Moving from flying to airline operations on the ground

[dudduddud]

Hiya Just looking for some advice from people who work in airline operations.

Basically I've had enough of flying now and want to get into airline operations.

I want to stay in the industry because I love it (and it's all I know!).

What do people like me usually do? What sort of positions do the skills gained as a commercial pilot lend themselves to?

I've read and heard that airlines have people to do flight planning and performance analysis and things like that and would like to find out more about doing this for a career.

Thanks in advance.

[sms777]

I will be watching this thread with interest because I am in the same situation. Very experienced CPL with high multi time but i feel that i have missed the boat and I am fed up with what I am doing now. I also would like to get back in the aviation field without the hands on flying and like to see what is available. Give us some feedback guys!

[Horatio Leafblower]

Mate you'll have to sit down and think about your personal sack of skills, talents, likes and dislikes.

What did you do before flying that you enjoyed?

How could that be translated into the airline environment?

Do you have any work skills that could be translated into a tertiary qualification?

...and no I don't mean a bull**** Aviation degree, I mean a real (useful) degree.

Safety & training seem to be the growth areas at the moment - an instructional background could help there.

Good luck. :ok:

[Jack Ranga]

Fellas, thought of working in another industry altogether? You will get a new perspective on flying, maybe even enjoy it again!

There are ****eloads of industries that welcome 'mature' workers, apprentices etc. Pay's better, job security etc

[Worrals in the wilds]

Don't forget to look at airports as well. The big operators all employ people in safety, planning, operations and similar areas. I'd guess that a cpl would look good on a resume for that sort of thing.

[The Green Goblin]

Being a Pilot conditions you to think a certain way.

It does not take very long until you NEED to get back up there.

Take a holiday, and don't do anything stupid. You'll be back!

[4Greens]

Do some Masters programmes that are relevant to airline management. These are available by distance learning.

Industry experience means that you dont have to have a degree. University of New South Wales, Department of Aviation can provide these programmes

[CFPlnr]

I started out flying at a young age, then went into the airlines (grd staff), hung around for years, then finally left and went back flying......best thing I ever did !!

you'll get bored at a greater rate of knots !!, and seen it happen to a few others.

My advise.....take a break or get out of the industry completely.

cheers

[Seabreeze]

Dudduddud and sms77

4Greens has a good point. The UNSW Aviation postgraduate courses which can lead to a masters degree are done by distance and part-time, so you can build some advanced knowledge of airline operations management, airport management, safety, HF, law&regs etc, and so create some additional future career options while still earning a crust flying.

Seabreeze

[Metro man]

Try becoming a dispatcher, or get in as a pilot and move into specialist areas such as technical pilot, CRM trainer, instructor or examiner.

You may also get the opportunity to move into a management position. Low cost airlines which are expanding rapidly would be a good place to start as they tend to have one person doing two jobs and are happy to promote based on ability rather than paper qualifications.