Your flying career
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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Your flying career
hi all
I've been reading these forums for a while and enjoy it..esp the varied backgrounds that the pilots/wannabees have so just for my enjoyment (and probably other wannabee's), could anyone with the time post here with the following:
1. Age when received CPL
2. how financed
3. your career
eg.
1. 21 y/o
2. loan
3. 2 yrs up north flying C206s, taking up an F/O pos with Macair for 3 years (Cmd after 2), Jetstar F/O currently...etc etc
please embellish as necessary including any tips you've learned along the way. hopefully other wannabees can, at a glance, see how a lot of the airline pilots made their way incl the strongly suggested 'head up north'!
*runs away to make popcorn*
I've been reading these forums for a while and enjoy it..esp the varied backgrounds that the pilots/wannabees have so just for my enjoyment (and probably other wannabee's), could anyone with the time post here with the following:
1. Age when received CPL
2. how financed
3. your career
eg.
1. 21 y/o
2. loan
3. 2 yrs up north flying C206s, taking up an F/O pos with Macair for 3 years (Cmd after 2), Jetstar F/O currently...etc etc
please embellish as necessary including any tips you've learned along the way. hopefully other wannabees can, at a glance, see how a lot of the airline pilots made their way incl the strongly suggested 'head up north'!
*runs away to make popcorn*
1) 35
2) Self financed, (3 years in Saudi
).
3) 6 months cattle mustering. West Qld.
10 months fish spotting. North West WA.
12 months ME IFR charter. Torres Straits.
Now cmd on turbine RPT.
Just got you're 'side note'...if you want a more detailed breakdown of how it's gone for me, send us a PM.
Ta, UA.
2) Self financed, (3 years in Saudi
).3) 6 months cattle mustering. West Qld.
10 months fish spotting. North West WA.
12 months ME IFR charter. Torres Straits.
Now cmd on turbine RPT.
Just got you're 'side note'...if you want a more detailed breakdown of how it's gone for me, send us a PM.
Ta, UA.
Last edited by Unusual-Attitude; 18th Mar 2009 at 07:07.
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Career? - not sure it can be called that yet!
1) 31
2)self financed/loaned/stolen/worked in the game and borrowed some more.
3)PPL at age 18, long break to 2003, full time flight school student till it collapsed
,CPL, Instructor Rating, Parachute Drop, Malawi charter boy for a few months, more instructing, initial VFR turbine twin job (2 stints in Africa), more instructing, more study, more instructing and just about had enough to tell the truth.
Best tip I can give you, go away and become a doctor/dentist/lawyer and buy yourself a warbird to play with on the weekends.
RPP
2)self financed/loaned/stolen/worked in the game and borrowed some more.
3)PPL at age 18, long break to 2003, full time flight school student till it collapsed
,CPL, Instructor Rating, Parachute Drop, Malawi charter boy for a few months, more instructing, initial VFR turbine twin job (2 stints in Africa), more instructing, more study, more instructing and just about had enough to tell the truth.Best tip I can give you, go away and become a doctor/dentist/lawyer and buy yourself a warbird to play with on the weekends.
RPP
1)20
2)sold car, worked 2 jobs (labouring is a great source of cash)
3)went west to Africa, begged, borrowed and pleaded for any job. 8 monthsF/0 Kingair for oil ops Cameroon, 2 pilots requ'd. 4monthsF/o bandit rpt Gabon. 14months C206 tourist flying tanzania, 5month F/O bandit Equatorial Gunea, 9 months C-404, Seneca tanzania, 2.5yrs capt twin otters tanzania. various in betweens 8 yr, 2 coups, one deportation later S/o B777 HK.
Advice. Nothing goes as planned. The only standardisation in Aviation is the Bull$hit. Timing is everything.
2)sold car, worked 2 jobs (labouring is a great source of cash)
3)went west to Africa, begged, borrowed and pleaded for any job. 8 monthsF/0 Kingair for oil ops Cameroon, 2 pilots requ'd. 4monthsF/o bandit rpt Gabon. 14months C206 tourist flying tanzania, 5month F/O bandit Equatorial Gunea, 9 months C-404, Seneca tanzania, 2.5yrs capt twin otters tanzania. various in betweens 8 yr, 2 coups, one deportation later S/o B777 HK.
Advice. Nothing goes as planned. The only standardisation in Aviation is the Bull$hit. Timing is everything.
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Great Thread!!!
For Divosh:
1. 39 (I had my first flying lesson at age 38 - 17 Dec 2001) 
2. Self funded. Working in IT, and funded CPL through to MECIR.
Six and 1/2 months in Iraq (courtesy of Australian Army) helped fund 7 months in Darwin (basically losing money because of home loans/visits to family in Melb, etc). (Current job has positive cashflow).
