Becoming a commercial airline pilot is some tough
. No kidding. The only 2 things that could make the whole process slightly easier would be conversion from the military route OR being one of the lucky few to be selected for the airline zero-time cadet programmes.
I for one, do not belong to any of the above mentioned 2 routes. For starters, I am paying for flight training all by myself. No help from parents (even though they can jolly well afford to offer financial assistance), no bank loans, nothing. For me, its basically work and save to pay for flight training.
As such, even though I have my sights set on being an Airbus 320 or B737 pilot for some airline, I feel it is crucial that I ( and probably all self-sponsored pilots) take a stage check from time to time along this arduos journey of making it to the cockpit.
Doing so enables one to really think about things, re-evaluate their flying goals and formulate the next best course of action...whether to continue or to give up altogether
Here's a brief background about myself:
Sex: Male, Chinese
Age: 29 (in March 2014)
Country of Origin: Singapore
Licenses Held: FAA PPL (ASEL and AMEL, VFR only for both)
Occupation: Project Executive in some religious organization.
Immediate Flight Goals:
i) Time building in Florida, August-September 2014 and the IFR written
ii) IFR course in September-October 2015 ( Single Engine)
iii) IFR Multi-Engine Add-On in January- February 2016
iv) Commercial Single Engine (January- February 2016)
vi) Commercial Multi- Engine Add On (January- February 2016)
Once I am done with all the above 6 items, I will effectively have an FAA CPL MEIR ticket...now this is where the real fun/headache begins...
The biggest question after achieving this step would be: WHAT NEXT???
Note:
1) In Singapore, it is NOT legally allowed to engage in aerial mapping, banner towing or any of the activites USA pilots would normally do to build hours for the 1500 hr mark
2) It is insanely expensive in Singapore to fly. It costs like $350-$400 to fly a G1000 equipped DA40..which is the only November registered plane in this tiny island. This also means that giving flight instruction is also out. So no point going for CFI, CFII and MEI
3) I am from Singapore, and have no legal permit to work in the USA. Given my current circumstances, unless I divorce my wife (since everything is already rocky) and marry and American gal, I can't do any hour building work in the USA.
So really...
WHAT'S NEXT? HOW DO I MOVE ON FROM AN FAA CPL MEIR?
I do have some ideas..which I will share later in Part 2..for now, it's time to get off work! Yippee!
P.S: Nay-sayers and encouragement providers are welcome!