Career Advice

[RyanO-NJ-1208]

Hello Dan. My name is Ryan and I live in Southern New Jersey. I recently received my PPL and am eager to proceed foward towards a career in aviation as a corporate/charter pilot. I'm fully aware of the training that lies ahead and the ratings and certificates that need to be earned. I was wondering what advice you can give me to point me in the right direction in achieving my goal. Just to let you know I'm almost 31 years old and I'm not getting any younger. Time is one of my main concerns as well as the cost of the training. I have incurred enough debt in earning a college education as well as acheiving my PPL, for which I am currently making payments. I wish I could just relocate temporarily to finish all of the training. Unfortunately I can't because I have to continue to work to take care of all my bills and expenses. It appears that maybe a self-paced program would suit me better. I realize that I may have started a little late in life in pursuing an aviation career as oppose to the average individual, but as they say, better late than never....I'm looking foward to your response.

Thanks for your help, Ryan

[Corporate Dan]

Hi Ryan. I understand your situation very well as I was in a similar situation when I started to fly. It sounds like you understand the realities of studying hard and the time it takes to get all of your licenses done. Also the reality of the cost involved. That is definitely a factor in the whole equation. Without knowing any specifics about your personal situation I would recommend trying to get the training done in the 90 career fast track program which would be great for someone who already has their private license already. It's a great experience and you get the benefit of getting it all done and being ready for the next phase. However, if you think you can't swing that then it certainly is not a bad idea to consider the self paced program. Just be careful to not to lose the intensity and enthusiasm for the training when it is spread out like that. Also with the industry being a little slow with hiring in the airlines and in the corporate world, it's not a bad idea to take your time with the training now and catch the upswing in the near future. Either way you I don't think there is a wrong choice.
As for "starting late" in life to becoming a pilot: there a guys that are much older than yourself who start getting into flying and achieve their goals of flying for an airline. You can still have a 34+ year career of flying if you started now. So don't worry about that. Many airlines and corporate companies who hire pilots to fly their multi-million dollar airplanes can appreciate a more mature candidate when interviewing for positions. That could end up helping you along the way. I think that was the case with me in some areas.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions that you would like answered. Getting back to the cost aspect of becoming a pilot, are you married with any children? That is a big factor in choosing what to do with your training. A good amount of guys I communicate with are in that position wanting to make the change to aviation who have to make huge sacrifices that affect the people around them. Anyway, let me know if this info helps or if you have any other questions.


Dan

[RyanO-NJ-1208]

Hi Dan. Thanks for your response and advice. Being that I have to work still while training, I think I'll shoot for a self-paced program. Besides, I truly believe as do many others that the 90 day program is quite unrealistic and far-fetched, especially if your seeking quality catered training. Especially in the Northeast, just the weather alone could keep you grounded for a third of the time. Add to that instructor dependability and retention, scheduling conflicts, fleet availability, maintenance, and inspection issues, three months could blow by before you finish your instrumentation. It just seems very discouraging and unpromising. Anyhow, having said that , there are many out there who supposedly have done it in the 90 day time frame......I'm interested in your response to this. Once again, thanks for your time and I will be keeping in contact with you.....Ryan

[Corporate Dan]

Hi Ryan. I understand your concerns about the 90 day program. It is not for everyone but I will say this: Like you said, there are many students that have successfully gone through the 90 day program and have gone on to become professional pilots in the airlines and in corporate so there is that track record-documented on the ATP website and testimonials. Also you have to think: in "regular" school, learning math and science, you don't go to class 1 or 2 times a week in order to learn the material. You go everyday and continually build on your knowledge that was learned a day ago. The same holds true in aviation. When I got my private I was flying 1 or 2 days a week and there was an element of relearning things I had forgotten the week before from being away from it in each lesson instead of moving that much ahead. That was my experience. As for the quality of the ATP training and their logistics of running things: ATP runs their program like an airline with no BS. They weed out the unreliable instructors in the hiring process,(and if there is any hint of it from already hired instructors then they are immediately dealt with) and have the logistics of where the airplanes are and what needs to be available for students at all times. They have dedicated people just to monitor and track airplanes and student's flight time at the main headquarters. I am saying this from experience. If you have the time you should go to any location and see how they run that particular office, the type of instructors there and see first hand how it is managed. It's that simple. If you have any doubts at that point then you are under no obligations to chose ATP for your training. That is what I did for quite a few places until I came to the conclusion to go to ATP. I think you'll be surprised at what you find is out there. I loved every minute of my training at ATP. I was eating, sleeping, breathing aviation for 3 months. The self paced program is also a great way to go and I am sure that all the resources of the 90 day program will be at your fingertips if you choose to opt for their training. Let me know if you plan to visit the Trenton location. I might take a drive down myself and can meet you for lunch.

