Hello from a career changer!

charlie1017 · October 27th, 2007, 16:27

Hi everybody!

This is my very first post at jetcareers! I'm a 26 year old graduate student who has been in love with aviation since childhood! My parents discouraged me from becoming a professional pilot, so I went to college and then to grad school in a field that interested me (though not as much as aviation) at the time ... In the meantime, I was able to get the private certificate and the instrument rating... Currently I have about 180TT, and I've been thinking about getting the Commercial (part 61), ME and CFI next summer (through an FBO), and be a CFI part time as I finish the degree (late 2009).
Now what I'm a bit uncertain about is what happens after... I plan maybe on staying as a CFI (full time) for a year after graduation, but I don't know what's the best route to go after that to get a job at a regional carrier... Also, I'll be getting the Commercial SEL first and then Multi as an addon, so I'll only have ~15 hours Multi... is it better to buy the hours to get to 100 multi or be an MEI? There's only one multi plane at the school and it doesn't seem to get that many students...
I look forward to the advice and ideas from all of you

!

dc3flyer · October 27th, 2007, 18:54

Welcome aboard!!!!!!!!

If you are a CFI at a local FBO, or even do some contract CFI work, chances are good that you will get a little multi somewhere down the line. After I got my CFI, I have not paid for another hour of flight time. Some people do and that is okay, but I chose not to. (I did pay for some gas frmo time to time, but not for the aircraft.) Everyone's situations are different.

skidz · October 27th, 2007, 19:52

Hi

The way I see it it doesn't hurt to have it all

mooneyguy · October 27th, 2007, 21:02

Hello, and welcome to JC! Sounds like you have a great plan! The cfi thing is a GREAT step to the airlines! Dig in and read a lot here, there is some great advise to be had!

jlauzer · October 28th, 2007, 12:23

Welcome to JC!

I would recommend CFI'ing until you have the required hours. Make sure the school you instruct at has a twin and multi students. Get your MEI, and you will be set. Obviously the larger the school, the more opportunities you have to get multi students. The 600 to 1000 hours you spend as an instructor will be the best time you've ever spent. Use the opportunity to keep learning and sharpening your skills.

charlie1017 · October 28th, 2007, 18:07

Thanks for the advice! Sounds like getting the MEI is the way to go!

I have another question: Should I be a CFI until I get to Part 135 minimums?

Also, is it true that hiring frenzy at the regionals will continue for the next few years? I say this claim in an ad, so I figured I could ask about this at JC!

mooneyguy · October 28th, 2007, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie1017

Thanks for the advice! Sounds like getting the MEI is the way to go!

I have another question: Should I be a CFI until I get to Part 135 minimums?

Also, is it true that hiring frenzy at the regionals will continue for the next few years? I say this claim in an ad, so I figured I could ask about this at JC!

Well, I'm no expert, but I have seen that the FAA predicts a 45% increase in air travel by the year 2012...45% in the next four years! Then take into consideration the amount of pilots nearing the 60 age limit...there are a lot, even if they can prolong it to 65, ok thats still still going to increase a need over the next 5 years. We are becomming (or have become) a global society. Air travel is going to increase I think for some time. Of course lets not forget about the business sector how many VLJ's are likely to pop up over the next several years. I have heard there is something like 3000 orders (for all vljs) right now, of people waiting for theirs to be produced!
According to a report by Boeing “Worldwide economic growth will average 2.9% a year, but market demand for commercial airplane services will more than double the world’s fleet by 2024".
I think its a great time for us wanna be's!!!

Cjordan · October 29th, 2007, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooneyguy

I think its a great time for us wanna be's!!!

As a fellow wannabe, I hope so too!

Flying Crutchman · October 29th, 2007, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooneyguy

Well, I'm no expert, but I have seen that the FAA predicts a 45% increase in air travel by the year 2012...45% in the next four years! Then take into consideration the amount of pilots nearing the 60 age limit...there are a lot, even if they can prolong it to 65, ok thats still still going to increase a need over the next 5 years. We are becomming (or have become) a global society. Air travel is going to increase I think for some time. Of course lets not forget about the business sector how many VLJ's are likely to pop up over the next several years. I have heard there is something like 3000 orders (for all vljs) right now, of people waiting for theirs to be produced!
According to a report by Boeing “Worldwide economic growth will average 2.9% a year, but market demand for commercial airplane services will more than double the world’s fleet by 2024".
I think its a great time for us wanna be's!!!

Nice to read a positive post instead of all the typical doom and gloom

unclenobby · November 9th, 2007, 08:08

Hey Charlie, sounds like a good plan. I'm in a similar situation myself, just got the private and working on the instrument now at weekends. My plan is to work full time, (I don't want to take on huge debt) get all or nearly all my certs and start instructing then, either full time or part time (depending on how things look by then!). Are you flying out of KBED?

charlie1017 · November 13th, 2007, 12:58

Yep I fly out KBED. I fly with Executive Flyers... Awesome FBO!

GADD45B · November 13th, 2007, 14:40

Hi Charlie,
Just curious, what are you working on in graduate school? Your situation sounds identical to mine. I too am a graduate student and was able to earn all of my ratings up through MEI part time (weekends and early mornings) while still in school. It took me 2 yrs to get the ratings and I've been instructing for 2 yrs. So it is doable. The problem is, your graduate work WILL suffer and your time in school will be prolonged, just from the time your mind is on aviation and not trying to finish school! I hope to finish up school in the next 6-12months and then will have that tough decision of whether to go for the airlines or not.

charlie1017 · November 14th, 2007, 12:44

Hey,

I'm working on a PhD in Physics. It is true that the grad work suffers big time once you have in mind going to aviation for a living. The good thing is that the grad student pay is about as bad as the lower paying regionals so I'm used to that kind of QOL

.

unclenobby · November 14th, 2007, 16:32

Yea, I did my private at EF on one of the 152's. I liked the school, mostly because I had a great instructor. I'm currently flying out of Plymouth for the IR, which is a little more economical since you can only do the IR at EF on the Skyhawks at 130+hr (and ins rates went up to $55hr). They also advertise that you can do the IR in the warrior at a more reasonable price but it's not IR certified!
I'm saving at least $40 an hour on those rates although the drive down to PYM from Boston kind of sucks....you can't win 'em all I suppose!!

