Why is it everyones goal to fly a big jet ??
Only half a speed-brake
Originally Posted by haughtney1
Picture what I did today.....
Top of descent FL380....all the automatics out, flight directors off.
Top of descent FL380....all the automatics out, flight directors off.
FD
(the un-real)
To answer the original question - well, in fact I don't have an answer, at least not an easy one. After 30 years flying and all but the first three being paid to do so I would have to say that the best time of all was when I was doing my PPL - a feeling of nervous anticipation followed by a certain exhilaration which lasted all the way home - learning to fly with like-minded people who like me were always short of cash - behaving like hooligans once we had our licences and begun our aerobatic training - those were indeed the days.
Why would anyone want to fly large passenger aircraft today - not sure really - increasing automation, more 'commercial pressures' , a horrible phrase I know - the dreadful ego's of some, repeat - some, of one's colleagues - more graft,less reward from employers - hassle of driving to work - increased security post 9/11. I suppose in an ideal world one would get a good if not great salary flying a big radial engined floatplane with a bit of DC3 work thrown in one the side, chuck in a old fashioned flying jacket and a popsie on each arm........ah, dreams ! Perhaps the ideal time to fly passenger jets was in the late-fifties and early sixties in the hey-days of BOAC and Pan-Am when the skipper was held with some respect, the cabin crew all wore seamed stockings(incoming flak), low-cost airlines had not even entered Lakers mind, 707's and Comets ruled the sky and we still had an Empire to fly around.
Do I regret a career in aviation - no, would I do it all over again starting today - no but the very best of luck to all those who do !
Why would anyone want to fly large passenger aircraft today - not sure really - increasing automation, more 'commercial pressures' , a horrible phrase I know - the dreadful ego's of some, repeat - some, of one's colleagues - more graft,less reward from employers - hassle of driving to work - increased security post 9/11. I suppose in an ideal world one would get a good if not great salary flying a big radial engined floatplane with a bit of DC3 work thrown in one the side, chuck in a old fashioned flying jacket and a popsie on each arm........ah, dreams ! Perhaps the ideal time to fly passenger jets was in the late-fifties and early sixties in the hey-days of BOAC and Pan-Am when the skipper was held with some respect, the cabin crew all wore seamed stockings(incoming flak), low-cost airlines had not even entered Lakers mind, 707's and Comets ruled the sky and we still had an Empire to fly around.
Do I regret a career in aviation - no, would I do it all over again starting today - no but the very best of luck to all those who do !
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Stockholm - Sweden
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My goal is not to be flying 744 (or A380) 14-16 hours flights. There is so much more options....
I wouldnt mind doing approaches like this.....:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1053488/L/
.....from the other side:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1003526/L/
Doing some "island hopping" here:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1053485/L/
Land my little Dash and jump into the sea:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1006506/L/
Beautiful, and im sure my girlfriend would appreciate that far more then the 2 day flying away business with the "big birds".....
I wouldnt mind doing approaches like this.....:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1053488/L/
.....from the other side:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1003526/L/
Doing some "island hopping" here:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1053485/L/
Land my little Dash and jump into the sea:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1006506/L/
Beautiful, and im sure my girlfriend would appreciate that far more then the 2 day flying away business with the "big birds".....
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: cambs.
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Money Again
Woof etc.........take it from me you will never earn any real money monging about in any aircraft....period. If yer into money be a door to door salesman or something un-popular but well rewarding - but dont delude yersel there's any real money flying someone else's plane.
Decent respectable living , yes, life changing money, no. Please don't think i am pouring scorn or denying air-taxi is harder, less payed work - i just think we should be honest about our motives - we wanna fly! and the more people out there with 60 grand to hand in (and in a booming economy there are more and more) the more market forces will degrade the relative deal for a F/O in particular. Take a F/O's salary at the start and factor in an un-aided re-location and you will see what i mean about the money.
Sorry.
Decent respectable living , yes, life changing money, no. Please don't think i am pouring scorn or denying air-taxi is harder, less payed work - i just think we should be honest about our motives - we wanna fly! and the more people out there with 60 grand to hand in (and in a booming economy there are more and more) the more market forces will degrade the relative deal for a F/O in particular. Take a F/O's salary at the start and factor in an un-aided re-location and you will see what i mean about the money.
Sorry.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: greece
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I have flown a lot of small aircraft,from a Cessna 152 to a Grand Caravan and a Chieftain but to tell you the truth whenever i handfly the 737 doing a visual approach i feel i am the luckiest guy in the world.Jets can be demanding some times and its true that you count a lot on automation for workload reduction.I agree with Antonio Montana,it feels great getting a 60 ton aircraft doing whatever you want when you hand fly it.It is something unique,a pure pleasure.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Libby, Mt.
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I,m new here today and just looking and thought I would throw in 2 cents. I have never had a desire to fly the big ones. My idea of a thrill is taking a single into a remote airstrip in the mountains, short and maybe soft, snow covered, possible animals, and people that usually are happy to see you.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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You can make a huge difference to peoples lives by being a bush pilot, and see great sights, but your paycheck........
. Better than flying a plastic B738 after forking out for a TR??? Better than being paid to do a TR and subsequently bonded to a decent airline???
. Better than flying a plastic B738 after forking out for a TR??? Better than being paid to do a TR and subsequently bonded to a decent airline???