3:
Love it even more when I get based back in Melb (Insh'allah!)
Cheers,
DIVOSH!
1. Age when received CPL
2. how financed
3. your career
2. how financed
3. your career
2. Self funded. Working in IT, and funded CPL through to MECIR.
Six and 1/2 months in Iraq (courtesy of Australian Army) helped fund 7 months in Darwin (basically losing money because of home loans/visits to family in Melb, etc). (Current job has positive cashflow
).3:
- CPL in 2003.
- Joy flights/Charter with a now-defunct flying school in MB (Civil), concurrent with casual work for Sharps until late 2006.
- Aug 2007 through March 2008 in Darwin working for Ausjet NT
. - Also did the odd Night freight with Tasfast.
- April last year got a gig as a DEFO with QLink. Now based in Mildura. Loving every minute of it!
Love it even more when I get based back in Melb (Insh'allah!)
Cheers,
DIVOSH!
Last edited by Di_Vosh; 18th Mar 2009 at 21:17. Reason: Spelling
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- CPL at age 27 (first lesson when 18)
- Student Loan
- Instructing with organisation I trained with for 6 months after instructor rating. Then 3 months twiddling ones thumbs. Got a job as an Operations Controller with an airline for 3.5 years and instructed part-time. Had enough of the desk job so looked around for work. Got offers from a bunch of places, in the end settled on a full-time instructing job in NZ and been there 18 months.
- Now: 33 years old, 1500 hours, 1000+ instructing and new planes on the way. Enjoying the instructing, great bunch of people to work with. Would love a multi-turbine job but in no hurry now.
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1/ 34
2/ Self funded through career in IT / lots of contract and OS work
3/ RPP will love this - bought a warbird to play with on weekends - but seriously, am now running an adventure flight business with said warbird. Also flying 206s meat bombing when I can.
2/ Self funded through career in IT / lots of contract and OS work
3/ RPP will love this - bought a warbird to play with on weekends - but seriously, am now running an adventure flight business with said warbird. Also flying 206s meat bombing when I can.
1) 19
2) Loan, still have a very large portion of it!
Worked a supermarket job while at Uni and first year after getting CPL to at least be able to live.
3) First 10 months post-CPL I flew for 3 different operators scrounging hours wherever I could- doing scenic flights, charters and shark spotting.
Got my big break with a job in Alice Springs, stayed there for 12 months and worked way up from C210 to the PA31. Been in current job for 14 months now all multi IFR on C404's and PA31's, bit of everything- RPT, pax charter and night freight. Good variety but the NF gets old very quickly. I have found it amusing reading the various other night freight threads on pprune and can't believe so many people love it. Each to their own I guess.
Currently have ATPL 1600TT with 800 Multi command.
Advice- Actually try to give a f**k about what you are doing. There is nothing worse than working with other pilots who just dont seem to care. Never burn your bridges. Aviation is too small.
2) Loan, still have a very large portion of it!
Worked a supermarket job while at Uni and first year after getting CPL to at least be able to live.3) First 10 months post-CPL I flew for 3 different operators scrounging hours wherever I could- doing scenic flights, charters and shark spotting.
Got my big break with a job in Alice Springs, stayed there for 12 months and worked way up from C210 to the PA31. Been in current job for 14 months now all multi IFR on C404's and PA31's, bit of everything- RPT, pax charter and night freight. Good variety but the NF gets old very quickly. I have found it amusing reading the various other night freight threads on pprune and can't believe so many people love it. Each to their own I guess.
Currently have ATPL 1600TT with 800 Multi command.
Advice- Actually try to give a f**k about what you are doing. There is nothing worse than working with other pilots who just dont seem to care. Never burn your bridges. Aviation is too small.
Thread Starter
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guys thanks a lot for the replies...keep 'em coming...it is VERY interesting! for the 'late starters' like myself...seems to be a common theme of being ex-IT! I'm a chartered accountant and work a lot with IT guys on a day to day basis....don't blame you for wanting to change careers.
for the 'late starters' like myself...seems to be a common theme of being ex-IT! I'm a chartered accountant and work a lot with IT guys on a day to day basis....don't blame you for wanting to change careers.
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1.) 19
2.) Borrowed, begged, worked (pumping petrol, plus every school holiday since I was young), inherited some shares (sold them), no social life. Finally paid it all off when I was 24
3.) Got a job doing scenics, my self and three tourists to 10,000 feet in a 150 HP C172 to look at a volcano, meat bombed in 206 and 182, nearly 2 years in 206 and 182 on cattle stations mustering in QLD and the NT, back to NZ got MECIR then did night freight in Aztruck in winter across the North Island (7000' LSALT, freezing level who knows???) decided I wanted to live so came back to Aus worked as a ground operator/data processor for an aerial survey company which gave me a good background knowledge then low level survey pilot for another mob, been there nearly three years, coming up on 3kTT and 1k multi, very happy, enjoy the variety, don't often go to the same place twice, ferry aircraft all over the world, but downside is not home often and messes a bit with your social life.
