If I only knew then...

[skydiverdriver]

In the interests of more positive posts, here's an idea. What things do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting to fly? I don't want to make anyone feel bad about what they do, but just have an outlet for suggestions on how to handle things a bit better. Two come to mind, first, I wish I knew NOT to turn on all of my aircraft's lights when I get cleared into position on the runway. I had a twin Cessna do this to me the other day, as they were on the opposite side of the runway and they blinded us with every light they had. I didn't learn to wait until we were lined up until I flew for a cargo airline. Another one is when you say "blocked" on the radio. I had a GA pilot who kept blocking the controller, and after the third time, I finally said ".....Center, another aircraft keeps blocking you, say again, and other aircraft please stand by." I think the GA guy thought I was taking to HIM, when normally saying "blocked" is referring to the controller being blocked, not the aircraft.

Anybody have any other things that the newer pilots might need to know? Perhaps more people with airline and military experience should go back to their local FBO and teach a ground school on this stuff. Just a thought, and a way to put something back into the community. Good luck to all.

 

[BRA]

Switching frequencies...and not giving it a few seconds before you start talking. You may interupt a conversation.

Trying to ID the localizer when you are not within 30 degrees of it. You'll never hear it....so many people that are experienced seem to do this.

When relieving yourself standing off the wing, make sure to pull out your equipment and point downwind

Listening to the ATIS, and copying it down, without checking your watch first. To make sure isn't just about to change.

Calling for advisories for a traffic pattern, without listening to the others on the frequecy for a little while first.

 

[Eagleflip]

I wish I had known:

- When somebody says "Hey, watch this!" you'd better look out. Something stupid is about to happen.

- It doesn't take some amazing amount of experience to figure out what's right and what's not. After the first flush of a bright idea has worn off, your gut instinct is normally correct. And, interestingly, the most conservative approach/decision is normally the best one.

- The first thing to do in an emergency is fly the airplane. The radio can wait.

- When it is time to talk and you're in doubt about what to say to a controller to get your point across, use plain language.

Nice thread--I'm sure there are a million of these thoughts out there.

 

[AZaviator]

I wish I had known how pathetic it sounded when my CFI made me say, "TALLY HO" and "NO JOY" to ATC, when flying a C-172 during some of my flight training!

 

[knelson]

I wish I had asked for a raise sooner. . . if only I'd known they would say yes.

 

[avbug]

I wish I'd have known then where I would be right now, what I'm doing, where I am.

It's been a hard ride so far, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Some things just have to be learned the hard way and only experience can do that. I've had some painful experiences, some tense ones, and some that I dont' care to repeat, but I'm sure glas I had them, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I am who I am, because of them.

I'd never want my kids to grow up to be like me; they can do better. But I wouldn't change where I've been or what I've done.

Don't do ice. Don't do single engine IFR. Don't fly under powerlines if you can at all help it. Narrow canyons hurt. Don't wear flammable things in airplanes. Carry a piss bottle for long trips. Don't forget antacid and tylenol when you go some place. Exercise a little more. Don't wear hats so much if you dont' want to see a bare naked halo back there when visiting the barber. Cholesterol really is bad for you. Tell her she's beautiful and that you love her, every day, even if it's not a good day and make sure she understands it. Don't do ice, still. Don't let anybody push you into a flight, no job is worth it. Life is more than a seniority number. A J-3 cub flies just about the same as a Sabreliner, which is a lot like a Cessna 172, and is surprising like anything else...an airplane is an airplane, don't get too wrapped up in size or name or power, or get too proud. Stay in school. Develop outside interests. Pull the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** reserve; you're not too low and it's not too windy for a round parachute. They're shooting at you for a reason...but that doesn't really matter. Airspeed and bank accounts have a lot of similiarities. There is a rewarding career path, and a lucrative one; they're not necessarily near each other. Floats are fun, don't forget that. Stay alert, don't get complacent. Study, all the time. The regulations are written in blood. Don't forget it. Get to know them. File ASRS reports faithfully. Don't forget to pray; God didn't quit needing to hear from you just because you got a career. Tell her you love her again. Don't stay in motels where you smell currey when you walk into the lobby. Don't drink the water. Coca cola isn't a major food group but is allowable if provided in conjunction with chocolate. Get mechanic certification early: do it at a school instead of on your own. Buy your own tools early. Never do a job that's not 100% right the first time. Always return a man's things in better condition than you found them. Respect your credit report, and protect it. Live within your means. Learn to keep a confidence, and learn to listen before speaking. Take nothing for granted.

