Anyone A Pilot?

[Evan West]

I want to get my private licence and maybe eventually a commercial. I am finishing up an engineering degree and plan to try to get into being a flight test engineer and then work on those licences. Anyone else a pilot/involved in the aerospace field? Any advise?

 

[mta_morrow]

My company considers me a pilot.

They pile it on me everyday!

Sorry, couldn’t resist:)

Seriously, I hope someone here can help you.

 

[Katrina71]

My dad has been a pvt pilot since he was 16. Send an email to the FAA. They should be able to point you in the right direction for your area.

 

[Katrina71]

BTW, you gotta try flying in a biplane!

 

[Rcpilot]

Embry Riddle
Daytona, FL

It's a very well respected aerospace college. Finish the current engineering degree and then maybe start working on your master's with Embry Riddle.

You'll go far and make a ton of money in the aviation industry. Since you'll already have the engineering degree, it won't take more than a year or two to get a master's from Embry Riddle. Then pick pretty much any job in your field and you're hired. Get a security clearance and work in defense. Plenty of money and opportunity.

Wish I was young again and had the opportunity.....

Rcpilot
Yes, I used to fly radio control airplanes. Haven't touched one since about 2012. I love airplanes and aviation. Always wanted to fly fighter jets, but I've got bad eyes and none of the armed forces would let me fly anything... weather balloon maybe... If I was young and going to school with good eyes, I'd go to Embry Riddle and fly after I got the degrees. You'll get farther on the degrees and they allow you to finance aviation habits as you mature in your career.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

My brother flies with carrier wing 2 and is rotary flies the ocean version of the black hawk. Anyway, he said depending what you want to fly military is the best way to go for flight school. Plus it’s paid for by them and flight school outside is very expensive and if you plan on doing it commercially you won’t be even considered unless you have the military experience. Most commercial pilots are prior if not all, he also said even with rotary it’s getting to that level now. He also said flying rc airplanes and even better rc helicopters will give you a great head start and understanding of the concepts of how they actually fly. He suggested finish your degree first then enlist as an officer or warranty officer (nco). He said being on a carrier is a blast and your not a bullet cushion (his words whatever that means).

 

[siggy]

BTW, you gotta try flying in a biplane!

 

[siggy]

I want to get my private licence and maybe eventually a commercial. I am finishing up an engineering degree and plan to try to get into being a flight test engineer and then work on those licences. Anyone else a pilot/involved in the aerospace field? Any advise?

A friend I grew up with went the privet route He had to log hundreds if not thousands of hours to get a crappy job flying cargo, Then around 48 Y.O. he finally got a commercial license and job. Seems military would be a shorter flight path;)

 

[anit77]

There was just a spot done on the local news here in Atlanta. There is going to be a massive shortage of commercial pilots in the next decade. As the babyboomers are forced to retire at 65 there isn't enough people in the industry or military to fill the void. The problem is private schooling outside the military is fairly expensive at $80k to to $120k and the starting pay is around$50k/yr for the smaller regional carriers, like American Eagle. The big Airlines use the military and these smaller carriers like pro sports use farm teams and pull the best up to fly the jets.

Like Sarah & siggy said, the military is your best bet. You get the training and seat time paid for by Uncle Sam. After you get your engineering degree take a look at Officer school in the Air Force. Yes, you could always go to a private school but what could it hurt to talk to a recruiter with the AF now? Go get Lasik done in the mean time while you finish your degree.

 

[anit77]

http://www.cbs46.com/story/38658321/us-faces-serious-shortage-of-airline-pilots

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/...ilots-over-next-decade-as-shortage-looms.html

 

[Ron Reefman]

Evan, I spent 2 years getting my pilot license back in the mid 1970's. I flew mostly a Cessna 150 Aerobat. Short field landing in that plane were a hoot! Then I flew for 2 more years. But during that second 2 years I got married and took up racing sports cars on big race tracks. A guy can only afford so many expensive hobbies! My instructor and I fly from Detroit (home for me back then) to Chicago and on to the Oshkosh EAA fly-in in a Cessna 172. After a couple of days at the EAA we flew to Mackinac Island for a short visit (very odd airport) and then back to Detroit.

