How to get back in to flying?

[Yves Pardieu]

It's been a few years since I've taken lessons. I was close to getting my private lessons when I stopped and moved for reasons best left unsaid. Now I want to get back into things. I was accepted to ERAU-Prescott. Can anybody give me some pointers as to how to get started and get a leg up? Any books I can study?

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Try accounting or engineering at your local community college. Or, better yet, become a nurse.

 

[A Passenger]

Don't pay any attention to these negative depressing people on here. If you want to fly, then go for it! Are you actually at ERAU or did you get accepted and decide not to go?

 

[A Passenger]

Try accounting or engineering at your local community college. Or, better yet, become a nurse.

Why do you even post here? It's obvious that you hate flying and only post here to complain and try to discourage people from flying.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Why do you even post here?

Because there are newbies here who think that there actually is a $300K/year job working 11 days a month waiting for them.

It's obvious that you hate flying

Don't hate it, it's just a job.

and try to discourage people from flying.

If you are serious about diluting an already saturated pilot supply for a dwindling market then try AriBen in Ft. Pierce, FL. You will come away with half the debt and 10 times the multi.

Just be sure to structure your debt so you can live off or RJ FO pay for the first 5-7 years and then be able to live off RJ Capt pay until you retire.

Good luck.

 

[pilotyip]

No degree required

Look at getting your ratings, fly for a while see if you like it. As posted above you can get your ratings cheaper without a degree program. Then if you discover you do not want to put up with the process of becoming a professional pilot you can go back to college and get a degree that has market value. Getting your ratings now will put you in a good position for the June 2007 hiring boom.

 

[Goose Egg]

Look at getting your ratings, fly for a while see if you like it. As posted above you can get your ratings cheaper without a degree program.

Nobody got their ratings cheaper than I did because I got them through a state school as part of a degree program. The reason is, partly, because I was able to use Pell Grants, aka free government money, to pay for flying because it was a cost associated with my college education. I didn't end up incurring much debt, relatively speaking, because the rental rates at my state run institution were quite low--we had brand new primary trainers (Katanas) running $69/hour, a Cherokee 140 costing for $45/hour, and the Arrows were renting at $80. Try gettin' that at an FBO.

Then if you discover you do not want to put up with the process of becoming a professional pilot you can go back to college and get a degree that has market value. Getting your ratings now will put you in a good position for the June 2007 hiring boom.

Or you can save yourself the time and get both simultaneously, and be prepared for whatever type of job--boom or no, flying or non--that you may end up desiring.

Of course, we've covered all this before.

-Goose

 

[mayday1]

Look at getting your ratings, fly for a while see if you like it. As posted above you can get your ratings cheaper without a degree program. Then if you discover you do not want to put up with the process of becoming a professional pilot you can go back to college and get a degree that has market value...

easier said than done. I'd get your degree either first, or concurrently. Don't "try" the flying thing for a couple of years, only to find out it's not working (for whatever reason), only to be left with a goodly amount of debt (most likely). Then, knocking off that 4 year degree won't be so easy (or cheap).

 

[bobbysamd]

Degree debate

Look at getting your ratings, fly for a while see if you like it. As posted above you can get your ratings cheaper without a degree program. Then if you discover you do not want to put up with the process of becoming a professional pilot you can go back to college and get a degree that has market value. Getting your ratings now will put you in a good position for the June 2007 hiring boom.

Part of the smart process of becoming a professional pilot is earning a degree. The best credentials possible are needed to get the jobs that build that coveted "TJ PIC." The degree is one such credential. That is because the competition has it, and not having it puts one at a disadvantage right out of the chute.

Don't pay attention to Yip. As long as your degree comes from an accredited school, it will have value. At the very least, it will open the door to any job in any field that has "college degree required or preferred" in its requirements.

 

[pilotyip]

pay attention to YIP

When the non-4 yr. degree pilot is 24 years old with an ATP and 1000 of TJ PIC and the 4-yr degree pilot has 600 TT with 100 MEL, who will be the more competitive? In this comparison the degree is not relevant.

 

[qmaster3]

Look at getting your ratings, fly for a while see if you like it. As posted above you can get your ratings cheaper without a degree program. Then if you discover you do not want to put up with the process of becoming a professional pilot you can go back to college and get a degree that has market value. Getting your ratings now will put you in a good position for the June 2007 hiring boom.

