Changing Careers

Flyboy 4

Flyboy 4

New Member
I am new to jetcareers but have enjoyed reading several post. I am changing from one fantasy job to another. I was a firefighter for over 17 years and often felt guilty for getting paid. Now I am pursing a new fantasy career - flying!. Making the change has not been a fantasy. I was going to go to RAA in AZ but I have talked to a student that was told by saliemae - they would no longer disburse funds to RAA for her schooling. Bankruptcy in the air - pun intended. So now I find myself searching for the right school again after spending days researching several months earlier. ATP sounds interesting or maybe West Wind - both in AZ . Does any one have input. For now I will continue my BA online with UVSC in Utah as well as my private pilot.
 
The Key Bank alternative loan usually has a better interest rate than Sallie Mae. Also if you want to go to the airlines you are probably going to need multi time. Firefighter? Structural or wildland?
 
Structure - 7 years in Kansas as Firefighter EMT then 10 years in Utah as Firefigther Paramedic. Use to love being up all night chasing bad accidents and fires. But just not enough fires any more. Medical was fun but not the reason I got into Firefighting.

Yea I have researched enough about schools to know I need Multi Rating. At 44 I dont want to take 2-3 years to complete a Universtiy program. I have enough money and time to go to an academy, with the help of a loan for about half, Just trying to find the right academy. Looking for anyone experences with Academys like West Wind, ATP and the likes.

Thanks for your response, I appreciate the input. This forum has alot of info and people are very helpful.
 
Have a chat with DesertDog. The man blasted through his ratings at an FBO part 61. It can be done. Even take a look at the price, cheaper than most academies.
 
Thanks Swen, I will try and contact this DEVIL DOG you speek of.

I am planning on comparing UVSCs price with other schools at the Provo airport but I was and am worried How I might do at an interview compared to those with an academy's name on their training. Will a FBO creditials and obviously enough hours be enough? Or will having an Academys name make alot of difference.
 
Flyboy 4 said:
Thanks Swen, I will try and contact this DEVIL DOG you speek of.

I am planning on comparing UVSCs price with other schools at the Provo airport but I was and am worried How I might do at an interview compared to those with an academy's name on their training. Will a FBO creditials and obviously enough hours be enough? Or will having an Academys name make alot of difference.
Click to expand...

The answer: FBO or academy makes no difference to the airlines.
 
Hiya Swen welcome aboard sir!

You can easily find Desert Dog by Pm'ing him, or checking in his own section called "White Air" at the bottom of the JC list.

Though I like White Air, I have pretty much decided on ATP when the time comes. It may be different for you and it seems Desert has a topnotch operation out there.
 
Every one has been very helpful Special thanks to Swen and Desert Dog.

Flexability appears to be the best game plan for now, and more research.
 
This is in response to being older and wanting to get done with training fast.
It is more than possible to go to a part 61 school (local FBO) and complete all of your ratings in less than a year. I commented on multi time just to make sure it was understood that it was important. If speed of training is your only object, a local FBO will get you through training just as fast as some time building program if you are motivated. The downside of local FBO's is the fact that multi time is expensive and hard to get unless you have your multi engine intstructor rating.
 
nwpac said:
This is in response to being older and wanting to get done with training fast.
It is more than possible to go to a part 61 school (local FBO) and complete all of your ratings in less than a year. I commented on multi time just to make sure it was understood that it was important. If speed of training is your only object, a local FBO will get you through training just as fast as some time building program if you are motivated. The downside of local FBO's is the fact that multi time is expensive and hard to get unless you have your multi engine intstructor rating.
Click to expand...

I did it in less than two years, and I was working a full-time job at the same time. As for multi time, yes, it's a problem. One that I haven't managed to solve yet.

-C.
 
clumpinglitter said:
I did it in less than two years, and I was working a full-time job at the same time. As for multi time, yes, it's a problem. One that I haven't managed to solve yet.

-C.
Click to expand...

This is the same dilemma I am battling with. While I think going to an FBO and getting my ratings would save me money, I am concerned about the multi-time. Schools like ATP seem expensive, but the more I consider that everything is done in a multi-engine plane, the more it seems worth it. I am only on my 5th flight lesson for my PPL, so I have awhile to decide, but if I do go to one of the non-FBO schools, then I think it is going to be ATP.
 
cignaguy said:
This is the same dilemma I am battling with. While I think going to an FBO and getting my ratings would save me money, I am concerned about the multi-time. Schools like ATP seem expensive, but the more I consider that everything is done in a multi-engine plane, the more it seems worth it. I am only on my 5th flight lesson for my PPL, so I have awhile to decide, but if I do go to one of the non-FBO schools, then I think it is going to be ATP.
Click to expand...

I thought about using a multiengine airplane starting with the commercial rating. I decided against it because of the outrageous expense. I got my MEI last August (I think), but I haven't had a multiengine student yet. Here's how I figure it -- if I get ME students, great. If not, I still have the option to split time in the twin with someone -- there's always someone who wants to do that. Either way, I get the time, and my expenses are reduced. And there's always places like Ram Air to build ME time, if I ever went completely crazy and decided to sell my house and move for a flying job.

-C.
 
clumpinglitter said:
I thought about using a multiengine airplane starting with the commercial rating. I decided against it because of the outrageous expense. I got my MEI last August (I think), but I haven't had a multiengine student yet. Here's how I figure it -- if I get ME students, great. If not, I still have the option to split time in the twin with someone -- there's always someone who wants to do that. Either way, I get the time, and my expenses are reduced. And there's always places like Ram Air to build ME time, if I ever went completely crazy and decided to sell my house and move for a flying job.

-C.
Click to expand...

Hi Clumpinglitter- Could you tell me more about Ram Air? How would I (or anyone else)build ME time there? Forgive me for my ignorance.
 
What do you guys think of Academies vs FBO from a hiring standpoint. Do you think they perfer canidates with Academy time compared to FBO time?
 
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