I truly enjoyed learning to fly, but just flying for the sake of flying was less fun. Racing sports cars wheel to wheel at Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, Road America and other tracks was just too big an adrenaline rush! I did that for 18 years, and after almost 20 years away, I have now taken up autocross. It's so different from racing wheel to wheel on big tracks that there is very little cross over experience. Road racing is like flying a big plane in bad weather, you need to pay close attention. But autocross is like flying a race plane in a Red Bull air race!

Good luck in your future.

 

[Captain Quint]

Evan West, congrats on your career decision. One of my flight instructors at HRJ was in the Airforce and they sent him to HRJ to start flight school, then onto bigger things. He ended up choosing to fly Air Ambulances which was really noble. I started in 2001 and got my P.P. Certificate shortly after 9-11 which was a crazy time to be flying. I'm a VFR P.P with just some IFR training. Love the freedom, but don't fly as much anymore as I would like.

Whatever you decide I wish you the best.

 

[Dubs83]

I’m a pilot. Have been professionally for 13 years so if you have any questions, shoot me a PM or just ask here and I’ll do my best to answer.

I started my flying with a place called All ATP in 2004. I’m not sure the pricing but back then it was around $45000 to get you a private pilots certificate through your commercial multi engine and the three flight instructor certificates. (Certified Flight Instructor or CFI, Multi Engine Flight Instructor or MEI and Certified Flight Instrument Instructor or CFII)

I enjoyed the program very much as it’s incredibly immersive. You can certainly look at schools like Embry Riddle but they’re incredibly expensive and are tailored towards earning your degree while getting your pilots certificate. It’s an option, though.

As some one already mentioned, it is def a pilots market and although the FAA has made it more difficult to earn the precious Turbine time, there are still a ton of opportunities out there and it’s a great time to get in.

I finished ATP in about 5 months and began instructing new students for about one year. Got some incredibly good experience and once my log book met the requirements, I applied to the regionals and started flying the regional jet. Did that for 7-8 years and moved onto teaching in the Citation CJ3 and Sovereign. After two years, I started flying a gulfstream G550 and then moved on to the Boeing 747. I’m back on the corporate side now on another G550 and I honestly couldn’t be happier. The money is great and I’m home 20-25 days out of the month.

Anyhow, it’s a great career but has its ups and downs. For example, when the economy turns downward, flying is usually the first to be effected. I’ve been furloughed and struggled to find work at times but I wouldn’t trade it in for anything else.

Just shoot me a PM if you need anything!

 

[Clownfish2]

I want to get my private licence and maybe eventually a commercial. I am finishing up an engineering degree and plan to try to get into being a flight test engineer and then work on those licences. Anyone else a pilot/involved in the aerospace field? Any advise?

I have been flying since 2001. Worked as a flight instructor, flew business jets, and now fly for an airline. I would encourage you to go get your private. Private pilot license will cost around $8,000-10,000 and by getting your private it will help you decide if you want to pursue it further.

If you haven't already done so, you should ask your university for assistance in finding aviation engineering job openings or internships.

 

[Rcpilot]

If you decide to enlist, I'd go Navy. Those guys land on a very small, moving target. Gotta be toughter than the Air Force hitting paved runways. Aircraft carriers are no joke. If one of them gets taken down in a war - you can bet we've got a serious problem that goes beyond that one ship. I wouldn't be worried about being on a ship at sea unless you're an armegeddon personality. Totally safe IMO.

 

[Dubs83]

I have been flying since 2001. Worked as a flight instructor, flew business jets, and now fly for an airline. I would encourage you to go get your private. Private pilot license will cost around $8,000-10,000 and by getting your private it will help you decide if you want to pursue it further.

If you haven't already done so, you should ask your university for assistance in finding aviation engineering job openings or internships.

What @Clownfish2 said! Most schools offer something called “discovery flights.” Call around and ask if it’s something they do!

 

[Evan West]

Thank you all for the suggestions it is a lot of help!