$20,000
- Thread starter slushie
- Start date
FlyChicaga
Vintage Restoration
I've accumulated just over 2500 hours, the great majority of it Part 121 turbine, but yet I look and see that there is tons of things I don't know. I haven't even scratched the surface yet. I look back at when I was a 500 hour pilot, and realize I really didn't know squat! Well, I knew enough to get by. But there is a large difference between "getting by" and being "a highly effective airline crewmember." I'm anxious to see the day when I reach a milestone of 10,000 hours. I still won't know half of everything...
Airdale
Well-Known Member
I'm glad I'm not in that boat with a Commercial ticket and stuck at 300hrs. No offense.
I got my CFI because it was included in the program I went to, but I wasn't sure how I would like being a CFI and even if I would be good at it. When I finished my training with my CFI ticket still wet, I was offered quite a few CFI jobs that I applied at. When I started instructing in May, I had 260TT, now I have close to 400 and I've signed 5 students off on checkrides. I actually really enjoy instructing. I find it to be a lot of fun, I get to fly just about everyday and of course logging time and getting paid for it. Sometimes its frustrating, but you really start to develop a confidence about your flying ability that you never had before. When I teach my students, I am constantly amazed at how well I can fly the airplane and how much knowledge I actually have. So far I've had a few very successful students and I think you can't place a value on my CFI ticket.
I think you should try the CFI route. You just might end up really enjoying it. Its a rather small investment when you look at what you get in return.
I got my CFI because it was included in the program I went to, but I wasn't sure how I would like being a CFI and even if I would be good at it. When I finished my training with my CFI ticket still wet, I was offered quite a few CFI jobs that I applied at. When I started instructing in May, I had 260TT, now I have close to 400 and I've signed 5 students off on checkrides. I actually really enjoy instructing. I find it to be a lot of fun, I get to fly just about everyday and of course logging time and getting paid for it. Sometimes its frustrating, but you really start to develop a confidence about your flying ability that you never had before. When I teach my students, I am constantly amazed at how well I can fly the airplane and how much knowledge I actually have. So far I've had a few very successful students and I think you can't place a value on my CFI ticket.
I think you should try the CFI route. You just might end up really enjoying it. Its a rather small investment when you look at what you get in return.
kellwolf
Piece of Trash
Airdale's right. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
As far as the experience thing, after nearly a year of instructing with few days off in between, I was swearing up and down "Okay, I'm done with this. I'm ready to move on." Mentally, I was. Experience wise, the CRJ ate my lunch for the first week or so. Taking some fancy course on systems or buying a type rating in a sim wouldn't have helped me. Why? They don't teach you airline profiles, descent planning, diversion techniques, visual approaches (HUGE in the real world, BTW), fuel management, etc. Heck, ground school for the airline only really teaches one of those. The rest is "captain stuff." Guess what. It's stuff you'll wanna know unless you want to be asking the captain every time. Some of that stuff I learned the old fashioned way, by teaching it to PPL and commercial students. Doesn't matter if it's a CRJ or a 172, I've ALWAYS got an out in mind if the weather goes south. I just happen to have more options with a bigger range now.
Don't be in a rush to get somewhere or move on to the next level. Soak up all the experience you can right now. It will help later one, even if it is in a piston single.
As far as the experience thing, after nearly a year of instructing with few days off in between, I was swearing up and down "Okay, I'm done with this. I'm ready to move on." Mentally, I was. Experience wise, the CRJ ate my lunch for the first week or so. Taking some fancy course on systems or buying a type rating in a sim wouldn't have helped me. Why? They don't teach you airline profiles, descent planning, diversion techniques, visual approaches (HUGE in the real world, BTW), fuel management, etc. Heck, ground school for the airline only really teaches one of those. The rest is "captain stuff." Guess what. It's stuff you'll wanna know unless you want to be asking the captain every time. Some of that stuff I learned the old fashioned way, by teaching it to PPL and commercial students. Doesn't matter if it's a CRJ or a 172, I've ALWAYS got an out in mind if the weather goes south. I just happen to have more options with a bigger range now.
Don't be in a rush to get somewhere or move on to the next level. Soak up all the experience you can right now. It will help later one, even if it is in a piston single.
badco99
New Member
SteveC said:
Also, "Experience is a hard teacher. First comes the test, then the lesson."
And no one knows everything. From the new guy to the senior whoever, we are always learning something new. If anyone ever told me they knew it all I'd be worried and wouldn't be to excited to work with them. Especially in fields like aviation and law enforcement where things can go south real quick.
badco99
New Member
wheelsup said:good luck with that. $50k/yr doesn't go very far with an average home price of $500k+
Yup. I'm going to try and get another courtesy officer position at an apartment complex. You usually get a discount or even free rent at some places. Median income in the county is $90-100k. If you go into Great Falls the homes are running $1 million+. A lot of the guys own homes out in Manassas or even Loudon County. It can be a bit of a commute, but the houses get cheaper the further west you go.