I have been reading trying to absorb all the info I can, but am getting a lil confused. I am starting IFOD at the end of March, and from what I understand they will give me all the books I need. When do I get those books and are those the books everybody talks about studying the weeks before starting class?
newbi question, starting IFOD soon
- Thread starter snafu77
- Start date
Macr3ady
Well-Known Member
I am in IFOD right now with little time to spare so soak this up - you should definitely get your 2014 Airline Transport Pilot Test Prep manual far in advance of your class date and start studying it. You need to be well prepared before stepping foot in the classroom. There IS NO TIME for you to absorb all of the material they throw at you in the two weeks they take to go through the entire book. By mid week of week three at IFOD, people start taking the written exam so unless you have a photographic memory you need to get a jump start and save yourself a lot of frustration.
Even though you should by the test prep before class, you will also receive another test prep book, along with two weather manuals and two FAR books, and a whiz wheel upon your first day but again, GET THE TEST PREP BOOK BEFORE YOU COME TO CLASS. You will be playing catch up the moment you get here if you don't. A lot of folks are seriously struggling with keeping up with the material because they didn't prepare. Also, IFOD does not teach the chapters in order. Week 1 cover chapters 1, 7, 6 and 4. I suggest you get chapters 1, 7 and anything you can figure out for chapter 6 (Charts) down pat. Those are the easier segments of the class. For the other chapters, you can glance at it and maybe attempt them on your own but unless you have had experience doing those questions I would suggest waiting for the instruction on it. Chapter 4 (Performance) and Chapter 5 (Weight and Balance) are a b ! tcH.
Finally, and this truly helps out with the first few chapters I mentioned, GET THE ASA TEST PREP APP for $9.99! That thing will help you completely prepare for the daily quizzes and provides complete tests. On a final note, even though your test prep manual comes with online access to take tests, don't take them just yet! You will need them for prepping for the real test later on. Oh and one more thing, we take 80 question quizzes every day - it becomes second nature taking the quizzes and you get the same questions out of the book that you will see on every quiz and FAA written test.
If you need anything else, PM me. It may be a bit before I get back to you because I have been so busy but I will write back. Thanks.
Best of luck to you.
Even though you should by the test prep before class, you will also receive another test prep book, along with two weather manuals and two FAR books, and a whiz wheel upon your first day but again, GET THE TEST PREP BOOK BEFORE YOU COME TO CLASS. You will be playing catch up the moment you get here if you don't. A lot of folks are seriously struggling with keeping up with the material because they didn't prepare. Also, IFOD does not teach the chapters in order. Week 1 cover chapters 1, 7, 6 and 4. I suggest you get chapters 1, 7 and anything you can figure out for chapter 6 (Charts) down pat. Those are the easier segments of the class. For the other chapters, you can glance at it and maybe attempt them on your own but unless you have had experience doing those questions I would suggest waiting for the instruction on it. Chapter 4 (Performance) and Chapter 5 (Weight and Balance) are a b ! tcH.
Finally, and this truly helps out with the first few chapters I mentioned, GET THE ASA TEST PREP APP for $9.99! That thing will help you completely prepare for the daily quizzes and provides complete tests. On a final note, even though your test prep manual comes with online access to take tests, don't take them just yet! You will need them for prepping for the real test later on. Oh and one more thing, we take 80 question quizzes every day - it becomes second nature taking the quizzes and you get the same questions out of the book that you will see on every quiz and FAA written test.
If you need anything else, PM me. It may be a bit before I get back to you because I have been so busy but I will write back. Thanks.
Best of luck to you.
BeReal
Well-Known Member
I'm going to disagree from Macr3ady a bit. I'm an IFOD grad who had no aviation experience going in. I got my books the first day. If you've always been a quick learner, good in school and a good test taker, you'll be fine.
I do recommend that you highlight the right answers and only look at the right answers when studying. There are several questions that seem very similar. For those questions, find the key word or phrase that differentiates one question from another, highlight that word or phrase and memorize the correct answer that applies when that word or phrase is in the question.
You'll work hard, but you'll also have a lot of fun and get very close to you fellow classmates in a very short time.
I do recommend that you highlight the right answers and only look at the right answers when studying. There are several questions that seem very similar. For those questions, find the key word or phrase that differentiates one question from another, highlight that word or phrase and memorize the correct answer that applies when that word or phrase is in the question.
You'll work hard, but you'll also have a lot of fun and get very close to you fellow classmates in a very short time.
TaxiBack
Plane planes planes
BeReal is right! So let's be real for just a second...
If...and I do mean IF I had ""been a quick learner, good in school and a good test taker"...I'd be the CEO at Google instead of waiting in line for a14$/hr desk flying job, with old guys yelling for fresh coffee and a White Castle run.....
But I love airplanes. For now, The Google is gonna have to wait. That's Real.
And Snafu77, I second the ASA test prep app. I have it on my android phone and Nexus7 tablet. Love it. Works well and you can jam through it quickly. BeReal is also correct, just focus on the correct answers. If you begin to read all of the choices each time, you will confuse yourself. Much of the wording in the answers is very similar and can be tricky. All of the FAA written exams are like that. Good Luck in Dallas. The folks at IFOD are really nice.
If...and I do mean IF I had ""been a quick learner, good in school and a good test taker"...I'd be the CEO at Google instead of waiting in line for a14$/hr desk flying job, with old guys yelling for fresh coffee and a White Castle run.....
But I love airplanes. For now, The Google is gonna have to wait. That's Real.