Those are a few things I'd tell me-then. Of course, I don't think me-then would listen. Just a few observations made along the way.

 

[RockyMnt1]

As usual, good post Avbug. There is a heap of wisdom in them thar thoughts and words.....especially the don't do ice part....
Thanks for the insight into your career.

 

[414Flyer]

Life is more than a seniority number.

...an airplane is an airplane, don't get too wrapped up in size or name or power, or get too proud. .

Now Avbug, saying things like that will get you labled as a heretic But I agree completely and wish more did too.

 

[bobbysamd]

Hindsight is 20/20 . . . .

I wish I would have started in aviation years before I did. More specifically, as my father, of blessed memory, said, I should have changed careers ten years before I did.

As far as jobs are concerned, I had a chance to leave ERAU to work for ATCA in Phoenix, instructing Lufthansa students in Bonanzas and Barons, etc. However, I would have been hired on a "B" scale. A colleague had just been hired at a starting salary of $31K in 1991. My salary would have been less. I just couldn't bring myself to take less money for the same job. Cost of living in Phoenix would have been more. At times, I have wished that I had taken the job.

I second Avbug on filing NASA reports. I was good about that. I even filed one about a headstrong and somewhat recalcitrant student who defied my signoff. Always do what's right, but make sure you do right by yourself.

 

[enigma]

Don't stay in motels where you smell currey when you walk into the lobby. .........................................................
Those are a few things I'd tell me-then. Of course, I don't think me-then would listen. Just a few observations made along the way.

\

You Sir are THE MAN!

still rolling on the floor,
8N

 

[flint4xx]

Do the right thing the first time, even if nobody is watching.

Don't be afraid to admit when you are wrong.

Accept that there is ALWAYS somebody who knows more than you. Listen and learn before you speak. (eg, Avbug)

Save money NOW, not sometime in the future.

Make your parents proud of you, and teach all this to your children.

As for flying, do as you are taught by professionals, and use the above principals. The rest will happen automatically.

...and don't drink coffee before long flights if you haven't made poopie yet.

 

[bigD]

I wish someone would have told me years earlier how dorky saying "Aaand....blah blah blah" over the radio is.

I wish I would have listened to the people that kept telling me that I'd have just as much fun flying a $50/hr 150 as I would a $160/hr Seneca, $130/hr 210, $140/hr A36, or whatever.

Chicks don't dig retracts any more than fixed gear planes. They won't even notice. I took a girl on a dinner date to SAT once in an A36, feeling all cool, and about a week later she asked me how long it'd be until I can fly the "big planes where the wheels come up."

On that same flight, I also learned to make sure the marker beacon audio is turned down when you don't plan on flying an ILS. My date thought the wings were about to fall off when we passed over the middle marker to 12R.

I wish I had known earlier how treacherous dating female pilots can be. Discovering a cute aviator is like finding a drinking fountain in the middle of the desert, but do you really want to date some girl that's as type A and as big a control freak as you are?

I wish I had known that when you figure the FBO's super cute front desk girl is 23, she's actually 17. DOH!

 

[mar]

Airplanes are like bicycles

I wish somebody would've told me that airplanes are like bicycles. There are many different kinds and just because you're good at one kind doesn't mean you're gonna be good at another.

Just because you're good at mountain biking doesn't mean that you're gonna be good at road racing.

Just because you're good at flying a 421 around at night, IFR, over the mountains, doesn't mean you're gonna be good, say, on floats.

Or in a crew.

Or in a 207 *in* the mountains, during the day.

Or in an F-16.

Or in a DC-3.

All of these are different skills: just like the mountain bike, street bike, BMX bike, unicyle, tandem bike, etc.

I wish somebody would've told me that the best pilots have a hugely diverse background from which to draw in the course of their day to day flying.

Fly safe

 

[DJS]

I wish I would have started earlier..

I'll second the "I wish I would have discovered aviation earlier" post.

I've always known I was going to learn how to fly...someday. I always wanted the window seat when flying cramped in coach in the big jets. I've always owned the latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. I spent days after flying as a passenger in small airplanes doing nothing but thinking about amazing that was...