Good luck out to all those wannabees out there
CP
2.) Borrowed, begged, worked (pumping petrol, plus every school holiday since I was young), inherited some shares (sold them), no social life. Finally paid it all off when I was 24
3.) Got a job doing scenics, my self and three tourists to 10,000 feet in a 150 HP C172 to look at a volcano, meat bombed in 206 and 182, nearly 2 years in 206 and 182 on cattle stations mustering in QLD and the NT, back to NZ got MECIR then did night freight in Aztruck in winter across the North Island (7000' LSALT, freezing level who knows???) decided I wanted to live so came back to Aus worked as a ground operator/data processor for an aerial survey company which gave me a good background knowledge then low level survey pilot for another mob, been there nearly three years, coming up on 3kTT and 1k multi, very happy, enjoy the variety, don't often go to the same place twice, ferry aircraft all over the world, but downside is not home often and messes a bit with your social life.
Good luck out to all those wannabees out there
CP
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1. Age 38 finished CPL
2. Self financed from previous non-aviation job.
3. Drove 3000km's and 4 months looking for my first job. Worked on a cattle station, mustering on a 182, and other station hand type stuff for 1yr. Next job was 6mths more mustering (182), and some IFR Baron work flying the boss around. Then got a start with a charter / RPT company for 3.5yrs. C206, 210, 402, 404 and finally the metro. Now an FO on the A320.
So there is hope if you are a crusty old fart like me, but you had better want it badly enough because its a long road and the money is not quite what it used to be. Esp difficult if you have a wife and kids........
2. Self financed from previous non-aviation job.
3. Drove 3000km's and 4 months looking for my first job. Worked on a cattle station, mustering on a 182, and other station hand type stuff for 1yr. Next job was 6mths more mustering (182), and some IFR Baron work flying the boss around. Then got a start with a charter / RPT company for 3.5yrs. C206, 210, 402, 404 and finally the metro. Now an FO on the A320.
So there is hope if you are a crusty old fart like me, but you had better want it badly enough because its a long road and the money is not quite what it used to be. Esp difficult if you have a wife and kids........
1) 22 (Got CPL, CIR and FIR within a matter of 6 weeks)
2) Worked, worked worked, three years in an office as a data entry biatch, cleaned 747's and worked in a Factory packaging commercial and industrial pesticides, had to leave the last job due to nose-bleeds.
3) Uni degree first. Instructed for a total of 6 weeks with a mob down in Canberra, something to do with the ranges down there. There was a "mix-up" with regards to our agreement of wages. Promptly departed and flew meatbombs out of Toogoolawah and Byron for 10 months, then a ground ops job for a small-ish charter mob. Line pilot for two years with said charter company and now flying boxes around for a different company. With the exception of the Instructing, enjoyed almost every second of my flying, no fires, failures or major malfunctions touch wood. Two radio failures and a tyre run flat on landing, you want to see short field landing??
Advice
TNC - Trust No C*NT, they're all out to kill you!!!!! That is a huge exaggeration, but if you approach all of your flying with that approach then I can pretty much guarantee that you will escape most of the mess. Don't be rude, just don't trust that someone has checked the oils for you, or dipped the tanks and put the caps back on properly, or got your weather or dailied it properly.
Cheers
j3
2) Worked, worked worked, three years in an office as a data entry biatch, cleaned 747's and worked in a Factory packaging commercial and industrial pesticides, had to leave the last job due to nose-bleeds.
3) Uni degree first. Instructed for a total of 6 weeks with a mob down in Canberra, something to do with the ranges down there. There was a "mix-up" with regards to our agreement of wages. Promptly departed and flew meatbombs out of Toogoolawah and Byron for 10 months, then a ground ops job for a small-ish charter mob. Line pilot for two years with said charter company and now flying boxes around for a different company. With the exception of the Instructing, enjoyed almost every second of my flying, no fires, failures or major malfunctions touch wood. Two radio failures and a tyre run flat on landing, you want to see short field landing??
Advice
TNC - Trust No C*NT, they're all out to kill you!!!!! That is a huge exaggeration, but if you approach all of your flying with that approach then I can pretty much guarantee that you will escape most of the mess. Don't be rude, just don't trust that someone has checked the oils for you, or dipped the tanks and put the caps back on properly, or got your weather or dailied it properly.
