Back up plans???
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oz
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back up plans???
Hi all, I'm doing some serious thinking at the moment and wondering,
Should the unspeakable happen and one was to loose their medical, which completely ruled them out of flying for good, what do people do?
At the moment I'm trying to decide whether I should go to university or not. I am only a flight test away from my CPL and plan to have my fATPL and either MECIR or instructor rating, or both by the end of the year. (Might be starting to seriously stretch the budget though)
I'm torn between just packing my bags once I have my MECIR and heading north for a job, or doing a FI rating and attempting to instruct part time whilst doing uni(If that's even possible, don't know if it's feasible or not)
Basically I'd like to hear opinions on two things:
-Is it possible to instruct and go to uni at the same time?
-What options do you have if you just go straight into the work force, perhaps even fly for the airlines for several years, and then lose your medical?
Sorry about the long winded post, but would really appreciate any serious comments from those older and wiser than myself as I'm struggling to get my head around it at the moment
Thanks for your help
Should the unspeakable happen and one was to loose their medical, which completely ruled them out of flying for good, what do people do?
At the moment I'm trying to decide whether I should go to university or not. I am only a flight test away from my CPL and plan to have my fATPL and either MECIR or instructor rating, or both by the end of the year. (Might be starting to seriously stretch the budget though)
I'm torn between just packing my bags once I have my MECIR and heading north for a job, or doing a FI rating and attempting to instruct part time whilst doing uni(If that's even possible, don't know if it's feasible or not)
Basically I'd like to hear opinions on two things:
-Is it possible to instruct and go to uni at the same time?
-What options do you have if you just go straight into the work force, perhaps even fly for the airlines for several years, and then lose your medical?
Sorry about the long winded post, but would really appreciate any serious comments from those older and wiser than myself as I'm struggling to get my head around it at the moment
Thanks for your help
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: goondiwindi
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Become a LAME, the average age of australia's LAME's is in the mid 50's, we think there is a pilot shortage at the moment, just wait a few years, for all these guys to retire, and see what happens to the cost of maintenance across the board from jets to GA.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It depends on what you're planning to study at uni. I am at the moment part-time in my final yr of engineering and barely squeezing in 2 flights/week max. That being said, if you enrol in an Arts degree you'll have plenty of time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oz
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Should have clarified more specifically I suppose. I got into aerospace engineering, but deferred this year, and think if I did go to uni I would probably actually do engineering, not aerospace.
With the LAME option, if you haven't actually fixed a plane in 20 years, do you still get to keep your license or are there recency requirements, etc?
With the LAME option, if you haven't actually fixed a plane in 20 years, do you still get to keep your license or are there recency requirements, etc?
I have considered the same and have decided to explore the following career options in this order
1). A pimp
2). The adult film industry
3). A bar in Angeles
4). Sugar cane farmer in Fiji
5). Marry a chief's daughter and retire to my own island
Don't worry, I have already accepted the fact that I don't live in the real world...and I don't!
1). A pimp
2). The adult film industry
3). A bar in Angeles
4). Sugar cane farmer in Fiji
5). Marry a chief's daughter and retire to my own island
Don't worry, I have already accepted the fact that I don't live in the real world...and I don't!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Living next door to Alan
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bush Pilot,
I had a potentially career ending accident back in '05, which took me out of the workforce for almost 2 years. A couple of things are important if you envisage losing your medical.
1. It's imperative you seek a second opinion from another medical practitioner. This is assuming you have had a trauma or something similarly sudden, as opposed to a steadily deteriorating health. The first bloke I saw told me "Well mate, you've flown your last plane. Can you do anything besides that?" Err....NO.
I found a younger, more progressive surgeon who had a totally positive attitude and gave me far better odds of regaining the Class 1. He, combined with a highly motivated Physio were solely responsible for my beating the odds.
2. Always have a backup, enhanced or diverse skillset, i.e. a training background. I took the opportunity to become involved in simulators in both this and my previous job, as it's a particular interest of mine.
3. Try to maintain a positive relationship with your employer. My current employer was VERY understanding (and patient) with my predicament. As soon as I was mobile, I was offered admin work in the office (adding to that skillset) which I took on. I also had a good relationship with the parent company through my involvement in the simulators (above) which resulted in "if you can't get back to flying, we can find something for you over here". A great gesture which I fortunately never needed to fall back on.
4. NEVER **** in your nest. Maintain a good relationship with former work colleagues. This resulted in ongoing offers of other sim jobs - similar to point 3.
I was lucky to have had a life previous to flying professionally. I kept those contacts open as well, just in case I had to leave the industry altogether.
5. Get Loss of Licence Insurance. I used the AFAP's MBF for the whole time I was off. That was the difference between keeping one's head above water, or drowning. I can't speak highly enough of the fine people of the MBF, and how easy they made it for me to claim.