...and all of a sudden I was mid way through the summer of 2002, about to turn 38. And I still hadn't taken any steps towards "someday".

A private pilot certificate later and 1/2 way or so through my instrument training, I can't stop slapping myself upside the head and uttering, "You Moron. Why didn't you do this 20 years ago? This is clearly what you were meant to do."

We'll see what the future holds. I've got a few more certificates and ratings to get before I seriously think of anything drastic like changing careers. Never mind the current job market for middle-aged low-hour pilots But flying is now never far from my mind. I've found that the universe and/or luck and/or karma and/or deity-of-your-choice tends to open doors when you need them opened. It will be interesting to see where this path leads me.

...Dave

 

[skydiverdriver]

Yeah, I started early and then stopped for awhile. I suppose everyone has to find their own way.

I thought about the listening first before transmitting, but I figured this was covered in the radio pet-peeves thread.

Thanks for the suggestions, and I hope all the active cfi's read this and teach them to the new guys/gals. Good luck to all.

 

[Timebuilder]

"You Moron. Why didn't you do this 20 years ago? This is clearly what you were meant to do."

For me, I could have done this forty years ago! I have slapped myself several times over this but the reality is different.

My path took me to several different places in life, and I have learned something everywhere that I have gone. The truth is that we have a certain amount of free will in our lives, and we are constantly "counseled" along the way as we conform to the Master Plan. Perhaps that small boy that stood next to the cub at that small airport wouldn't be ready to fully explore aviation for another 30+ years.

Things that aren't covered in training:

Ask for shortcuts to your route. "Any chance of Direct XXX?"

"Affirmative" is often the better response compared to "roger".

A small amount of frozen moisture attached to your aircraft is not a reason to freak out. Anthying more than that is reason enough to take whatever steps are necessary to get out of it. Certified for known icing does not mean that you can stay in icing conditions for a long time.

Judgement is developed over time. You could never live long enough to make all of the mistakes that can be made, so learn from the mistakes of others. Especially, learn from the fatal mistakes. See icing, above paragraph.

Most of what you believed about flying before you started doing it is wrong.

Most flight attendants will remind you of your third grade teacher, as opposed to Meg Ryan.

Find out early on if you really love flying, since that is one of the only perceptions that can stand the test of time in aviation.

 

[LR25]

Should have listened to my dad more, now that he is gone, I mostly depend on myself for the right anwer, which aint always right.

Realize that other people you fly with "early in training" just to go flying, MAY KILL YOU. Just dont climb into every airplane with everybody.

Do not stop studying. (Ditto, Avbug)

Cheaper is "more" expensive.

That you get out of shape as soon as you get a driver liscence.

Dont burn bridges (especially in aviation).

Dont get pressured by anybody, or anything, your life depends on it, along with others.

Be honest, to yourself especially.

 

[310]

LR25 is right- don't fly with just anybody- Four pilots I have met and talked to at a local airport are now subjects of NTSB fatal accident reports- all of them at fault- two had a passenger that were also killed.
My primary (pre PPL) instructor warned me not to fly with one of these pilots- he was right.

 

[Clownpilot]

One more

1 Don't pee on your hands
2 Don't swim in shark infested waters if you're bleeding
3 Don't eat yellow snow
4 Don't list hookers on your tax return as a 'deductible work expense'

and most importantly,

5 Don't take advice from long winded blowholes on some anonymous aviation message board whose aviation experience is limited to flying little pieces of cr*p, reading aviation books, and watching John Wayne flying movies.

I guess some people just love to hear themselves talk.

 

[Timebuilder]

Oh, and don't forget...

...that some folks won't have anything constructive to say, despite thousands of hours flying large aircraft.

 

[rattler]

In reguards to my first jobs. I wished I had realized the value of a seniority number. If I did I would not have remained at a 135 job (under a training contract) while defering a class date at CoEx. I let my old C.P. tell me I owed him 1 more month. I stayed while many of my FOs went on to CoEx breaking their contracts. The result was all these FOs that walked on their contracts are now senior to me at CoEx. They also still have a job. I am currently #26 in the furlough pool. The training contract was unenforceable.

 

[avbug]

Perhaps the training contract wasn't enforceable, but who put a gun to your head when you merrily took the job in the first place. Must you be forced to be honorable?

