New career
04-07-2006, 06:35 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: P-3 Flight Engineer
Posts: 5
New career
Well here is my background. I have 14 years in the Navy as an Instructor Flight Engineer on the Mighty P-3 Orion. I have my A&P cert and with all that I might be able to get a cup of coffee. When I retire from the Navy I will be 38 years old. As of now I have no pilot experience except unlogged, unofficial stick time in the P-3 (fun time). If I start my training in the next year to become a pilot and go thru the motions to get all the right tickets punched, would I just be dreaming of becoming a corporate pilot. The schedule doesn’t scare me, I already live by one. Just hours notice to the next flight. It’s my dream of flying corporate, but I don’t want to walk into a dream with out a slap of reality. So don’t hold back and tell me what you think. Am I to old for the game? Is there a better option in my stage? Anything would be great advice.
04-07-2006, 09:09 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: A320/321 FO
Posts: 1,114
Pitchlock,
I personally don't think you would have any problem whatsoever doing what you want to do. I know, personally, an ex P-3 FE/A&P from the Navy who went thru the 'motions' and is now with American Eagle. He is around your age. Heck, you may even know him. (but I won't give names on this forum - not proper)
Where will you be living once you retire? If you will be in the North East, I could hook you up with a couple of different flight schools. (the flight school that I fly out of works with VA - and DOES NOT rip vets off) Even if you won't be residing in the NE, I could help you look for a good flight school. Let me know what you think.
I personally don't think you would have any problem whatsoever doing what you want to do. I know, personally, an ex P-3 FE/A&P from the Navy who went thru the 'motions' and is now with American Eagle. He is around your age. Heck, you may even know him. (but I won't give names on this forum - not proper)
Where will you be living once you retire? If you will be in the North East, I could hook you up with a couple of different flight schools. (the flight school that I fly out of works with VA - and DOES NOT rip vets off) Even if you won't be residing in the NE, I could help you look for a good flight school. Let me know what you think.
04-08-2006, 05:41 AM
#3
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Too Old ??
Originally Posted by Pitchlock
Well here is my background. I have 14 years in the Navy as an Instructor Flight Engineer on the Mighty P-3 Orion. I have my A&P cert and with all that I might be able to get a cup of coffee. When I retire from the Navy I will be 38 years old. As of now I have no pilot experience except unlogged, unofficial stick time in the P-3 (fun time). If I start my training in the next year to become a pilot and go thru the motions to get all the right tickets punched, would I just be dreaming of becoming a corporate pilot. The schedule doesn’t scare me, I already live by one. Just hours notice to the next flight. It’s my dream of flying corporate, but I don’t want to walk into a dream with out a slap of reality. So don’t hold back and tell me what you think. Am I to old for the game? Is there a better option in my stage? Anything would be great advice.
You are not to old but have a lot of suffering ahead of you, and lets not forget if Delta tanks you would have 5000 more unemployed pilots to compete with. Even corporate has insurance minimums, it probably will take 3 to 5 years to reach a point where you are employable. I hope you aren't married.
SKyHigh
04-08-2006, 06:07 AM
#4
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: P-3 Flight Engineer
Posts: 5
So what type of suffering are you talking about. Yes I know that the pay will be lower in the start. Expected there. Why not married? Because I will be on the road alot. I am already on the road about 280 days of the year. I do 6 to 8 months away in on shot.
04-08-2006, 06:15 AM
#5
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Well ??
Originally Posted by Pitchlock
So what type of suffering are you talking about. Yes I know that the pay will be lower in the start. Expected there. Why not married? Because I will be on the road alot. I am already on the road about 280 days of the year. I do 6 to 8 months away in on shot.
Perhaps she is already conditioned for the lifestyle? You probably would not be able to live where you wish. Most of the best job opportunities will be in big east coast cities. You will not get paid much for a long time. Wives usually don't like those kinds of things.
SKyHigh
04-08-2006, 06:18 AM
#6
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Years Left
I see that you have many years left before retirement. I would start now by getting all the flight ratings and working part time as a CFI. Hopefully you will have a jump on things by the time you retire.
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
04-08-2006, 06:20 AM
#7
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Here is another idea
Buy a Plane
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy a Cessna 150 and get an autogas STC. Fly the heck out of it for around $20 an hour. Skip the CFI route since it is difficult and unproductive as a part timer. In a few years you could have 1000 hrs and then buy a Piper Apache, get your multi in it and fly the heck out of it for around $40/hour till you get 200 hours. In my experience it would be cheaper and more fun than loosing your weekends as a CFI.
SkyHigh
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy a Cessna 150 and get an autogas STC. Fly the heck out of it for around $20 an hour. Skip the CFI route since it is difficult and unproductive as a part timer. In a few years you could have 1000 hrs and then buy a Piper Apache, get your multi in it and fly the heck out of it for around $40/hour till you get 200 hours. In my experience it would be cheaper and more fun than loosing your weekends as a CFI.
SkyHigh
04-08-2006, 06:24 AM
#8
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: P-3 Flight Engineer
Posts: 5
So far I cant find anything that would be worst then the military. I haven't lived at one place yet that I chose and are forced to move every 3 years and start over. I will have the military pay to help, but its not going to be enough. She is use to me being gone more then being home.
04-08-2006, 06:54 AM
#9
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
By then
Originally Posted by Pitchlock
So far I cant find anything that would be worst then the military. I haven't lived at one place yet that I chose and are forced to move every 3 years and start over. I will have the military pay to help, but its not going to be enough. She is use to me being gone more then being home.
By retirement you might not want a transient lifestyle anymore. At least the military pays a livible wage and provides good benifits. You most likely will have a hard time finding that in aviation.
SkyHigh
04-08-2006, 12:37 PM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: CL-65
Posts: 44
I think you can obtain your dream. As long as you know that it won't be easy for the first few years, you should be fine. Don't expect a great job as soon as you're done with school.
You already know what it's like to move every few years, so no problem there.
Just find a good FAR 141 flight program. Or, you can try and fly at the club at your base if there is one.
With your full retirement, I assume you put your 20 in, and crappy pay as a CFI and than some FAR 135 gig, you should be good to go.
You can also get your FAA FE ticket and try and find a job as a FE for some cargo outfit flying 727, DC-8 and the like. Just a thought.
Another thought, try and get a part-time gig with the Air National Guard in your State flying a C-130 as an FE. Usually they require that you have an FE ticket and will train you on type. There are several units that do NOT deploy as they only provide training etc.
Have your retirement, some $ from the Guard and go to school....?
You already know what it's like to move every few years, so no problem there.
Just find a good FAR 141 flight program. Or, you can try and fly at the club at your base if there is one.
With your full retirement, I assume you put your 20 in, and crappy pay as a CFI and than some FAR 135 gig, you should be good to go.
You can also get your FAA FE ticket and try and find a job as a FE for some cargo outfit flying 727, DC-8 and the like. Just a thought.
Another thought, try and get a part-time gig with the Air National Guard in your State flying a C-130 as an FE. Usually they require that you have an FE ticket and will train you on type. There are several units that do NOT deploy as they only provide training etc.
Have your retirement, some $ from the Guard and go to school....?
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