need some help

[cyork25]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering how you guys got your training, where did you go, any good or bad experiences. What do you guys think is the best route to the airlines or even a professional job. I'm just a private pilot and i'm trying to figure out the best way to take the next step. thanks in advance

Chris

 

[350DRIVER]

25-
There are many different ways of going about with your training. I personally went through the Continental Express PDP. Nothing but good experiences to report. IF I had to to do it again I would seriously consider the Mesa Airlines Pilot Deveolpment Program (MAPD) since this is by far the quickest way that I know of to get to the right seat of a 19 or RJ at very low time. All depends what you want.??!!


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[bobbysamd]

Flight training, how do I love thee, let me count the ways

. . . and, there are many.

I instructed at MAPD nine years ago. You indeed have the chance to interview with Mesa Airlines for a regional FO job at 300 hours. Whether you get a real job after interviewing successfully will depend in large measure on Mesa's hiring needs at the time.

Comair in Florida has a similar program. The difference is you must instruct at the school for a while to hit Comair hiring mins for school graduates.

There are tons of other good commercial flight schools without airline connections, such as FlightSafety in Vero Beach, Florida, another of my former employers. I liked that program and will vouch for its quality. You can earn your Commercial-Instrument-Multi in about six months. You really need to earn your instructor ratings, too. An important point about considering a big school is whether it will hire you as an instructor after you graduate.

There are dozens of colleges that offer flight programs. Two well-known examples are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (I worked there, too, in Prescott) and the University of North Dakota. One plus about college flight programs is many offer internships with airlines. The great thing about internships apart from learning is the opportunity they offer to make valuable contacts.

You can also earn your ratings at your local FBO. Some offer Part 141 training that is similar to the above programs. Usually, most FBOs train students under Part 61, where your instructor alone is responsible for supervising your training.

Don't forget the military for great training and an almost-guaranteed seat at the majors. But, the military is not for everybody.

Finally, I learned to fly under Part 61 with instructors who owned their own airplanes. My career path was different than most, but maybe similar to yours. I learned to fly because I always loved airplanes and wanted to learn to fly. Later, I decided to change careers and all I needed to do so was to get my multi and MEI. I thought I knew all that was necessary when I got my first job, at Riddle. I was sooo wrong! I was surprised, and embarassed, at how little I knew compared to my colleagues. I studied and got up to speed, but, in looking back, I got minimal training and obtained minimal knowlege during my training. I was working full-time and on overnight shifts, which certainly impeded my progress. If I had it to do over, I would have stopped working, enrolled at Riddle, finished my ratings there, and earned a second B.S., in Aeronautical Science.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your choice(s).

 

[Buschpilot]

I gotta get my sticky fingers in on this one....

Day in and day out I see people who step into that mighty (yet incredibly fun) C150 with 0 hours under their belt saying under their breath, 'When/how can I get to the airlines'

I gotta admit, its both my goal - and my pet peeve.

Go to almost any respectable flight school. Have fun. Meet people. FLY! The reason we want to be pilots is because its FUN. Right? Have fun with it. I cannot tell you how many people I've flown with and been friends with through the past few years that went straight to a regional, and told me the day they got into indoc they said to themselves, 'I wish I would have flown more 135'.

Not that regional flying is horrible or un-fun. 100% the opposite is true. But there are many many other ways to get there other than the 'flight train at a school that promises me an interview - teach at school that promises me interview - maybe get interview and step into nice airplane' route.

Flying isn't just about what ratings you have and what the lowest approach you've ever shot....its about you. A couple of years down the road when your an old (or not so old..) hand at flying (and we all are after a coupla years flying airways and localizers and memorizing every reg from 61 to 91 to 135 to 121), your gonna wish you did more to well round yourself. What exactly are you and your fellow pilot gonna talk about when you DO reach that coveted major airline position? Circling mins?

I think not.

Back to your question. You asked what school to go to and how do others do it. Here's what I have to offer:

Pick a flight school that meets your needs. Do you need to stay close to home? Do you need financial aid (probably yes) and do they offer it? Do they have the right kinds of airplanes to get the job done (read: multi)? Think about this, as well; Are they busy enough to hire you when you get your CFI, and then will they keep you busy?

A very good friend of mine went to a large flight department that 'guaranteed' him an interview with both the flight school and then the associated airline. He never got either, and he's a very competent and skilled pilot/person. He spent 3 times what I did, and got the same education. My point? Don't be fooled by the glitter. You can get the same education and have ALOT less stress at your local airport.

When you leave the flight school and if you take the instructor route (which I HIGHLY recommend), find a nice 135 job doing something. I picked bush flying. Best decision I EVER made. This has opened more doors than I ever thought. People really respect 135 flying. When you walk into a regional (or any other) interview...it shows that you know what you are doing.

My recruiter told me once, 'When you walk into a room, people will know you are a Marine'.

The same rule applies. When you walk into a room, people will know you are a 135 pilot. You will NEVER fail. The other guysand gals will look up at you with awe. There will be that look of respect and a twinkle of jealousy in their eye.

Ok. That's it. Don't feel that I'm blasting you (or anyone else for that matter). I simply believe that you can save money, have more fun, and avoid a coupla ulcers by taking it easy, having fun, and most importantly, doing what you do best:

Flying.