Flight School

[Excaliber]

I just got back from Ohio. My son's graduation from High School. In September he starts Flight School, commercial pilots license in a two year program, then another two years for a formal degree. I've heard the commercial pilots license will make it much easier to get a job WASHING airplanes at some remote backwater airfield upon graduation.

Bummed I couldn't stay long enough for the London Cobra Show!!

Anyway, proud Papa I be!

[HI Cobra]

Welcome back Ernie. He can always get a job flying skydivers for minimum wage to build time. It would definitely give him some extra flying skills.
Like any other school, where he goes and how he does will impact what
job he can land. Another factor is how many ex-military pilots are out
there looking for work. Aviation isn't what it used to be either financially
and benifit wise. He has his whole life in front of him so he has time.

[Tinker51]

Where is he going?
Tell him to study study study. Shoot for 100% on the writtens. Makes the practical easier when the Examiner sees you know the book work. As for the flying part, tell him smooth and accurate is what counts. A pilot who is smooth but sloppy or accurate but harsh is not what anyone is looking for. Also tell him to get a tailwheel sign off. Being able to fly a tail dragger well does make you a better pilot.

[Ron61]

Ernie,

I wondered where you had been. Congratulations on your son's accomplishments. He will do well and be able to find something when he finishes flight school.

Ron

[bomelia]

I have a friend who retired from the AF flying F16s. Flew in the first Gulf War. Some of you have probably even seen him on Wings...his plane provided a seat for a photagrapher (video too) for a large portion of the war effort.

Anyways, it took him almost 5 years to settle into a good flying-bus job after that. And he has got a LOT of experience. Jobs flying have become like everything else...you gotta pay your dues.

Mike

[Excaliber]

Clermont College in Ohio for the flight program, to be determined for the final college after that, could be the University of Hawaii here. Military was a seriously considered option for awhile. Tail dragger certification? Thats interesting. I'd look into choppers if I was doing it!

Flip, good point about the sky diver thing, another way to build hours which is SO important following school. What do you think about a glider pilot option as well and flying out of Dillingham field here in Hawaii?

By the way you guys, Flip is an extraordinary sky diver!

He's also considering becoming a flight instructor himself as a way to build hours. He understands it will be a long and poorly paid career with only a chance of landing (is that a pun?) a decent job down the runway of life (that IS a pun)! Yet he is adamant this is what he wants to do, he lives and breathes airplanes and has for many years. He did very well on the placement exam, in particular the math section.

Hey Flip, maybe he should try a few jumps this summer, we'll see you out at the field!

[Tinker51]

Getting your first job in aviation is the hardest. I highly recommend getting an Instructor certificate for two reasons. One, it allows you to build flight time and get paid for it (although very little). Two, you get to see other people's mistakes. If you get a job flying traffic watch or something like that then you are only ever going to see you own mistakes. When you teach you see everything under the sun. Take the good and bad and learn from them. Besides, you never truely understand something until you have to teach it.

[Tinker51]

Originally Posted by bomelia

I have a friend who retired from the AF flying F16s. Flew in the first Gulf War. Some of you have probably even seen him on Wings...his plane provided a seat for a photagrapher (video too) for a large portion of the war effort.

Anyways, it took him almost 5 years to settle into a good flying-bus job after that. And he has got a LOT of experience. Jobs flying have become like everything else...you gotta pay your dues.

Mike

That does not surprise me.
An airline has a certain culture. Some airlines like ex tanker or transport guys because they are used to operating with crews. For many years there was one major airline that it was almost impossible to get hired at unless you were an ex fighter jock and married.