17 Year Old Looking To Become A Pilot
04-10-2014 | 01:25 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
Thanks a lot for all of this valuable info. Means a lot. I have a few questions though. You mentioned above that TBS is where everyone without an aviation guarantee competes for their MOS, so does that mean that you can get a guaranteed flight spot? And how could I go about getting one? You also said that the fewest go multi-engine, such as the KC-130. Sorry if this sounds dumb, but are you saying that it is the hardest to compete for a chance to fly multi-engine? Again, thanks again for all the info. I've already started reading the resources you gave me.
Yes - KC-130s are hard to get because there are few slots for them.
The USMC is probably 70% helos. The entire program/process is very competitive. I don't know anything about the tilt-rotor program except you end up trainingbin multi-engine and helo I believe. There are some Osprey pilots on this forum.
More info is available at Marines.com/Officer
04-10-2014 | 05:35 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 4
From: A320 CA
04-10-2014 | 06:27 PM
#23
Working weekends
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
From: Left Seat
04-10-2014 | 06:53 PM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Right Seat... Forever
1. Military (if you can get it)
a. Academy if you have the grades but too late for you.
b. ROTC very good way to get in. Be sure the detachment at your school is all up to spec on pilot paperwork as you have a lot of hoops and a really good nco will give you a leg-up.
c. Start visiting the reserve units in your area looking for a pilot job. Lots of web advice on how that is done.
d. Helis in the army is also a legit option. Fun too (so they say).
2. ATP's flight school after earning a 4 year degree will be the least expensive and quickest option with a good reputation. If you want to build time instructing (what other choice do you have?) a school with contracts to asian carriers is the best as you will get loads of instructing time and learn how to instruct without the ability to converse.
3. Stay away from flying (the best choice).
The flying career will take all of your time and the payoff will be minimal until years into the profession. If you gain a fortune somehow and can deal with sub-par income while spending a large percentage of your earnings on the costs of the career then it will be easier. Not that I am unhappy or anything. I like going to work (yes it is a job) but if you want to get into flying to gain a respectable income then you need to reevaluate the job as a whole. That being said nearly everybody I work with is sick and infected with an addiction to aviation that became terminal and lead them into a career that returns little for such deep-seated passion.
Anyway my 2¢
a. Academy if you have the grades but too late for you.
b. ROTC very good way to get in. Be sure the detachment at your school is all up to spec on pilot paperwork as you have a lot of hoops and a really good nco will give you a leg-up.
c. Start visiting the reserve units in your area looking for a pilot job. Lots of web advice on how that is done.
d. Helis in the army is also a legit option. Fun too (so they say).
2. ATP's flight school after earning a 4 year degree will be the least expensive and quickest option with a good reputation. If you want to build time instructing (what other choice do you have?) a school with contracts to asian carriers is the best as you will get loads of instructing time and learn how to instruct without the ability to converse.
3. Stay away from flying (the best choice).
The flying career will take all of your time and the payoff will be minimal until years into the profession. If you gain a fortune somehow and can deal with sub-par income while spending a large percentage of your earnings on the costs of the career then it will be easier. Not that I am unhappy or anything. I like going to work (yes it is a job) but if you want to get into flying to gain a respectable income then you need to reevaluate the job as a whole. That being said nearly everybody I work with is sick and infected with an addiction to aviation that became terminal and lead them into a career that returns little for such deep-seated passion.
Anyway my 2¢
04-11-2014 | 12:23 AM
#25
Da Hudge
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,473
Likes: 0
From: Poodle Whisperer
04-11-2014 | 12:25 AM
#26
Da Hudge
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,473
Likes: 0
From: Poodle Whisperer
I went to an aviation university (similar to ERAU) then flight instructed at ATP and made it through the regionals to the majors in 6 years.
If I had to do it over again, I would:
-Attend a "regular" college and major in something besides aviation (like business). I missed out on the "regular" college experience (socially, partying, etc) because typically aviation college/universities are lame and mostly male.
-Fly on the side, and/or attain your ratings with ATP. Best, most efficient flight school out there in my opinion.
-Build your hours flight instructing at ATP. Again, I think this is the best and most efficient way to build time. ATP has the largest multi-engine fleet in the world so you will gain that much needed twin time.
-Apply to all the regionals, but try to choose the best quality airline to work for (ExpressJet, Compass, Skywest, etc) and avoid Mesa, Republic, GoJet etc.
-The majors are going to be hiring like crazy for years, as long as there isn't another 9/11. Hundreds of age 65 retirements per month.
Good luck! Persevere and don't give up. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears but once you get to a major airline it will all be worth it $$$.
If I had to do it over again, I would:
-Attend a "regular" college and major in something besides aviation (like business). I missed out on the "regular" college experience (socially, partying, etc) because typically aviation college/universities are lame and mostly male.
-Fly on the side, and/or attain your ratings with ATP. Best, most efficient flight school out there in my opinion.
-Build your hours flight instructing at ATP. Again, I think this is the best and most efficient way to build time. ATP has the largest multi-engine fleet in the world so you will gain that much needed twin time.
-Apply to all the regionals, but try to choose the best quality airline to work for (ExpressJet, Compass, Skywest, etc) and avoid Mesa, Republic, GoJet etc.
-The majors are going to be hiring like crazy for years, as long as there isn't another 9/11. Hundreds of age 65 retirements per month.
Good luck! Persevere and don't give up. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears but once you get to a major airline it will all be worth it $$$.
04-11-2014 | 01:27 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
04-11-2014 | 05:04 AM
#29
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 0
From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Dental School!
"That's where the real money is!" is what they've been telling me!
04-11-2014 | 08:31 AM
#30
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Captain
In my neighborhood the lawyers kids want to be doctors and the doctors kids want to be lawyers. When I question them why they don't want to follow their parents profession they say "My mom/dad works too hard"...
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