New Commercial Pilot Looking for Advice.
09-13-2012 | 01:33 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
Never forget, Anything is possible!! It is all about who you know and how you present yourself.
Just to give you and anyone who reads this a confidence booster. I just withdrew from my flight school in FL 2 weeks ago while I was in CFI class because I was hired buy a gentleman to be SIC in his citation. It is a rare opportunity for someone who is 20 years old with 220 TT. Took a 2 day class and now am SIC type rated. This weekend is my first day on the job and I keep pinching myself to make sure this is real. Wish I had my CFI as a "safety net" but I have a feeling this job will pan out well. If I can do it, anyone can!
Just letting you know anything can happen out there. Its called LIFE! Best of luck to you!
Just to give you and anyone who reads this a confidence booster. I just withdrew from my flight school in FL 2 weeks ago while I was in CFI class because I was hired buy a gentleman to be SIC in his citation. It is a rare opportunity for someone who is 20 years old with 220 TT. Took a 2 day class and now am SIC type rated. This weekend is my first day on the job and I keep pinching myself to make sure this is real. Wish I had my CFI as a "safety net" but I have a feeling this job will pan out well. If I can do it, anyone can!
Just letting you know anything can happen out there. Its called LIFE! Best of luck to you!
Would the Citation SIC job not still be there?
Sounds like you had a nice *in* with the gentleman, and you're right - that CFI would have been a very nice safety net - -and we know that those come in useful in the aviation business.
USMCFLYR
09-13-2012 | 06:23 PM
#12
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 0
From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Wow, congrats! I'm totally jealous. I actually had a classmate who was my partner for crew training that went to ATP for the Citation SIC type. I'm actually thinking of accepting that job offer at the FBO I mentioned earlier. I figure it will at least supplement my income while I take more lessons and hopefully build more time. It actually deals primarily in corporate flights so at worst I hope I have an ability to network a bit. I'm just hoping I don't get pulled too far from the actual flying aspect of the industry.
And Timbo, thanks again for the reply. I actually have a former instructor who is going through the same unit for C-130 training. I figure that I'll wait until he's back from training and see what he thought of the whole experience. I live in MA so the trip to RI for the weekend drills wouldn't be too bad. I recognize the enormous benefit from military service so I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. I just want to make sure it's something that's for me. Also, do you know of the tolerances regarding eye-sight? I have a mild astigmatism and can manage 20/20 uncorrected but still fair much better with my glasses. Especially when it comes to reading screens and the like. I wouldn't be shooting for a fighter slot anyway so do the tolerances change? And did you say you don't compete with your classmates at UPT?
And Timbo, thanks again for the reply. I actually have a former instructor who is going through the same unit for C-130 training. I figure that I'll wait until he's back from training and see what he thought of the whole experience. I live in MA so the trip to RI for the weekend drills wouldn't be too bad. I recognize the enormous benefit from military service so I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. I just want to make sure it's something that's for me. Also, do you know of the tolerances regarding eye-sight? I have a mild astigmatism and can manage 20/20 uncorrected but still fair much better with my glasses. Especially when it comes to reading screens and the like. I wouldn't be shooting for a fighter slot anyway so do the tolerances change? And did you say you don't compete with your classmates at UPT?
I think they are Nutz, I prefer to stand up when I pee, and have hot coffee on board, and take a nap if I'm going across the Atlantic.
Then heavy guys build a lot more time, faster, because the missions are much longer. The fighter guys don't fly as much, so if you are looking to build time to eventually get an Airline Job, you'll want to fly a heavy.
09-13-2012 | 06:30 PM
#13
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 0
From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Never forget, Anything is possible!! It is all about who you know and how you present yourself.
Just to give you and anyone who reads this a confidence booster. I just withdrew from my flight school in FL 2 weeks ago while I was in CFI class because I was hired buy a gentleman to be SIC in his citation. It is a rare opportunity for someone who is 20 years old with 220 TT. Took a 2 day class and now am SIC type rated. This weekend is my first day on the job and I keep pinching myself to make sure this is real. Wish I had my CFI as a "safety net" but I have a feeling this job will pan out well. If I can do it, anyone can!
Just letting you know anything can happen out there. Its called LIFE! Best of luck to you!
Just to give you and anyone who reads this a confidence booster. I just withdrew from my flight school in FL 2 weeks ago while I was in CFI class because I was hired buy a gentleman to be SIC in his citation. It is a rare opportunity for someone who is 20 years old with 220 TT. Took a 2 day class and now am SIC type rated. This weekend is my first day on the job and I keep pinching myself to make sure this is real. Wish I had my CFI as a "safety net" but I have a feeling this job will pan out well. If I can do it, anyone can!
