CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
MS Flight Sim will help you a lot when you start working on you instrument rating, believe it or not.
Want to become at pilot...at 34
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MS Flight Sim will help you a lot when you start working on you instrument rating, believe it or not.
touch-n-go
Well-Known Member
Hey, if you intend to fly in Ohio i totally recommend Spencer Aviation in Delaware OH just North of Columbus off High street. They are really awesome professional people and have a laid back atmosphere. No club dues too. Also, they actually run ground schools for Private and Instrument ratings, which I think is super cool. Good rates too, and they don't nickel and dime you like some of the larger academy types. Here's their website:http://www.flyspenceraviation.com/
wheelsup
Well-Known Member
Back when I was doing my private and instrument, I would mock-fly cross countries on my computer before going into the airplane to do it. With todays technology, you can create a semi-realistic setup for low cost that would really be of huge help. Once you're done you even have the option of selling the equipment used for 50 cents on the dollar so you wouldn't be out too much $$.
I agree the sim helps more with an instrument rating but one thing it does for the private is give you familiarization with the operation and location of systems on the airplane. That helps tremendously. When I was 17 and stepped into the C-172 for the first time I knew almost everyone about it.
staledog
Well-Known Member
Yep..TAC stands for Truman Arnold Companies
popaviator
Well-Known Member
Do what you want and be happy. I'm a pilot and I approve this message.
Pietrantonio
Well-Known Member
Also, ask about discounts. I get a 3% discount if I pay with cash or check. You can save a lot in the long run by taking advantage of any discounts your school offers.
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
Ok, I'll take my usual role as the Debbie Downer:
I think you're out of your mind to be doing this. You'll likely be at middle-aged, making $50k per year, and coming in at the trailing end of the hiring wave at the mainline carriers, so even if you get on at one of them, you'll never be that widebody captain making big bucks while getting weekends off. I know a hell of a lot of guys who did the career change thing, and they regret every minute of it. Several have returned to their previous careers, or started new careers.
I have no idea what someone with your degree typically qualifies for, but I'm sure there's something out there for it. And if you don't want to do that, I think you'd be better off sticking with painting houses and opening your own painting business. Someone who works hard at marketing can make big bucks in painting, and after a few years of building the company, you wouldn't even have to touch a paint brush again.
But hey, some people just have this crazy aviation bug and can't shake it. If that's you, then I hope it works out for you. But unless you're someone who just can't possibly imagine life without flying airplanes for a living, I would encourage you to run away as fast as you can.
I think you're out of your mind to be doing this. You'll likely be at middle-aged, making $50k per year, and coming in at the trailing end of the hiring wave at the mainline carriers, so even if you get on at one of them, you'll never be that widebody captain making big bucks while getting weekends off. I know a hell of a lot of guys who did the career change thing, and they regret every minute of it. Several have returned to their previous careers, or started new careers.
I have no idea what someone with your degree typically qualifies for, but I'm sure there's something out there for it. And if you don't want to do that, I think you'd be better off sticking with painting houses and opening your own painting business. Someone who works hard at marketing can make big bucks in painting, and after a few years of building the company, you wouldn't even have to touch a paint brush again.
But hey, some people just have this crazy aviation bug and can't shake it. If that's you, then I hope it works out for you. But unless you're someone who just can't possibly imagine life without flying airplanes for a living, I would encourage you to run away as fast as you can.
Kingairer
'Tiger Team' Member
How much cash In hand do you have? Do you have 60k that's burning a hole in your pocket? Go look here http://www2.atpflightschool.com/AirlinePlacements/ . These are "success" stories. I want you to look at the ones who came in with 0 time, not those that just did the quick 5k ATP course. Id say on average it appears most spent 55k. Most also say that it took on average about 2-2.5 years to get hired. While youre in training at one of these fast track school, its going to be pretty much full time work. So now your spending 22.5K a year on this training, plus your losing $X because of lost income from your current job. Once you've been baptized as a newly minted Instructor and commercial pilot, you can expect to make no more then about 25K (generous) while you build your fight time towards the new FAA minimum flight hours (much higher then before). Once you finally get that call from an airline, you can expect to make no more then 25K as an airline pilot your first year. 2nd year you can expect to make 30-35 with modest inceases up to about 40-45 while you spend your time in the right seat of an RJ. If you are lucky enough to upgrade in 3-5 years, youll then make about 65-70K as an RJ captain. (we haven't even discussed about comuting, baseclosures, furloughes etc) You ready to sign up?
uncreative
Well-Known Member
As a 39yo working an IT job that I hate, putting in 5-7 years to make 65K flying a jet sounds pretty rad. especially as I'm sitting here in a windowless conference room on a pointless call.
