Is it possible...
12-14-2009 | 09:04 PM
#11
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CRJ FO
I would suggest trying to get to know some pilots around your local airport and ask for a ride along. If there are some corporate pilots around in something like King Airs, a lot of the time they are flying single pilot so you can sit up front. That's what I've done in the past, and still do to get more experience in different aircraft. If you have experience they'll put you to work, and often times enjoy having you there to take some of the work load off. Not to mention they get to share the job they love to somebody enthusiastic about aviation. Don't worry, not all pilots hate their life. 
12-14-2009 | 09:09 PM
#12
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
Movement and signs of life
Yes - and play the latest Air Combat video games and you'll get a sense of military tactical aviation too. 
Sky - I hope there is movement on the screen. At least the little symbols ought to move around the screens right? Also - you sat next to the other pilot for this hypothetical flight and didn't say a word to the person you were flying with or have communication with ATC?
USMCFLYR
Sky - I hope there is movement on the screen. At least the little symbols ought to move around the screens right? Also - you sat next to the other pilot for this hypothetical flight and didn't say a word to the person you were flying with or have communication with ATC?
USMCFLYR
MS flight sim is a good simulation of what a cross country night flight is like. Another thing a person could do is to place a char towards the wall and sit there for six hours.
Skyhigh
12-14-2009 | 09:10 PM
#13
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,863
Likes: 658
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
12-14-2009 | 09:23 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
So you're saying that a cross country red-eye is what aviation is most of the time? That is an accurate picture to portray of the piloting profession?
Well...if so...like I said - play the Air Combat video games then because I've had missions similar.
USMCFLYR
Well...if so...like I said - play the Air Combat video games then because I've had missions similar.
USMCFLYR
12-15-2009 | 05:50 AM
#15
Snakes & Nape
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: B-767 Captain
Unfortunately not.
Is it possible for me to see how being a professional pilot is? What I mean is that before I spend $50,000 on training, I would like to experience what a day consists of. I know that this is a dumb thing to ask for, but idealy, what I want is to sit in the co-pilot seat of a 208 Fedex feeder for an entire day and see how it is. Do you understand what I am saying, or am I just rambling on? Also, is there anything that even comes close to what I am asking?
Caleb
Caleb
You might consider talking to corporate or airline pilots to gauge what their schedules are like and there is one other possibility. If you get to know someone who is a flight simulator instructor at an air carrier or even Flight Safety, they might be able to let you observe a flight simulator session.
It varies from company to company but I have had "approved visitors" sit in a B-757 or 767 simulator on a non-checking training session. It 's an outside shot but it would give you an excellent overview of what a flight crew does on a flight.
Just my two cents.
G'Luck Mate
12-15-2009 | 07:13 AM
#16
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,863
Likes: 658
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I didn't say that.
12-15-2009 | 01:40 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
No - you didn't - Sky was portraying all of aviation in that manner.
I was making a point that I doubt that his view was an accurate picture of aviation. You agreed that RED-EYES were like that - which is accurate I assume - but it played into Sky's overexaggeration IMO.
USMCFLYR
I was making a point that I doubt that his view was an accurate picture of aviation. You agreed that RED-EYES were like that - which is accurate I assume - but it played into Sky's overexaggeration IMO.
USMCFLYR
12-15-2009 | 03:30 PM
#18
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
Here is an idea.
No - you didn't - Sky was portraying all of aviation in that manner.
I was making a point that I doubt that his view was an accurate picture of aviation. You agreed that RED-EYES were like that - which is accurate I assume - but it played into Sky's overexaggeration IMO.
USMCFLYR
I was making a point that I doubt that his view was an accurate picture of aviation. You agreed that RED-EYES were like that - which is accurate I assume - but it played into Sky's overexaggeration IMO.
USMCFLYR
Tons of fun....
Skyhigh
12-15-2009 | 05:02 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
USMCFLYR
PS - No reason to be nonchalant about it.....straight forward would be much preferred around my airline buddies!
12-15-2009 | 09:07 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,248
Likes: 0
From: 767A (Ret)
Why they call it "work"
All-night legs go with the territory if you want to fly International or enjoy a long west-coast layover. With proper rest, they aren't bad at all, but peaceful and relaxing. Lots of senior pilots bid these rotations, even when they pay no more than domestic/daylight trips, and many "freight dawgs" are quite content doing this all the time. Personally, I preferred to do some of each. It's a mistake to think that every intelligent person must want the same kind of work and schedule that you do. It's also a mistake to think that, in any profession, you can have the lifestyle you want by doing whatever you want whenever you want to do it.