Just letting you know anything can happen out there. Its called LIFE! Best of luck to you!
I was 19 and working toward my CFI when I got hired to fly right seat in a AC690 on a cancelled check run, because their regular copilot got hired at American Airlines and gave them NO NOTICE when he left. They needed someone RIGHT NOW, and I was there, ready, with my Multi/Comercial ticket.
Two years later, that guy who went to AA was furloughed, and flying as MY COPILOT on the AC690.
Anything -can- happen but it usually happens at the airport, not at your couch or on the internet...
I'm just say'n, get out to the local airports and start meeting people who fly for a living, let them know you are imediately available.
09-14-2012 | 02:18 PM
#14
Captain who?
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Backseat
How long would that CFI at the school you were attending have taken?
Would the Citation SIC job not still be there?
Sounds like you had a nice *in* with the gentleman, and you're right - that CFI would have been a very nice safety net - -and we know that those come in useful in the aviation business.
USMCFLYR
Would the Citation SIC job not still be there?
Sounds like you had a nice *in* with the gentleman, and you're right - that CFI would have been a very nice safety net - -and we know that those come in useful in the aviation business.
USMCFLYR
later in life if I so desire.
09-16-2012 | 03:42 AM
#15
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 0
From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Wow, congrats! I'm totally jealous. I actually had a classmate who was my partner for crew training that went to ATP for the Citation SIC type. I'm actually thinking of accepting that job offer at the FBO I mentioned earlier. I figure it will at least supplement my income while I take more lessons and hopefully build more time. It actually deals primarily in corporate flights so at worst I hope I have an ability to network a bit. I'm just hoping I don't get pulled too far from the actual flying aspect of the industry.
And Timbo, thanks again for the reply. I actually have a former instructor who is going through the same unit for C-130 training. I figure that I'll wait until he's back from training and see what he thought of the whole experience. I live in MA so the trip to RI for the weekend drills wouldn't be too bad. I recognize the enormous benefit from military service so I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. I just want to make sure it's something that's for me. Also, do you know of the tolerances regarding eye-sight? I have a mild astigmatism and can manage 20/20 uncorrected but still fair much better with my glasses. Especially when it comes to reading screens and the like. I wouldn't be shooting for a fighter slot anyway so do the tolerances change? And did you say you don't compete with your classmates at UPT?
And Timbo, thanks again for the reply. I actually have a former instructor who is going through the same unit for C-130 training. I figure that I'll wait until he's back from training and see what he thought of the whole experience. I live in MA so the trip to RI for the weekend drills wouldn't be too bad. I recognize the enormous benefit from military service so I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. I just want to make sure it's something that's for me. Also, do you know of the tolerances regarding eye-sight? I have a mild astigmatism and can manage 20/20 uncorrected but still fair much better with my glasses. Especially when it comes to reading screens and the like. I wouldn't be shooting for a fighter slot anyway so do the tolerances change? And did you say you don't compete with your classmates at UPT?
11-14-2012 | 02:44 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies everyone. I didn't mean to write off the notion of earning my CFI with my initial post there, it's just that at my current stage at the moment, anticipating some very hefty loan bills to arrive in the coming 2-3 months, and given my current financial status I feel that it may be somewhat irresponsible to initiate CFI training at THIS current time. My concern is that the loan bills and however much I'm paying for my training may be tough to mitigate on a restaurant waiter's weekly income(it's all I have at the moment).
And Timbo: Thanks for your reply and insight. I didn't intend to completely swear off the military route. Actually, this week I reached out to a former educator of mine-he used to be a counselor at an aviation-related camp I attended at a young age and coincidentally (to my own surprise) ended up being my professor for a few of my classes at DWC and eventually the interim dean of aviation during the teach-out. He basically said 'either find the money for CFI training' or go the military route. I say this because he is in frequent contact with an ANG C-130 unit in RI and offered to write me a recommendation for an interview and (hopefully) a pilot slot with the unit. I expressed some apprehension about this because my chief concern is that after committing to the military and entering the training for the position the LAST thing I'd want would be to wash out and fly a desk for the rest of my commitment. He told me that the ANG works differently as you are given a pilot slot and expected to hold that slot throughout training until you eventually report back to the unit to begin flying their aircraft. This is opposed to the method where a great amount of applicants are taken and eventually whittled down to the best applicants. Can you comment on this? I know I can't expect to get a hard guarantee that if accepted into the unit I'll make it through the training unquestionably, but it would be nice to have some confidence in the process. I don't want to set limits for myself this early on-in fact I feel like this is a terrible mentality for any aviation professional- but I have to also acknowledge that I do only have a little over 340 hours and as such posses a current skill-set that reflects just that. Though with the military, the promise of a pension and early (for my age) access to heavy equipment does sound like a great deal. I know the military route isn't for everyone and I'm not sure exactly how I'll fair, but I'd love to hear some opinions on this.