If nothing else it will buy you time.
I hope this helps.
I had a potentially career ending accident back in '05, which took me out of the workforce for almost 2 years. A couple of things are important if you envisage losing your medical.
1. It's imperative you seek a second opinion from another medical practitioner. This is assuming you have had a trauma or something similarly sudden, as opposed to a steadily deteriorating health. The first bloke I saw told me "Well mate, you've flown your last plane. Can you do anything besides that?" Err....NO.
I found a younger, more progressive surgeon who had a totally positive attitude and gave me far better odds of regaining the Class 1. He, combined with a highly motivated Physio were solely responsible for my beating the odds.
2. Always have a backup, enhanced or diverse skillset, i.e. a training background. I took the opportunity to become involved in simulators in both this and my previous job, as it's a particular interest of mine.
3. Try to maintain a positive relationship with your employer. My current employer was VERY understanding (and patient) with my predicament. As soon as I was mobile, I was offered admin work in the office (adding to that skillset) which I took on. I also had a good relationship with the parent company through my involvement in the simulators (above) which resulted in "if you can't get back to flying, we can find something for you over here". A great gesture which I fortunately never needed to fall back on.
4. NEVER **** in your nest. Maintain a good relationship with former work colleagues. This resulted in ongoing offers of other sim jobs - similar to point 3.
I was lucky to have had a life previous to flying professionally. I kept those contacts open as well, just in case I had to leave the industry altogether.
5. Get Loss of Licence Insurance. I used the AFAP's MBF for the whole time I was off. That was the difference between keeping one's head above water, or drowning. I can't speak highly enough of the fine people of the MBF, and how easy they made it for me to claim.
If nothing else it will buy you time.
I hope this helps.
Bottums Up
Bush Pilot,
The answer to your question sort of depends on where the national and international economy is if/when one looses their medical.
My experience in the early 90's was being retrenched 3 times in 3 years. Flying work was scarce and I found that a pilot's licence didn't qualify me for anything else.
If I had my time over again, I'd seriously consider having a fall back position.
The down side of studying for another qualification is that flying is still very seniority based, though becoming less so with time. One's qualifications and experience are not readily transferrable in Australia (ie, start with a new operator and usually start at the bottom of the list), so, whilst acquiring another qualification you may not be gaining any seniority and/or flying experience.
I know of a person who fairly recently enquired about becoming current after a 10 year hiatus. They were offered re currency training if they agreed to subsequently work for the organisation. On this basis one might assume that the economic climate for studying and part time instructing is good the moment.
Which decision is the best won't be known until you either lose your medical in the future, or retire at 95 having never missed a day's work.
The answer to your question sort of depends on where the national and international economy is if/when one looses their medical.
My experience in the early 90's was being retrenched 3 times in 3 years. Flying work was scarce and I found that a pilot's licence didn't qualify me for anything else.
If I had my time over again, I'd seriously consider having a fall back position.
The down side of studying for another qualification is that flying is still very seniority based, though becoming less so with time. One's qualifications and experience are not readily transferrable in Australia (ie, start with a new operator and usually start at the bottom of the list), so, whilst acquiring another qualification you may not be gaining any seniority and/or flying experience.
I know of a person who fairly recently enquired about becoming current after a 10 year hiatus. They were offered re currency training if they agreed to subsequently work for the organisation. On this basis one might assume that the economic climate for studying and part time instructing is good the moment.
Which decision is the best won't be known until you either lose your medical in the future, or retire at 95 having never missed a day's work.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bush Pilot,
Do you really WANT to do engineering? I am a degree qualified Aerospace Engineer myself and I have strived throughout my entire career NOT to do any real engineering jobs. I pretty much succeeded - except for one job that I did as I find it boring and hated the degree (but loved going to uni).
Mind you just recently I have had the opportunity to play aircraft designer and that has been a whole heap of fun. However my love is flying the aircraft not working out what repair is necessary to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy state (pretty much all you will do in Australia as an aero anyway, there is bugger all aircraft design).
So my advice to you is unless you really like engineering give it a miss and do a trade as a LAME as suggested or just keep yourself fit, active and eat healthy food.
Cheers
Mr B
Do you really WANT to do engineering? I am a degree qualified Aerospace Engineer myself and I have strived throughout my entire career NOT to do any real engineering jobs. I pretty much succeeded - except for one job that I did as I find it boring and hated the degree (but loved going to uni).
Mind you just recently I have had the opportunity to play aircraft designer and that has been a whole heap of fun. However my love is flying the aircraft not working out what repair is necessary to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy state (pretty much all you will do in Australia as an aero anyway, there is bugger all aircraft design).
