Looking for some advise

[Mac51]

To any and all that is willing to shed some light and help me out. Thank you for your time. I have just begun my private pilot training and due to weather here in cincinnati I have only got 4 hrs logged. I have done alot of ground time and dedicate my off time to learning all that I can. I am thinking it is time to let the fire department go and do what I want for the rest of my life. Which so far is flying. I love being a firefighter/paramedic but the day of burn out is coming fast and really cant see myself doing this for the rest of my life. I am looking for some advise as to how to make the best move into being a pilot. I am now 26 and do not want to look back and say I wasted the last 6 years of my life. I have read and called several training schools but am unsure which one to take, or direction to go. Again thanks for your time and stay safe up there.

[BobDDuck]

Hey, I'm just up the road from you in Dayton. The weather has been AWFUL for newbie pilots the past few weeks.

Here's my suggestion...

The weather WILL get better in a month or so. I'd stick out what you're doing for now and get your private the way you are doing it. If it's something you really want to do (and it sounds like it) you could very easily have your private done by mid Spring. Once you get that, you'll have a much better sense of how much you enjoy flying and if you really want to do it as a career. At that point you can decide if, it is in fact what you want to do, you are going to truck through the rest of your ratings locally, or head of to an academy sort of place to do it. Both options have their pluses and minuses, and if you do some reading on this site, I'm sure you'll see them all (multiple times). Don't feel rushed right now. 26 is plenty young to get started. Heck, otherwise I'd be old, and I don't want that.

Also, there is a member on this site, Bumblebee (his name is Dale) who used to be a firefighter and is now a pilot for Skywest. He may be able to shed some light on that specific career switch.

Good luck to ya.

[SaberFlyer]

Hey Mac,
Firstly, welcome to JC. Great place to get answers to most of your aviation related questions. Anyway, I am really close to your situation and I have also been trying to figure out the best way to get to where I want. Eventually, after a while, by being here, I figured out that there is alot of different perspectives here which helps you make a decision. What I realized was that I am waiting to graduate from college, which alot of the pilots recommend it, then am going to an accelerated program to become a CFI. After that its the experience and the time you'll gain by being a CFI thats going to make you attractive to employers. Now having said that, its not the only way. You can build hours different ways which alot of pilots are going to let you know. Typically, an FBO route is going to be another suggestion, being a slower and cheaper alternative way of getting your wings. This way you can pay as you go if you don't have the immediate need to become employed (which I do). Also, that way you wont have debt (depending on your financial situation) and be comfortable in what your doing. BTW with the 6 yrs regret thing, with any job, you wont regret finding what you like to do for the rest of your life. Most pilots that I've read up on dont regret anything that they had to go through to become an aviator, even if they realized this fact when they were 30-40-50. So, read up alot in JC, its a fun place to browse and educate yourself in the aviation related fields and be around individuals who share the same excitement and love for what they do. If I can be of any help, just shoot me a PM, remember I am just a student like yourself. I typed this up fast bc my Int Fin Mgt prof is just wondering what I could be typing up in class. Did i tell you this place was addicting? Good Luck

[mooneyguy]

I dont know what your schedule is. but I have a couple of FD friends and they work like 10-12 days a month (24hr shifts). That still leaves A LOT of time to do flight training. If you have a sched like that, keep the job for now and fly as much as possible on your off time! Good luck! and welcome to JC, its a great place to learn!

[skydog]

To begin with, the word is advice, not advise. Advice is an opinion or recommendation that is being sought. Advise is an opinion or recommendation that is given. You are seeking advice from those on this board. Advise is what the people who respond to your post will be doing.

That said, before you take another step into an airplane, get to working on your four-year college degree (assuming you don't have it already). Without it, the best you can hope for is a captain for a regional airline, and even that may be questionable.

After that, begin training. Look into FAR part 61 and part 141 schools. Part 141 requires less hours to become certified as a commercial pilot, but it is a structured environment that will likely require you to pay up front. Part 61 requires more hours, but you can proceed at your own pace, and pay as you go. If you're not in a hurry, and money is an issue, go part 61. Otherwise part 141 may be for you. What matters is that you get your certificates, not where/how you get them.

The path after that is somewhat murky. Everyone on this board has their own ideas about the "right" way to get to an airline. Make your own decision in that regard. The "right" way is the one that works for you. Ultimately, the world is more impressed with ability and results than time. However, I will say that if you go the "traditional" route: instructor, charter/freight, regional, etc, you are more likely meet some good contacts, make some good friends, and have some good experiences, all of which will serve to make you a more well-rounded aviator as well as a person. It's my experience that a well-rounded, balanced person is the one that makes it to the top of this, and any, profession.

One other thing: when seeking advice, don't ask the broke guy at the end of the blackjack table. In other words, seek the advice of those who have suceeded in doing what you want to do.

Please pardon the grammar lesson at the top of the post, but words mean things. Use them properly.

[Kevin.Held]

Welcome to the site. To reiterate what other people have said, this is a great resource and reading will answer just about any question you have. Try not to get too frustrated with the weather, VFR weather comes in waves.

You're fortunate to have the best job on earth when it comes to a career change. If you read around the forums, you'll find that aviation is a very unreliable business and everyone will tell you to have a backup plan which you already do. Its nice to know that you can get a job in whatever part of the country you live in whether it be part time, (to supplement low regional pay) or full time (because of a furlough).

