Gulfstream Academy

Jake,

I'm going on a limb and going to assume that you're young, and thus in a very good position to weigh all the options ahead of you before trying one. Definately, you've come to the right place for a no-holds-barred information session on the roads to the cockpit. Just realize that every flight school is in competition for your money, but the key word here is, YOUR MONEY. It being yours, you have control over it.

If you're in a position to go to a traditional college, I would suggest looking into a four year university that offers aviation studies. Embry Riddle is a great school, but there are others out there as well. Bottom line is, you'll be MUCH more marketable with a degree (take it from one who doesn't have one!). If you're in an aviation program, by the time you graduate with your degree, you'll have all the certificates you need to get to work. Being a CFI is an excellent way to build time and get paid for it. It ain't much, but it's not realistic to expect to graduate from college into a $150,000 a year job. Those bucks will come, but you'll have to work for them.

Take a good couple of days and just read up on this site. It doesn't matter what school we all prefer/go to/went to. It only matters what makes sense for you, considering where you are and where you want to be.

Good luck!

Paul
 
Paul,

Thanks for the good words........yup I am young(24), hungry, and already hit my folks up for the B.S. in Intl. Marketing.....so I guess I just need to get my ratings, and start CFIing.......it's gonna be a long haul, but well worth it in the end!!!!!!!!!
 
Well here I give you an abreviated briefing of my story.
I went to Allatps and got my Multi and CFI ratings including MEI. I am now instructing out of a small FBO in Memphis. I am flying quite a bit, and making little money. My currency is not $ but "time", and I needs lots of it.

I work second shift on another job to help pay living expenses. I have no payments to make to no flight school thanks to my loving wife that helped me support half of the costs.

I am estimating about 1.5 to 2.5 years to have market value time in my logbook, so in the mean time I am looking into completing my Engineering degree.

The industry is in a low now, so better prepare during these times. Sometimes I wish I had gone to some big school and instruct for them to be very busy flying, but being debt free has no price.

Hope this helps.

www.cfitellez.4t.com
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So how the hell will I ever be able to fly jets and make some money???? It almost seems like every road leads to a BLACK HOLE!!!!!!! I either get my CFI and work with students or ????????

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I don't recall anyone ever promising me that it would be easy. You can spend someone else's money to get lots of fancy turbine time, but you will forever be justifying it, lying about it, or apologizing for it. It's tempting. I almost went to the Bank of Dad to get a job at CO Ex, which I believe still requries PFT if you are under a certain number of hours.

Fortunately I kept the faith and vowed NEVER to PAY FOR A JOB.

Less than a year later I got hired by American Eagle, which was a whole 'nuther educational experience
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I flew the Mighty Shorts 360 in San Juan, PR, but at least I didn't have to fork over money to get there.

Funny thing, a year later Bill Viega Sr. offers me a captain slot at Gulfstream, since they were getting some Shorts. Bill Sr. is a very nice guy and looking back on it he was very diplomatic. He said he was sure we could work out a deal, but he actually never promised me I wouldn't have to pay. But my first day of class his son Bill Jr. told me that there was "no tickee no laundry" and I needed to produce a check for $15k RIGHT NOW.

I said some "choice words of affection," turned around and walked out, never to return.

I know some good people who used to work there but very few have anything good to say about the place.
 
John_Tenny (monkey man )

Thx for the feedback.........yeah it sounds like I am just going to have to pay my dues and be a CFI........nothing wrong with that, and it will make the days down the road feel that MUCH more rewarding when I am making some good $$$ flying jets......
Thx to everyone for there feed back!
 
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it sounds like I am just going to have to pay my dues and be a CFI........nothing wrong with that, and it will make the days down the road feel that MUCH more rewarding when I am making some good $$$ flying jets......


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A very wise man, (and owner of this website) once said,

Everone wants to be an airline pilot, but so few want to become an airline plot.
 
I'll give you free advice - worth what you pay for it
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ENJOY being a CFI. Be the BEST CFI around. It will pay off more than you know.

I got my first charter job because one of my students from way back bought a C-414A and called me and asked if I wanted to fly it. He said I was the best CFI he knew.

Make yourself a student of aviation. Take every trip around the patch seriously! It can either help you or hurt you - your choice!

Yeah time for a new avatar - monkey man is getting old.
 
Jake, this is some great advice these fellas are giving here. I just became a CFI myself, and man I gotta tell ya. There are so many guys out there these days that are looking so far into the future, that they forget to enjoy the present. There is something great about being a CFI. You are able to share something you love so much, with someone who has a thirst for knowledge about it. For me, that is exciting. But if you gotta look at it any other way, Its a way to get paid to fly. And uhhh........Chicks dig CFI's......er.......you get the idea.
 
Ladies, Gentleman, and even former "monkey man",

I had a great expierence today flying with a different CFI b/c mine was leaving town for a week........ He totally gave me new perspective and an even greater appreciation of flying. We talked a LONG time about some of the options to getting to the end result, and what it was like being a CFI..........what a great refreshing day at MY FBO......
Thanks for everyone's encouragement in this forum.........
And also:

A smart man once said another smart man said "everyone want's to be an airline pilot, but so few want to BECOME one"............nuff said
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Hey John, how did you like the Shorts, and were you based out of PR?
Did you fly around the tropics? I am very interested in going to fly regional in that local but don't know too much of the good and bad. I'm sure you can write a book on it, but maybe just a few hi-lights would be great. Thanks.

P.S.- hows Skibum coming along? Seems like a nice gal.
 
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Hey John, how did you like the Shorts, and were you based out of PR?
Did you fly around the tropics? I am very interested in going to fly regional in that local but don't know too much of the good and bad. I'm sure you can write a book on it, but maybe just a few hi-lights would be great. Thanks.

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The flying out of SJU is fantastic. Almost always 20SCT VIS 50 miles. It takes a few months but you actually get used to living in Puerto Rico. You can judge the Shorts by it's nicknames: Winged Winnebago, SkyPig, SpaceCow, Piece of Shorts, The Snorts, etc.

Best story? We were full and on our way to St. Croix and the Center Controller (a young lady named Anna, who loves jet skiing), asked me if I could expedite my climb so she could turn me direct to STX. My smart reply? "Not now Anna, got a real load in my Shorts today"

"What? Oh very funny! Then fly heading 070 until further directions."

070 is a left turn in the wrong direction! It was 50 miles before she would talk to me again. I took that one off my list
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P.S.- hows Skibum coming along? Seems like a nice gal.

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Was this for me? I don't know a "Skibum"

My wife and daughter are doing great however.
 
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