LoveToFly

I have been lurking in many of these forums trying to determine if aviation is the career for me. I have always been fascinated with flight and have been a MSFS junkie since I was twelve. I recently knocked out my 4-year degree in Business and am currently in sales. Frankly I hate the corporate world, my office is adjacent to Rwy 36R at KTPA and every time I see a plane on take-off or final I am envious of those lucky guys (or girls) in the cockpit. I had my first couple flights recently and love it as much as I thought I would; now I'm looking into flight school. From what I've seen in these blogs schools like ERAU and DCA are extremely costly and since they are so expensive students assume they are worthwhile. However, when applying for a job at a major airline I would imagine it would look good on a resume since these programs are geared toward airline jobs and highly rigid and standardized. They also give you many hours quickly. If I could get the same experience at an FBO, for a fraction of the cost I would rather do that. Is this as good as an Academy? I am 26 and want to start a family within the next 5-10 years and would love to fly, but I don't want to starve either and drag my family around the country constantly. Sorry for making this so long but I need some advice. Please respond only if you have experience since I read a lot of hear-say.

rickair7777

At 26, you still have time. Get into a good regional with MULTIPLE bases near your desired home. If I were furloughed today, I would not go get a job at a different regional, I would simply fall back on my previous sales/business background and work in my home town until I was recalled...no real family disruption.

The airlines care about primarily two things:

1) Ratings
2) Flight time

They don't give a rat's @ss where you got it, unless it was in the military. Many airlines (the better ones) prefer an instructor background, either military or civilian.

The "academies" will cost you a small fortune, and will rarely deliver any better training than a good fbo or local school. They will often use extortionary tactics to get you to stay once you figure out their scam...commonly they will threaten to give a bad reference on a future background check. The only way an academy will help you get a job in aviation is if it has the words "United States" in front of the name, in which case it will be free of charge.

A local school/fbo can save you money by allowing you to live at home. You will need to do your homework though, the flight training industry is full of con-artists, at all levels.

SkyHigh

What he said ! However I Join the military if I were you.

SkyHigh

Warning !!! Civilian pilots commonly earn far less than the average person would accept after such an investment in training expenses and lifestyle sacrifices. A common experience is to quit in disgust after wasting a small fortune on training, education and lost years of earning less than bus boy wages. Consult your local SkyHigh for more information.

SkyHigh

LoveToFly

I would love military training but on average it takes 8-10 years of your life, of course its a noble effort though. Unfortunately my vision is 20/400 uncorrected and 20/15 corrected, would the military even consider me?

SkyHigh

I don't know if the military will accept you with your vision, but I can tell you that aviation is a long and painful road. If you are uncomfortable with investing 8 years in the military I can assure you that the civilian route can be much more painful and offers greatly reduced chances at success.

After 8 years in the military you could be ready to separate as an aircraft commander of a DC-10 with perhaps 3000 hours after earning a good living during that time. As a civilian you might be just reaching a point after 8 long and impoverished years where you could upgrade in a year of two at a regional. No comparison !!

Flying demands a huge sacrifice. If you are unwilling to even talk to a recruiter about it then I would re-evaluate your thoughts of going to the profession. No matter where you turn it demands a huge price. The costs of a military career are obvious and so are the benefits.

SKyHigh

atpwannabe

I agree with what rickair7777 & SkyHigh said. At 26, you got plenty of time to get your licenses, ratings and build your total flight time by going the way of an FBO. However, if you are looking to get your career started asap, I would suggest getting your PPL @ a local FBO and then check out ATP for the Airline Career Pilot Program.

This program will take you from your instrument to MEI-I in as little as 90 days. Afterwards, as in any employment situation, if you meet the minimal qualifications, you may be hired as a CFI for ATP. That's where the REAL learning takes place. You will have the opportunity to build your total flight time along with your multi-engine time. As rickair pointed out, multiengine time is one of the primary things that airlines look at. I would suggest taking a look at their website and other websites and do some comparative shopping. Btw, again, it will cost a small fortune....approx 45K.

I understand the family thing. My ex and I are getting back together and we have a 2yr old and want more children. I have decided to forego the pax market and concentrate my efforts toward cargo (Part 135, FedEx, or UPS), corporate aviation (Super King Air 200/300) or some mix thereof. Living here in Naples, FL, I made some huge contacts in the Part 135 & corporate world of aviation.

Hope this helps. Best wishes...blue skies.


atp

Smooth_Landing

I heard if you stay as a freight dog for a company like Mountain Air Cargo, Ram Air or Ameriflight your pay increases along pretty well...is this not true? I have also heard its not that hard to get these jobs because there are a lot of openings and after you meet part 135 minimums the jobs are there. Also I heard that after 5 or 6 years of flying with these outfits you can make in excess of 40k! That's better than what I am doing now just out of college.

SkyHigh

Don't forget that it takes one to three years to get all the licensing and ratings and then 1 to 3 years as a CFI before you can even begin to apply. After getting hired the minimum time to reaching the 40k mark is most likely another 4 years. In summary by the time you reach 40K as a civilian (6 to 10 years) you could be out of the military with a few thousand hours of quality time. In the military you start out at 40 plus and perhaps end at 80 plus and awaiting a SWA interview.

In addition to launching a great career military pilots get fantastic benefits, paid training (huge one), great pay, access to VA loans, free housing, paid for advanced college degrees and the gratitude of a grateful nation.



SKyHigh

loudgarrettdriver

If you don't want to starve for a while this career isn't for you.

As an flight instructor you'll make 10K if your really lucky.
As an entry level commercial pilot (commuters) you'll make 18-20k.
Not to mention have an unstable future.

I'm sure you've read all this on the forums-these things shouldn't be a big surprise.

Keep in mind this is just a job like and other and the charm will wear off.

You just have to go with your gut and stand by your desicion.

stillageek

I have never taken a job where I actually "worked". I have been in IT for 7 years. I started out fixing computers busting my rear for NCR for 4 years working 40-90 hour weeks (slow in the begining of the year....busy toward the end....fixed retail) then moved to software for POS company for the last year (I had a IT teaching gig for the remainder of the time). I haven't "worked" since college. I get paid to be around computers/software all day. I look at flying the same way. Sure there will be bad days....but at the end of the day I know I will go home satisfied that I am doing what I enjoy. Charms wear off. Flying is an ever climbing (pun intended) aspiration.