[Wing_96]

It all depends on your financial situation...

If you have saved up a pretty good sum of money to spend on your flight training, then quitting your job is definitely an option. However, if you don't have the money saved up, my advice to you would be to continue to work at the FD and do your flight training in your time off. At the rate the economy is slowing, I don't think it's wise to rush to quit your job.

Welcome to JC!

[PatrickCPS]

Before quitting your job and moving into your "dream career," I would at least finish your PPL where you are at. The weather will improve shortly (we've been blasted by 2 weeks of poor weather lately as well) and you will have VFR days to finish your private in. Once you get that milestone accomplished, re-evaluate where you're at in life- both professionally and with your flying.

You may not consider this now, but its entirely possible that once you finish your PPL (or during your instrument, or at any other phase of training) you will realize that aviation is something you love, but something you want to keep as a hobby (worse yet, you may realize its simply not for you) and we'd all hate to see you throw away your current career chasing a dream that never materializes.

One step at a time, don't worry, you'll get to the place that's right for you.

[granlistillo]

Hey Mac,
You will never ever be a pilot. You must know English, the international lengue of Aviation. Could you imagine what would happen if ATIS told you to advise you have information Bravo, but you thought it was only advice, and you disregarded it? Dude a wing could fall off. Better stick with giving CPR to geezers if you can't do any better than that.

[moxiepilot]

Although you don't want to work in the FD forever, it's a good job for the time being. I'd stick with the job while you get your ratings until you start sending out resumes for flight jobs. As indicated above sometimes the 24 hour days, 3 day weeks can add up to a lot of time to focus on training

[FlyingFireman]

Granlistillo,

Hello. Normally I don't react and stoop to the level of a bottom feeding individual such as yourself, however I figured there's an exception to every rule. Your remarks in this thread are completely inappropriate. I was told a long time ago you're better off not saying anything and having people think you are an idiot than you are when you open your mouth and erase all doubt. You my friend have erased all doubt. The purpose of this site is for people to learn something, not to get slandered by someone who apparently thinks they know more than everyone else. Although I am not a professional pilot, I am a professional. My advice to you (hope the spelling is ok) both personally and professionally is to conduct yourself with class and to focus on your own mistakes rather than the mistakes of others. My apology to the others on this thread, however I feel this individual needs put in their place. Thank you.

[granlistillo]

Originally Posted by FlyingFireman

Granlistillo,

Hello. Normally I don't react and stoop to the level of a bottom feeding individual such as yourself, however I figured there's an exception to every rule. Your remarks in this thread are completely inappropriate. I was told a long time ago you're better off not saying anything and having people think you are an idiot than you are when you open your mouth and erase all doubt. You my friend have erased all doubt. The purpose of this site is for people to learn something, not to get slandered by someone who apparently thinks they know more than everyone else. Although I am not a professional pilot, I am a professional. My advice to you (hope the spelling is ok) both personally and professionally is to conduct yourself with class and to focus on your own mistakes rather than the mistakes of others. My apology to the others on this thread, however I feel this individual needs put in their place. Thank you.

uuh, Dude I was just kidding. Tongue in cheek, sarcasm, weak attempt at humor. My point was who cares if the guy said advise instead of advice. You took it 180 out from what I was saying. If you were a pilot you would be familiar with this statement "advise on initial contact you have information "bravo"
sheesh
try rereading it and pretend I put this on at the end:

[FlyingFireman]

Hey call it what you want, but maybe the lesson in communication is that when you type something other expressions can't be made and thus the meaning is interpreted strictly by what is written. None the less, it is what it is and only you know what your real intent was.

[granlistillo]

I thought the "wing could fall off" was a dead give away. I was actually trying defend the originating poster, who was called to task for petty spelling mistake. I suppose this was what you were trying to do as well, except you lowered yourself with insults. That is something I don't do.

[SteveC]

Can I assume that the lesson/learning about miscommunication pretty well wrapped up here?

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by FlyingFireman

Granlistillo,

Hello. Normally I don't react and stoop to the level of a bottom feeding individual such as yourself, however I figured there's an exception to every rule. Your remarks in this thread are completely inappropriate. I was told a long time ago you're better off not saying anything and having people think you are an idiot than you are when you open your mouth and erase all doubt. You my friend have erased all doubt. The purpose of this site is for people to learn something, not to get slandered by someone who apparently thinks they know more than everyone else. Although I am not a professional pilot, I am a professional. My advice to you (hope the spelling is ok) both personally and professionally is to conduct yourself with class and to focus on your own mistakes rather than the mistakes of others. My apology to the others on this thread, however I feel this individual needs put in their place. Thank you.

Wow man in 7 post such a comment.... if you cant take some humor you will have a hard time on this forum let alone many out there.... take five next time before posting and think about how the individual might have meant such a thing.... I could within two seconds understand it was sarcasm.... calm down bro.

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Can I assume that the lesson/learning about miscommunication pretty well wrapped up here?

Steve always messing with our fun! Come on man I dont know if I communicated that well though

[granlistillo]

mea culpa.

Mac, Good luck with you flight training.

[Mac51]

Thank you to all that replied to my question. I appreciate all the "ADVICE" giving by everyone. Since I posted that question I now have a few more hrs logged and slowly getting towards my goal of private pilot. Glad to be on here reading and learning all that I can.