Need some advice.
01-16-2007 | 08:40 AM
#11
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Go to Military Flight Training
Hi, I'm new to the board, but have been watching it for several days now, and have got a couple of questions of my own. First, let me tell you about my background and what my plan is. I am 18 years old and attend the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics, and Computing at Northwest Missouri State University. It is a two year program that I will complete in May of 2007 with not only my High School diploma, but also my Associate of Science degree. After graduation, I plan on moving to Melbourne, FL and attending the Florida Institute of Technolgy and double majoring is Aeronautical Science (with flight) and Aviation Management. Oh yea, I forgot to mention that I earned my Private Pilot Certificate in January of 2006 at 17, with only 55 hours total time. After Florida Tech, I plan on having about 340 hours total time, and moving on to the ATP flight school in Daytona and taking the Airline Transition Course to get the multi-engine time needed to get an interview with a regional. After working for the regional for a number of years, gaining the required time, I want more than anything to get a job with FedEx. For as long as I can remember it has been my dream to become a professional pilot. I want this more than anything and cannot stand the wait until I sit down in that cockpit for the first time. So my question to the veterans of this site is, any advice that you can give me to give that extra edge that is needed to get to where I want to be? Any advice on other training options that I might want to consider would also be greatly appreciated.
Jolly
01-16-2007 | 09:04 AM
#12
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Joined: Jan 2007
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To Lindy: I plan on majoring in Aeronautical Science with the flight option. Also, I have gotten about $22000 a year in scholarships from F.I.T., so my expenses to go there are almost cut in half.
To JollyF15: I have looked into going into the military. I have actually applied to the Navy ROTC program at Embry-Riddle. The only thing that is holding me back is that I like the freedom that I have as a civilian, not being on a ship in the far east for months at a time is appealing to me.
To JollyF15: I have looked into going into the military. I have actually applied to the Navy ROTC program at Embry-Riddle. The only thing that is holding me back is that I like the freedom that I have as a civilian, not being on a ship in the far east for months at a time is appealing to me.
01-16-2007 | 09:16 AM
#13
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: AA A320
No disrespect to my civilian pilot friends, but my advice is to go to the military. The experience and contacts you make will pay off in a big way. Go serve your country, enjoy the great flying, and build your time up at the same time. I don't know the %'s here at FedEx, but I'd say it's well over 50% military pilots. If you choose to go the civilian route, best of luck. But I believe your chances of being hired at any major airline are increased by having a military flight background. Best of luck.
Jolly
Jolly
01-16-2007 | 10:21 AM
#14
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: A300 Capt.
To JollyF15: I have looked into going into the military. I have actually applied to the Navy ROTC program at Embry-Riddle. The only thing that is holding me back is that I like the freedom that I have as a civilian, not being on a ship in the far east for months at a time is appealing to me.
01-16-2007 | 11:25 AM
#15
...Whatever It Is!
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01-16-2007 | 02:13 PM
#17
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Z F/O
Hi, I'm new to the board, but have been watching it for several days now, and have got a couple of questions of my own. First, let me tell you about my background and what my plan is. I am 18 years old and attend the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics, and Computing at Northwest Missouri State University. It is a two year program that I will complete in May of 2007 with not only my High School diploma, but also my Associate of Science degree. After graduation, I plan on moving to Melbourne, FL and attending the Florida Institute of Technolgy and double majoring is Aeronautical Science (with flight) and Aviation Management. Oh yea, I forgot to mention that I earned my Private Pilot Certificate in January of 2006 at 17, with only 55 hours total time. After Florida Tech, I plan on having about 340 hours total time, and moving on to the ATP flight school in Daytona and taking the Airline Transition Course to get the multi-engine time needed to get an interview with a regional. After working for the regional for a number of years, gaining the required time, I want more than anything to get a job with FedEx. For as long as I can remember it has been my dream to become a professional pilot. I want this more than anything and cannot stand the wait until I sit down in that cockpit for the first time. So my question to the veterans of this site is, any advice that you can give me to give that extra edge that is needed to get to where I want to be? Any advice on other training options that I might want to consider would also be greatly appreciated.
1 Don't go to school to have fun. Bust your a$$ and get the degree ASAP. Take the max workload you can handle while still doing well. In your free time (which won't be much because your studying all the time) fly as much as possible, both training at a FAR part 61 oufit and for hire.
2 Never get comfortable where you are. ALWAYS be striving to improve your resume.
3 After your degree is finished live, breath, eat, and sleep aviation.
4 As far as the degree goes, I have to agree with the others. Get a useful degree you can fall back on while getting it as cheaply as possible.
01-16-2007 | 02:26 PM
#18
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,304
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From: MD-11 Captain
Get a degree that will get you a job outside of aviation
Dear Young Aviation Enthusiast,
This is a VERY cyclical business. There are currently (and previously, and in the future) lots of furloughed pilots (and unemployed/underemployed pilots) that need to feed their families when not collecting an aviation paycheck.
The long standing requirement in this industry is a 4 year college degree in ANYTHING! I have Capt. friends at major airlines today that were PE and music majors!
I wish you luck in your pursuit of an aviation career but you owe it to yourself and your family to have a skill other than aviation that can pay the bills.
Just my 2 cents worth ... hope it gives you something to think about.
Regards,
Mark
This is a VERY cyclical business. There are currently (and previously, and in the future) lots of furloughed pilots (and unemployed/underemployed pilots) that need to feed their families when not collecting an aviation paycheck.
The long standing requirement in this industry is a 4 year college degree in ANYTHING! I have Capt. friends at major airlines today that were PE and music majors!
I wish you luck in your pursuit of an aviation career but you owe it to yourself and your family to have a skill other than aviation that can pay the bills.
Just my 2 cents worth ... hope it gives you something to think about.
Regards,
Mark
01-16-2007 | 02:31 PM
#19
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 237
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From: MD
01-16-2007 | 04:10 PM
#20
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 967
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From: FDX A300 CPT
No disrespect to my civilian pilot friends, but my advice is to go to the military. The experience and contacts you make will pay off in a big way. Go serve your country, enjoy the great flying, and build your time up at the same time. I don't know the %'s here at FedEx, but I'd say it's well over 50% military pilots. If you choose to go the civilian route, best of luck. But I believe your chances of being hired at any major airline are increased by having a military flight background. Best of luck.
Jolly
Jolly
p.s. i am too much of a wus to get shot at !
Last edited by CaptainMark; 01-16-2007 at 04:22 PM.
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