Taking the plunge...

[ThunderMonkey]

Hi Folks!
You guessed it, somebody else thinking they can fly for a living. I have finally decided to get the endorsements and throw my hat in the ring. I've been with the National Park Service for just over 17 years and now I think its time for a change at the tender young age of 38.

I have 55hr TT in pusute of my PPL. I started towards this rating in 1998 back at Herlong filed near JAX Florida and accomlpished all the requirments except 2 more hours of solo and my checkride. Never finished the PPL - finished a lousy mariage instead!

I recently started logging hours at an FBO up in LIT. Slow going. The schedule for aircraft and instruction is frequently filled on my days off, it takes a 1.5 hr drive one-way to reach the FBO, and the weather here in AR has sucked!

I'm thinking about resigning my current job and moving home to Florida to give ATP or Delta Connection Academy a shot. The other possibility is Skymates down in TX or Career Pilot School near Kansas City. I'm going to tour the two Florida schools next week and the others soon after.

This forum has been a tremendous resource thus far, but, I'm still looking for an objective critque of the aformentioned schools.

Any thoughts?

[NotCoolEnufToFly]

Originally Posted by ThunderMonkey

....the weather here in AR has sucked!

Where at in SE Arkansas?

[ThunderMonkey]

I'm stationed down in wonderfull, metropolitan Dumas, AR!! I've been making the drive up to Central when I can afford it and the wind is not over 20kts - which is every freakin day.

[NotCoolEnufToFly]

Originally Posted by ThunderMonkey

I'm stationed down in wonderfull, metropolitan Dumas, AR!! I've been making the drive up to Central when I can afford it and the wind is not over 20kts - which is every freakin day.

I'm sorry! I love Arkansas. I've lived here since I was 2 but SE Arkansas SUCKS!!! My brother is in Dermott, so I'm familiar with the Dumas area.

Which FBO in LIT are you using?

[ThunderMonkey]

Yeah S.E. AR does indeed suck! I like Little Rock (the saucer rocks!) and F-ville/Rogers area. I've been going to Central, but I think I'm going to hold off until I can attend a full-time pro course.

[NotCoolEnufToFly]

Originally Posted by ThunderMonkey

Yeah S.E. AR does indeed suck! I like Little Rock (the saucer rocks!) and F-ville/Rogers area. I've been going to Central, but I think I'm going to hold off until I can attend a full-time pro course.

I just took my discovery flight at Central with an instructor named Chris. I like that FBO a lot but Barrett Aviation in North Little Rock is going to be $40 a lesson cheaper so I've decided on them.

You go to the Flying Saucer?

[ElyJs]

Keep your job and buy an airplane. If you have the funds to go to a big school you can afford to throw 10% down and make payments for a 20 year term. You will be able to build a lot of time while still living close to home and working for the forest service.

-Jason

[Stoneage]

I would advise against quitting your job until you have explored all of your alternatives. Does your employer have a leave of absence program? Even if they do no one may actually know anything about it so it may take some research on your part. A leave of absence commonly gives you 6 to 12 months off without pay but keeps your senority and pay rate as long as you return within the allotted time.
From where you are at now in your training you could get your Private on two weeks of vacation, probably get some instrument training in also. Once you have your licence you can start flying some of the hours you will need for your Instrument & Commercial. The income from your job can certainly help to pay for this expense.
Be sure to consider the benefits (Medical, retirement) you would lose if you up and quit your job today. I am all for pursuing a career in aviation, just do it carefully. First schedule an FAA Medical exam, study for your written (you can do this at home). Pass your written. Become a miser and save every penny you can, pay off as much debt as possible, sell off stuff you don't need (like the second car). Try to find somewhere to do a finish-up for your private. Also make sure you can get an examiner, for the checkride, within the allotted time. I prefer part 61 training it takes more hours but often won't cost anymore for your ratings.

Best Wishes
--StoneAge

[ThunderMonkey]

Originally Posted by Stoneage

I would advise against quitting your job until you have explored all of your alternatives. Does your employer have a leave of absence program? Even if they do no one may actually know anything about it so it may take some research on your part. A leave of absence commonly gives you 6 to 12 months off without pay but keeps your senority and pay rate as long as you return within the allotted time.
From where you are at now in your training you could get your Private on two weeks of vacation, probably get some instrument training in also. Once you have your licence you can start flying some of the hours you will need for your Instrument & Commercial. The income from your job can certainly help to pay for this expense.
Be sure to consider the benefits (Medical, retirement) you would lose if you up and quit your job today. I am all for pursuing a career in aviation, just do it carefully. First schedule an FAA Medical exam, study for your written (you can do this at home). Pass your written. Become a miser and save every penny you can, pay off as much debt as possible, sell off stuff you don't need (like the second car). Try to find somewhere to do a finish-up for your private. Also make sure you can get an examiner, for the checkride, within the allotted time. I prefer part 61 training it takes more hours but often won't cost anymore for your ratings.

Best Wishes
--StoneAge

My wife and I already sold the second vehicle. Our house is on the market, once it sells we will go back to the apartment life for a couple of years. She is also with the same agency and plans on staying for the time being, so we get to keep the benifets. I already have $30, 000.00 saved up for training.

I took my written back in 98' and will take it again soon since it has been nearly ten years. As for the leave of absence - thats' a good idea! I have abot two weeks of paid leave right and abot three months of sick leave saved up. Hmm...wonder if I can call in sick for a couple of months. Oh yeah, I already have my first class medical.

I already talked to Mike up at Career Pilot School about a ten day finish up for my PPL. Looks' like I will give that shot in the near future.
The nice thing about working for the fed is I have life-time re-hire status with the agency. This isn't a gaurantee, but it makes it much easier if I want to come back or hook up with a job flying CA-172s for the NPS later on. The job security is nice here, however most folks I talk to have an erroneous impression of what a National Park Ranger does everyday. I spend nearly nine hours a work day behind a computer in an office with no windows. But hey, at least its in a National Park! We are also forced to live in parts of the country (despite my seniority) that they could'nt pay me to...hey wait a second...

Oh well, enough of the negative. Thanks for the advice!

Ray

[Stoneage]

Ray,
Sounds like you are off to a good start. With benefits covered, cash to pay for training and most importantly a wife who is supportive.
You might want to check with a couple of other places for training, just to compare them. I would recommend that you make sure they will rent you a plane after you get your Private so you can use your new license right away, especially if you get done in fewer days than allotted. See what endorsements you might be able to get there if you have time (high performance, ect.) and at what price. Be sure to find out what each place offers and what is included at what price. Try to have your written passed before leaving on your training/vacation.
With all of that sick time, maybe you could be sick on a few Fridays, or Thursday and Friday, and have some training weekends at an FBO somewhere that is not too far away, has reasonable prices and good aircraft & instructor availability. You cold get some flying hours and training in that way. Once you have your Private you could get 3-6 hours of instrument instruction and 3-6 hours of VFR cross country time on a Three day weekend with decent weather, more on a four day weekend. If the weather is forcast to be crappy, cancel with the FBO and don't call in sick. Incidentally, your cross county flights are a good way to check out other FBOs, for rental aircraft price, condition and availbility. You might even meet someone to split safety pilot time with.

Best Wishes
-- StoneAge