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
Um, 5-7 years from zero hours to $65k flying a jet is pretty optimistic. And it ain't all that you think it is. Staring out the window at farmland isn't that much more mentally stimulating than staring at a conference room wall after a while.
wheelsup
Well-Known Member
After 8+ years at the commuters + 2 instructing some things still get my pulse up. Departing runway 1 in DCA banking over the Pentagon, shooting the RV to 19 there on a calm night, the Expressway Visual in LGA, breaking out on top in a climbing turn, cloud surfing at 300 knots, shooting an ILS to mins breaking out at 200' above with the entire approach light system lit up, flying with the lights on in the snow where it looks like going warp speed in star wars, trouble shooting mx problems with an on-call guy who has no clue what to do, etc.
This job can be as intellectually stimulating as you want it to be. You can come to work and zone out, or you can take it as far as you want. Both are fine and will get the job done.
At 8.5 years I was a CA for 4 and averaged 94k/yr. I made the most as a RSV CA and made 101k that year plus another 5k in "per diem that isn't income but pays the bills the same as my regular wage does". My last year was spent commuting and my W2 shows $93k, that's zero open time pickup what so ever working a regular line schedule for max days off.
At 34 you might have to take some shortcuts, go to Great Lakes for example to upgrade QUICK get some TPIC and bolt. It works, lots of guys are hired from there, their training program is no joke and they produce a lot of competent pilots. If you can do something like that I'd seriously consider it. If you are married/have kids/people to support it's going to be tough and you need to realize you might never make it to where you want to be.
This job can be as intellectually stimulating as you want it to be. You can come to work and zone out, or you can take it as far as you want. Both are fine and will get the job done.
At 8.5 years I was a CA for 4 and averaged 94k/yr. I made the most as a RSV CA and made 101k that year plus another 5k in "per diem that isn't income but pays the bills the same as my regular wage does". My last year was spent commuting and my W2 shows $93k, that's zero open time pickup what so ever working a regular line schedule for max days off.
At 34 you might have to take some shortcuts, go to Great Lakes for example to upgrade QUICK get some TPIC and bolt. It works, lots of guys are hired from there, their training program is no joke and they produce a lot of competent pilots. If you can do something like that I'd seriously consider it. If you are married/have kids/people to support it's going to be tough and you need to realize you might never make it to where you want to be.
Retired in SAN
Time to return to the saddle..
Or "Aviation Management"
rwgb1984
Well-Known Member
I know my experience is anything but substantial. (Possibly elementary at best, hilariously feeble at worst!). But, if there is one thing I have learned, it's that I have learned more about flying within the last two years (where I have done the least amount of flying) as I did in the first three years of flying. And all of that learning really just relates to a better understanding of the decision making process and accepting the fact that for the first half of my aviation adventure I was immature, arrogant and extremely dangerous.
Extremely dangerous not because I took unnecessary risk, but because I am what my most recent instructor calls a "box checker." Instructor BTW is a retired, 51,000 hr guy who has worked for Braniff and a list of other airlines. Has time in 727's, 747's, etc... to name a few and owns and flies regularly a piper commanche 250.
I cannot agree more with your comments! I hope one day to finally finish my commercial ticket so that I can instruct and hopefully contribute a little more productively to the training of future airmen.
staledog
Well-Known Member
Should be noted that the last several posts, while they may be correct, are primarily concerned with flying for the airlines and assume you will go that route. Don't forget that there are many other types of flying out there. The airlines aren't for everybody.
Personally I like corporate/charter, you get to visit lots of different random places and often get to stay more than one night, so you can really get out and explore things.
Personally I like corporate/charter, you get to visit lots of different random places and often get to stay more than one night, so you can really get out and explore things.