Pilot Mentors

JEP · March 8th, 2006, 22:03

Just curious if anyone has any experience with a mentor in aviation. I have heard AOPA has some type of mentor program but not seen much about it. I believe Doug has mentioned he had one when starting out and was wondering about others.

I would say I am not the typical (if there is such a thing) aviation student. I've been in the I.T. field since the late 80's and grown tired of the cubicle world. The job provides the salary to continue my training towards my eventual goal of flying for a living.

While I am slightly younger than R2F, I see him as taking a route that I am aiming for, myself being a career changer.

When I think of mentors, I usually think of the experienced individual helping/guiding the 'just out of college' crowd. I know that is probably a stereotype, but that's what comes to mind right off the bat.

And yes, I know there are plenty of experienced pilots here. I am just wondering if others have had mentors they know on a more personal basis besides a web forum. In no way am I knocking JC, as I have met some great people here. I am just curious what others experience may be.

adreamer · March 8th, 2006, 22:18

It would be good, especially he / she knows a lot of local pilots. This will come in handy when you start to instruct. Well, I have one guy who are guiding me through CFI stuffs at MI, such which examiner to use...etc. He also introduces me about FAA safety council and so on. Because of him, I am starting to get some connections around good ole DTW area.

adreamer

notawannabee · March 8th, 2006, 22:44

QuoTe ^ And yes, I know there are plenty of experienced pilots here. I am just wondering if others have had mentors they know on a more personal basis besides a web forum. In no way am I knocking JC, as I have met some great people here. I am just curious what others experience may be.

If you know there are plenty of experienced pilots here, just ask : "please be my mentor ". There's no shame ! We've all kissed butt before, right ? (Well not all of us). I don't see how another person's mentoring experience is going to help you. Go to the airport and find one.

blee256 · March 8th, 2006, 22:56

Before i even started my first hour of training, i found a mentor at pilotmentornetwork.com I dont know if it still exists. But we still keep in contact and he has helped me on several occasion. When i first started I asked him basic things like "does it matter if i do my training ina 172 or 152" and last year I had options at a couple different regionals so i asked him for advice.

At my current airline while you are in training, they assign a Capt. to your mentor at the airline. To answer questions about jumpseating, bidding, seniority, or any other questiona newbie pilot might have. I think its a function of ALPA more than the company.

It couldnt hurt to have a mentor. I am glad i have one.

JEP · March 8th, 2006, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by notawannabee

.....We've all kissed butt before, right ?

First off, it's not about kissing butt. If that's your view of a mentor you may want to change it.

Quote:

I don't see how another person's mentoring experience is going to help you.

Judging by the statement you made above I could see how you would think it wouldn't help. Their experience would help in the same way that it would help if I was inquiring about different training programs.

Windchill · March 9th, 2006, 09:22

AOPA has a program called Project Pilot. It ties in to their theory that an individual is more apt to continue training if they have a mentor to help them along ... in a GA sense.

I haven't actually found a student to follow all the way through, but I've had quite a few students email me with questions and follow-up questions.

My way of sharing the joy that is flight.

JEP · March 10th, 2006, 01:23

...

AP2B · March 10th, 2006, 12:42

Jep, I know this is about a pilot mentor for you and all, but I'm looking to follow in your foot steps a bit. I'm 26 and done with Active Duty(until the next deployment???). Anyway, I've got about 2.5 years of school left until I complete my CIS degree. I think I'm going to focus on coding because I think databases would make me go postal, and I want to create. I'm 50% done with the IR and hopefully I'll have my commercial ticket when I finish school. I'd be down for putting off the four year degree until later and flying now, but it's just not in the cards. So all this hopefully puts me at ATP for my instructor certs somwhere around 30. I know it's going to be tough, but you've already been where I aspire to go. If it's cool Jep I'd like to know that I could hit you up for advice/insight if needed....Maybe this should've been a P.M....sorry all.

March 8th, 2006, 22:18	#2
adreamer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: AZO Posts: 1,424	It would be good, especially he / she knows a lot of local pilots. This will come in handy when you start to instruct. Well, I have one guy who are guiding me through CFI stuffs at MI, such which examiner to use...etc. He also introduces me about FAA safety council and so on. Because of him, I am starting to get some connections around good ole DTW area. adreamer __________________ CFI/CFII/MEI/Right seat

March 8th, 2006, 22:56	#4
blee256 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: lower canada Posts: 1,666	Before i even started my first hour of training, i found a mentor at pilotmentornetwork.com I dont know if it still exists. But we still keep in contact and he has helped me on several occasion. When i first started I asked him basic things like "does it matter if i do my training ina 172 or 152" and last year I had options at a couple different regionals so i asked him for advice. At my current airline while you are in training, they assign a Capt. to your mentor at the airline. To answer questions about jumpseating, bidding, seniority, or any other questiona newbie pilot might have. I think its a function of ALPA more than the company. It couldnt hurt to have a mentor. I am glad i have one. __________________ According to a report by Goldman Sachs economists, "the most important contributor to higher profit margins over the past five years has been a decline in labor's share of national income."

March 9th, 2006, 09:22	#6
Windchill Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-Atlantic, KMRB Posts: 1,925	AOPA has a program called Project Pilot. It ties in to their theory that an individual is more apt to continue training if they have a mentor to help them along ... in a GA sense. I haven't actually found a student to follow all the way through, but I've had quite a few students email me with questions and follow-up questions. My way of sharing the joy that is flight. __________________ Ray II PPL [ASEL] *"If it can be taught--I can teach it!* -- Windchill High School Teacher Private Pilot, ASEL AOPA Air Safety Foundation www.aopa.org/asf

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March 8th, 2006, 22:44	#3
notawannabee Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 217	QuoTe ^ And yes, I know there are plenty of experienced pilots here. I am just wondering if others have had mentors they know on a more personal basis besides a web forum. In no way am I knocking JC, as I have met some great people here. I am just curious what others experience may be. If you know there are plenty of experienced pilots here, just ask : "please be my mentor ". There's no shame ! We've all kissed butt before, right ? (Well not all of us). I don't see how another person's mentoring experience is going to help you. Go to the airport and find one.

March 10th, 2006, 12:42	#8
AP2B Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The IND SOC / TYQ Posts: 659	Jep, I know this is about a pilot mentor for you and all, but I'm looking to follow in your foot steps a bit. I'm 26 and done with Active Duty(until the next deployment???). Anyway, I've got about 2.5 years of school left until I complete my CIS degree. I think I'm going to focus on coding because I think databases would make me go postal, and I want to create. I'm 50% done with the IR and hopefully I'll have my commercial ticket when I finish school. I'd be down for putting off the four year degree until later and flying now, but it's just not in the cards. So all this hopefully puts me at ATP for my instructor certs somwhere around 30. I know it's going to be tough, but you've already been where I aspire to go. If it's cool Jep I'd like to know that I could hit you up for advice/insight if needed....Maybe this should've been a P.M....sorry all.