TurboTravis
New Member
Hey folks! My name is Travis and I have been a aircraft mechanic for about 8 years. I started out in the military, then moved on to maintaining airplanes as small as a C150 to as large as a B727.
2 years ago, I was involved in a serious auto accident that has left me with a neck fusion and neck/shoulder pain forever (I have already passed a first class physical, remember that for later). I have no limitations on what I can/cannot do, but I have lost about 25 percent of the range of motion in my neck, so certain maintenance tasks are harder to perform then before. It's also been mentioned by my doctors that my physical condition has a good chance of deterorating faster then someone that does not have the same fusion that I do (basically the rest of my body stresses more to make up for it).
I'm in a situation right now with some time off that has allowed me to explore my career options. Until a month ago, I really had no idea on how the process of becoming a pilot worked, or how much it costs. So, after a month's research, i've realized that becoming a pilot is within my financial reach, and is something that definitly intrests me. I'm seeing it as career 'progression' from being a mechanic, rather then starting over from scratch. I've looked at the pay scales, and the 2nd/3rd year at a regional as a FO is going to pay more then being a mechanic ever did (don't beleive those AP mechanic school commercials), plus being much easier on my body. I will always have motorsports as a hobby, and i'd rather wreck my body doing that, then turning wrenches at work. I also only have 6 years left to use my GI Bill benifits, and i'd rather use them then lose them!
Tell me what you guys honestly think. I've still got age on my side a LITTLE bit, and i'd hate to be thinking about making this change 10 years from now when I can no longer swing a wrench.
I should be starting my PPL training this week locally. I'd rather do it close to home for several reasons. I see myself moving on to Ari-Ben if things go well, but i'd hate to go down there with 0 time then realize that I don't want to be a pilot. At least if I start training up here, I can just walk out of it with my PPL and stop at that if it's something that I do not see myself doing for a long time.
Thanks!
T
2 years ago, I was involved in a serious auto accident that has left me with a neck fusion and neck/shoulder pain forever (I have already passed a first class physical, remember that for later). I have no limitations on what I can/cannot do, but I have lost about 25 percent of the range of motion in my neck, so certain maintenance tasks are harder to perform then before. It's also been mentioned by my doctors that my physical condition has a good chance of deterorating faster then someone that does not have the same fusion that I do (basically the rest of my body stresses more to make up for it).
I'm in a situation right now with some time off that has allowed me to explore my career options. Until a month ago, I really had no idea on how the process of becoming a pilot worked, or how much it costs. So, after a month's research, i've realized that becoming a pilot is within my financial reach, and is something that definitly intrests me. I'm seeing it as career 'progression' from being a mechanic, rather then starting over from scratch. I've looked at the pay scales, and the 2nd/3rd year at a regional as a FO is going to pay more then being a mechanic ever did (don't beleive those AP mechanic school commercials), plus being much easier on my body. I will always have motorsports as a hobby, and i'd rather wreck my body doing that, then turning wrenches at work. I also only have 6 years left to use my GI Bill benifits, and i'd rather use them then lose them!
Tell me what you guys honestly think. I've still got age on my side a LITTLE bit, and i'd hate to be thinking about making this change 10 years from now when I can no longer swing a wrench.
I should be starting my PPL training this week locally. I'd rather do it close to home for several reasons. I see myself moving on to Ari-Ben if things go well, but i'd hate to go down there with 0 time then realize that I don't want to be a pilot. At least if I start training up here, I can just walk out of it with my PPL and stop at that if it's something that I do not see myself doing for a long time.
Thanks!
T
