Suggestions toward my career path
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, I WAS Birddog
Take it one step at a time man. I had my multi ifr at 19, was flying multi engine turbines at 21 with a university degree. Thought my plan was like yours do my time then get hired by AC this hiring boom. As they say
s%^t happens and things change.
If your gung ho on this Moncton College program give it a whirl and reasses your position when your finished it. This industry will change by next year and the year after. Dont be afraid to stray from your original plan.
s%^t happens and things change.
If your gung ho on this Moncton College program give it a whirl and reasses your position when your finished it. This industry will change by next year and the year after. Dont be afraid to stray from your original plan.
Better get that instructor job in writing. Flying schools will promise you the world, to seperate you from your $40,000. Your plan is very nice it sounds like the write up the flying schools put on the website to get you excited about flying. Just remember there are thousands of other pilots trying to follow the same blueprint.
Your plan is sound and well thought out. However there are a few factors that will affect you career that are well beyond your control – plans have a way of getting changed (have a plan B, C and D).
Some factors are at your control. If your going to do the instructor route make sure to get as much multi PIC as you can as an ATPL comprised entirely of single engine instructional time won’t do you much good.
Also your getting on with anyone past MFC depends on what the industry is doing at the time. If the industry is booming (and hopefully it still will be by then) then you’re laughing. If not then you may be waiting for a few extra years.
Select companies that fly a lot. The ones you mentioned are great, but to add to that list – Central Mountain Air, Georgian, Perimeter just to name a few. Point being try to get on a company that fly’s a variety of AC and will get you 1000 hours a year.
Another option to go from MFC is Voyageur Airways. They fly everything from King Air 100’s to Dash 7/8 and I heard they bought an CRJ200. They love hiring instructors and upgrade very fast if there is any industry movement.
I used to have a plan. I also thought the way to get to the majors is quantity and quality of time. I have found that is not always the case. Getting on with AC for example is as much whom you know as it is about your logbook. So politics will play a bigger roll in your career than you realize.
The best advice I can give you is to have fun and enjoy the ride. Don’t get caught in the usual college bullshit of competition and attitude - It’s not a race.
Try not to step on anyone’s toes, because this industry is very small, full of Karma. You could end up being your instructor’s captain down the road. One of your students could end up sitting on the questioning end of an AC interview panel.
Anyway, enjoy MFC.
Some factors are at your control. If your going to do the instructor route make sure to get as much multi PIC as you can as an ATPL comprised entirely of single engine instructional time won’t do you much good.
Also your getting on with anyone past MFC depends on what the industry is doing at the time. If the industry is booming (and hopefully it still will be by then) then you’re laughing. If not then you may be waiting for a few extra years.
Select companies that fly a lot. The ones you mentioned are great, but to add to that list – Central Mountain Air, Georgian, Perimeter just to name a few. Point being try to get on a company that fly’s a variety of AC and will get you 1000 hours a year.
Another option to go from MFC is Voyageur Airways. They fly everything from King Air 100’s to Dash 7/8 and I heard they bought an CRJ200. They love hiring instructors and upgrade very fast if there is any industry movement.
I used to have a plan. I also thought the way to get to the majors is quantity and quality of time. I have found that is not always the case. Getting on with AC for example is as much whom you know as it is about your logbook. So politics will play a bigger roll in your career than you realize.
The best advice I can give you is to have fun and enjoy the ride. Don’t get caught in the usual college bullshit of competition and attitude - It’s not a race.
Try not to step on anyone’s toes, because this industry is very small, full of Karma. You could end up being your instructor’s captain down the road. One of your students could end up sitting on the questioning end of an AC interview panel.
Anyway, enjoy MFC.
The feet you step on today might be attached to the ass you're kissing tomorrow.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
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North Shore
- Rank Moderator
- Posts: 5622
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:47 pm
- Location: Straight outta Dundarave...
Man, don't be counting your chickens before they're hatched with that instructor job....MFC is a business, same as any other, and they need your $40k to keep the doors open. Thus, they promise the earth, and may not deliver.
Also, good plan. But, don't be so focused on AC that you forget to enjoy the ride there. When you meet AC guys at a party now, they don't tell stories about their last trip to London/Tokyo/Rio - it's all about the Beaver in Pickle Lake, or the great bunch of guys in the pilot house in Sioux...
Have fun.
Also, good plan. But, don't be so focused on AC that you forget to enjoy the ride there. When you meet AC guys at a party now, they don't tell stories about their last trip to London/Tokyo/Rio - it's all about the Beaver in Pickle Lake, or the great bunch of guys in the pilot house in Sioux...
Have fun.
Say, what's that mountain goat doing up here in the mist?
Happiness is V1 at Thompson!
Ass, Licence, Job. In that order.
Happiness is V1 at Thompson!
Ass, Licence, Job. In that order.
Like they boys say, one step at a time man, one step at a time. If there was a guaranteed path like that you wouldn't see so many guys working crappy jobs in the middle of nowhere. Things WILL change. Now, lets assume that you are a hotshot pilot and finish all your training on schedule. Remember that there is an instructor rating that you have ommited. That will take time too. I'm not familiar with instructing, nor am I a fan of that path, but hey, if you have a job lined up, don't turn it down, they're hard to come by. If I learned anything from aviation, is that you can't trust the sunshine your flight school will try to blow up your _ss. I know many instructors and only a few would be able to fly 1300 hrs in 18 months to start. Then getting a flying job at the commuter airlines may not be a given, even with an ATPL. Once again, depends on the industry. But I think your 4 year estimate there is reasonable. Say that works out, keep in mind hiring at the majors is VERY cyclical. We're in a high right now, 6-9 years from now it may be what it was 2-5 years ago. In other words, good luck!
Anyhow, I'm not trying to put holes in your plan. I'm just saying, if you think this flying thing is realy for you, get ready for a few thigs. I like that you set good goals. Do your best to reach them and you'll do fine, but if the industry changes, you will have to change your goals along with it. I know you've read the forums so you know some of the pitfalls to expect. Take what your flightschool tells you with a grain of salt.
Welcome to the industry. Best of luck in whatever path finds you.
Anyhow, I'm not trying to put holes in your plan. I'm just saying, if you think this flying thing is realy for you, get ready for a few thigs. I like that you set good goals. Do your best to reach them and you'll do fine, but if the industry changes, you will have to change your goals along with it. I know you've read the forums so you know some of the pitfalls to expect. Take what your flightschool tells you with a grain of salt.
Welcome to the industry. Best of luck in whatever path finds you.
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ScudRunner
- Rank 11
- Posts: 3239
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:58 am
Yup
Yup, sounds familier. I dumped 40 grand into MFC and was lead to believe I would get an instructing job after getting my tickets. No dice! luckly another school picked me up a few provinces over. Anyway that contract with China sounds pretty good. Im sure if they need instructors at the time you finish your training they will pick you up. It's all supply and demand my friend. Don't count on anything in this industry though! Good luck!