Dan

[RyanO-NJ-1208]

Hi Dan. Once again, thanks for your response. ATP is sending me some literature and program outlines so I can see what best suits me regarding my future training. As you mentioned, I think it would be a good idea to visit the Trenton branch to take a look at their operations, being that I'll probably be attended that location if I decide to go with ATP. I'm really curious to see what the training will cost being that I already have my PPL and need to begin with IFR training........Dan, I was wondering if upon completion of ATP's Professional Pilot Program I would be able secure a position with a corporate company or would I need to generate time and experience with a regional airline first? I've heard the hourly requirements and expertise for corporate/charter companies are more demanding and stringent. I have also heard that being a corporate pilot is the so-called "sweet spot" in the aviation industry. I've been told that they really take good care of their employees and create a pleasant working experience, as well as provide a better pay scale? Could you elaborate on this a little for me? The main thing that attracts me to corporate and private aviation is that scheduling varies and seems quite flexible. I like the idea that destinations and times are always changing, instead of the stale rut that scheduled airline pilots with designated schedules seem to face, such as flying from PHL to BOS twice a day three times per week.....I would really appreciate if you could reveal some of the realites that exist in this industry, especially the ones that you've had first hand experience with.........Thanks again, Ryan

[Corporate Dan]

Hi Ryan. That is a great idea to go down to ATP in Trenton especially if that is where you would end up doing your training. As far as hours: the big number in corporate aviation as far as insurance for operators is that pilots have a minimum of 2500 hours fixed wing. That can change from place to place but that is widely used. I know Netjets minimums are 2500. To be competitive it is good to have more time than that and also multi time and even jet time which is very valuable on a resume. That would make you really attractive to potential employers. So for me, a regional airline was a good way for me to get a lot of hours quickly (850 per year) and fly a jet getting valuable jet time and experience in all kinds of different weather, destinations, pilots, etc. So even if you don't want to end up in the airlines, a regional can get you headed in the right direction. If not, another way could be to find a flight school that has multi-engine airplanes and perhaps does some chartering with a King Air and try to get some seniority on the instructor roster to fly that. Then move on to a charter or cargo company that has a Learjet, etc. That can take a long time to build up the required hours. So again you can cut out a lot of time through a regional that flies jets.
As far as being a sweet spot in the industry, that depends. There are good jobs and bad jobs in corporate just like the airlines. You could end up flying for a low budget charter operation that will fly your butt off or you can end up flying for a Fortune 500 Company that has a good schedule and pay scale. It all depends on where you are able to get hired. Some pilots are hardcore airline pilots and that's it. Yes it's nice go to Paris for 5 days and the next month Cancun. Instead of a 14 hours overnight in Rochester, NY. But at some jobs you could be on call for 24/7 where as the airlines have definite days off. Pay is low in the airlines in the beginning but it does pick up as you get more seniority and upgrade to Captain. In corporate you could start with a higher salary but don't have as high of increases every year. So it's tough to say what works out to more. In the airlines you can live where ever you want to and commute to work. In corporate you pretty much need to live within 2 hours of the airport that you are based at. (except for Net Jets) So there are good points and bad for each industry.
The experience I had in the airlines vs corporate is also this:
In the airlines you just show up and fly. You get your paperwork(flight plan) a half hour before the airplane is supposed to leave then jump in the airplane and go to your destination. In corporate there's much more set up involved for the pilot. You have to arrange handling at the destination(landing permits, fuel, catering, car rental, hotel, etc) also you must run your own flight plan and file it, put all the catering on the airplane, call for the airplane to be rolled out the hangar, order the fuel, be in contact with the passengers in case of delays or changes, etc) So that could be something that a pilot would want to consider. Some people just like to just show up and fly. I personally like being in control of the details of the trip. Another biggy is that there is no union to stand behind and be protected by in the corporate world like there is in the airlines. If you lose your medical in the airlines you can get insurance against this and continued to get paid even though you are not fit to fly. If you break an FAA regulations then it's just you who must answer for it. Something to consider.

So there are some factors to each side.
I hope this helps.

Dan

[Corporate Dan]

Hey Ryan. How's it going? I just thought I'd check back with you to see where you were at in terms of thinking about a future in aviation. Feel free to ask any and all questions you may have. Did you see the news coverage of the Airbus landing in the Hudson river last week? Crazy! My wife works in downtown Manhattan and saw the ferries around the airplane from her office building window. Hope everything is going well.


Dan

[RyanO-NJ-1208]

Hi Dan! I'm fine. How are you? I'm still undecided about how and when I'm going to proceed with my aviation training, money and financing being the main hurdles. I got approved for a loan from Chase, but the interest rate was too high. I'm going to see if I can get a lower rate with a payment schedule that I can handle......About the Hudson crash: That pilot did a superb job of keeping those wings level while the plane entered the water. We both know what would have happened if one of those wings went below the surface of the water. It would have been a totally different scenario. Hats off to him and the rest of the crew. Thanks for staying in touch Dan, I shall do the same.

Ryan

[Corporate Dan]

Hi Ryan. Great to hear from you again. I understand about the financing. These days especially. You are correct in waiting for the right deal that you are comfortable with. However, even with a low interest rate, it's still a big investment to wrap your mind around.
That guy did do a superb job at putting it down. I used to fly down the Hudson in a Cessna 172 all the time at 1100ft. I was always a little nervous about there being no options to set the airplane down except for in the water. You can see some security camera footage of the airplane touching down on Youtube.com. Have you had a chance to visit the Trenton location?

Talk to you soon.

Dan