Still Motivated?

[bdhill1979]

It is alot of work, no doubt...

If you get to the point where you are frustrated and not enjoying it, ask your instructor to take you out on just a fun flight, go to another interesting airport and get some lunch, find a nice grass strip and practice soft fields on a real soft field, just something to break the grind....

You'll probably remember what all the hard work is for!

:yeahthat:

Training gets pretty tedious from time to time. Mix it up whenever you can. I tell all of my students that they get to choose where we go on our cross countries for this reason. They get to go somewhere they want to go, not where I tell them to go.

 

[Radu38J]

Hey Av8r,

Training can get tedious at times. But it's worth it for all those hours you'll spend in the sky afterwards, building time on x-country flights to wherever your heart desires to go.

I'm finishing up my IFR rating now, and trust me, I only see outside of the cockpit when I land. Not to mention the long theory... tedious! But hey, at least it's for a good cause (aka not getting stuck in some God forsaken town (not giving names) and having cops take you in their cruiser to a hotel because "you really shouldn't be walking around here if you value your life")

As to the original question, I'm talking my time and pacing for that day when someone hires me into the right seat. I'm in no hurry to get there as I have a good job now, and I'm also considering doing the JAA exams, in case I decide to head to Europe. Big planes, lesser requirements, and more money. So, I'll be ready for THE job in 2-3 years (after some CFI-ing I imagine), hopefully things will be better by then.

 

[aifiji]

I'm not at the point where I don't enjoy flying per se, but I do get frustrated when flying to the point where it is more work than recreation. Is this just a normal feeling during training?

There are days where you do get frustrated, and that is normal. Especially during Instrument training, when you are out of the Sim doing holds for the first time, talking to an actual Approach controller, and your Flight Instructor gets short with you when you get the hold position mixed up. :banghead:
I remember getting out of the plane that day and wondering if it is worth it, but as with every frustrating lesson, the next one is great. It's like the pilot has a natural ability to overcome their mistakes, and bounce back even stronger the next time. Overcoming challenges and learning from your mistakes is sometimes the most rewarding part of training.

 

[fsuflyer]

It's what you make of it. Very few jobs these days are what they once were. My father just retired as a dentist. While many here might think such a person "had it made." There's nothing further from the truth. Even the medical professionals out there have been beaten up so bad by malpractice attorneys and insurance companies they are in the same boat we are. His retirement years are far different than he ever invisioned. The grass is always greener. Sure piloting is not the job it once was but it's still a damn good job. You could go be an investment banker and make a mint but honestly you'd have to pay me a lot more to give up that much of my life to have their lifestyle.

Dentists are generally spared from "malpractice" and insurance issues. Our malpractice insurance is close to zilch and many accept fee for service only, bypassing the insurance companies completely.

I left the aviation industry as a student and turned to dental school. I have absolutely no regrets. I am now able to fly for fun.

fsu

 

[OnTheFly7]

Dentists are generally spared from "malpractice" and insurance issues. Our malpractice insurance is close to zilch and many accept fee for service only, bypassing the insurance companies completely.

I left the aviation industry as a student and turned to dental school. I have absolutely no regrets. I am now able to fly for fun.

fsu

Having considered what to do for well over a year, I think I have finally made up my mind. I will get my ratings and I will fly, however, it just may not be for hire, and it may not be soon.

Things happen in our lives and we need to consider just what we want and what will make us happy. Investing $40,000+ and comitting the time to learn, educate and advance, all to possibly be on the street in the blink of an eye, just don't know if I want that at this point in my life.

I am close to taking that money and investing it in myself, the degree and a small single owner (me) business. I have always wanted to work for myself and this may be the perfect time to take on the adventure!

No matter what industry we are in or contemplating, we are all in the same boat (an unstable economy)! I wish all of us, the very best and may we be fortunate enough to be happy and survive!:crazy:

 

[Wing_96]

To the OP:

What motivates me? The love I have for flying. In my case, I would have gotten my PPL whether I planned to ever make a career in aviation or not. A career in aviation is not what motivated me to get my PPL, but rather my love for airplanes.