Is Now REALLY the best time for Training?
 

Hello,
I have noticed (through random research in various places) that now is the best time for flight training. In anyones opinion, do you find this to be true? the national and international market is in sambles, the economy leaves little to be desired. Im sure we all are aware of the current state of the world so I wont write a list. Nevertheless the one thing that means the most to members of this forum is the airline/aviation industry as a whole is poor with little signs of great improvement for some time. Inspite of all this, it is suggested that NOW is the best time for flight training. I make no claims to be an expert on the industry or piloting. I am an aspiring pilot looking for information, input, opinions, pros and cons. What do you think?

Who knows
 

Usually now would be a good time but these are unusual times. You could finish up this summer and a recovery in aviation might still be years away. (or never) There really is no good time except for today. If you want to fly then do it and don't think about the economy. Maybe you will get lucky?

Skyhigh

Train Now Or You Will Be Left Behind
 

Dear MJKeepItMovin:

The big question is what is your tolerance for risk? Are you willing to put it all out there and go for it, or are you going to wait till everyone around you says it is time to start flight training?

Back when I started flight training the industry was going strong. Upgrades to captain only took a few months, hiring at the majors followed as soon as you had the turbine PIC time. I had left a lucrative programming job to start my flight training and everything looked sweet. Then 9/11 happened and it slowly unraveled. I was at ExpressJet six months and then furloughed.

But I'm still here. I could have easily gone back to programming and still be chained to a computer and the 9-to-5. Instead, I went back to flight instructing and picked up a Cessna 414 gig. I also got my ATP before I went to work for SkyWest. Now I'm almost six years on with SkyWest, with good seniority. I did all this during a "down-turn" when everyone was afraid to fly.

So my point is, if you want to fly, do it. You need to find a way to make it happen and you need to believe that it will work out. I personally believe that if you want to fly, you need to keep training and start looking because if you do it now, you will be at the head of the hiring instead of at the back.

Do I worry about my job? Sure...but it doesn't paralyze me. I do a lot of things that ensure that if I lose my job I still have income coming in. Do I listen to the static around me. No. There are naysayers everywhere. I only listen to the people that send out good, positive energy and then make my own decisions.

Good luck! Go Fly!

Jeffrey

Short-term it might be risky, in that without knowing exactly when the recovery will re-stimulate general aviation, you might have trouble getting an entry-level CFI job.

Long-term, now is probably a good time to start. Aviation has always been cyclical, and those who wait until until things are booming often become competitive just about the time the downswing starts again. If you do manage to get hired at the tail end, you will then be furlough fodder.

If you are ready to go with certificates in hand and 1500 hours in your logbook (plus 200+ ME), you can catch the beginning of the wave. That way your seniority will progress rapidly as folks are hired behind you, improving your QOL and reducing furlough risk.

Despite what SkyHigh says, there will be mandatory major airline retirements starting in Dec 2012, and that should drive some hiring although the exact amount depends on the state of the economy, fuel prices, war, swine flu, etc.

Just make sure you are fully educated and 100% committed to this career path before you lay down the money. If you do not have a private pilot license yet, DO NOT commit to a training program...get a PPL on your own first, do some recreational flying and see how you like it. Don't quit your day job until you have done that.

Well Lets Get To It
 

Cospilot, rickair7777 and skyhigh, thank you for the input. It boils down (for me) to do what you love. Do what you love, do it well and the rest will come. I am starting from scratch so my journey will im sure be an interesting one and I am sure I will have questions along the way. Risk....I have taken a few in my day and with dedication they all have paid off. aviation is a complete change from anything I have ever done, so i would call it being cautious rather than hesitant. Eitherway like everything, if your going to do it, do it right. So thank you for the input. general question, does anyone have information on flight training in middle tn? just asking thanks again

Yes, regardless if whether or not right now the situation is bad, perhaps when you finish training it will be better. In aviation it is always better to start at a younger age so do it ASAP if it is really what you want to do.

if you have the means (i.e. a job that pays for training etc.) then definitely go for it, if you have a passion and if this is what you want to do. I don't think there is really a "good or bad time" to train. Flight training from my experience has been a very, very, challenging, fun and and a most addicting thing. I am really beginning to enjoy it and look forward to all that I have to learn. I try not to think of the future and the economy. At this point I could care less about that stuff as I am not yet qualified to get a flying job. Hopefully someday the economy will bounce back.

Now is the time to start slow, pay as you go, do it cheap type training.
It is NOT the time to plunk down a bunch of borrowed cash at a 90 day program place.
Get a job that pays the bills and allows you to save up money for your PPL, then just have fun flying around for a while with your friends and family. When you are sure you want to carry on with training save up some more and get the IR/Comm/ME/CFI.
Without the debt getting into this industry right now won't be as risky if it doesn't work out.
Remember don't get fixated on the airlines, there are many different types of aviation to look into.
Good luck and enjoy yourself along the way.

the gospel straight from the great rev. chongololo

i am guilty of this myself. Before I started training, all I could think was the airlines, the uniform, and whole "cool" part of being a pilot. Not that being a professional pilot is uncool (far from it), but aviation has so many other things to offer like getting a tail wheel or seaplane rating, flying gliders, getting into a Pitts Special and having some fun (if you have the guts), and most of all just enjoying being out there. The 90 day programs are tempting for sure, but I am not sure if you can experience the real deal if you went this route. Try to have some fun people.