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So chances are if you're reading this you're flying for a living. (Except Butters) So cool, you're doing it! But uuhh, what's your end game? Do you plan on flying until you retire? If so about what age are you targeting? Or do you plan on getting into another line of work, or staying with the same company but moving away from flying? How long do you think your health will allow you to keep flying?

 

Just curious as to what other people's plans are... And trying to keep this forum interesting and not just personal bickering nonsense.

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So chances are if you're reading this you're flying for a living. (Except Butters) So cool, you're doing it! But uuhh, what's your end game? Do you plan on flying until you retire? If so about what age are you targeting? Or do you plan on getting into another line of work, or staying with the same company but moving away from flying? How long do you think your health will allow you to keep flying?

 

Just curious as to what other people's plans are... And trying to keep this forum interesting and not just personal bickering nonsense.

 

I flew until I couldn't stand collateral damage HEMS BS, quit at 67. I wanted to fly 'til 70 and probably could have done so. The very real possibility that my error of omission or commission could kill me was enough to motivate me through 5 decades of flying. In the last few years the very real problems involved in doing the job have officially ceased to exist by ignoring them, while management and regulators changed names,numbers and multiplied the paperwork to prove beforehand that the PIC acted irresponsibly.

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I worked because I enjoyed it and got paid good money. When I stopped enjoying the work, it only took a break for recovery from surgery to show me that an extended break, like FOREVER, is a better idea than dragging myself to the airport every day. Stopped at 63, haven't missed it a bit.

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But really, if everything goes to sh*t I've got a .45 caliber retirement plan.

 

If you decide to shuffle off this mortal coil, do NOT shoot yourself. You would be surprised at how often that method is unsuccessful and tragically complicates your remaining life and those around you.

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If you decide to shuffle off this mortal coil, do NOT shoot yourself. You would be surprised at how often that method is unsuccessful and tragically complicates your remaining life and those around you.

 

I'd imagine a .45 wont leave much left...

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My end game? Well...to actually chase and live the dream. Some people never get up and risk anything to chase a dream and move through life breathing and shufflin along like its the reason to exist.

 

Me? I have so many ideas about life to experience, see, feel, taste, and just go out and do. So technically to the general population I am just crazy.

 

I have wanted to fly since I was a very young man, and now I do. I have to admit it's addictive. So much so, that I find myself actually enjoying it. This half of the dream though...haha

 

The other half of my dream I haven't gotten to yet...so I am saving the best for last...

 

To be a rich helicopter pilot.

 

Really though, the money can bring a certain level of peace being able to provide securely for my family, yet along the way one must enjoy what they do. This industry is full of bitter people trying to fill a void in their life with flying. Its easy to become that way though...so keep your focus positive about life, really understand what you are seeking in this industry, and dont be afraid to chase that dream until you can catch it!!!

 

Someday I want to fly fire contracts, work utility, enjoy making these graceful machines dance with precision...and everyday I learn more, apply myself further, make the industry stronger, and keep my eyes on the road ahead.

 

Its tough being a pilot for a career...and I enjoy the challenges.

Edited by WolftalonID
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If you decide to shuffle off this mortal coil, do NOT shoot yourself. You would be surprised at how often that method is unsuccessful and tragically complicates your remaining life and those around you.

 

There was a kid in my battalion back in my Army days that tried to kill himself with a .22. He clearly needed more time at the range, he couldn't even knock down the zero meter target.

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My end game is approaching faster than expected. Fortunately for me, working for a government provides me with a solid retirement benefit. I’ll work for them for 20 and they'll pay me roughly 60% of my highest year to not work for them for the rest of my life… I’ll supplement that pay with contract work, or wrenching, if I’m unable to sustain my medical. Maybe a rep gig….

 

Having a financial advisor has provided me with a solid retirement plan. So much so, once I pull the pin, income shouldn’t be an issue. It’s advised to put as much as you can into a retirement plan and do so ASAP. This industry does a poor job taking care of its own so setting yourself up is key to a secure retirement.

Edited by Spike
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I'd imagine a .45 wont leave much left...

Don't confuse noise with effectiveness. I might or might not know poachers who take deer with a single shot 22. And do I know beaucoup hunters using "high powered hunting rifles" who follow a blood trail until dark with nothing to show.

I have flown many unsuccessful suicides who didn't place the shot well. Blow your chin, nose, or just the side of your face off and life isn't any better. Much less those vegetative state patients who just compromised the circuits...

 

Word.

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FWIW my end game is to throw 20% of my income into my 401k and roth IRA and pray my medical lasts until I want to stop flying and I'm a multimillionaire. If it goes before that I'll try to get into an OCC position and if that goes south I guess I'll be in the dispatch center.

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When I started my end game was to work my way up to EMS and stay there until retirement. I just started EMS a year ago and I'm absolutely happy and I love the career. At this point I could easily see myself staying until retirement. Now I just need to figure out how to keep my Med crews happy.

It knocks the confidence out of you quick when you're trying to land on a rooftop helipad with a 20 knot crosswind and after the flight your crew let you know that they weren't comfortable. In most of the industry you lose your job by being unsafe or wrecking, in EMS you can lose it if someone in the backseat decides they didn't like your landing.

So my new end game is to live in constant fear and to cater to people with no aviation knowledge who hold my career hostage for the next 30 years.

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So my new end game is to live in constant fear and to cater to people with no aviation knowledge who hold my career hostage for the next 30 years.

 

Sucks, but hopefully more time with the crew will inspire them with more confidence in your crosswind abilities.

 

Also, FWIW the quote in your sig was originally: "Every now and then a man's mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation, and never shrinks back to its former dimensions." by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. from The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table.

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I will admit, I was fighting the crosswind and we were swaying like a pendulum for a solid 15 seconds until it settled enough to put it down, but it wasn't a disaster. No bounce or slide, just a sway from the crosswind before landing.

I've done a lot of reflecting and I certainly have a better idea of what I could have done better. I just need to accept that even high time guys have the occasional awkward landing and having one doesn't mean I'm a poor aviator.

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I will admit, I was fighting the crosswind and we were swaying like a pendulum .

how does one fight a crosswind? i just go with the flow. A "varying" wind? comin' at ya from all sides? yes ! i did that once on a flight that should have lasted 30 minutes, the headwind over the mountains? i was getting hit so hard by turbulence i was actually wondering to myself: "can those little 6 bolts up on the rotor take much more of this abuse?" i was in that for about an hour & 1/2,,,, i was so happy to finally catch site of the airport (my hands were froze, was middle of winter) i could just barely have enuf feel in them to land, (i didn't even care if i wrecked---i just wanted to be on the ground),,, i picked up my passenger-who was a rated pilot and cfi and told him "you got it, i had enuf". Our return flight was about ten minutes. And yes ! mom put another quarter in B4 we run out of gas. <wink>

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