Yep yep yip,

Have to agree with you bud. Bobby's a good guy, but fights too hard on this. Your ratings are cheaper at the local FBO. The quality of education from the "geezer" CFI is unmatched.



Wait whom are we giving this advice too

 

[DesertFalcon]

Getting your ratings now will put you in a good position for the June 2007 hiring boom.

Hiring Boom! You are a real dreamer..... There will never be a hiring boom in 2007 or probably our lifetimes. Some hiring to replace some retirees, but no boom.

Let's get real there will always be enough pilots who are willing to fly "the video game," for below standard wages.

We are all stricken with the debilitating disease called "Flyoitis-extreme-amoungus." It's in the blood!

 

[bobbysamd]

Getting the job

When the non-4 yr. degree pilot is 24 years old with an ATP and 1000 of TJ PIC and the 4-yr degree pilot has 600 TT with 100 MEL, who will be the more competitive? In this comparison the degree is not relevant.

You have still not answered the question about how to get the job that builds those hours without credentials, Yip. The reason is that Yip has no answer to that question.

 

[mayday1]

When the non-4 yr. degree pilot is 24 years old with an ATP and 1000 of TJ PIC and the 4-yr degree pilot has 600 TT with 100 MEL, who will be the more competitive? In this comparison the degree is not relevant.

ok, and what happens if that 24 year old ATP loses his medical? or can't find work? or has any other circumstance develop where he/she can't fly anymore? Having that degree would sure look good about then.

 

[pilotyip]

After getting to that level of flying, a real degree would be aged and have limited market value. Companies are leery of engineers who have not done any engineering for seven years. A degree in aviation technology has limited market value and would open few doors. If a pilot finds himself or herself loosing there medical, that is the time to pursue a real degree that leads to a career. Go to school and have fresh credentials that employers are looking for. The thought process I see here is go to college get a degree in anything so you can get an interview with UPS in 2012. That degree does not lead to a marketable knowledge worker position. So why waste your time not developing a marketable skill. Particularly if you want to fly airplanes.

 

[qmaster3]

Mayday,

And I would hope it would be a NON-Aviation related degree. The 24/yr old could join the Military and in a Few yrs make some decent $$. There are a lot of degreed people in this world who are making less than I. They also will not be able to retire at 38 like I. OK, my ego is full now. A degree is the rule, but not NECECCARY for people to make $$ or Fly Airplanes. Assuming I had the TT, Ratings my resume would be sent in. Do you suggest I wait until I complete my degree to send it? Will the Military brothers at the interview forgive me that I don’t have a degree? Does the interviewer frown when he sees my 20/YR certificate? Does he get a wood when he sees your shiny ERAU (?) seal?

Feedback Please.

 

[banned username 2]

Look at getting your ratings, fly for a while see if you like it. As posted above you can get your ratings cheaper without a degree program. Then if you discover you do not want to put up with the process of becoming a professional pilot you can go back to college and get a degree that has market value. Getting your ratings now will put you in a good position for the June 2007 hiring boom.

GET A DEGREE... Jobs as pilots will be few and far between for the next 5+ years (PilotYIP is still smoking his "2007 hiring boom crack pipe"). He is still going off the old "10 year cycle" theory... There are a lot of variables in this "cycle" that didn't exist (to any significant degree) in previous cycles... This one will be deeper and longer lasting than previous ones...

And to show you how well things are lining up for PilotYip's 2007 hiring boom, let's review, shall we???

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45841

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45948

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45935

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45710

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45730

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45736

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45764

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45756

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45862

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45709

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45651

Get a degree, get a degree in something you can fall back on (outside of aviation), once USAir fails and possibly UAL as well), and with the massive furloughs at Independence there will be thousands (well over 15,000 if UAL goes T-U also (U + UAL)) of qualified pilots on the street on top of the 10,000 or so qualified pilots who are currently on furlough from the airlines...

There is no sign of any recalls starting at this time, and even if pilots were recalled at a rate of 2,000 per year starting tomorrow there wouldn't be much/any street hiring until around 2009/2010...

 

[bobbysamd]

Credentials

A degree in aviation technology has limited market value and would open few doors.