So my advice to you is unless you really like engineering give it a miss and do a trade as a LAME as suggested or just keep yourself fit, active and eat healthy food.
Cheers
Mr B
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oz
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks to everyone for all the advice. Flying is all I really want to do, but after talking with and reading over several different peoples opinions, part of me agrees it would be somewhat foolhardy to charge on ahead with no backup plan at all!
After much thinking, I have narrowed down what I think I want to do and hope it will provide me with some fall back...
1-Go down the instructor route, hopefully get into a check and training position in an airline and then, if all turns sour, hopefully I would at least be able to do some form of simulator instructing.
(Hugh Jarse, I would be particularly interested to hear about what you did with the simulators as I think I would particularly enjoy this if I couldn't fly!)
or...
2-Concentrate on flying for now, hopefully crack an airline job in the not to distant future, and then possibly study via correspondence for a degree(In what I have no idea but maybe by the time I'm ready to do it I might have half a clue!) Not the most exciting prospect, but could be a viable option...(I have studied through correspondence before so have some idea of what it's like)
Thanks again for the advice so far, and as always keen to hear peoples opinions on my plans, for better of for worse!
Cheers, Bush Pilot
After much thinking, I have narrowed down what I think I want to do and hope it will provide me with some fall back...
1-Go down the instructor route, hopefully get into a check and training position in an airline and then, if all turns sour, hopefully I would at least be able to do some form of simulator instructing.
(Hugh Jarse, I would be particularly interested to hear about what you did with the simulators as I think I would particularly enjoy this if I couldn't fly!)
or...
2-Concentrate on flying for now, hopefully crack an airline job in the not to distant future, and then possibly study via correspondence for a degree(In what I have no idea but maybe by the time I'm ready to do it I might have half a clue!) Not the most exciting prospect, but could be a viable option...(I have studied through correspondence before so have some idea of what it's like)
Thanks again for the advice so far, and as always keen to hear peoples opinions on my plans, for better of for worse!
Cheers, Bush Pilot
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Toronto, Australia
Age: 38
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A backup plan is a really good idea, and it'd be good to get this setup before you jump head-first into a career, simply because the last thing you want to do after a long day of work is come home and hit the books.
You could always fly for a few years and then look into doing a masters in aviation management or business management. I'm doing this at the moment and the workload is not too bad, not sure how difficult it would be to get in without a degree though.
Get a trade or study business, both of those would sounds choices in case your medical fell through.
toronto_flyer
You could always fly for a few years and then look into doing a masters in aviation management or business management. I'm doing this at the moment and the workload is not too bad, not sure how difficult it would be to get in without a degree though.
Get a trade or study business, both of those would sounds choices in case your medical fell through.
toronto_flyer
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Back up plans???
What happens if you lose your medical?
You take all your 'loss of licence' insurance money and blow it on booze and wild women...
You take all your 'loss of licence' insurance money and blow it on booze and wild women...
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Living next door to Alan
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bush Pilot: - PM sent.
PermFO:
The Smiths split the branches into separate franchises and sold them off quite a few years ago. I don't think I could go back to CB for a non-flying job again although the 4 wheel driving is great fun up in the Brindies I had a few irons in the fire in this industry 
Howard: I was being paid a "salary" while I was off. From memory, it was 1.5% of the capital benefit for the first year, then reduced to 1% after 12 months. I'm not 100% sure, but I think if you're still U/S after 2 years, your case is reviewed with a view to paying out the balance of the capital benefit. Happy to be corrected on that one.
While the balance of the capital benefit certainly wouldn't have made me a rich man, it definitely would have tied me over for a few years of doing nothing (on my present salary).......
Did I say how well the AFAP MBF looked after me?
PermFO:
The Smiths split the branches into separate franchises and sold them off quite a few years ago. I don't think I could go back to CB for a non-flying job again although the 4 wheel driving is great fun up in the Brindies I had a few irons in the fire in this industry Howard: I was being paid a "salary" while I was off. From memory, it was 1.5% of the capital benefit for the first year, then reduced to 1% after 12 months. I'm not 100% sure, but I think if you're still U/S after 2 years, your case is reviewed with a view to paying out the balance of the capital benefit. Happy to be corrected on that one.
While the balance of the capital benefit certainly wouldn't have made me a rich man, it definitely would have tied me over for a few years of doing nothing (on my present salary).......
Did I say how well the AFAP MBF looked after me?
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: australia
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
flexible jobs for ex pilots
There seems to be many pilots on these forums looking around for other more satisfying work. It is somewhat difficult to find skill sets which would suit them but I have finally come across an ideal career path which has the flexibility to appeal to most disgruntled pilots. Good Luck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_67k5s5P6k
BP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_67k5s5P6k
BP
