2
From: Baja Vermont
Nah. CFI to airline wasn't the most common path. CFI and then ANOTHER job or two, and then to the airlines, was the common path. Few were getting the 500-1000 hrs multi time the airlines often required. So it was often CFI, Part 135 air taxi, cancelled checks, fly by night cargo operator, sit right seat 'don't touch anything' charter or Part 91 operation. Even in the 1980's the most common civilian path was via regionals airlines with night freight or checks in a light MEL another common feeder path. I don't recall, but it might have happened, for someone in the last 39.5 years to say "I got here from a CFI job." Back in the 1960's, when the Vietnam War pilot shortage hit, the majors were hiring some pure civilian CFI's. One of those was a 727 FE who got his 727 FO award about 5-6 years later. His peers were kinda of chuckling, as much as a 14 yr old kid could understand - "he's in for a surprise when he gets in the sim." Can you imagine being a 1000 hr CFI and 5-6 years later, with little of no flying in the meantime, getting a 727 FO award? LOL.
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