Cheers
j3
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1. Age 38 finished CPL
2. Self financed from previous non-aviation job.
3. Drove 3000km's and 4 months looking for my first job. Worked on a cattle station, mustering on a 182, and other station hand type stuff for 1yr. Next job was 6mths more mustering (182), and some IFR Baron work flying the boss around. Then got a start with a charter / RPT company for 3.5yrs. C206, 210, 402, 404 and finally the metro. Now an FO on the A320.
So there is hope if you are a crusty old fart like me, but you had better want it badly enough because its a long road and the money is not quite what it used to be. Esp difficult if you have a wife and kids........
its stuff like the above which gives me hope
2. Self financed from previous non-aviation job.
3. Drove 3000km's and 4 months looking for my first job. Worked on a cattle station, mustering on a 182, and other station hand type stuff for 1yr. Next job was 6mths more mustering (182), and some IFR Baron work flying the boss around. Then got a start with a charter / RPT company for 3.5yrs. C206, 210, 402, 404 and finally the metro. Now an FO on the A320.
So there is hope if you are a crusty old fart like me, but you had better want it badly enough because its a long road and the money is not quite what it used to be. Esp difficult if you have a wife and kids........
its stuff like the above which gives me hope
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1. CPL aged 22 after PPL age 16
2. Bank Loan half and self funded rest from working my butt off doing anything from mowing lawns to working on cars etc.
3. First job Alice Springs 51/2 years doing charter in PA32 206 210 Be58 C340 Pn68. Then off to CS for 3 years IFR charter and RPT C310 and 404 and then FO on the Dash 8. Currently enjoying every minute of flying a proline 21 Kingair for the RFDS in QLD, Which was my career goal from the start, now aged 35. Everyone has a different dream for their career in aviation, work hard, listen and learn from others and you will eventually get to where you want to be, be that a major airline or a small charter mob. Most of all try and lots of FUN along the way.
2. Bank Loan half and self funded rest from working my butt off doing anything from mowing lawns to working on cars etc.
3. First job Alice Springs 51/2 years doing charter in PA32 206 210 Be58 C340 Pn68. Then off to CS for 3 years IFR charter and RPT C310 and 404 and then FO on the Dash 8. Currently enjoying every minute of flying a proline 21 Kingair for the RFDS in QLD, Which was my career goal from the start, now aged 35. Everyone has a different dream for their career in aviation, work hard, listen and learn from others and you will eventually get to where you want to be, be that a major airline or a small charter mob. Most of all try and lots of FUN along the way.
1. 21 years young.
2. Self funded, worked every weekend and holiday I could from age 12 to get the money.
3. First job when I was 23 scenic flying around Mt Cook until 6 weeks ago. Now doing an ATR type rating.
2. Self funded, worked every weekend and holiday I could from age 12 to get the money.
3. First job when I was 23 scenic flying around Mt Cook until 6 weeks ago. Now doing an ATR type rating.
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the road thus far.
1. 23 years old in Sept of '06.
2. sold an investment property that I purchased when I was 19.
3. Completed my FIC and instructed for 7 months, then completed ATPL's, after which I headed to FNQ. Flew a PA-32 for a 3 months then onto a PA-31. Moved to Darwin to fly 402's & PA-31's on RPT routes for 6 months then onto a Metro III.
2. sold an investment property that I purchased when I was 19.
3. Completed my FIC and instructed for 7 months, then completed ATPL's, after which I headed to FNQ. Flew a PA-32 for a 3 months then onto a PA-31. Moved to Darwin to fly 402's & PA-31's on RPT routes for 6 months then onto a Metro III.
1. PPL-22, CPL-33
2. Bank loan and self funded with help from the Oz and NZ Taxation offices
3. Professional degree (not IT!); business related private flying in Oz - C172/180/182/185/206/210, PA28/32, M20, BE35; casual charter in NZ - C172, PA28; banner towing; aerial photography for NZ Forrest Service - C206; aeroclub instructing - PA38; Postgrad degree (still not IT!); casual charter in Nth Qld, mostly mining support - PA23/31, B55/58, C310/402; business related private flying - C182RG/210/310/402, BE35/36/55/58
Ended up back where I started, flying-wise at least!
Not everybody aspires to a big shiny jet!
Dr
PS: ......but a little shiny jet would be nice!
2. Bank loan and self funded with help from the Oz and NZ Taxation offices
3. Professional degree (not IT!); business related private flying in Oz - C172/180/182/185/206/210, PA28/32, M20, BE35; casual charter in NZ - C172, PA28; banner towing; aerial photography for NZ Forrest Service - C206; aeroclub instructing - PA38; Postgrad degree (still not IT!); casual charter in Nth Qld, mostly mining support - PA23/31, B55/58, C310/402; business related private flying - C182RG/210/310/402, BE35/36/55/58
Ended up back where I started, flying-wise at least!
Not everybody aspires to a big shiny jet!
Dr
PS: ......but a little shiny jet would be nice!