Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the front

[rsv4me]

Hey all, thought i'd introduce myself. I'm steve. I've been wanting to fly for years now, but things (mainly time and $$) have always gotten in the way.

i've been working as a sensor operator for a little over 6 years now, flew the MQ-1's, MQ-9's, was an instructor and evaluator, did some flight testing of some sensors and now i'm sitting in the back of a little twin engine deal working some ISR equipment. Well, this current job has only fueled my desire to hurry up and start my flight training.

the benefits of my job now, is that it pays pretty good and allows me plenty of time off, as i work a rotation of 6 weeks gone and then home and off for 6 weeks.

for years now, i've wanted to fly and absolutely love it every time i fly. My goals are to get my private and work up thru my instrument, multi-engine, single/mulit CFI and CFII, and eventually get my ATP/commercial. first, and foremost, one of main goals for with getting my ticket, is that i dream of being able to eventually own a small twin and be able to load up my wife and two kids + bags, and travel to see family and get away for weekends. on top of that, i felt that if i could get paid and earn a living doing something that i loved, all the better....

I came across this site and it seemed like there was a wealth of knowledge and experience here, and this seemed like a good place to be involved in.

hopefully i won't ask to many stupid question and will be able to contribute something valuable to this community.

 

[Hacker15e]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

Welcome!

Are you working the MC-12 right now?

 

[rsv4me]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

No, was in the AF for 4 years and now working as a contractor, sitting in the back of a cessna 337.

i do know of the MC-12 program though, almost ended up teaching some of their backenders and instructors a while back...

 

[skydog2]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

If I understand your job correctly, you already are flying. And you get to do so without all the hassle and BS that pilots have to put up with. And from the sounds of it, you make more money than the guy in the cockpit. Sounds to me like it's the best of both worlds. Is it really that important to you to be the yoke actuator?

Just throwing a different perspective at you...

 

[guywhoflies]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

If you are in Navarre you have two pretty good options.

1. Check out Milton. The airport there has a good amount of flight training going on. Send a PM to "91-3A". He is a CFI in Milton. Also, they have light sport training up there which could save you money at the beginning. I don't know much more about Milton.

2. There is always the Eglin Aero Club. If you are a contractor you should still have base access. Swing in there and talk to them. I know more about the Aero Club than Milton. The airplanes aren't the nicest or newest but they are dirt cheap. They have a great private pilot ground school. They use the Jeppesen syllabus for training. It is a well run program. I would suggest you hurry, though, because word on the street is that the Aero Club will be going away when the F-35 gets to Eglin.

Any other questions, just ask. Good luck.:beer:
Edit: I forgot to add that the Eglin Aero Club is a Part 141 school so you can use VA benefits for your training. The VA benefits depend on if you have the old or new benefits. The Aero Club can tell you more. I am not sure if Milton is Part 61 or 141. Again, give them a call and they can fill you in.

 

[moxiepilot]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

6 weeks on 6 weeks off seems like a pretty descent schedule to take up flight training on the side.

The first 6 weeks you could bang out all of your pre-solo stuff, the next break - your beginning solo work and the final 6 your solo cross countries.

I'd keep the job you're in while training.

Welcome to Doug's house!

 

[CrzyN20]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

rsv4me, I took a trip in a 337 in 2007 with (what i'm assuming) your type of contract. I'm a door kicker who has used your assest before, if my assumtions are correct. I would love to fly the 337 and am planning on prusing my aviation career when I leave active duty. Take care my friend and thanks for the extra eyes.

PS I see the 337 coming in and out of my area all the time

 

[rsv4me]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

If you are in Navarre you have two pretty good options.

The Aero Club can tell you more. I am not sure if Milton is Part 61 or 141. Again, give them a call and they can fill you in.

Yeah, i had been looking at going up to milton, seeing as its closer to me. i knew of the aero club on eglin, but i didn't know it was open to non-military. and yes, i have a CAC card and base access.

i just checked out the website, and wow, their prices are a good bit cheaper than milton. And being a 141 as well is a definite plus as well, as i have the post 9/11 GI bill.

i'll definitely be looking into them when i get back to the states in a few weeks.

I had wondered how far i could get in each 6 week rotation home. I should be able to fly as often as i want when i'm back as i should have my $20,000+ tax return in my account by the time i get back stateside, so, i'll be able to pay cash for all my flying, which i feel is a definite plus.

and yeah, i had no intention of quitting my job any time soon. planned on working on ratings and hours for the next while and trying to fly as much as i can when i'm home and take the family up and to see places....

and skydog, your right, more than once i've stopped and asked myself the same question, but yet, i still can't help but want to sit left seat.

i can't ever see myself flying for a big airline, but flying for fun, flying the family around, maybe doing something to make some money off of flying, be it on the side, for business or for a job, but i just can't help but want to fly....

thanks for all the info!

 

[pericynthion]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

6 weeks on 6 weeks off seems like a pretty descent schedule to take up flight training on the side.

The first 6 weeks you could bang out all of your pre-solo stuff, the next break - your beginning solo work and the final 6 your solo cross countries.

I'd keep the job you're in while training.

Welcome to Doug's house!

I did my entire private in 5 weeks, it's quite achievable if you find a school where you can fly twice a day.

 

[guywhoflies]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

The only down side to the aero club is that most of the cfi's are part timers and that is the lim fac with trying to get done quickly. If you stop in there be sure to ask how many full time instructors they have and how busy they are with students. I have talked to a couple people who felt like they were getting the run around from the aero club. If you have 6 weeks to devote all of your time to flying you should easily be able to get done. I would suggest you start studying for your Private Pilot Knowledge Test (the written) now so you don't have that hanging over your head when you are otherwise ready for your checkride. Again, feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[rsv4me]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

yeah, i will be back stateside in about 3 weeks and i'll make a trip over and talk to them.

i didn't know that about the aero club though. i'll have to check into that.

a while ago i picked up one of the sporty's private pilot training courses and have been studing over that. I hadn't thought about studying specifically for the written test though, however, that makes sense.

i am about to google it, however, if anyone knows of any particular good places to study for the test, i'd be interested to hear. are there any study guides/practice tests that are free?

 

[MikeD]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

yeah, i will be back stateside in about 3 weeks and i'll make a trip over and talk to them.

i didn't know that about the aero club though. i'll have to check into that.

a while ago i picked up one of the sporty's private pilot training courses and have been studing over that. I hadn't thought about studying specifically for the written test though, however, that makes sense.

i am about to google it, however, if anyone knows of any particular good places to study for the test, i'd be interested to hear. are there any study guides/practice tests that are free?

Did you do any time in the 15th or 17th?

Gotta a buddy of mine flying the 337s over in OIF, and another who was a former Pred SO who's on the civil MC-12s.

 

[rsv4me]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

Did you do any time in the 15th or 17th?

Gotta a buddy of mine flying the 337s over in OIF, and another who was a former Pred SO who's on the civil MC-12s.

yeah, i was in the 17th from begining of 05 - end of 06 then in the 11th teaching for a year...

those MC's are all the rage now, i've only been doing hte 337 thing for not even 2 full months and i just got (today actually) and invite to come teach the back end guys on the MC's.....

were you ever in the 17th? last i knew there was a former 17th SO working somewhere here with the 337's, havent ran into him though.....

 

[MikeD]

Re: Hello all, looking to move from the back end to the fron

yeah, i was in the 17th from begining of 05 - end of 06 then in the 11th teaching for a year...

those MC's are all the rage now, i've only been doing hte 337 thing for not even 2 full months and i just got (today actually) and invite to come teach the back end guys on the MC's.....

were you ever in the 17th? last i knew there was a former 17th SO working somewhere here with the 337's, havent ran into him though.....

Spent time in the 11th, then augmented the 15th for a bit.