Military or not
01-31-2006, 09:33 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Posts: 900
Originally Posted by mtsupilot09
Thank you all for your advice. I have come to what I think is a good decision. I have actually decided to pursue missionary aviation. You won't find any salary information on missionary pilots. That's because they don't have any. Salaries, that is. They raise their own support through churches and other individuals and fly for a missionary organization in PC-12s, King Airs, Helio Couriers, Cessna 206's and PC-6s. I will have to become an A&P as well because missionary pilots are in a foreign country for up to four years at a time with not much assistance, so we need to be able to fix our own aircraft. Anyways, thanks again guys.
02-01-2006, 05:46 PM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Posts: 257
JMT21,
I hear its difficult to get a fixed wing slot with the COast Guard. I was talking to a buddy about this just a couple days ago who was in the CG. He told me is difficult because they have so few slots. He said it takes a lot of persistence b/c so many people are trying to get in a handful of slots. Once again once you get picked up for pilot training I dont think that guarantees you a fixed wing slot...and the CG has a lot of choppers!
I hear its difficult to get a fixed wing slot with the COast Guard. I was talking to a buddy about this just a couple days ago who was in the CG. He told me is difficult because they have so few slots. He said it takes a lot of persistence b/c so many people are trying to get in a handful of slots. Once again once you get picked up for pilot training I dont think that guarantees you a fixed wing slot...and the CG has a lot of choppers!
02-01-2006, 05:58 PM
#25
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,191
The only way to be assured fix wing assignment in the military is to join an ANG unit in your state that flys a fixed wing a/c. Everybody else doesn't find out until they are already in primary. Do you feel lucky?
USA: Almost all rotors
USCG: Mostly rotors
USMC: Lots of rotors
USN: Plenty of rotors
USAF: Not as many rotors
If your ultimate goal is airlines, it will be tough to get back to that after 10 years in helos. The only real save is to pick up a stint as a fixed wing IP.
USA: Almost all rotors
USCG: Mostly rotors
USMC: Lots of rotors
USN: Plenty of rotors
USAF: Not as many rotors
If your ultimate goal is airlines, it will be tough to get back to that after 10 years in helos. The only real save is to pick up a stint as a fixed wing IP.
02-01-2006, 06:04 PM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Posts: 257
RickAir is right. I'm USAF and I would say that an average pilot training class has about 22-6 people to start. There's usually 1 chopper given out. Therefore I guess you could say you had a one in 26 chance of going chopper in the AF. Pretty good odds I'd say. Plus there a fair # of guys who actually want the helo You just hope one ends up in your class and then everyone protects his life to make sure he is around to take the assignment :-)
02-04-2006, 10:14 AM
#29
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,191
Originally Posted by mtsupilot09
I spoke to a Marine recruiter this morning who came to the aerospace building. He was telling me about a program that they have were you graduate college, go to OCS, and if you qualify, recieve a guaranteed flight school slot. If I don't make it to flight school, I can walk away with no obligation. He gave this program to me in writing. Sounds pretty good. I've always loved the military and almost inlisted in the corps after high school. Has anyone heard about the success of this program or if it sounds like a good? I have always thought that airline pilots made way more than military pilots, but in checking out the pay rates and comparing the two, looks like military is the way to go, at least for the first few years.
Chandler
Chandler
Military is a great option, because ex-military guys get hired right into the majors. Their first ten years of aviation are spent getting good pay & benies, while the civilians are paying for their training, and working for low pay under miserable conditions as CFIs, cargo, and commuter pilots.
But the helicopter thing is a problem..
USA: Almost all Rotors
USCG: Mostly Rotors
USMC: Lots of Rotors
USN: Plenty of Rotors
USAF: Few Rotors
You don't get your aircraft assignment until you're partway through flight school, and then it's too late... I think the navy at least lets the number one guy in the class pick his aircraft, but that guy will probably be a rhoades scholar with an annapolis ring, not you. The only exception to the aircraft assignment lottery is the ANG: Find a ANG unit in your state that flies fixed wing, and try to get on with them. You will go to AF flight school already knowing for sure that you will fly that aircraft. Then you can get a regional airline job while doing the guard and really enhance your $$ and career opportunities.
Military Disclaimer: You might go to war. However, entry level civilian flying is equally hazardous. I know people who died doing both, about equal numbers. The military will give your family $500K.
02-04-2006, 11:54 AM
#30
Available for Contract
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: CL-601
Posts: 193
The best way is to do the AFguard or reserves if you can... then active af, but I don't believe there is a way to get a garaunteed pilot slot. If you do go USMC and do end up in helos, you can do your 20years, then your retirement plus a regional job isn't horrible, and that is assuming you don't do an instructor tour and get your fixed wing time. I'm ex active duty AF and I taught at Vance afb, which we have Marine and Navy instructors and students. I know 2 ex marines who used their 2000 T-37 hours to get on with Southwest, and now are in the Air Force reserves at Vance still teaching T-37s.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MoHoney
Flight Schools and Training
19
05-09-2006 03:50 AM
