Career Options

[pilothooks]

My name is Michael and Im 17 years old. My grandpa flew a Titan Tornado ultralite and I guess thats what sparked my interest. Im in 11th grade now and starting to look into different careers and am leaning heavily toward being a pilot (preferably helicopters ) I know that college would be a plus in any career but is it nescesary to go to a school that does training on campus or would it be better to seperate college and flight training? I dont really want to go into the military but is it possible to be successful as a pilot going the "civilian path". It seems so much more expensive and less likely... What can I start doing now to get a head start in the right direction? I tried to get some sort of job like cleaning helicopters or something at Elite helicopters but I went in for an interview and they talked to me for like 2 minutes and were supposed to contact me but they have pretty much blown me off.

[West Coaster]

College degree for a heli pilot.... useless. A chief pilot will look at life experience rather than education... apart from what school you did your flight training with. A college educated city kid has nothing on a farm-hand turned pilot.

 

Don't go military if your heart isn't in it. There are just as many opportunities for ex-military guys as civilian pilots.

 

You'll get blown off by a lot of companies. Don't take it personally. They get dozens of resumes a week from low time pilots looking for any work available. Consider yourself lucky you even got an interview. If you got that far but didn't get a call back, keep trying.

[Jeff]

The best thing you can do now is start taking lessons. You only have to be 17 to get a private pilot certificate in the US. Elite would likely rather hire one of its students to wash their aircraft than some kid off the street they don't even know. Whatever you do, don't burn any bridges. Aviation is a small world, and helicopters even smaller. Good luck!

 

Jeff

[flyingseapig]

College degree for a heli pilot.... useless. A chief pilot will look at life experience rather than education... apart from what school you did your flight training with. A college educated city kid has nothing on a farm-hand turned pilot.

 

Don't go military if your heart isn't in it. There are just as many opportunities for ex-military guys as civilian pilots.

 

You'll get blown off by a lot of companies. Don't take it personally. They get dozens of resumes a week from low time pilots looking for any work available. Consider yourself lucky you even got an interview. If you got that far but didn't get a call back, keep trying.

 

I have to disagree with the College degree for a heli pilot.... useless. Though it has no bearing on your flying skills whatsoever it is very important to have. Just look on the jobs pages and see. Most say college degree required or preferred. It will definitely give you an edge and something to fall back on in life if you can't make it in the industry. In most cases also your pay scale will usually start off at a higher level. It is definitely a plus to have and to term it as useless is far from the truth.

Edited January 7, 2007 by flyingseapig

[fry]

My name is Michael and Im 17 years old.

 

Here's what ya do kid. Sign up for the SAT and focus on going to college...one at least 1,000 miles from your parents home. It will be the most fun four years that you will ever have (stay focused and don't spend any more years on it than that). There is plenty of financial aid available...some free. You will do some growing up and learn to be on your own, you will fall in love, get laid, make lifelong friends and you might even learn something. Join the ROTC program...preferrably one associated with the Marine Corps...and upon graduation join the service with a commission.

 

Go to flight school and serve out your term as an aviator. Or, stay in for a career and get involved in all the other opportunities it has to offer. It is like working for a large multi-national corporation but with a better retirement plan. You'll experience a camaraderie that is generally not available in civilian life; you'll travel, make lifelong friends and get laid.

 

Then when you leave the service get a job in the private sector that makes as much money as you can. Stay in touch with the friends you made in college and the service and help each other advance. Forget that nonsense about "poor but happy"...trust me, those who are financially secure are much happier.

 

There you go, there's the game plan (send me a check someday). You can have it all, just listen to the voices of experience.

[james28]

voices of experience do not include fry. every new post he makes is more idiotic than the last. i would agree with going to college as it is a good experience and is helpful, but it definately is not necessary. to be a pilot, strictly a pilot, not management or anything for your corp., you don't need college. you need your ratings and your hours. paying for the training is comparable to that of college. if you can afford both, great do em both. if you can't and you know helicopters are for you and you know your medical situation is agreable to faa standards, then go to flight school. do not, join the military. that's about the worst path you could do. even if you were one of the lucky ones selected to become a pilot, after the years you've put in with them you wouldn't be able to get a job after getting out of the military. you'd still have to go to flight school and obtain your ratings. plus to get accepted to most military pilot programs you have to go to college anyway. i say do as well as you can and finish out high school, apply to colleges as a back up, and really think if helicopters are the career you're going to want for the next couple of decades. you make choices and you live with them, just don't make the choice of joining the military.

