Quote:
Originally Posted by bartman  Jack,
Just found this forum and I've really been enjoying what I've read so far. I was really interested when I read your thread because I'm from Calgary, over 40, working in IT and wanting to dump it for a career in the clouds. Unfortunately I don't think I have the resources or the understanding wife for it right now. I'm probably going to aim for getting my private license and then see what happens after that. Keep us updated on your progress, I'm really interested to hear how you make out.
Where are you taking your ground school? Are you planning on taking your flight training at the International or Springbank?
-Bart |
Hiya Bart,
Small world eh?
I had originally planned on doing the training at Morgan Air over at Calgary International so that I had lots of experience working in that major commercial and professional environment. However, I re-thought the $25-Per-Touchdown-Federal-Landing-Fee-Tax, and decided that Revenue Canada already steals enough of my hard-earned and limited cash each year, that I was not going to voluntarily hand over more to them just for the privilige of flying!
So, that being said, I did lot of looking, and finally decided to go to Calgary Flying Club at the Springbank airport. As heavy traffic airport time was important to me (for several reasons), Springback was the next best choice, as it is "apparently" the 7th busiest airport in Canada, due to its close proximity to Calgary International. So the school assured me that I would still get lots of experience in a heavy environment, as well as not having the longs departure waits from CLGY INT, then long trip over to the training areas (all with the Hobbs turning over). And if you think about how much traffic from Springbank passes over head when your at Calaway Park in the summer, its probably true
. I know I spend as much time looking up as the planes pass overhead, as I do watching my kids on the rides
.
Lastly, my decision for CFC was cemented when one of the principals there (an older guy like me), guaranteed me a job as a CFI with them once I finished it there. So, thats that... long answer to a short question
AS for YOUR resources Bart... well... if you're like me and own a home here in Calgary, then you've most likely profited from the boom we had, although it has slowed down now. Once you reach the Regional Airlines minimum times, around 400-500 TT as per advice on this web site, you can move down to the US. (we lived there for just over 5 years, in 4 differnet states, and loved it. We wanna move back and become citizens one day... anyway, its a great place, and I'm sure you and you're wife would love it too, not to mention the adventure
) So anyway, once you meet the mins, apply, interview and get hired by a Regional, you can move there. So, when you sell you house here, you'll have fi####ls of cash
to see you through the dry spell, perhaps covering those holes made by the low 1st thru 3rd year Regional FO Salaries, until you upgrade to CA... pehaps your wife can continue her employment down there too..
Further to that, any money you spend on your flight training to get to those minimums, you can deduct under Education/Training expenses in your Canadian Income Tax returns once you are actually hired into a paying commercial position as a pilot... so maybe that will take some of the sting out of it for your wife...
My buddy and I are both doing it together, and are heading over to CFC to begin Ground School starting Jan 7th.
Maybe as a 1st step, you could jpin us at Ground School? IF that sounds like something you'd like to do, ping me with an email and we can exchange contact information. You are more than welcome to join my buddy and I as we begin. That way, you're not going alone, and we can study/push each other together (thats my buddy and I's plan).
I hope this helps Bart.
Cheers.