So, I am a Mech. Engineer, but I want to fly......

[AgonxJET]

I have been wanting to be a Pilot since I was three years old. A bit about me. I was born in Cuba. I grew up right across from Jose Marti Intl. I had the chance to come to the USA when I was 15 and now, at 24, with a BSME; I still want to become a Pilot. I am about to become a US Citizen and I thinking about joining the Navy or Marines and try to persue a Career as a Naval Aviator. I do not care about the type of plane as long as I am on an airplane. I do not have to fly an F/A-18 to be happy, but it would be a thrill. I have been told by some Pilots to keep my daytime job and fly on the side. Now, If I do join the Navy they might want me as a Nuke. What can I do? I am biking everyday (10 to 15 miles a day at 15 MPH Avg.) to get back in better shape (Not that I am too fat or anything) and I was thinking on getting a class I and see if I pass it (You never know health can be funny sometimes). What do you guys recommend?

well for now, enough of this bad paragraph.

Thank you all in advance.

Alex

[Frank_Rizzo]

In college I did 3 years of Mechanical Engineering and just fell out of love with it as I fell in love with flying so I can appreciate your standing. Go out and at least get your Private license. This might be difficult just out of school but it you can see how bad you really want this as recreation or a career. As far as having your ME and contemplating military service, I can't think of a better bang up job resume than that. As you might know A/P mechanics usually do quite well, sometimes better than us pilots and the military does train great mechanics. That income level later in your career would certainly allow for some flying and possibly aircraft ownership. Nonetheless if you do become commercially licensed an ME is great to fall back on when the day comes. Hope this helps, I believe I have seen a few military experienced mechanics and aviators on JC so they could perhaps give more here.

[AgonxJET]

I did not fall out of love with engineering. I still like it very much and the fact that I can be part of great products and/or projects and see them completed makes me happy. It is very rewarding. I simply LOVE flying more than I do seating on the ground. If I cannot be a Pilot in the Navy I could be a Nuclear Engineer and it pays really well for what I understand (Huge Bonuses). I could serve my 20 years and then work for a DoD contractor and make even more money. I could even get a Masters while I am at it and perhaps a PhD. I could own a plane with a mechanic on the side. I am not sure what to do at this point. I do think that I should get a PPL, but I am trying to pay my debt faster (School loans and crap). I am a huge aviation nerd. I play MSFS like if it was real (VATSIM, for those who might play it).


Alex

[skidz]

You can have a rewarding career whether you go nuclear or any kind of officer in the navy. Take into account that you will need a security clearance as well as citizenship. The naval aviator slot is very competetive from what I hear. I think you'll be doing great with your degree no matter what you do. If you want to fly for living just go and get all the ratings in a reasonable time and start flying. If you just wanna fly for fun then get any other job that pays good and fly whenever you can.

[desertdog71]

I am a career changer so I am all for pursuing aviation. However I HATED what I did before this. If you still love what you do and came make some decent coin doing it, I'd say take your pilot buddies advice and fly on the side. Good luck whatever you choose.

[AgonxJET]

Originally Posted by skidz

You can have a rewarding career whether you go nuclear or any kind of officer in the navy. Take into account that you will need a security clearance as well as citizenship. The naval aviator slot is very competetive from what I hear. I think you'll be doing great with your degree no matter what you do. If you want to fly for living just go and get all the ratings in a reasonable time and start flying. If you just wanna fly for fun then get any other job that pays good and fly whenever you can.

I am about to become a Citizen so no worries there. I am just researching and learning about my options.


Alex

[usafa18]

navy,af,guard... all very difficult do get these slots, and u will need much more then just your (ME) degree, and this is coming from a (ME) student, they look for over all persona, they want to see dedication… achieving a (ME) degree is a lot of it… but it doesn’t speak volumes about your passion for aviation, or to serve, they like to see people with PPL and such so they see that you’re a aviation enthusiast and not just someone that thinks it would be cool job to do, remember actions speak louder then words (FLIGHT TIME, will go a long ways)… also they want to see leadership, people that have reached out to the community and helped others, did you work during college? if so how many hours? They want to see the hardships you have had and overcome, there looking for people that have the best chances to succeed in a long rigorous training cycle. Then you have to get passed the physicals, some of this is God given important necessities that not everyone has, if your blood pressure is to high or your to short/tall, it wont happen... there was a guy that washed out b/c he gets sick above a certain altitude, there was nothing he could do about and lost his place… another very important factor is your attitude and how well you can “mesh” with the squadron and other crew members, you can have a PhD, but if you’re a arrogant, then you don’t stand a chance. In your case, you’re not yet a citizen, not only that but you are just becoming one, not saying it’s impossible but I would think that would put you at a disadvantage. if you get passed all of that then the hard stuff starts…. BUT, this is all I have learned from “stories” “forums” asking questions and talking to pilots, I could be wrong, but I do know if your not willing to risk your life and die for this country, the military is not your place. good luck

cheers

[charlie1017]

Hey,

I definitely agree with the others that you should at least start getting the PPL -even if it's only a few hours-; coming from an MSFS gamer since 1993 (gosh I'm old!), flying in the real world is a whole new ball game... and the military is even more serious business nowadays.

Saludos de un puertorriqueño!

[wrxpilot]

I'm a former ME engineer (2001 grad)... I really enjoyed it in school, and figured it'd be only career for life while possibly flying on the side. Then I started doing it in the real world and quickly realized how much I hated sitting in front of a computer and being in multiple meetings every week. I tried a couple of different eng jobs, and did pretty well but hated each one just as bad. Fortunately I had flying to keep me from getting too discouraged, and was able to pay off my debts from college while also paying for my flight training. I quit the engineering gig in May and started the CFI thing in July and am MUCH happier. So far I wouldn't change anything about how I did this...

[granlistillo]

Originally Posted by AgonxJET

Now, If I do join the Navy they might want me as a Nuke.

The Navy wants Officers, not pilots. You will have significant duties apart from flying, even when you are in a squadron. You may have non flying tours as well.

If you don't want to be a nuke, don't list it as a choice, or you will get it, I am guessing. But I wouldn't want to tell a selection board, it is pilot or nothing. Good luck.