Anyway before I get too long-winded, I appreciate the replies thus far. I plan to test the waters a bit on the civilian side of things, and as such if anyone has any suggestion of EVEN where to begin looking I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks again and best regards.
-Chris
And Timbo: Thanks for your reply and insight. I didn't intend to completely swear off the military route. Actually, this week I reached out to a former educator of mine-he used to be a counselor at an aviation-related camp I attended at a young age and coincidentally (to my own surprise) ended up being my professor for a few of my classes at DWC and eventually the interim dean of aviation during the teach-out. He basically said 'either find the money for CFI training' or go the military route. I say this because he is in frequent contact with an ANG C-130 unit in RI and offered to write me a recommendation for an interview and (hopefully) a pilot slot with the unit. I expressed some apprehension about this because my chief concern is that after committing to the military and entering the training for the position the LAST thing I'd want would be to wash out and fly a desk for the rest of my commitment. He told me that the ANG works differently as you are given a pilot slot and expected to hold that slot throughout training until you eventually report back to the unit to begin flying their aircraft. This is opposed to the method where a great amount of applicants are taken and eventually whittled down to the best applicants. Can you comment on this? I know I can't expect to get a hard guarantee that if accepted into the unit I'll make it through the training unquestionably, but it would be nice to have some confidence in the process. I don't want to set limits for myself this early on-in fact I feel like this is a terrible mentality for any aviation professional- but I have to also acknowledge that I do only have a little over 340 hours and as such posses a current skill-set that reflects just that. Though with the military, the promise of a pension and early (for my age) access to heavy equipment does sound like a great deal. I know the military route isn't for everyone and I'm not sure exactly how I'll fair, but I'd love to hear some opinions on this.
Anyway before I get too long-winded, I appreciate the replies thus far. I plan to test the waters a bit on the civilian side of things, and as such if anyone has any suggestion of EVEN where to begin looking I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks again and best regards.
-Chris
11-14-2012 | 04:18 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,244
Likes: 2
From: Baja Vermont
In my prior career as a full timer in the Reserve, I can say pretty conclusively what will happen IF washed out. Unless you want to stay in, you will be discharged honorably and feed of the commitment. As a washed out UPT student, you don't have a military qual. Downsizing will drive a discharge decision, not a perceived desire to "punish" for washing out.
All that said, with your background completing and returning to a "heavy" unit, worrying about washing out shouldn't be a concern. Yes, the UPT program drives hard, requires work at a pace faster than college and does grade to an absolute standard; I only had two washout, both in Officer's school. They just couldn't or wouldn't adjust to be an officer. So, you do have to be reasonably committed.
While not for everyone, the ANG/Reserve route can be a real career maker. Timbo and I can attest to that.
Best of Luck,
GF
All that said, with your background completing and returning to a "heavy" unit, worrying about washing out shouldn't be a concern. Yes, the UPT program drives hard, requires work at a pace faster than college and does grade to an absolute standard; I only had two washout, both in Officer's school. They just couldn't or wouldn't adjust to be an officer. So, you do have to be reasonably committed.
While not for everyone, the ANG/Reserve route can be a real career maker. Timbo and I can attest to that.
Best of Luck,
GF
11-19-2012 | 06:55 AM
#19
Line Holder
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 331
Likes: 7
From: DiverDriver
How does the guard view prior service and sub -crappy college degree, with around 700 tt ? My dads been hounding me to apply , I just can't see me being competitive. Plus I am pushing the age limit 27... But I've heard I can subtract my prior enlisted time in the marines
11-19-2012 | 07:26 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
How does the guard view prior service and sub -crappy college degree, with around 700 tt ? My dads been hounding me to apply , I just can't see me being competitive. Plus I am pushing the age limit 27... But I've heard I can subtract my prior enlisted time in the marines
USMCFLYR
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