And Snafu77, I second the ASA test prep app. I have it on my android phone and Nexus7 tablet. Love it. Works well and you can jam through it quickly. BeReal is also correct, just focus on the correct answers. If you begin to read all of the choices each time, you will confuse yourself. Much of the wording in the answers is very similar and can be tricky. All of the FAA written exams are like that. Good Luck in Dallas. The folks at IFOD are really nice.
Hey SNAFU77, welcome. I too will be at the IFOD March class, as well as another member here. I concur with Macr3ady. You should start early as you can, there's just too much to learn in too short a period of time. It's only common sense to study as much as you can, as early as you can, for anything you go to a school for. It's the technique that matters as far as what works for you - just start asap!
Ifod grad also. I concur about getting the book ahead of time. I studied the regs and weather ahead of time and it really gave me a jump. I do have a ppl so that helped me too , but studying ahead of time can only help. You will enjoy your time there. Its a lot of info but just keep up everyday and if u can have a study group on weekends. I am wondering if Mark is instructing right now...can anyone who is currently at ifod let me know if he is there at the moment.
Macr3ady
Well-Known Member
Yes he is still there. He handles evening classes and the WX segment during the 5 week day class
PugLife
Well-Known Member
I think the only person that TAKES ESSS is you. And why does it matter where people go? If you don't have anything constructive to say in the forums, do us all a favor, take your OLD and TIRED attitude elsewhere or don't say anything at all. People are here to get their questions answered and not be ridiculed for their decisions.
thanks for the info. I have the app and will get the book this weekend.
I am getting a little worried about job placement and the idea of starting over. I had a co-worker who did IFOD end of last year around October and found a job right away, hence the reason I am headed this route. He started out making less than what he was here but the future was better, and now I just found out he is trying to get his job back here. I have been trying to get in contact with him from the beginning but no luck, so I dont know what his reasons are. Is it that bad being away from family all the time? How long does it take before you start making decent money?
I am getting a little worried about job placement and the idea of starting over. I had a co-worker who did IFOD end of last year around October and found a job right away, hence the reason I am headed this route. He started out making less than what he was here but the future was better, and now I just found out he is trying to get his job back here. I have been trying to get in contact with him from the beginning but no luck, so I dont know what his reasons are. Is it that bad being away from family all the time? How long does it take before you start making decent money?
AnonymousDxer
Well-Known Member
This business is all about timing. All the experience and connections mean nothing if the airline isnt hiring. You should budget 5 years making between 30-40K a year. Overtime, equipment routing, getting promoted to supervisory positions can make the pay better at some regionals. Even then, 50K will likely be the highest you could go with your experience and company longevity at a supervisor position.
At a larger regional, you can almost count on not getting a supervisor position anytime soon. Smaller regionals are easier. Otherwise, be prepared for 5 years making less than 40K a year.
At a larger regional, you can almost count on not getting a supervisor position anytime soon. Smaller regionals are easier. Otherwise, be prepared for 5 years making less than 40K a year.
womanpilot73
Well-Known Member
AnonymousDxer said:
Don't forget the supplemental route, where you could count on 40-50K range as a DX and 60ish as a shift supervisor.
So Andy....why the anger ? And why are you issuing orders to me ?
I suspect it is because I am pointing up you main goal is to use networking ( other people ) to bypass a lot of the work and effort to enter this profession, get established and advance well beyond people who have worked harder and longer than you. Proof? Your old and tired derisive comment.
Not knowing anything IFOD, I asked what the deal was because it seems a lot people have
posted that they are going IFOD.
Also, you don't understand how many Texans pronounce things do you?
Here is another nugget..... there is a large amount of conflict in this profession. You have to be tough to succeed and remain successful. Don't get yourself in a tizzy about what other people are saying.....you won't last.
If you think I am a problem, just you wait to see who you will have to work with everyday.....and yes, this goes double for the much coveted majors.
Also beware of the fact that supplementals frequently have the life of Mayflys......It's great if you love to move every year......Not so much if you have a spouse and children.....
AnonymousDxer
Well-Known Member
Not all supplementals pay 40-50K per year. I know of one based in North Carolina that starts at 30K per year. Supplementals arent a bad route to go to get to the majors. Some of the supplementals require regional experience. With military contracts drying up, I would be cautious about the supplementals. Pick the right one otherwise you could be out of a job quick.
womanpilot73
Well-Known Member
AnonymousDxer said:
I will say I'm glad I went the supplemental route, despite RIA's fate. The int'l experience I gained right out of dispatch school was totally worth it for me. But my personal situation allows for me to pick up and move much easier than someone with a family. You have to do what's right for you. Just wanted newbies to be aware that regionals aren't the "only" route. And I think it's safe to say that you'll make more money at a supplemental. I interviewed at a regional and they said starting pay was $13/hr. Ouch!! AnonymousDxer is right though...be careful about which supplemental you choose.
Figby
The Bitterest Dx'er
I work at a supplemental carrier, and worked at another in the past. The work environment is often more technically challenging compared to scheduled carriers, and I've gotten a lot of valuable experience. The pay is generally pretty good, too- especially relative to the regionals.
I'll concur with everyone else here, and mention that these carriers aren't remotely stable right now. And all of the carriers that do this work are NOT equal, in terms of an enjoyable workplace. I would go back to a regional before I would go back to my first supplemental gig I had. I really like my present posting though, despite the uncertainty......please keep in mind that YMMV drastically from mine.
BoilerOps
Well-Known Member
Are you referring to Air T?