[palmfish]

It was very tough when I was working as an 1811 and flying on the M-Day side - especially after my children were born!

When I left M-Day aviation in 2006, things got better. I was a reserve ROTC instructor at a small university and made my own schedule. I did just enough MUTA's and AT days to get 50 points/year. No more scheduling AFTPs, no APART requirements, etc. It was the most stress free way to be in the reserves, and it was a rewarding job - I really enjoyed it a lot.

So anyways, lots of people find a way to do both. Others...well, there are ways to reduce the workload if it gets to be too much.

It's something to think on though. I know when I'm 60, I'll be very thankful I toughed it out.

[EC120AV8R]

palmfish, on Jan 30 2010, 08:28 , said:

It was very tough when I was working as an 1811 and flying on the M-Day side - especially after my children were born!

When I left M-Day aviation in 2006, things got better. I was a reserve ROTC instructor at a small university and made my own schedule. I did just enough MUTA's and AT days to get 50 points/year. No more scheduling AFTPs, no APART requirements, etc. It was the most stress free way to be in the reserves, and it was a rewarding job - I really enjoyed it a lot.

So anyways, lots of people find a way to do both. Others...well, there are ways to reduce the workload if it gets to be too much.

It's something to think on though. I know when I'm 60, I'll be very thankful I toughed it out.

There are times I certainly wish I would have stuck it out. It was tough to try and schedule drills and AT though. Oh well.

[palmfish]

Thanks for lunch last week.

Getting paid to fly a Eurocopter and eat Mexican food in an ocean front bungalow in Newport Beach - you sir, definitely have the best job in the world.

See you next year!

[rotormandan]

For me it's the the time off. I get it all at once in the winter. Last year was my 1st year in the ag buisness and I used my 1st winter to travel South America for 3 months. (I return on Thursday)

The 2nd best part is that it's not a drag that the off time is over. I'm excited to return and and start flying again.

Can't beat a gig where I'm always looking foreward to what's coming up. Now the hard part is where to go next year.

[EAGLE1]

palmfish, on Apr 6 2010, 15:56 , said:

Thanks for lunch last week.

Getting paid to fly a Eurocopter and eat Mexican food in an ocean front bungalow in Newport Beach - you sir, definitely have the best job in the world.

See you next year!

It was good to see you. Sorry we could not spend more time with you, but hey we paid for lunch and the view.....

We need to make a trip up north.

[EC120AV8R]

palmfish, on Apr 6 2010, 08:56 , said:

Thanks for lunch last week.

Getting paid to fly a Eurocopter and eat Mexican food in an ocean front bungalow in Newport Beach - you sir, definitely have the best job in the world.

See you next year!

You will never hear an argument out of me! Was good to see you. Too bad it was a quick turnaround for you. Like Jeff said, we need to make a trip north. Fly safe!

[palmfish]

EC120AV8R, on Apr 6 2010, 21:28 , said:

Like Jeff said, we need to make a trip north.

The weather is finally starting to improve up here. Come on up!

[palmfish]

So guys, what's there to do in Rialto?

[Eric Hunt]

What's good about the flying job?

Getting paid $734 per flight hour last year!

This post has been edited by Eric Hunt: 19 April 2010 - 23:27

[rotorbreak]

Best Part of a flying job? The answers are endless but I'll try to pick out the top 5.

Opportunity, Not many other professions can take you around the world while doing multiple missions centered around one skill "flying a helicopter".

Excitement, Don't get me wrong, I do everything in my power to avoid harry moments but call me crazy I still get a kick and new outlook on life every time a 10lb hawk gets close enough to pluck his feathers over east Texas. Why does Texas have so many freakin birds???

Scenery, Speaking of east Texas! What other job will have you seeing beautiful country in multiple states in one week?

Mental challenge, Not many other professions keep you learning after doing the job for years.

The People, From pilots to mechanics to most FBO workers, people in aviation are a different breed. I Recently had the opportunity to surprise a old dust off pilot from viet nam with a chance to fly a helicopter, something he hasn't done since 75. It's hard to top moments like that.

Are there bad moments? Yes but they are few and far between. Fly safe yall.

This post has been edited by rotorbreak: 20 April 2010 - 07:20

[EC120AV8R]

palmfish, on 19 April 2010 - 16:14, said:

So guys, what's there to do in Rialto?

Not much...you coming back south?

[EAGLE1]

EC120AV8R, on 20 April 2010 - 23:04, said:

Not much...you coming back south?

Sounds like he is going to Western for mountain training or something. Tell Bob and Pete hello.

[palmfish]

EAGLE1, on 21 April 2010 - 07:16, said:

Sounds like he is going to Western for mountain training or something. Tell Bob and Pete hello.

Ding Ding Ding!

MD500 transition / TDA's

[EC120AV8R]

palmfish, on 21 April 2010 - 20:47, said:

Ding Ding Ding!

MD500 transition / TDA's

You should have had them send you back to Helistream for the 500. Western has a whole lot more 500 training experience, but jeeze...it's Rialto.

[palmfish]

EC120AV8R, on 22 April 2010 - 13:37, said:

You should have had them send you back to Helistream for the 500. Western has a whole lot more 500 training experience, but jeeze...it's Rialto.

Beggars can't be choosers...

[EAGLE1]

This is why we have the best job in the world. EC120AV8R and I had some excitement with this one this morning. He did a great job identifying the vehicle even though they kept telling us it was supposed to be a "red" car. We found this one about 6 miles away from the scene of the crime.

http://www.ocregiste...lice-chase.html

The reports of 120mph did not do this one justice. It was one wild ride and thankfully no one was injured.