Army Guard Pilot to Airline Pilot
 

Hey ya'all,

I am in the Army National Guard and am finishing up flight school at Ft Rucker right now. I would like to pursue a career in aviation on the civilian side when I get home. So after looking through these forum and another, I think I have part of my plan laid out. Let me know what you guys think.

After I PCS back home, I will attend school part time working towards an aviation degree using grants through the state to pay for my tuition and flight fees for the school. I already have a 4yr degree elsewhere, but this would give me the opportunity for another and be a cheaper way to get my hours. On top of school, I will need to work crappy jobs combined with my AFTP's through the Guard to pay the bills at home and keep my family provided for. All the while I would build up hours during school until I meet the military restricted ATP requirements and start applying at the regionals.

so that is the quick summary of the plan without to many details of course. What am I missing? It sounds easier than it will actually end up being of course, but I wanted to see if any of you had a similar journey into their civilian aviation career.

Sounds like a plan! Does the school have an associate degree program? It's sounds overkill to get a 2nd bachelors degree. I'm sure you are familiar with the military comp exam to get a FAA commercial instrument for your military training. Perhaps you could also challenge the CGI (Certified Ground Instructor) for advanced and instrument and see if the school will hire you to teach ground school topics as an Adjunct. This way you don't have to take "crappy jobs". Eventually getting the CFI is a great way to build flight time.

There are so many pathways...good luck!

Also remember that your military flight experience qualifies you for the restricted ATP.

Guard to Airline:
 

The regionals, just like the majors, think highly of Mil folks.
After you get your FSDO to issue your Comm/Instrument via the MilComp, get your CFI and teach part time along with your day job and Guard AFTPs/work days. Network with in and outside the Guard. Keep your nose clean. Ensure your family is supportive. If you already have a BA or BS, look into an online Masters with Embry Riddle, especially if you get some version of a GI Bill. Good luck!

There are a couple of things I don't understand about this situation. I don't know Army aviation, so bear with me.

You just finished pilot training - so I'm assuming rotary wing?

Is there not a requirement/opportunity to be full time for a while to gain some experience in your new position?

You're going to go immediately into a traditional guardsman position as a new part-timer pilot, go to school, begin fixed wing training, work crappy jobs and support a family?

Why is paying for a second 4-year degree and paying for fixed wing flight training going to result in a cheaper way to get FW hours?

Yes I am rotary wing.

no, there is no full time requirement. I will be coming in at least 1/wk to fly and keep up my minimum hour requirement outside of the typical one weekend/month 2 weeks a year guard gig. There is a thing called "Guard Bumming" where basically you put yourself on the flight schedule as often as you can/ops is willing to schedule you for extra income.

So yes, it's not a wonderful situation. I will be a part time pilot for the guard, while using grant money (100% tuition and fees covered) to go to school to get my fixed wing ratings. I can go to school part time as well, and if I can get a job as a CFI or ground school instructor like one of the other members previously posted, that is probably what I will pursue for the short term.

Feel free to shoot holes through the plan. I'm trying to find the best solution to pursue this career in the cheapest and fastest means possible.

Thanks for the link. I may try and look at local schools though. My home state is Indiana. So I have Purdue, ISU, and Vincennes that have flight programs.

Gotcha! Just mentioned it because it is a 100% online masters with cheap instate tuition compared to Embry Ridle. Wasn't sure if advancement in the Guard still looks favorably in earning graduate degrees. I am guessing you are a commissioned officer versus Warrant officer?

In my opinion, the fastest track is to buy a small Luscombe or Cessna 150 and fly the crap out of it! Risks are costly maintenance, etc.

Yes - very familiar with Guard bumming as I did it quite a bit myself.

I still don't understand why getting a second degree makes flight training cheaper.

I don't know what kind of missions you'll be flying with the Guard. I can only apply my own experience when I was fresh out of pilot training, learning my new aircraft and gaining experience. I have no idea what it would be like to switch back and forth from RW to FW, especially when you have limited experience in both of them. It seems like you're planning to bite off a pretty big chunk.
New Army job/mission.
School demands
Fixed wing training
Outside jobs
Family