[dlo]

Fry's post was the very most truth. it was not idiotic and he is right on track. get an education, it opens doors, gives you more options and pay. going to college will mature you and help you get through life. the military is not a bad option for a young kid, but someone with a degree may choose to go strait into the field he has been studying. getting laid and making friends is all apart of life and making one mature. I don't know where james gets off saying that this is a bad idea or post. Does james have something better to add to this kids options??? I doubt it. If this kid did go to college for four years and then even the military for four years, i dont think he would be done wrong. This kid would have an education and military experience at only age 26. what more could you want. you cannot even become a doctor these days at 26, he would be way ahead of the game.

[flyingseapig]

voices of experience do not include fry. every new post he makes is more idiotic than the last. i would agree with going to college as it is a good experience and is helpful, but it definately is not necessary. to be a pilot, strictly a pilot, not management or anything for your corp., you don't need college. you need your ratings and your hours. paying for the training is comparable to that of college. if you can afford both, great do em both. if you can't and you know helicopters are for you and you know your medical situation is agreable to faa standards, then go to flight school. do not, join the military. that's about the worst path you could do. even if you were one of the lucky ones selected to become a pilot, after the years you've put in with them you wouldn't be able to get a job after getting out of the military. you'd still have to go to flight school and obtain your ratings. plus to get accepted to most military pilot programs you have to go to college anyway. i say do as well as you can and finish out high school, apply to colleges as a back up, and really think if helicopters are the career you're going to want for the next couple of decades. you make choices and you live with them, just don't make the choice of joining the military.

 

There is some truths and half truths to the above listed information. I am getting out of the military soon and have had nothing but great job offers left and right, and can't wait to leave the military to work in the industry. I obtained my FAA commercial helicopter and single engine land and multi-engine land ratings as well as instrument ratings in both airplane and helicopters through the military and military equivalency tests through the FAA. I have a type rating in the King Air 200 and SK-61. On the other hand I wouldn't push the military on anyone and wouldn't have joined it in the first place if I had the financial means to get to fly helicopters on the civilian side. Now a days with the military cut backs getting flight hours in the military is a lot harder. I think I was at the end of an era to get as many flight hours as I have and feel lucky, the hours I have (over 2500) makes me competitive as a commercial pilot in the helo industry in just about any field (EMS, Utility, ENG, etc.). Just know if you go the military route and go to flight school expect about 2 years of flight school then another 7 years to pay off your commitment, and that is 7 years of being someones little coffee boy and having to brown nose your way through if you want to get ahead.

[Sparks]

Michael,

 

I am 17 and want the same as you. I dont want to go into the military either but that option is always there if i change my mind, because at the end of the day....i might

 

Now the only way that the military is always going to be an option is if i stick with this college course and get my diploma.

 

Now, what i am doing is a 2 year aeronautical engineering course which will grace me with a National Diploma and all the knowledge for the JAR-66/ECAR-66 rating.

 

I don't know what your situation is financially but i think it would help if you let us know because after all, these ratings aint cheap. I currently have a bank balance of £807 ($1600), i owe £1200, and i also have to run a car to get to college and back.

 

If you have enough money to live and do every rating you need to set yourself up with a pilot job...do it. If not, go to college, slug it out, come out with a backup qualification which you can use to go and get a job and start working up some savings.

 

Just think how good my National Diploma, aviation orientated will look on a cv compared to "i left high school with some grades".

 

Good luck whatever you do,

 

Richard.

[v15x]

I'm probably a bit old school. I'm 28, working on my PPL and working fulltime as an HR Manager. I graduated with a business/HR degree in 01'. I would recommend getting a college education to any person that has the means. I was a slacker in HS ... but I turned things around in college. You'll get out what you put in (I'm still a horrible speller, some things never change ).

 

College will open your eyes to many other elements of life and you may (just maybe) find something you love more than aviation (I didn't) .

 

I plan to work into aviation over the next year or so and I don't expect my B.A. to carry much weight, particularly as such. However, I do expect it to help me if/when I instruct, while filling out loan paperwork, and during interviews with perspective employers.

 

I think it'll afford you an opportunity to learn something new and it will open doors for you down the road.

 

Take care and good luck.

[fry]

Would you like to swing on a star

carry moonbeams home in a jar

and be better off than you are

or would you rather be a mule

 

A mule is an animal with long funny ears

he kicks up at anything he hears

His back is brawny but his brain is weak

he's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak

and by the way if you hate to go to school

You may grow up to be a mule

 

Oh would you like to swing on a star

carry moonbeams home in a jar

and be better off than you are

or would you rather be a pig

 

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face

his shoes are a terrible disgrace

He has no manners when he eats his food

He's fat and lazy and extremely rude

But if you don't care a feather or a fig

you may grow up to be a pig

 

Oh would you like to swing on a star

carry moonbeams home in a jar

and be better off than you are

or would you rather be a fish

 

A fish won't do anything but swim in a brook

he can't write his name or read a book

to fool the people is his only thought

and though he's slippery he still gets caught

but if then that sort of life is what you wish

you may grow up to be a fish

 

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo

everyday you see quite a few

so you see it's all up to you,

you could be better than you are

you could be swinging on a star

[mechanic]

dlo,

James28 is 16.

