Taining on my days off

[buckwheat]

First off, let me thank y'all for this great forum. I have been reading and browsing the site for quite some time, and learned a lot of valuable information

I have a couple questions to ask you guys about training on my days off. I recently took a job working out of Seattle, WA on an offshore barge. I work 45 days on and 45 days off making $230 a day. My first hitch I rode three 45 day hitches and now have more than enough cash saved up to get my PPL. I am asking that if I pay as I go will the 45 days back on the boat be a problem with training. Do you have to consistently train to remember all the little things or do you think that when I get home I can just get back in the saddle and pick up where I left off?

I really want to pursue this career and I am not married and no kids to tie me down. I like working offshore but its just really boring after not seeing land for 3 weeks at a time, and seeing the same things, the same people, the same food, blah, blah, blah... But on the flip side I can work as much as I want and only work 6 months out of the year if I want, save up some cash to do what I want with it. I want to get my PPL just to see if it really is the thing for me and in the long run get my CFII.

Also I live in south of Houston and if anyone has any recommendations on a school down here that can accommodate the pay as you go route that would be great.

[klmmarine]

First question, Who are you working for, and where are you taking those barges?

 

I used to work for a towing company out of Seattle, pulling container barges up to SE Alaska. I am now a captain in the GOM, and training for my ppl in my off time. I work 28/14 hitches and expect that it will take me a couple of hours to get back to the point at which I left off. My plan is to finish my private and then quit working offshore and go full time for my other ratings, when my veterans benefits will kick in. Then I will be able to work part time as a captain, while I am also working as a CFI so I don't starve to death on CFI wages.

 

Here is my advice to you. Take one of your off hitches and get your ppl. 45 days should be enough if you can find a school that will let you work near full time. There are some schools in TX, LA, and WA. Try to find the school that lets you fly in the most varying conditions possible, (ie weather, terrain, etc) I am going back to Seattle for my full time training. After you get your ppl, and if you can stand it, work straight time until you have saved enough money for the rest of your training. I know how hard it is to be on the boat for long periods of time, but you are single (I think you said that) and if you can keep your eyes on the prize it makes it easier. Just think about being able to pay cash for your training and not taking out loans. You come out with your CFI or CFII and you still have your AB ticket to fall back on in case you want to suppliment your CFI flying income with decent money. Given the current state of the maritime industry you will have no problem finding work in or around Seattle, Houston/Galveston, or futher east in the Gulf, and the pay is steadily going up.

 

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

 

And feel free to pm me for advice or questions on the maritime industry. I am always happy to help.

Edited March 6, 2007 by klmmarine

[simon1969]

Hi Buckwheat,

first off welcome, I'm just a student so i cant really offer much advice but i have worked on a lay barge (4 weeks on/ 2 weeks off)before so i know what you mean about the food and seeing nothing but water for weeks at a time.

i think the fact you dont have any ties and have 45 days leave you should be able to get a good few hours in before you go back offshore again without having to go back to the beginning again.

sorry i cant be much help but good luck in your training.

 

 

 

simon1969

[buckwheat]

Thanks for the input.I work for Crowley on an ATB. I am an AB Tankerman loading chemical barges in Alaska and down the west coast. I have been talking to Helicopter Services out of Spring, TX and I think I am going to do my training there. I will have to wait until my next hitch to do it, as I have to take care of a couple of other financial situations here. I do plan to do another 4.5 month hitch to save some more money and just do one thing at a time. That 4.5 month hitch is tough, but I have my laptop with me and I can get online when we pull into port. Do you think its possible to work part time as a CFI or CFII on my days off to get that 1000 hrs.

Who did you work for in WA klmmarine?

[klmmarine]

I used to work for Western towboat. Now I work for Oceaneering INTL. I get internet on the boat which makes life a little easier.

 

Try to get as much money saved for your training as possible. The first realization that I had to make was that I was going to take a major pay cut. It is worth it in the long run, but the hard part is telling yourself that when you are eating beans and rice. It would be great to be able to work as a CFI part time during your off time, but it will take that much longer to get your time in (of course you won't be starving as you do it, hmm something to think about).

 

My school has an instructor who only teaches part time. Of course he is flying H-60s in Iraq when not teaching new pilots in Robbies.

[propwasher]

Buckwheat - I also work in the Maritime industry. Keith has made lots of good points about what training route you should take. One negative however, and some others here may expand upon what I'm about to say: working part time as a CFI is tough on the school and tough on the student. It's really best for a student to stay with the same CFI throughout his training for a license. Switching instructors requires you to re-do some of the training you've already completed, and with every new instructor there is a "learning curve" where you get used to communicating and interacting with each other. A school wants you on the job 7 days a week year round (weather permitting) and may find it hard to accomodate your long absences. They would prefer to match you up with a student and have you progress together toward his license or rating. Getting a student trained and close to a checkride and then leaving town for a month would not be good for the school or the student. And remember - there are other ways to build time. With your financial situation why not consider buying a used helicopter and hiring a CFI to train you? It will probably save you money, and you'll be able to set your own schedule.

Just my 2 cents. Kevin

[klmmarine]

With your financial situation why not consider buying a used helicopter and hiring a CFI to train you? It will probably save you money, and you'll be able to set your own schedule.

 

And then you could turn around and teach in it after you get your ratings.

 

I think that teaching in your off time would only really work if you could take a student through all of their training in the 45 days that you are off. I would guess that most students who are balancing their training with work (just like you and I, but with more demanding schedules) won't be able to dedicate the time required to do it this way.

 

Just my thoughts. Kevin, thanks for adding what I forgot about.

Edited March 6, 2007 by klmmarine

[Gomer Pylot]

Buckwheat, if you live south of Houston, TX, get in touch with Tim Salaika of Salaika Aviation. He's around Danbury, and should be able to work with you. He's been around a long time, and that's where I would go if I were in your shoes.

[buckwheat]

Those are some pretty good points.

That makes sense on the part time CFI. I would want to keep the same instructor throughout my training without having to wait on him.

 

Buying a used helicopter is an obtainable goal. I am only 22 and my parents said that I could move back in with them while I am off work, and training. So making the helo note shouldnt be a problem... hopefully!!!

 

My uncle told me about Salaika aviation yesterday. I am going to check out his school later in the week. That would be a sweet deal for me, cause Danbury is only about a 15 min. drive. I live in Freeport.

 

Thanks again for all the good input,

Buckwheat