I've been offered some great jobs in the past, which I turned down. Not because I didn't want them, but because I had a commitment to my employer. I don't just walk out on someone. Regardless of the type of equipment, or the wage. I have never signed a contract, but I've shaken a mans hand and agreed to stay on for a season, or a length of time, or to not desert him when his hands are full.

If you didn't intend to show some degree of honor in living up to your word, why did you sign the contract in the first place?

You haven't learned a single constructive thing. You're lamenting the fact that you didn't break your word, and centering it on the issue of enforcability. Who cares? Your word should be your bond, and nobody should have to force you to live up to it.

Perhaps showing honor is a small thing in your town, but the truth is, it's part of being a man.

I went to work for a company that required a one year commitment after being typed. I shook hands on that agreement, where others had just signed a form. The employer knew I'd keep my word, and I did. Six different hotshots rolled in with high performance turbine experience (fighter community), and each one went to Flight Safety. Not a single one gave an hour of service. Some were recruited away to other companies right at Flight Safety. Others just took the type and ran. They figured out the paper they signed wasn't enforceable.

Such a thing is dishonest, and reprehensible.

Speaking of coex, I interviewed there some time back. I was out of work, and looking. They called, and I went. I did the little one-on-one thing in a motel room across the bed (cheapest interview I've ever sat through). Of the 30 odd applicants present, I was the only one who wouldn't be required to buy his job...I had ample experience and they didn't require it of me. However, when it came my turn to ask questions at the end of the interview, I asked if it was true that the company wouldn't cover my motel, meals, etc, during training.

Sure, that's the case, I was told. But why worry. You're lucky. All these other kids are paying for their ratings to get in. You don't have to do that. You should feel grateful. I started laughing, and got up to leave. I thanked them for their time and for the good laugh, and left. What they were doing wasn't honorable, either, and I wanted no part of it.

Sometimes in this business you get to make a decision of what you want, or what sounds good, vs. what is right. It's not always an easy decision. However, living up to one's word, and refusing to knuckle under to immoral hiring practices, aren't hard decisions. Just do it.

 

[Eagleflip]

AvBug--

Not that you were making a generalization about the fighter community, but I wanted to stand up for the many who do the right thing.

Take Albie for one. Hired by both JetBlue and FedEx, he had the world by the horns to all who witnessed his situation on this board. By his admission, however, he was absolutely transfixed by his problem--join a top notch cargo operator or enter the world of a start-up, albeit a classy one?

His true dilemma? He could have begun training with JetBlue for a couple of months (hedging his bets in case FedEx changed plans), then shifted to FedEx when their training date came up. He and I shared info and opinions galore during this time, and he came upon the right answer--he'd do the right thing and wait it out for FedEx, thereby freeing a slot at JetBlue training. He then wrote one of the best "Thank you but no thanks..." letters I've ever read; sent to the HR department, it stood alone in it's self-deprecating manner and honesty. Albie remains in good standing with our management due to his honesty.

Yes, there were many other issues at play for his decision, but he knew that the honorable thing would not allow him to take the JB training as a placeholder.

I won't belabor my own situation, but it followed somewhat similar lines as Albie's. For those that didn't follow the honorable path--well, neither you nor I don't have much respect for them. And, unfortunately or not, their types are not limited to the fighter community, the military, or pilots in general.

Of note, however, I've heard many folks on this board and elsewhere espouse the philosophy of "get what you can and d*$% the contract/agreement." Is this attitude common?

 

[Shag_McNasty]

Speaking of coex, I interviewed there some time back. I was out of work, and looking. They called, and I went. I did the little one-on-one thing in a motel room across the bed

Was she good lookin' or did you have to close your eyes?

 

[414Flyer]

I think that attitude is too common personally. THere is always griping about evil management, but unfortunately, there are many pilots who are no better.

Once, someone on the older propilot board asked about whether one should stick an an agreement one said, and I replied with someone along the lines of one should really try and stick to ones word. Some has the mature reply of calling me a "management toad". Integrity should be something we all strive for, not just something used to beat up on management, while forgetting it in our own career pursuits.

