scooter2525
Very well Member
http://www.eraunews.com/home/index....Story_id=ea880f7e-1d38-4419-bce0-348ff0764794
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<hr size="1"> 2003 ERAU Graduate Already Falcon 900 Captain
Dylan Miller
By: Best Dispatcher Ever!
Posted: 4/1/04
ASHBURN, VA- Captain Steve Cavoretto, a 2003 graduate of ERAU Prescott’s AS degree program, has quickly climbed the career ladder and achieved captain status on one of the world’s finest business aircraft. He lives in the Washington DC area and flies a Falcon 900 out of Dulles International Airport. Last weekend Steve’s aircraft made a quick stop at the Scottsdale airport and we were able to coordinate a brief informational interview with him.
Although Cavoretto graduated with only a commercial pilot’s certificate and 300 hours, he did not let that stop him from getting the “dream” job he always wanted.
Most graduates elect to flight instruct after school to build time, but not Cavoretto.
“A lot of my friends went out and got their CFI’s after school, but I knew that instructing wasn’t for me,” said Cavoretto. According to Steve, building time instructing students “didn’t sound fun”, so he chose to go directly in to the corporate arena.
<image2>“I asked myself, which do girls dig more: a 172 or a business jet? The answer was painfully clear - so I chose the higher path.” Explained Cavoretto.</image2>
Steve didn’t let his lack of experience hold him back from getting a head start in the career he wanted. He didn’t see what the big deal was about hours.
“I had the all ratings, that’s all they really care about,” Steve said.
Shortly after graduation Steve applied to a single corporate flight department in Virginia and was quickly hired on the spot.
“After I was hired I knew I was on the gravy train with biscuit wheels,” Steve said
After only a few short months Cavoretto got promoted to captain. “$57,000 a year was fine for a starting first officer’s salary, but I wanted to make more. When the captain upgrade finally came after several long months, I was ready to enjoy over $100,000 a year.” He explained.
Cavoretto further admits corporate flying is a glamorous job which “reels in the chicks like a deep sea trawler”.
“Flying an advanced private jet isn’t all fun and games, but it’s close,” Steve conceded.
When asked if his training at ERAU was adequate for the demanding job, Cavoretto said that if anything, his training at ERAU was overkill.
“At Riddle, they really stressed checklist usage. Out here in the real world we never use checklists, in fact I’m not even sure if the Falcon 900 has a checklist.” Steve explained.
According to Cavoretto, flight planning was another thing that Riddle blew way out of proportion. Steve said that the Falcon 900 usually has “plenty” of fuel and he hasn’t seen a navigation log since leaving ERAU.
“It’s called GPS direct, get with the times,” quipped Steve.
<image3>Despite the criticism, Cavoretto was quick to point out that the education he received at ERAU was not in vain.</image3>
“Riddle is second-to-none at teaching good taxiing techniques and they do a good job of emphasizing light gun signals, too.” Steve pointed out.
Steve encouraged Horizon’s readers not to give up just because of the difficult times the aviation industry is facing right now.
“It’s not that hard to get a job. Don’t let Career Services fool you; all you have to do is have a dream and believe in yourself – then anything’s possible!”
This guy has to be kidding? Hit direct and go eh? Don't get me wrong, I think someone graduating college and having there rating SHOULD make 50k a year as a f/o in a profession like this, but tossing some essential flight skills like fuel loads, flight planning and check lists (to some degree, even in automated planes) shouldn't be forgotten because of a job that "reels chicks".
