It’s a bit depressing you know when your wondering if you’re too old now to do things…
Totally non-locost related (what a surprise) but you see I have recently got a new job, such as I have enough coming in now to possibly pursue a long
held dream, to do what? Well fly commercial planes, or more correctly turbo props as I’m not interested in large jets whatsoever.
Anyone on here in that line of work, to offer advice ?
Oh how old am I? 34 
[Edited on 6/12/07 by Mr Whippy]
my boss did that,took a long time and a lot of money to get a license,lasted about 6 months,said he was treated as a glorified bus driver
Not in that line of work, but having spoken to some airline pilots if you love flying it's a good excuse for someone else to pay for it!
Dan
been there, done that...bus driver that is
quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
my boss did that,took a long time and a lot of money to get a license,lasted about 6 months,said he was treated as a glorified bus driver
According to a couple of mates of mine who fly commercialy it seems its a matter of getting in before your 40 or there abouts.
One just managed to get in after being an engineer for most of his life, then a kind of fast track into 737/757 with thomas cook/JMC
The other held a PPL for some years before making the move, they both are not looking back though and it was a very good and lucrative move.
Also there are hosties
Got a mate who's a cadet with BA currently, he's on type approval in Arizona at the moment on Boeing 737, I could put you in touch.
Also got a mate who teaches cadets and others at Oxford, he's about your age and has constantly struggled to get into an airline based on 2
facts, 1 he was never in the RAF or RN (the airline industry in particular chief pilots and chief instructors are rife with ex RAF & RN boys)as an
aviator either fixed or rotary wing and 2 medical history, he failed a medical 3 years ago but has since passed. That said Matt teaches aerobatics to
International competitors so he's a bit tidy behind the controls.
Matt has pots of money, old man was a High Court Judge and he spends it all on keeping his ratings and his medicals.
[Edited on 6/12/07 by Pants On Fire]
Thanks guys, I was aware that it requires plenty of money. I have flown before (5 years ago) with about 40hrs in light aircraft. A previous change of
job knocked the flying on the head the last time before I could complete my training. It does sound that I'm not quite ready for the crypt yet,
so when I get back to Aberdeen I’ll have a word with the flying club and start all over again.
note : this is what happens when you get someone a 1/2 hour flight as a birthday present...
[Edited on 6/12/07 by Mr Whippy]
So thats how your getting to Newcastle ?????
Try going along to a local flying club They may be able to put you in touch with ther right people.
RD
Friend of mine got a commercial license a couple of years ago. He's spent the last 12 months flying around the sahara looking for oil.
I had a trial lesson a couple of months ago - was good fun, but at 150 quid an hour it's nowhere near as much fun per money as track days
I'm a captain with Flybe on the Dash 8, as I always say its better than working for a living!
A few airlines including Flybe do a sponsorship scheme. I am not sure about the details but you could check it out on their web site. The job market
is good at the mo but I am not sure for how much longer..
Unless you/wife/parents/uncle are well of expect to be poor for a number of years until you can pay off training debts.
I started when my wife bought me a gift voucher 15 years ago….
Give it a go...
Andy
cheers Andy,
Got a house to sell soon as well...handy
quote:
Originally posted by athoirs
I'm a captain with Flybe on the Dash 8, as I always say its better than working for a living!
A few airlines including Flybe do a sponsorship scheme. I am not sure about the details but you could check it out on their web site. The job market is good at the mo but I am not sure for how much longer..
Unless you/wife/parents/uncle are well of expect to be poor for a number of years until you can pay off training debts.
I started when my wife bought me a gift voucher 15 years ago….
Give it a go...
Andy
I build and design the props you boys fly with (well the materials side of things at least)...
One of my friends is starting training in the USA in April. He was able to get a 'career development loan' to put towards the cost. Might be
an opion worth looking into. I think a lot of pilots go in via the military route, but there must be a reasonable amount who go straight in.... Good
luck!
quote:
Originally posted by athoirs
I'm a captain with Flybe on the Dash 8, as I always say its better than working for a living!
A few airlines including Flybe do a sponsorship scheme. I am not sure about the details but you could check it out on their web site. The job market is good at the mo but I am not sure for how much longer..
Unless you/wife/parents/uncle are well of expect to be poor for a number of years until you can pay off training debts.
I started when my wife bought me a gift voucher 15 years ago….
Give it a go...
Andy
HI,
I spent the 80's as a commercial bush pilot and waterbomber pilot here in Canada. It was bad economic times, but I stuck with it, earned a
living, until I started to know too many pilots who ended up dead. One day, I thought:"That's me". I can't describe the absolute
thrill of flying into small lakes and small strips in places like the Yukon, flying gold miners around. A motorbike or a car at speed doesn't
even come close. I frankly got tired of living out of hotels and being far from my wife.
I could have gone further, whatever that means, but I started going to university during my off times, got an MSc in Audiology, and didn't look
back. I don't miss it, but everybody wonders "what if?".
Consider coming to Canada for initial training. The cost per hour in the UK is going to eat up any travel and accomodations you might incur.
You will never regret trying, so go for it. Life is short. And for god's sake, take up that guy's offer if he gives you a sponsorship!!!
They'll give you a good job afterwards, and eventually you'll be able to pay for food.
[Edited on 8/12/07 by RK]