Hi

[Colby]

Hi. My name is Colby. I'm 15 years old, I live in Arkansas, and I'm a student pilot. I've been a flight simulator pilot for 4 years. A few months ago one of my flight instructors told me to come here. I'm just now coming here lol. My instructor is a Citation pilot for NetJets. I hope to enjoy my time here.

And I've got a question. Any of you ever heard of Air Evac Lifeteam? If so, do you happen to live near one of their base's.

Colby

 

[Swede]

Welcome to the jungle, Colby. You'll find plenty of good, bad, and ugly, mostly good if you stay away from religion and politics.


I'm not familiar with the team you mentioned, maybe someone else wil know. They sound like volunteer medical transport pilots.

 

[FracCapt]

Welcome. Don't take anything you read here too seriously.

I'm not familiar with the team you mentioned, maybe someone else wil know. They sound like volunteer medical transport pilots.

Actually, they are a medevac service that, I believe, operates strictly helicopters. Quite a large fleet of Bell 206L and L3's....probably 50 or more. I know they serve OK, AR, and TN....and I think a few other states.

Colby, I know they have a bunch of bases in Arkansas....why do you ask? Is that something you're interested in - flying helicopters?

 

[V-1]

Welcome Colby. I spent a short time in N.W. Arkansas. Nice area. Best wishes while pursuing your aviation-related goals.

 

[Colby]

Thank you for your nice comments guys.

Colby

 

[phishn@daves]

I thought Colby was a cheese?


I'm just kidding, welcome to the forum's, have fun and don't let some of these guy's get to you too much!!!!

Most of them are drunk!

 

[Flyinjunk]

I thought Colby was a cheese?


I'm just kidding, welcome to the forum's, have fun and don't let some of these guy's get to you too much!!!!

Most of them are drunk!

Sum er under the affluenc sof Incohol...................duznt mak em bad peepole thoh

 

[Colby]

Ah guys, I bet here you don't deal with arguments. But at the flight sim forums I'm at there is a lot.

Colby

 

[flx757]

Welcome, Colby. Yes...these forums can get out of hand from time to time, but if you can wade through all the bickering, bashing and name calling, you WILL find some really good people here that will help you along and do their best to provide you with good info and who will take the time to answer your questions.

I try to be one of those types, but that's not to say that I don't get caught up in the fray once in a while, too. I try to stay out of it...but you know how it is...

Again, welcome. And most of all, just have fun!!

PS...at least you admit up front that you are 15. Many others are and pretend that they aren't; and then we have those who aren't but pretend that they are...if you know what I mean. (No offense to actual 15 year olds intended... )

 

[CKlimko]

Welcome Colby,

I am in the same boat as you. 16 years old, taking flight lessons, etc, etc.

I don't post a whole bunch, just lurk around to get the "skinny" in the industry. I've been lurking for about a good year and have picked up quite a bit of knowledge from these folks, they give it to you without all the BS, when you have some questions. Yes there are some very unhappy, and negative people here, just keep a positive attitude. Anyway, just read around, you'll learn a lot about this business and the people you'll be flying with in the future.

I know I have. I've gone from thinking I'd be a year 1 B747 Captain (heh... year 1) after 5 years making $250,000 with 25 days off. Ahh was I thrown a curve. Now I, for the most part, understand all the jazz concerning pensions, wimpy MECs, QOL issues, scopes, RJ/mainline flying and who should get it, etc, etc. With all the negativity here sometimes I don't have the slightest clue why I still read as it really makes me consider if I should do this for a living, I guess it's... addicting. It's kind of like aspiring airline pilot boot camp.

 

[CKlimko]

I don't even allow my 16 year old to frequent these sites!

Your serious?

 

[CKlimko]

Are you a parent? If you were, it's likely you would not have inquired.
While VERY informative, I don't recommend these BB's for children due to the adult nature of the contents of the posts and threads.
That's why you pay a CFI. A CFI is trained to answer student questions.
...and if she/he can't then I suggest finding one that can. JMHO

Hah! Go ask your kid what he/she hears at school (HS, middle). Oh so innocent, and virgin I bet.

 

[Colby]

Some parents worry TOO much. I mean it's good but you can't just overreact. Don't get off topic guys.

Colby

 

[bobbysamd]

Ah guys, I bet here you don't deal with arguments. But at the flight sim forums I'm at there is a lot.

Colby

Welcome. Wait til you've been here awhile.

Read the following posts for an example of what I mean.

Good luck with your flying.

 

[pilotyip]

If you want to be a pilot

If you want to be a pilot fly airplanes all else is BS. Don't get caught up in the college degree thing.

 

[bobbysamd]

College degree

If you want to be a pilot fly airplanes all else is BS. Don't get caught up in the college degree thing.

Irresponsible advice to give a 15-year-old, Yip.

Go to college and earn your degree. You need an education, and doors will slam in your face if you don't have a degree. You can go to an aviation college and earn a degree or ratings, or push through college via summer school and finish in three years or less. Whatever you do, get that degree. It will serve you the rest of your life.

 

[pilotyip]

How about the Army?

Would it also be irresponsibile to tell him to look into the Army's High School to Flight School program? If a guy wants to be a professional pilot, that is one the best deals going. Is a 28 year old Spirit MD-80 F/O a poor job in avaition because the pilot does not have a degree. It is a doable career path. Might it not also be irresponsible to encourage a student to go to college who is not ready for college.

 

[Swede]

Colby, what I admire about you and any other teen here is that you have a passion... you are interested in a responsible, adult activity like aviation, and are pursuing it.

Keep something in mind when you hear negativity about the profession - I'll freely admit I've contributed my share - even if you are never paid one lousy dime to fly, you can always pursue flying as a wonderful, I'll even say magical activity for your whole life, as a hobby.

Even as a passenger in a big jet, I still find it to be a rush when the jet rotates and rockets skyward; the hydraulic pumps kick in with a whine, the flaps and gear come up, the smells of the kerosene, all give me a thrill. I'm amazed at passengers who can sleep through a takeoff or landing, and NEVER even peek out the window at that 50,000 ft+ thunderstorm we pass by at night, lightning blazing away creating an unequalled light show.

Keep the passion... it'll reward you well!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

If you want to be a pilot fly airplanes all else is BS. Don't get caught up in the college degree thing.

exactly. just fly. Turbojet PIC is where its at. Dont waste those 4 years at college.

You will only wind up 4 years behind those Spirit MD80 F/O's and DA20 on demand freight check airmen.

 

[joelo88]

Colby

Go to college. It's definitely worth it. You already have a head start in flying. I didn't start until after my second degree.

I suggest a degree not related to aviation so you have something to fall back on if flying doesn’t work out. I've got a degree in accounting that could work for me if I lose my medical or something else goes wrong. Another thing to consider is that you want to have fun also. If you spend every second of your life pushing the career and pushing the career you're probably going to look back one day and wonder what you've really done with your life. Flying is just one small part of life. Stop to smell the roses once in awhile. The military would be a great choice too. I wish I could have done it but I'm blind as a bat. But still GO TO COLLEGE. My .02. You have to think and decide what's right for you man.
joe