I have been over at the hanger for a couple weeks now and was recently referred to this board, so I thought I would check it out. I figured I should introduce myself over here and ask the same question as I did when I first registered on the other forum, so here goes:
My name is Zach. I am 20 years old and a business student in New Brunswick canada with no flying experience. I have been doing some research on how to make a career out of flying for the past month or so and stumbled apon this page recently. I can't seem to read or learn enough about flight, and you all have been a great source of information for both knowledge and entertainment. So I thank you for that.
I wanted to ask a question to all of you who have made career's out of flying. It will help me figure out the direction I want to take for myself and also just because I enjoy reading it: How did you get started on the road to where you are, and what do you do now?
I think that joining the air force will be my best bet, but I have to finish my degree before I can enter and start pilot training. I am having a very hard time trying to find out how to get started!
Any ways, if you all feel like letting me know your story I would love to hear it. Flying seems like it would be such a dream job, and I am envious to anyone who has made it their career.
I realize it isn't everything it is cracked up to be, and many people warn me about the instability associated with a pilot career. I like hearing everything though, because at this point I am just gathering information. Like I said, I have no flying experience and am just exploring my options at this point.
Thanks alot,
Zach
New to the boards
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
Welcome to Avcanada Zach15,
The best thing about your first post is tht you are willing to do the research and you have come to the right starting point. I also suggest you post in the Flight Training section to get a better idea of how & where to do some training once you have decided you will be going ahead with flight training.
Happy Info gathering..have fun at it.
Regards
IABD
The best thing about your first post is tht you are willing to do the research and you have come to the right starting point. I also suggest you post in the Flight Training section to get a better idea of how & where to do some training once you have decided you will be going ahead with flight training.
Happy Info gathering..have fun at it.
Regards
IABD
if you're at all interested in the air force call a recruiter. Ask for your recruiters background, make sure you're talking to a pilot. I know for a fact there are pilots who are on their non flying rotations working as recruiters in toronto. It might be best to track down their number and talk directly with someone in the know.
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Right Seat Captain
- Rank Moderator
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 7:51 pm
- Location: Various/based CYOW
I have to agree with endless about talking to a recruiter, even though you're not finished your degree. If you fit what they are looking for, they may pay for the rest of your education, and pay you to attend training courses during your time off in the summer, which would accelerate the process of flying once you are finished university.
I'd also suggest going to a local flight school or flying club and doing an Introductory Flight or Discovery Flight, whatever they call it at that particular school. It is usually about $50, you get to go up and take the controls of the aircraft and try it out. The flight lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, and gives you a taste of what it is like to fly. There is generally no commitment by taking one of these flights.
To find a flight school in your area, refer to the first post, an announcement, in the Flight Training forum. There is a link there to a listing of flight schools in Canada and their contact information.
A lot of information in this industry is distributed by word of mouth. It works since it is a fairly small industry. Hanging out at flying schools, and talking to a variety of pilots will inform you of the different areas you can end up in aviation. As you've been doing, this forum is an excellent source of information.
To answer your question, I started in flying through the Air Cadets. There I got a Private Licence. Once I finished, I did more flight training at my local flying club, and now I am a flight instructor. It's been an interesting, and fun road so far. Most of the information I got about the industry all came from other pilots.
I'd also suggest going to a local flight school or flying club and doing an Introductory Flight or Discovery Flight, whatever they call it at that particular school. It is usually about $50, you get to go up and take the controls of the aircraft and try it out. The flight lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, and gives you a taste of what it is like to fly. There is generally no commitment by taking one of these flights.
To find a flight school in your area, refer to the first post, an announcement, in the Flight Training forum. There is a link there to a listing of flight schools in Canada and their contact information.
A lot of information in this industry is distributed by word of mouth. It works since it is a fairly small industry. Hanging out at flying schools, and talking to a variety of pilots will inform you of the different areas you can end up in aviation. As you've been doing, this forum is an excellent source of information.
To answer your question, I started in flying through the Air Cadets. There I got a Private Licence. Once I finished, I did more flight training at my local flying club, and now I am a flight instructor. It's been an interesting, and fun road so far. Most of the information I got about the industry all came from other pilots.
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Phillips66
- Rank 1
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:52 pm
- Location: Cananda
Go see the guys at Capital Airways in Fredericton,they are a flight school and charter company, it's the enterance just before the main airport enterance when coming from the city. They will show you around, they also have some nice airplanes in the hangers as well! If the Chief Pilot at Forest Protection(water bombers) is around he will show you around their operation as well, he is a really personable fellow so don't be shy to stop by.
