stealth114

Approximately a year ago, I did my discovery flight , got sold and last week Saturday I passed my commercial check ride. What an amazing journey. When the examiner pulled the throttle abeam on the downwind and did the Power Off 180 with a soft landing touching down exactly on the 1000 ft markers as he asked, the feeling was just unreal . I will now be heading back to FL to complete my M.E. add on and then continue to build hours.

For all the pilots in training, just keep at it and feel free to ask questions. It was worth every penny. Now, I will be returning to normal life and starting a regular job soon, continue to build hours and take it from there. I am based in the Caribbean and will be pursuing my conversion once I finish the multi add on, net working with more pilots. Whatever happens down the road, I will take it. Even if that illusive first job doesnt come, I am all ok with that for the journey of getting there was everything I conceived it to be. There is so much reality and alot of negativity out there but you need to be steadfast in your beliefs and take it all with a grain of salt and believe in yourself and persevere. I agree, it does become overwhelming knowing what the future holds.

For all the pilots here who recall their experiences when they finally got all their training out of the way and that transition period to the first illusive flying job, please share your experiences.

USMCFLYR

Congratulations Stealth. Welcome to the world of professional aviation

USMCFLYR

snippercr

Congrats! The easy part is done. Trying to find a job that you can use that commercial ticket will be the hard part! Then keeping that job even harder.

You getting a CFI? One of the best ways to build hours is instructing other people how to fly. It also makes you a far better pilot. I remember thinking I was a big hotshot after my comm ride... Then I trained for my CFI and realized how little I knew!

good luck and keep up the positive attitude. Lord knows we need some positive thinking in this industry.

stealth114

I was planning on doing my CFI but I rather not anymore. I dont plan to be another low time CFI teaching someone off the street to fly. It only appeals to me later on in life . I wont do that injustice to a beginner for I never used a low time CFI. .. I want to spend that same funds on getting my Tailwheel rating and aerobatic flying in for added skill set.

Cubdriver

The need to get the instructor cert becomes crystal clear when you are stone cold broke, your logbook has stopped growing at about 400 hours, you realize you are not adding enough hours to get a real job within 5 years, and you need about 1,000 more hours to get even an entry-level job without an instructor cert. Almost everyone gets dragged into teaching by the need to build quality flight time. Those who actually want to do it from the beginning are in the minority, and I wish I had a buck for all the people I have heard say "teaching is not for me because I would suck at it and that is unfair to my students". The good side of becoming an instructor is almost all of those who instruct come away from it realizing they learned a ton of valuable skills from the experience. The pride of being a brand new commercial pilot is one thing, everyone shares in that, but the pride that really lasts is that of being a truly high level pilot in all respects. Teaching is a huge part of how that skill comes to pass.

PearlPilot

Congrats Stealth! And thanks for your comments Cub, I feel the exact same way. I cannot imagine being a teacher at this point...

jsfBoat

I felt the same way, that it wasn't for me, but as cub said, my wallet and logbook changed those feelings. Just take pride in your work, and in your students, and give them an education; hands off unless necessary.

CaptainNameless

You should meet up with everyone else who got a commercial this year and share a pizza. There would probably be leftovers.

And helpful hint: All your training is not out of the way. Your certification is.

atpwannabe

Congrats stealth!




atp

stealth114

Thanks everyone. Its a great feeling indeed but its just the tip of the ice berg for me. The learning never stops for me and I intend on continuing the journey. .. I did keep the celebrations to minimum but pizza sure is a good idea !

Right now im doing my Multi Commercial Add on.. Any recommendations on the most cost effective schools around in FL where I can do it on a Seneca I will be appreciated. Im at a school now where its $320/hr dual and I may no be able to get through the entire 10-12 hours here. We shall see.