Pilot or Engineer?
10-29-2012, 04:56 AM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: B767
Posts: 1,901
Originally Posted by galaxy flyer
Just curious, wrxpilot, but how much of the world do you see on RJ trips? Is there Int'l RJ flying?
GF
GF
Make sense GF?
12-02-2012, 10:42 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Position: still here...
Posts: 226
Originally Posted by MoZak18
I'm very inspired by your story and very interested in how things go. I find myself in a similar position, I'm 22 and about to graduate with a bachelor's in electrical engineering. I've been working as a CFI for the past 3 going on 4 years and have about 1400 hrs. I've also started doing some contract flying in the Lear 35 to get some turbine time going. I considered going to the air force officer training school, but like you I couldn't pass the vision test without corrective surgery.
Overall I have decided not to go the military route, though if I could without issue, and if there was a guarantee I would be flying, I would. The reason I haven't is because there just aren't that many slots, especially in the air force. From what I understand the best chance to get a slot would be the army, with the navy being second after that. This is due to multiple reasons from what I have seen, mainly the military going to unmanned vehicles. A second reason is that I'm a bit wary of any eye corrective surgeries. Of course there are plenty of success stories from people I know, but there are always some bad ones. I've just decided that I don't want to take a chance with my eyes, at least, not for a slim chance at getting a pilot slot.
Overall I don't want a career in just engineering. EE is an excellent fallback, but if I can help it, I don't want to be working in a cubicle like most of my friends who are interns. But at the same time I don't want to be just a pilot! Although I will admit that the first time you fly a jet, and start up those engines, you won't believe the feeling....it eventually gets old. I'd like to do applied engineering work, such as flight test engineering or test pilot for a company like Bombardier or Cessna. Ideally I would like to be an astronaut (hopefully if the commercial space industry gets going in the next 10-15 years, because we all know that NASA isn't any good anymore!), which is why I would like to fly for the military if I could, but likely will not. Either way I will likely be building my turbine time in corporate on Lears, Citations, and a handful of others.
Let me know how things go for you! I am interested in how things will turn out. Our generation is probably one of the last (if not THE last) that will have a chance to pilot fighter aircraft. Good luck to you.
Overall I have decided not to go the military route, though if I could without issue, and if there was a guarantee I would be flying, I would. The reason I haven't is because there just aren't that many slots, especially in the air force. From what I understand the best chance to get a slot would be the army, with the navy being second after that. This is due to multiple reasons from what I have seen, mainly the military going to unmanned vehicles. A second reason is that I'm a bit wary of any eye corrective surgeries. Of course there are plenty of success stories from people I know, but there are always some bad ones. I've just decided that I don't want to take a chance with my eyes, at least, not for a slim chance at getting a pilot slot.
Overall I don't want a career in just engineering. EE is an excellent fallback, but if I can help it, I don't want to be working in a cubicle like most of my friends who are interns. But at the same time I don't want to be just a pilot! Although I will admit that the first time you fly a jet, and start up those engines, you won't believe the feeling....it eventually gets old. I'd like to do applied engineering work, such as flight test engineering or test pilot for a company like Bombardier or Cessna. Ideally I would like to be an astronaut (hopefully if the commercial space industry gets going in the next 10-15 years, because we all know that NASA isn't any good anymore!), which is why I would like to fly for the military if I could, but likely will not. Either way I will likely be building my turbine time in corporate on Lears, Citations, and a handful of others.
Let me know how things go for you! I am interested in how things will turn out. Our generation is probably one of the last (if not THE last) that will have a chance to pilot fighter aircraft. Good luck to you.
Honestly it's nice to hear about someone our age who hasn't wasted the opportunities given them. I have a buddy who's parents paid him through CFI by 20 years old and he prefers to sit and play video games. Flunked out of school. He doesn't even come close to appreciating what he has! I hope you get an awesome job someday dude, and I know the eye thing should work out for you. It sounds like you're a smart man! Let us know which route you choose. I for one am personally interested to see where you decide to go. Good luck!
12-03-2012, 05:26 AM
#23
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,007
By the time I was 22, I'd been flying for seven years (four commercially), had flown for five different operators, done ag, banner towing, instruction, grand canyon flying, charter, aerial photography, search and rescue, and was working as an aircraft mechanic as well as pilot.
I was far from alone; a lot of aviators start young.
None of it was given to me. I suspect you'll find quite a few in the same boat.
I was far from alone; a lot of aviators start young.
None of it was given to me. I suspect you'll find quite a few in the same boat.
03-13-2013, 04:24 PM
#24
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2013
Position: DHC-8 F.O.
Posts: 8
I'm in the same boat as this. I have an aerospace engineering degree, but am trying to pursue my passion of flying. Right now I'm applying to the regionals (need a little more multi time), but things are starting to change personally speaking and the engineering looks more and more tempting. It's pretty hard when I read some of these posts and come across one disenfranchised pilot after another. Is there anyone else out there that chose flying over engineering?
03-13-2013, 06:06 PM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 384
Why does it have to be engineer or pilot? It can be both 
Really, I read somewhere that the average person changes career 7-8 times in a lifetime. Now if you want just once career that's great too, but whats to stop someone from going into engineering and then flying? or vice versa, nothing except themselves...
Really, I read somewhere that the average person changes career 7-8 times in a lifetime. Now if you want just once career that's great too, but whats to stop someone from going into engineering and then flying? or vice versa, nothing except themselves...
03-13-2013, 07:01 PM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: B767
Posts: 1,901
Myself and a few others here chose flying over engineering. I've written about it here a few times, including this very thread. This is my sixth year of professional aviation, which means I've now been flying for a living longer than I worked as an engineer. I have no regrets and still really enjoy professional aviation. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me...
03-13-2013, 08:52 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted by akelley3
I'm in the same boat as this. I have an aerospace engineering degree, but am trying to pursue my passion of flying. Right now I'm applying to the regionals (need a little more multi time), but things are starting to change personally speaking and the engineering looks more and more tempting. It's pretty hard when I read some of these posts and come across one disenfranchised pilot after another. Is there anyone else out there that chose flying over engineering?
11-17-2013, 05:24 PM
#29
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2013
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes
Yep, there are lots of pilot positions that require being an engineer, in fact that is the ONLY way to get to those extreme top-tier pilot positions, test pilots, etc.
11-17-2013, 05:34 PM
#30
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2013
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by akelley3
I'm in the same boat as this. I have an aerospace engineering degree, but am trying to pursue my passion of flying. Right now I'm applying to the regionals (need a little more multi time), but things are starting to change personally speaking and the engineering looks more and more tempting. It's pretty hard when I read some of these posts and come across one disenfranchised pilot after another. Is there anyone else out there that chose flying over engineering?
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