I think what wize and I are trying to say is to dip your toe in the water concerning the medical by getting checked out by a non aviation doc first and then go for the 3rd. Find out what might disqualify you for a first and get it fixed while exercising the 3rd class privileges and getting the ppl.

Once he's confident of the 1st and the career choice, go for it. Go for bronze to get in the door and see if flying is a fit, then go for the gold (1st class) after getting any disqualifying conditions fixed.

I've had a few blips that needed attention, but had all the necessary documentation ready for the AME to show it's been addressed - thanks AOPA medical guys!

Just trying to avoid him getting pumped about flying only to wait 2 years for the fix and paperwork to go through.

As far as aviation as a career choice......................... There might be something on this forum about that.

 

To the original poster. Take this with a grain of salt seeing it's coming from someone with a truckload of type ratings. Have you even gone for an introductory flight? How do you even know if you will like to fly? Find out first if you even want to do this, considering the pay today for pilots at the regionals. I know, been there, done that. Keep in mind the poster here who disagrees with me is sitting on the high end of the industry. As a long time instructor, most people I fly with or give an intro ride to, know right away whether or not they like it.

 

Well, I'll grant you it's been a while since I've done primary instruction, but I still think I have some idea of what some of the perils of this profession are.

I absolutely agree you should take a few lessons to see if it's something that really interests you - you don't need a medical until it's time to solo, so take a few lessons and see if you even enjoy it.

Meanwhile, search around here, go to the airport and meet and talk to pilots, do all you can to learn about what this industry is really like (both airline and corporate), and decide if this is REALLY what you want. My very limited (and admittedly somewhat dated, having graduated college in 1990) experience with people outside of this industry (such as career counselors) is they don't really appreciate what the realities are for the majority of people in it, particularly now.

Here is the problem I have with this statement - whose interests are you concerned with here? The student, who didn't throw more money down a hole, or the income you lost? Hopefully you aren't just looking out for your own interests, but it really reads that way.

IF you are serious about doing this as a profession, you need to know that you will be able to hold a 1st class medical. I would also advise getting the EKG even though you don't need it right now (just one, initially-don't bother every time you're due for a medical). It would suck to be several years in to this career, only to medical out at 35 due to some unknown abnormality.

You will find your career options VERY limited if you can't hold a 1st class. True, technically you don't need a 1st class to be PIC of in a FAR Part 91 Corporate department, but most operations are going to require one, at least to be hired. If you get sidetracked into the airlines, you'll need it. If you ever look to overseas work, plan on being subjected to an astronaut physical (yes, I'm talking about foreign airlines, not your intended target - but sometimes things change).

To the OP's original question: Corporate aviation is all about connections. If that's where you want to be, you need to start meeting and getting to know corporate pilots as soon as possible. You'll need at least 2000 (probably a lot more) to even be looked at for most turbine operations. You may be able to find a job flying for a smaller, one airplane/one pilot operation for a small company with less time, but again locating that position will be challenging - again: network, network, network.

 

Well, first let's get one thing straight. You're reading it wrong. I have been doing this since '73. I am ALWAYS for the best interest of the student. Always have been. If you think I'm going to cry because I lost a student to medical issues, you're wrong. My income has nothing to do with it. I felt very bad for this individual because he really wanted to do this, like I said, I thought he was a born natural at it. My interests? They go in the back seat when the door is closed. The only interests I have are for my students that they fly safely and properly. Let's drop this one now. Okay? I think I am pretty qualified to add my opinion when someone asks for it, and not get trashed in the process.

 

I'm glad I was misreading it, but it wasn't clear, hence my confusion (and unfortunately, I have dealt with less than scrupulous instructors). You are more than qualified and welcome to voice your opinion, and I'm sorry for my remark - I don't know you, and that was unfair and uncalled for. My sincere apologies.

On the other hand, I'm also at a loss as to why "having a truckload of type ratings" or "sitting on the high end of the industry" renders my input invalid - but let's just skip that, it really matters not.

I still strongly disagree with your advice (as I don't understand the logic - quite possibly I'm missing something). Clearly if you've been instructing for almost 40 years now you have a great deal of experience; please help me understand where you're coming from on this (I'm sincerely asking the question, this is not just to be argumentative):Where is the advantage there? Help me understand your reasoning.

Now, if someone want's to fly for recreation regardless, and the vocational aspect is just an additional thought - that's different; but it's also not the topic of this thread.

 

bcrosier, you have been PM'd.

 

To the OP.

While discussing this topic further in a pm with Wizepilot, it occurred to me that there may be a way to get a first class medical without spending much cash to do so:

Some insurance plans will cover a "well visit" to a physician (so that you can have an annual check-up/physical, whatever). Assuming you have insurance through your current employer, see if this is the case. If so, see if you can find an AME who will bill the medical in this manner. If so, viola - a 1st for the price of your copay. I'm guessing if you want to spring for the EKG, that will be extra.

Hopefully this will help someone slightly lower the cost of flying...

 

This has got to be a joke, right?

 

I agree, that you should get an "Introductory" Flight at your local airport FBO. If you like it, take a few lessons, each with a different instructor. Then after a 4 or 5 hours of flying you will know if you want to continue and you will know which instructor you would work well with. When it's time to solo definitely with NO exception get a first class medical with EKG. It'll cost about $300, but will trickle down to a 3rd class over time and when you renew, you can do a 3rd. Depending on your age, you may be flying for an airline by the time that happens. I was blind sided when I got mine and wish I would have done the first class years prior. In my case it all worked out okay, I just have an "IRREGULAR" EKG.

If you decided to continue, do whatever it takes to buy an airplane. If you do the math, you will discover it's a whole lot cheaper to own than to rent (if you fly a lot).