Jump to content

It's a long road


Recommended Posts

I've always attempted to be a reasonable optimistic voice in these forums for the benefits of other pilots and those interested in getting into the industry. I've been posting here since I started flying as a student way back in 2009. I realize I'm a youngster compared to some of the grumpy dinosaurs that post in here occasionally and a veteran compared to others.

 

Getting started is difficult, wedging yourself into the industry is difficult. Throughout a career in aviation you will eventually find yourself in many uncomfortable situations. Some will be weather, some will be dealing with unruly passengers or coworkers who rub you the wrong way. You will be presented by numerous situations where you will want to give up.

 

Don't.

 

Since I started training I've wanted to eventually get into EMS and follow in the family tradition of service to the community. A few days ago I was offered a position as an EMS pilot and I am ecstatic. I've worked hard and been through many trials in the past 6 years but it's all been worth it. I am living proof that the system works and you can reach your goals if you work hard and keep smiling.

 

Don't give up. It's tough, but I promise you can do it. I bounced around, always far from home for the vast majority of my career. I've flown in the mountains, I've flown in the city, I've been hundreds of miles from civilization and I've flown in the middle of the busiest airspace in the US and come out safely on the other side.

 

There have been lows where I thought I wouldn't make it. There were times when I worried that I had made a mistake.

 

Be true to yourself and never give up. If you work hard, get along with everyone and fly safe and you can make it. I'm living proof.

 

It's a long road

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice post, and congrats on the job! I truly believe in everything you have said as well. Work hard, keep your head up and keep looking for the next opportunity. I just stand back and shake my head at so many others at my low level in the industry who do nothing towards their next goal, as if they think the employers will be seeking them out! I was even ridiculed for attending Helisuccess by people who can't even name major operators. I just smiled and kept moving, knowing that they are now less competition for me.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great post, thanks for taking the time to do it.

 

I deal with a specialist services industry and see this type of stuff every day, not anything to do with helicopters but the human nature is exactly the same - it seems to me like the OP could have written about any industry out there and the end result would have been the same.

 

I suppose my point is that it doesn't matter what the job is, its the attitude that counts. Having that extra little spark that makes a person do as best as they possibly can and believe in themselves is key to any success.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Zippy….

 

Congrats on the new job and thank you for the inspiration. Hopefully, I don’t fall into the “grumpy dinosaurs” category you referred to but, I can say without a doubt, your story is just like mine and, many others. That is, the path is there, you just need to believe in it…. Correct? Even so, keep up the good work and now that you have attained your goals, continue to give-back and provide the same inspiration to others as you did here today……. Just remember, it’s not about you, me or anyone else. It’s about the question at hand and helping others…….

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey I just wanted to say thank you! My goal has always been EMS as well. And as I've been taking the steps towards finally making this dream a reality, it's nice to hear a success story thrown in with all the doom and gloom.

Do you mind outlining your particular path? (How long in flight time and real time you were at each point in your career, etc...) I know it could be different for me, but it's nice to see how others have done it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice post! I agree 100% I read a lot of posts on the various forums where people are either discouraged or unhappy with their respective career fields. So many of them sound like cry babies that expect things to just be handed to them because they have "checked the boxes". Thankfully I was trained by, worked with, and trained people that fall into the other category and actually understand that if they keep working and put in the effort things will work out for them.

 

I left a nice, cushy, well paying (non flying) career to make the change in my early 30's and after 3 years of training and working as an instructor I was able to get my opportunity to do what I had set out to do from the start. I am still training and learning all the time, but I love Ag flying and wouldn't want to do any other type of flying for the foreseeable future. I had to stop flying (I was lucky in that it was only for a very short time) for a few months and learn the ground side of thing, but it was well worth it to have my dream job. I haven't had to move or travel for work and I get to go home every night. I still catch myself grinning at the fact that things have worked out exactly how I had wanted them too. I attribute it to the fact that I never gave up, never lost focus, stayed humble and never got discouraged by what others have done or said. Good or bad, life is what you make of it....

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice post! I agree 100% I read a lot of posts on the various forums where people are either discouraged or unhappy with their respective career fields. So many of them sound like cry babies that expect things to just be handed to them because they have "checked the boxes". Thankfully I was trained by, worked with, and trained people that fall into the other category and actually understand that if they keep working and put in the effort things will work out for them.

 

I left a nice, cushy, well paying (non flying) career to make the change in my early 30's and after 3 years of training and working as an instructor I was able to get my opportunity to do what I had set out to do from the start. I am still training and learning all the time, but I love Ag flying and wouldn't want to do any other type of flying for the foreseeable future. I had to stop flying (I was lucky in that it was only for a very short time) for a few months and learn the ground side of thing, but it was well worth it to have my dream job. I haven't had to move or travel for work and I get to go home every night. I still catch myself grinning at the fact that things have worked out exactly how I had wanted them too. I attribute it to the fact that I never gave up, never lost focus, stayed humble and never got discouraged by what others have done or said. Good or bad, life is what you make of it....

 

Thank you sir for being such a gracious winner!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...