 

James28,

The military isn't the worst path. The Army gives a min of 200 hrs and after flight school you can take the FAA Com and IFR ratings, the only thing you would need is 50 hrs in a Robbie or prob 25 hrs Schw and a CFI/II for civi work. If you have no desire to be MILITARY, don't join. I remember a few guys who thought it would be cool to be in the military and in basic was trying some stupid $% to try and get out of basic after they figured out it wasn't cool as they thought it would be. I didn't find the USAF's basic too terribly hard either.

 

Pilothooks,

Good luck with your decision, which ever direction you choose. An education is very usefull, esp the older you get. You may decide you don't always want to be a worker bee..

Edited January 9, 2007 by mechanic

[james28]

sorry but i think anyone who highlights getting laid as a key part of life is most definately off track. sorry dlo but i think your little buddy is wrong. most everyone i've spoken with have said to stray away from the military. if you want to put in 7 years for the military before you even start flight training go ahead and enjoy yourself. also, you don't need college to have a mature and successful life. nor does going to college guarantee you any advantage in aviation. if you want to be a pilot, you don't need to go. like i said before, life is all about making choices and living with them, if you want to be a pilot then do it. if you want to go get drunk and get laid as fry wishes he had, tne you can live with that.

 

 

 

*didn't mean to say that the military was the worst path, that i agree is not true. i just don't think it's the best choice.

[bossman]

I don't think that military time is wasted on anyone. You will do a lot of growing up in the military. It will teach you to be on your own and get you out from under momma's skirt. James28 needs to go.

bossman

[Linc]

Military flight training...the worst thing I can say about it is that I got paid going through flight school without having to pay my own money or take out a loan to pay for it.

 

Maybe I don't build hours as fast as others elsewhere in the industry, but I would have to fly executive to make up for what I get paid in the military.

 

You just have to weigh certain factors, like whether or not getting shot at on occasion is acceptable, or how you feel about indentured servitude, among others...

[Pogue]

James28 - So have any of these people telling you not to consider the military actually served themselves? You can get a lot of education and training from the services that you're not going to get out of high school without paying a whole lot of money. Not to mention providing an excellent oportunity to grow up a little before hitting the workforce in general... something I needed at the time. :-)

 

Not playing recruiter here, but let's see, you can sign up for 8 years, get training, pay, and educational benefits along with job experience.

 

Or you can take a student loan and be obligated to that for 10 years.

 

Sure, it's not for everyone, but it's an option that is worth looking at.

[james28]

8 years for something i don't need and probably won't benefit me much is not something i'm about to do. yea, a lot of people i have spoken with have served in the military. none of them liked it. some people might need it to grow up or discipline themselves. i don't, even though bossman thinks so.

[pilothooks]

thanks for the imput... and argument!

[FredR]

thanks for the imput... and argument!

Another option to consider is joining the National Guard. Right now the National Guard is offering HUGH signing bonuses and college assistance packages. I was in the same boat in 1988 and elected to join the National Guard. I paid for college with my GI bill (there are a many more programs available now), got to go to flight school (paid for by Uncle Sam) and am now working at a civilian helicopter outfit at the ripe old age of 36. Not bad considering I've got a retirement almost wrapped up with medical benefits for later in life. I would recommend looking at all options available and talk (like you are doing) to folks from the different avenues before making a decision. Also, have you had the opportunity to fly in a helicopter yet? If not, find a local flight school and take an incentive ride. They are usually reasonably priced and are designed to introduce you to the helicopter world. Good Luck.

[Hawk Driver]

FredR, is right. The National Guard is the way to go if you do chose to go in the service. I'm 24 yrs. old and have been flying for the Army National Guard for almost two years now (not including flt school) and I'm coming up on 1000hrs pretty fast. Of course, I'm in on an all expenses paid vaction to Iraq right now which, actually hasn't been to bad. I mean I'm getting paid more than most people do in the industry. Which it's a bad job, I fly medevac, which is the most rewarding job there is! DUSTOFF!!

Anyway, you think college is fun, you haven't been to "mother rucker" for flight school! It's a blast, well after that whole WOC school thing! Anyway, good luck with what ever you do. Just remember to check out all the options and make an informed decision.

[Dallas]

Hooks,

 

If I can add my two cents in here, I am only 26 and just recently graduated from Army FLight School. I am a reservist out of Florida.