 

[avbug]

Eagleflip,

I should have clarified that. I wasn't attempting to disparage the fighter community. Rather, by coincidence, each applicant for that position was from the fighter community. The common link was that each was promised a rapid upgrade due to ample high performance turbine experience. Sign on, go straight to flight safety, and expect a rapid upgrade.

That particular company was very reluctant to spend money on typing an applicant unless they were assured the applicant would stay, and unless the applicant could zip through the training with no problem. These applicants promised to stay, signed the agreements (which like most, were not economically enforcable), and had the experience and aptitude to do what they said.

One other joined, he was a recently separated C-21 driver, who was right at home. He stayed for a year, but wouldn't accept flights that he didn't like, and placed too many limitations on when he would agree to work. He was terminated.

The point of those individuals was that with their former experience, they had little difficulty hiring most any place. Unlike say, a flight instructor applicant who would be hungry for time turbine experience and the type, these folks weren't. They took their agreements and their type none too seriously. They got the training and jumped ship.

Yes, I believe that attitude is very common in this industry. It's no one community; it's rampant throughout the industry. It's the time-building mentality. So few are interested in building experience...it's purely a curtain climbing issue to get to the top. Those folks don't care who they step on, who they rip off, or how they do it, so long as they get their time, their rating and move on.

Personally, when I shake on an agreement, it's a done deal. I fully expect that I will live up to the agreement, and that the other partie(s) will do the same. Then again, I pull over to help stranded motorists and even hitch hikers, on the belief that what comes around goes around. A man can walk away from an employer and his agreement, but he cannot walk away from himself. At some point, he must look himself in the mirror. I can't do that squarely unless I know where I stand, and the best way to accomplish that is through honesty.

 

[supsup]

shoulda woulda coulda.

-Buy all of your toys before you get married.
-Don't sell your toys after you get married.
-Don't quit going to school and then finish 5 years later.
-Don't quit flying and go and work for the railroad thinking that money is the answer to all your problems.
-When your in a c-150 and tower says caution wake turbulence, they really do mean "caution wake turbulence!!!!!!!"

supsup

 

[Timebuilder]

Personally, when I shake on an agreement, it's a done deal. I fully expect that I will live up to the agreement, and that the other partie(s) will do the same. Then again, I pull over to help stranded motorists and even hitch hikers, on the belief that what comes around goes around. A man can walk away from an employer and his agreement, but he cannot walk away from himself. At some point, he must look himself in the mirror. I can't do that squarely unless I know where I stand, and the best way to accomplish that is through honesty.

I couldn't agree more. That's why I am considering typing myself and retaining my autonomy. If I let my boss type me, I will stay for a year to make his investment pay off, since many have told me that this is the expected "industry standard".

The quote above should be read by every public school student, since "old fashioned" values were swept out of the schools along with the Lord's Prayer.

 

[414Flyer]

Yes, what comes around does ago around

Back in 99, I was flying a T-210 for a guy on a by the day contract basis, and he wanted a twin commander badly. He told me if I found one that he bought, he would have me fly it on salary. He was just a VFR private pilot, single engine, but used it a lot for business

Well I did a lot of work, found him one and he bought it. I told him we should fly it for a bit before doing the panel upgrades and paint, so we would know what needed to be improved but he insisted on putting it in the paint shop right away and doing the panel work, which would take about a month at least.

A couple of weeks later, I get a call from a friend of mine who knew of a open right seat on a citation 500, that I could probably have. I declined, since I had found this plane for the guy, and did not want to ditch him like that.

About two days later, I got an email, not even a phone call at that, saying he wouldnt be needing me for the twin commander, but thanks for finding it..or something along those lines.

I was so pissed off, for a week I could hardly think straight. I had even turned down a right seat jet time for this guy, and he just by email tells me he wont need me for the commander. There went my shot at multi engine time. I found out he had found someone who would do office work too in addition to flying.

Picked myself back up, sent out resume and got my career back on track, with VFR tours in Hawaii, freight in Fargo, cloud seeding in Hondo, and air ambulance in NM/AZ...

Just heard the other day, this person that I found the commander for and who offered me a job flying it and rescinded it by email, had been out flying his commander 500, on his single engine VFR license (4 hours later he has still not gotten his multi, even after owning a twin).

FAA busted him flying it. Apparently he had pissed off someone else who turned him in, and the FAA was waiting for him.

I am not a vindictive person, but I still could not help but crack a smile.