need some long term advice

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:59 am

I got my CPL in April of 2004 and so far haven't had much luck finding an aviation job. Mainly because of the student loan payments I have ($600/month) and my TT being 200 hrs (Ramp jobs just can't pay enough). I just got a construction job that pays pretty well and I need some advice as to invest in some more training (floats, instructor etc.) or should I just try to add as many hours as possible. I was looking into Skywings in Red Deer, AB for some of the training. Anyway, I was hoping someone has been in a situation where they were stuck like me and might have a way out. Thanks.

stuckinthemiddle · Post by **stuckinthemiddle** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:13 am

i know exactly how you feel... im just finishing up the CPl and on to the Multi-IFR. my loan payments are going to be ridiculous. But you gotta keep at it, and maybe turn down your loan payments and increase the period... it sucks, but thats what i think i'm going to have to do. i've been in construction for awhile too, its great cash... but it isnt getting you any farther ahead in your career.

my advice, based on my little experience - is to bite the bullet.

Downtown · Post by **Downtown** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:36 am

No doubt it's tough when you are a newly minted Commercial pilot. I never went the instructor route, but that's one of the few ways for low time commercial pilots to build hours. The pay is nothing special, but it could suppliment your construction income part time.

I built time towing gliders and hauling skydivers. But usually you have to have a connection with an organization to get into those time building jobs. As hard as it may be to stay positive, it is necessary in order to make it in this industry. Best of luck to you!

DT

wallypilot · Post by **wallypilot** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:52 am

I was in a similar situation back in 1997 when I first got my CPL. Also, my timing was off as to the time of year to find a job. I ended going the instructor route, got a job with the school that trained me, and was able to keep my good paying union job by downgrading to a part time position. I was lucky to have some flexibility at that job. Instructing is good in some ways as you can schedule your students when you like, as long as your boss doesn't require you to be at the school all day, even if you have no bookings. I worked my ass off...full time most of the year at the flight school and part time all year at the union job. I was bagged after a year of that, but it worked for me, and i moved on and now am happy where I am.

richpilot · Post by **richpilot** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:49 am

Look into the intrest releif program for your student loans.

scubasteve · Post by **scubasteve** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 1:54 pm

that depends on what type of loans he has. banks dont offer interest relief, at least not that I know of but I wish they did.

fingersmac · Post by **fingersmac** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:12 pm

they don't offer interest relief... but you could always declare bankruptcy

as for gov student loans you still have to pay it back even if you declare bankruptcy (unless it's been 10+ years).

Treetopflyer · Post by **Treetopflyer** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:52 pm

Suck it up and get a flight instructors licence. It is a good way to build time. Careful about getting "stuck" in a rut. Next thing you know 5 yrs go by and your aviation career is slipping.... That was my mistake. Coulda been years ahead. Wasted time working for $$ instead of getting time.

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 8:04 pm

Thanks for the advice guys, and I do have one bank loan and some gov loans as well, had interest relief for the gov loans but my income is just a bit to high right now to get it again. I've got a flight scheduled for tomorrow to get back in the saddle, my first in over a year.

bob sacamano · Post by **bob sacamano** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:14 am

Instructor rating will allow you too keep your current job and build some time. Won't be fast, but at least you'd be flying. Before you invest in the rating, select where you'd like to work once you're done, and talk with the CFI about the employment possibility.

ei ei owe · Post by **ei ei owe** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:48 pm

I think some of the posts on this topic are out of date. Skip the whole instructor rating with the schools that don't offer multi time. The guys that work in the higher profile schools (the ones with multi aircraft which will give you multi PIC after putting in some dues) do really well. To just rationalize that "any" school is as good as the other is crap. Now, if you want my view, you pay the same amount as the instructor rating and get a useful PPC. Sure you'll take a little flack from some weiners on avcanada, but in the end you'll be laughing last as you build good quality time on a modest machine while the rest of your competition lags behind you.

Hoser · Post by **Hoser** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:01 pm

Another route that my buddies on the ramp took was to go work the oil patch for a season. One of the guys I work with drove a vacuum truck for a full year doing all the overtime he could and he grossed something like $150,000 (I'm not kidding) The company's name is Eveready.

That's if you don't want to go the instructor route. I did a bit of instructing before working the ramp and now I'm on the ramp with some PIC time and a little money saved up just in case. But that's me.

So do what you think is best, but my advice is that not flying and working your balls off to pay off the bills before you move up north is really good idea, besides, if you do make some fat cash, you'll pay your taxes with the credit that you have for your flight trainig. I almost wish I would have thought of it before!

Hope this helps!