 

If you really want to make informed choices, you have to understand what you want out of this industry. I was already in the military when I decided to go to flight school but I researched every avenue of getting into the cockpit before I chose to extend my service and become an officer. I knew I did not want to instruct as is the common route most civilian trained pilots must travel, not because its a horrible option, but because Im just not any good at it. I wanted to fly EMS and I know that night flying is a skillset that is almost always required and the Army is the best training I could get for that skillset.

 

I guess my point is, that the easiest way to make a choice as to where to get the best training is to determine exactly what it is you want to learn with in this industry.

 

Hope this helped.

[kmtpilot]

Pilothooks,

 

Join the Army!!! You can go to flight school with no college!!! Your commitment will be six years upon graduation and that’s only two assignments. Then make your decision to get out or stay in at that point and by that time you will have good options on both sides of the fence.

 

The network of guys you will meet on the inside will be forever valuable. Do you love the high school friends you have now? Yeah, I did too but now none of them mean nearly as much to me as the people I have met after 20 years in the Army. This will make you grow up and you will get a dose of discipline but remember that diamonds are made from high pressure and heat. I’m about to retire in four months and I wouldn’t trade the world for what I’ve seen through the windshield of the Blackhawk. Now with 3,600 flight hours I meet all of the minimums for every job I’ve looked at. I’ve been offered several jobs paying above industry standard all from guys I served with and the only resume I’ve sent out is my long lost voice over the telephone. The US military is the biggest fraternity going and those who talk badly about it usually faltered when the opportunity was in front of them to be a man and jump in. I did it because I barely graduated high school and knew I would never amount to anything any other way but at least I was honest with myself and did something positive. I needed the discipline badly but if you don’t then it will just be that much easier for you to get through the schooling. The best thing about it is that you will never be viewed as a one-sided hypocrite running your mouth on a forum and abusing the whole freedom of speech thing while never putting your life on the line for it. If you abuse the privileges of our nation and don’t do some kind of selfless service for your country commensurate with your physical and mental capabilities then that’s like being on welfare as far as I’m concerned. And, if you think that most of (if not all) of the helicopter operators are looking for civilian pilots who have not been tainted by military experience then do some research or call and ask them. I know that they prefer the maturity and experience of a seasoned military pilot to the point that they even substitute it for a college education so you really don’t need to go to college. Having said that I still recommend that at some point you get a degree so you don’t end up a 38 year old, 3,600 hour Blackhawk pilot. Think about it and if you decide it’s not for you then don’t go in. No harm, no fowl but don’t ever come on a forum and be a hypocrite.

 

I’m sending you a PM requesting your phone number. I’m overseas but would be happy to call you on my dime and discuss your ideas with you. I’ll tell you all about the military (the good and bad) and help you decide what is best for you. By the way who is your Grandfather? My dad has an ultralight and is good friends with a guy who flies a Titan Tornado.

[drlostboy]

Here's what ya do kid. Sign up for the SAT and focus on going to college...one at least 1,000 miles from your parents home. It will be the most fun four years that you will ever have (stay focused and don't spend any more years on it than that). There is plenty of financial aid available...some free. You will do some growing up and learn to be on your own, you will fall in love, get laid, make lifelong friends and you might even learn something. Join the ROTC program...preferrably one associated with the Marine Corps...and upon graduation join the service with a commission.

 

Go to flight school and serve out your term as an aviator. Or, stay in for a career and get involved in all the other opportunities it has to offer. It is like working for a large multi-national corporation but with a better retirement plan. You'll experience a camaraderie that is generally not available in civilian life; you'll travel, make lifelong friends and get laid.

 

Then when you leave the service get a job in the private sector that makes as much money as you can. Stay in touch with the friends you made in college and the service and help each other advance. Forget that nonsense about "poor but happy"...trust me, those who are financially secure are much happier.

 

There you go, there's the game plan (send me a check someday). You can have it all, just listen to the voices of experience.

 

That's funny. Made me smile.

Most likely very true.

If you don't get killed somewhere in conflict.

We all got to go sometime though, eh!

[volition]

I joined when I was 29, and I'm very happy about the choice.

[FLHooker]

So many options... All involve flying. Are any of them bad??

 

 

I personally am a Guardsman out of Florida in Army Flight School right meow. Getting paid well, getting nothing but turbine time, to include the Chinook. Worth... Hell, who cares, it's a lot of money I'm not paying for, they are paying me. To include that the Guard has a bonus going right meow worth $10,000 for going to flight school! You mean to tell me, you are going to pay me to get 200 hours of nothing but turbine time, to fly a Chinook, then go back to my state... I, personally, can't see what could be better. Having said that, I agree that the Military isn't for everyone. As for the college degree, it doesn't hurt to have one. I have never heard of a business say "Oh, you have a degree, sorry you don't qualify, we want someone without a degree"

 

 

Either way, good luck on your decision

 

CHAD