Where do I go from here?
04-07-2016, 10:21 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
Where do I go from here?
I know that this is a frequently asked question, and I have searched the forums but still feel like I need a lot more guidance. I am in the same position that so many other low time pilots are in. I have reached the end of the certificates and ratings that the average person can go out and purchase...instrument rated, commercial multi, and just finishing up my MEI. So my question is, "where do I go from here?"
I may be a little different than most people because I don't necessarily have the ultimate goal of "flying for a major." I just know that I really like flying airplanes and I want to fly as often as I can. I really don't even care about making money, I just want to fly. That being said, I still want to have an opportunity to fly bigger and better airplanes, and experience different aspects of professional aviation.
So my question is to all of the folks who have been able to make this a career. If you had to go back and be a brand new 250 hour pilot what would you do? Obviously, my next step will be to instruct (something that I'm really excited about and looking forward to) but what should I do next? What types of opportunities should I be looking for next? How can I make good contacts in the industry and who should I be trying to "get to know"? What kinds of airplanes should I be trying to fly and how can I get into them, and what are some key companies that I should be looking at early in my career?
I really appreciate any advice, and I really want to hear EXACTLY where you would want to be (knowing everything you know now) and how to get there. Thanks!!!
I may be a little different than most people because I don't necessarily have the ultimate goal of "flying for a major." I just know that I really like flying airplanes and I want to fly as often as I can. I really don't even care about making money, I just want to fly. That being said, I still want to have an opportunity to fly bigger and better airplanes, and experience different aspects of professional aviation.
So my question is to all of the folks who have been able to make this a career. If you had to go back and be a brand new 250 hour pilot what would you do? Obviously, my next step will be to instruct (something that I'm really excited about and looking forward to) but what should I do next? What types of opportunities should I be looking for next? How can I make good contacts in the industry and who should I be trying to "get to know"? What kinds of airplanes should I be trying to fly and how can I get into them, and what are some key companies that I should be looking at early in my career?
I really appreciate any advice, and I really want to hear EXACTLY where you would want to be (knowing everything you know now) and how to get there. Thanks!!!
04-08-2016, 03:29 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,961
I know that this is a frequently asked question, and I have searched the forums but still feel like I need a lot more guidance. I am in the same position that so many other low time pilots are in. I have reached the end of the certificates and ratings that the average person can go out and purchase...instrument rated, commercial multi, and just finishing up my MEI. So my question is, "where do I go from here?"
I may be a little different than most people because I don't necessarily have the ultimate goal of "flying for a major." I just know that I really like flying airplanes and I want to fly as often as I can. I really don't even care about making money, I just want to fly. That being said, I still want to have an opportunity to fly bigger and better airplanes, and experience different aspects of professional aviation.
So my question is to all of the folks who have been able to make this a career. If you had to go back and be a brand new 250 hour pilot what would you do? Obviously, my next step will be to instruct (something that I'm really excited about and looking forward to) but what should I do next? What types of opportunities should I be looking for next? How can I make good contacts in the industry and who should I be trying to "get to know"? What kinds of airplanes should I be trying to fly and how can I get into them, and what are some key companies that I should be looking at early in my career?
I really appreciate any advice, and I really want to hear EXACTLY where you would want to be (knowing everything you know now) and how to get there. Thanks!!!
I may be a little different than most people because I don't necessarily have the ultimate goal of "flying for a major." I just know that I really like flying airplanes and I want to fly as often as I can. I really don't even care about making money, I just want to fly. That being said, I still want to have an opportunity to fly bigger and better airplanes, and experience different aspects of professional aviation.
So my question is to all of the folks who have been able to make this a career. If you had to go back and be a brand new 250 hour pilot what would you do? Obviously, my next step will be to instruct (something that I'm really excited about and looking forward to) but what should I do next? What types of opportunities should I be looking for next? How can I make good contacts in the industry and who should I be trying to "get to know"? What kinds of airplanes should I be trying to fly and how can I get into them, and what are some key companies that I should be looking at early in my career?
I really appreciate any advice, and I really want to hear EXACTLY where you would want to be (knowing everything you know now) and how to get there. Thanks!!!
If so I'd say CFI, then go be a bush pilot and apply to the guard see how that shakes out.
You have to figure out what you like and are interested in... There's too much out there for a blanket "this should be your path" without knowing what your interests are.
04-08-2016, 08:24 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,474
The cfi/cfii is a good start. You still need to build hours, period. At the lower level anything is good. Next look into multi and turbine time. There are 135 operators flying small turbine aircraft that do not require the 1500 hours like regionals.
The Air Guard is good if you can swing it. Military experience is very helpful.
Its good that money is not an issue as is the typical new pilot mindset.
When it becomes your career, income will matter.
The Air Guard is good if you can swing it. Military experience is very helpful.
Its good that money is not an issue as is the typical new pilot mindset.
When it becomes your career, income will matter.
04-08-2016, 12:45 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Under the Frog
Posts: 1,125
Do yourself and the rest of this profession a favor.
Every single time that poisonous thought works its way into your stream of consciousness, KICK YOURSELF IN THE BALLS HARD.
It's thought patterns like that that got us to where we are today, slowly crawling out of this fiscal nightmare we've dug ourselves.
You're here to make money. Period.
If you truly "don't care" then just go rent a Cessna and fly that.
Every single time that poisonous thought works its way into your stream of consciousness, KICK YOURSELF IN THE BALLS HARD.
It's thought patterns like that that got us to where we are today, slowly crawling out of this fiscal nightmare we've dug ourselves.
You're here to make money. Period.
If you truly "don't care" then just go rent a Cessna and fly that.
04-08-2016, 05:30 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Position: Left
Posts: 641
I'd be looking for a PAID entry level flying job, you can fine-tune it as you gain experience. That could be instructing or something else.
Don't be held back by location either, but do look for something that makes sense. No reason to move across the country only to have that job dry up months later.
Don't be held back by location either, but do look for something that makes sense. No reason to move across the country only to have that job dry up months later.
04-08-2016, 05:50 PM
#6
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
Comments like these are exactly why I'm trying to get some good guidance from those who are in the industry. I am 33 years old and have a degree from Embry Riddle, and I walked away from a very lucrative career in order to pursue a career that I thought I would actually enjoy. I understand that when someone is willing to come in to your industry and work for pennies on the dollar it undermines the entire profession. Of course I would like to make as much money as possible while doing something I love, but the more I find out about the way this works the more I realize that it's probably not going to work like that.
That being said, I'm still really interested in getting advice on how to be successful in this business, and I want to do it without compromising the integrity of the industry. So, please tell me how you would do it as a brand new commercial pilot in 2016 when, by my accounts, most of the places that WILL give me a chance to fly are probably going to pay me less than the guy flipping burgers at McDonalds?
That being said, I'm still really interested in getting advice on how to be successful in this business, and I want to do it without compromising the integrity of the industry. So, please tell me how you would do it as a brand new commercial pilot in 2016 when, by my accounts, most of the places that WILL give me a chance to fly are probably going to pay me less than the guy flipping burgers at McDonalds?
04-08-2016, 08:42 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Position: FO
Posts: 627
Just want to fly? Try survey. They fly a ton, any day with good weather, and then they repo in the bad weather. Then go fly some freight, preferably as a floater. You'll get a good appreciation of "go/no-go" criteria. Then fly for a busy part 135 department - that will make you appreciate your time off. If you have the desire, go to Alaska and get a chance to actually enjoy flying.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
