Have you flown any 121 ops? If not then you won't understand what sky and tony are getting at. If the CFI gig pays the bills then great, but their posts come from a previous 121 lifestyle that's all.

My .02 on pro pilot definition.
If you get paid via monetary compensation for flying an airplane then yes you are a professional pilot. Not to be confused with being compensated as a working professional.

What is Hyundai? (aside from being a car manu..) My weak mind don't gets it.

Some good definitions in here so far. Some I agree with, some I don't.

As I have said before-I'm here to offer an alternative. I hope every one of you makes it to trip 7 Capt. My hard work didn't get me there.

My definition of a professional pilot is any one who is being compensated to operate an aircraft for an aircraft owner.

When getting down to the nuts & bolts of it, I believe that there is merit to Sky's & TM's ascertions. Take the total number of attempts of individuals to become professional pilots compared to the number that actually become "professional pilots". The percentage has gotta be minute. I would go so far as to say that the ratio is probably the same as the total number of part 121 airline pilots compared to the total number of pilots period...whether they are currently flying at the PPL level and up to and including 91, 135 and 121 itself.

Seeing numbers like that would cause me to second guess my choice or at least to reconsider and carefully think it through again.




atp

I have considered changing my job title to "Corporate Pilot" and paying myself to fly the 150. Other job duties would include managing properties, my real estate portfolio, and working the herd.

Would that count as being a professional pilot?

SkyHigh

PS I took myself flying today and gave myself instruction in Touch and Go's. Can I log that as instruction given even though I gave the instruction to myself?

I don't believe you put in enough years to be a 777 Captain. Do you?







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Very true. If that were the only message, there would be no argument.

These guys have taken it a step further and claim that because they aren't in the small percentage that will "make it," the career choice itself is inferior, and those who pursue it are irresponsible dolts who choose to not take care of their families.




The percentages for success are even "more minute" when one stops trying to succeed.







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Add to the list, keeping the whine cellar stocked and the supply of cheese fresh.







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Nope, that's not my message at all.

Since you're the resident expert here-just how long should it take to get to 777 CA.? How many bankruptcies/divorces/mergers/furloughs/displacements/change of carriers/down cycles should a person have to suffer?

I wish nothing but the best for anyone presently in the seat. I offer only $.02 worth of advice and perspective.

that's it-nothing more.

Sure-don't see why not.


I was out in the box practicing "mild" aerobatics in the Pitts until I scared myself. Looks like i'll have to add .001 hr. pic/scared sh!.less

Then I shot some touch and goes to make myself feel better.

One of those is within your control -- the others are not. (Unless you're talking about personal bankruptcies instead of company bankruptcies -- if so, add that to the list.)



SO, except for that one (or two, as the case may be), the answer is ... as many as it takes.



But you didn't answer the question. Do you really think you've put in enough years and hard work to be a 777 Captain?







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