October 27th, 2007, 16:27	#1
charlie1017 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 381	Hello from a career changer! Hi everybody! This is my very first post at jetcareers! I'm a 26 year old graduate student who has been in love with aviation since childhood! My parents discouraged me from becoming a professional pilot, so I went to college and then to grad school in a field that interested me (though not as much as aviation) at the time ... In the meantime, I was able to get the private certificate and the instrument rating... Currently I have about 180TT, and I've been thinking about getting the Commercial (part 61), ME and CFI next summer (through an FBO), and be a CFI part time as I finish the degree (late 2009). Now what I'm a bit uncertain about is what happens after... I plan maybe on staying as a CFI (full time) for a year after graduation, but I don't know what's the best route to go after that to get a job at a regional carrier... Also, I'll be getting the Commercial SEL first and then Multi as an addon, so I'll only have ~15 hours Multi... is it better to buy the hours to get to 100 multi or be an MEI? There's only one multi plane at the school and it doesn't seem to get that many students... I look forward to the advice and ideas from all of you !

October 27th, 2007, 18:54	#2
dc3flyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Everywhere Posts: 1,108	Re: Hello from a career changer! Welcome aboard!!!!!!!! If you are a CFI at a local FBO, or even do some contract CFI work, chances are good that you will get a little multi somewhere down the line. After I got my CFI, I have not paid for another hour of flight time. Some people do and that is okay, but I chose not to. (I did pay for some gas frmo time to time, but not for the aircraft.) Everyone's situations are different. __________________ Paid to wait.... Fly for fun!

October 27th, 2007, 19:52	#3
skidz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Trollbane Posts: 1,464	Re: Hello from a career changer! Hi The way I see it it doesn't hurt to have it all __________________ Private pilot, instrument Embry-Riddle Alumnus USN Active http://forums.jetcareers.com/changin...nfessions.html

October 27th, 2007, 21:02	#4
mooneyguy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 506	Re: Hello from a career changer! Hello, and welcome to JC! Sounds like you have a great plan! The cfi thing is a GREAT step to the airlines! Dig in and read a lot here, there is some great advise to be had! __________________ FLY SAFE <>< Tim CMEL CSEL CFI CFII http://desiretofly.blogspot.com/

October 28th, 2007, 12:23	#5
jlauzer Newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 18	Re: Hello from a career changer! Welcome to JC! I would recommend CFI'ing until you have the required hours. Make sure the school you instruct at has a twin and multi students. Get your MEI, and you will be set. Obviously the larger the school, the more opportunities you have to get multi students. The 600 to 1000 hours you spend as an instructor will be the best time you've ever spent. Use the opportunity to keep learning and sharpening your skills.

October 28th, 2007, 18:07	#6
charlie1017 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 381	Re: Hello from a career changer! Thanks for the advice! Sounds like getting the MEI is the way to go! I have another question: Should I be a CFI until I get to Part 135 minimums? Also, is it true that hiring frenzy at the regionals will continue for the next few years? I say this claim in an ad, so I figured I could ask about this at JC!

November 9th, 2007, 08:08	#10
unclenobby Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Beantown Posts: 88	Re: Hello from a career changer! Hey Charlie, sounds like a good plan. I'm in a similar situation myself, just got the private and working on the instrument now at weekends. My plan is to work full time, (I don't want to take on huge debt) get all or nearly all my certs and start instructing then, either full time or part time (depending on how things look by then!). Are you flying out of KBED?

November 13th, 2007, 12:58	#11
charlie1017 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 381	Re: Hello from a career changer! Yep I fly out KBED. I fly with Executive Flyers... Awesome FBO!

November 13th, 2007, 14:40	#12
GADD45B Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 51	Re: Hello from a career changer! Hi Charlie, Just curious, what are you working on in graduate school? Your situation sounds identical to mine. I too am a graduate student and was able to earn all of my ratings up through MEI part time (weekends and early mornings) while still in school. It took me 2 yrs to get the ratings and I've been instructing for 2 yrs. So it is doable. The problem is, your graduate work WILL suffer and your time in school will be prolonged, just from the time your mind is on aviation and not trying to finish school! I hope to finish up school in the next 6-12months and then will have that tough decision of whether to go for the airlines or not.

November 14th, 2007, 12:44	#13
charlie1017 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 381	Re: Hello from a career changer! Hey, I'm working on a PhD in Physics. It is true that the grad work suffers big time once you have in mind going to aviation for a living. The good thing is that the grad student pay is about as bad as the lower paying regionals so I'm used to that kind of QOL.

November 14th, 2007, 16:32	#14
unclenobby Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Beantown Posts: 88	Re: Hello from a career changer! Yea, I did my private at EF on one of the 152's. I liked the school, mostly because I had a great instructor. I'm currently flying out of Plymouth for the IR, which is a little more economical since you can only do the IR at EF on the Skyhawks at 130+hr (and ins rates went up to $55hr). They also advertise that you can do the IR in the warrior at a more reasonable price but it's not IR certified! I'm saving at least $40 an hour on those rates although the drive down to PYM from Boston kind of sucks....you can't win 'em all I suppose!! Last edited by unclenobby; November 14th, 2007 at 16:56.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode