Let me tell everyone...there is life after FSA! I was just hired at the local mosquito control district as a co-pilot in their Shorts Skyvan! I start training next month, & the season starts about June. It's all multi/turbine, night, low level & they're going to be using NVG's this season. I really have to pinch myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming, as I'm not a high time pilot & the last time they hired there was when they were flying DC-3's. It wasn't automatic though. My first gig out of FSA was as a aircraft dispatcher & occasional safety pilot in Part 61 land (I didn't have the min. hours to instruct per insurance), & I was laid off recently from that job. But due to my movie star good looks (it's the only thing I can think of since my logbook isn't all that impressive), & a bit of luck I was able to land this SIC job. While I'm at it, let's talk a little about luck. Chunk has a tag line on all of his posts that reads "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." Those, folks, are words to live by. I happened to meet the right people, do the right networking, & bam! since I've done the preparation, I've got a job.
I see here on Jetcareers & other boards I check out, that guys are "giving up the dream" & opting out of careers in aviation. Everyone needs to make their own decisions in life, & live with them. Instead of giving up, give yourself a "Plan B" until you can make "Plan A" happen through that combination of preparation & opportunity. My "Plan B" was to continue with school to earn my A&P, which is what led me to this job flying the Skyvan. Since all the missions are flown at two in the morning, I'll be able to do both fly & continue with school.
Too freakin' cool!
For those of you that are discouraged, I hear you, I've been there. Heck, I was there up until about 0830 this morning! I'm not trying to pass off any wisdom, as I have not been around aviation long enough to have accumulated any measurable amount, just a little encouragement, & a whole lot of enthusiasm! For those who will perservere, there is reward!
'canfly <---- right seat & 300 feet, baby!