Not true. And, better to open a few doors than not having a degree and having none open.

Not only that, I have heard of people with aviation degrees getting many different non-flying jobs. For example, working in airport administration.

Education and thought-processes development completely aside for the moment, credentials, e.g., a degree, open doors. You still haven't answered the question about how to get jobs that build "TJ PIC" without credentials, Yip. Arguing exception doesn't cut it. Your military pilot who dropped out of college to join Army Aviation doesn't cut it, either, because comparing military to civilian is an apples v. oranges comparison. College or not, military always goes to the head of the hiring line.

 

[Swerpipe]

Get a degree in what you are passionate

Most pilots have a passion for flying but in addition we have passions for many other things. Find a degree in a discipline you are passionate about, the sky is the limit. I loved spacecraft and aircraft as a child and got an engineering degree in aeronautical engineering. That's what paid for my flying but the point is I loved going to work before becoming a pilot. I worked on the Direct TV and XM Radio satellites which turned out to be very personally rewarding but now I fly a jet and I have found true happiness.

There are many other areas that excite me astronomy, theater, music, physiology, movie special effects, computer graphics, etc...There is no limit to what you can do or accomplish. Never settle for jobs that are just jobs. Do something you are passionate about. In the end, you'll smile a lot more!

 

[Clyde]

When the non-4 yr. degree pilot is 24 years old with an ATP and 1000 of TJ PIC and the 4-yr degree pilot has 600 TT with 100 MEL, who will be the more competitive? In this comparison the degree is not relevant.

The guy with the degree will be more competitive when the furloughs hit and a new line of work needs to be sought after. Or, when both are employed at the same company, making the same undesireable wages, working the same undesireable amount of days each month, and each DESIRES to do something else for the next 30 years, the guy with the degree has a leg up.

Yip, not knocking your post, because I do know a few successful non-degreed pilots out there who are doing very well. But, given the state of the industry, I think it's absolutely necessary to have some education besides flying in your back pocket if you are going to pursue this. Maybe not so much an actual degree, but definitely a good, marketable skill.

 

[Clyde]

It's been a few years since I've taken lessons. I was close to getting my private lessons when I stopped and moved for reasons best left unsaid. Now I want to get back into things. I was accepted to ERAU-Prescott. Can anybody give me some pointers as to how to get started and get a leg up? Any books I can study?

Yves,
For starters I would not even consider ERAU. You are going to spend way too much money for something you don't need.

If you pursue a degree, study something that interests you and, something that is marketable if flying does not work out for you.

Learn to fly at a flight school that you feel is safe, effective, reliable, and safe. It does not matter if it is collegiate, an academy, or an FBO. Just depends on how much money you want to spend.

 

[mayday1]

Mayday,

And I would hope it would be a NON-Aviation related degree. The 24/yr old could join the Military and in a Few yrs make some decent $$. There are a lot of degreed people in this world who are making less than I. They also will not be able to retire at 38 like I. OK, my ego is full now. A degree is the rule, but not NECECCARY for people to make $$ or Fly Airplanes. Assuming I had the TT, Ratings my resume would be sent in. Do you suggest I wait until I complete my degree to send it? Will the Military brothers at the interview forgive me that I don’t have a degree? Does the interviewer frown when he sees my 20/YR certificate? Does he get a wood when he sees your shiny ERAU (?) seal?

Feedback Please.

Get a degree in anything you want, including aviation.. it will be valued... more than not having one.

Although I'm not positive, I believe if you enter the military w/o a degree, you go in as an enlisted soldier, not an officer. Don't know how much $$ you make, but you'd make more with a degree : )

Sounds like you've done well for yourself, retiring at 38. Good for you. People can do very well w/o a degree... I think the point of these discussions is to highlight the value of education, and that without one, your options will be limited. This is a fact.

BTW, I didn't go to ERAU, I went to Notre Dame. And "Nececcary" is spelled "Necessary."

 

[qmaster3]

Point being that others have an option. Assuming it’s the good ole USA were talking about an E-5 can make more than a ND grad. Come interview time the education I received at the other end of the Anchor Chain from Bahrain to Marseille could be inferior to the impeccable schooling at N.D. Then again who's judging?

BTW, Kings English can be butchered, and "soldier" is spelled "sailor"

See you on the Flight Deck