Airline alternative career path
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Alderney
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Airline alternative career path
Hi everyone! I'm a complete newbie, and looking for some advice on training.
I want to work as a paid pilot but have NO interest in the airlines. I'd much prefer to work with smaller aircraft, doing things like crop-dusting, air courier etc.
What would be the best training/certification route for this type of career? Would i still have to get a cpl to be employable?
Many thanks! x
I want to work as a paid pilot but have NO interest in the airlines. I'd much prefer to work with smaller aircraft, doing things like crop-dusting, air courier etc.
What would be the best training/certification route for this type of career? Would i still have to get a cpl to be employable?
Many thanks! x
You'll still need a CPL, and most likely an IR. I'd recommend taking the full ATPL writtens - that way you can go to ATPL (which basically means multi-crew) without needing more writtens later, and it's probably less work than doing the CPL and IR theoretical knowledge separately. I think you'll almost certainly also want an instructor qualification, whether you have ambitions to be a full time instructor or not.
I'm with you - I'm hopefully about halfway through a career that I'm thoroughly enjoying, in aviation, but have never felt any urge to fly an airliner (well ,maybe a little bit just for the experience), and continue to find my career thoroughly rewarding. But, if you're going to buck the mainstream, you will have to make your own path somewhat.
You probably do want to work out what your ideal objective is - what is your dream flying job? What are the best alternatives? Then plan for that - which might mean other qualifications as well: in my case I'm involved in test flying so it's a couple of aeronautical engineering degrees. If you want to be a bush pilot, then a basic aircraft maintenance qualification would almost certainly be essential. And so-on.
G
I'm with you - I'm hopefully about halfway through a career that I'm thoroughly enjoying, in aviation, but have never felt any urge to fly an airliner (well ,maybe a little bit just for the experience), and continue to find my career thoroughly rewarding. But, if you're going to buck the mainstream, you will have to make your own path somewhat.
You probably do want to work out what your ideal objective is - what is your dream flying job? What are the best alternatives? Then plan for that - which might mean other qualifications as well: in my case I'm involved in test flying so it's a couple of aeronautical engineering degrees. If you want to be a bush pilot, then a basic aircraft maintenance qualification would almost certainly be essential. And so-on.
G
PPRuNe Handmaiden
As Genghis has said, you'll still need a CPL. Since you'll probably be working in Europe, an Instrument rating will be a must.
Therefore, you may as well do the ATPL theory too. (Covers CPL, ATPL and IR theory). The best news is that you can do all of this modular.
Pick the school, find out their contacts and connections.
Aerial Application - aka crop dusting - is very specialist work. I don't know any one who does it here - maybe someone does? I have a mate who does it in Australia (and Canada). Definitely need tailwheel time for that.
What do you mean by Air Courier? Charter work? Bizjet work? Again, contacts are essential. So's experience.
Therefore, you may as well do the ATPL theory too. (Covers CPL, ATPL and IR theory). The best news is that you can do all of this modular.
Pick the school, find out their contacts and connections.
Aerial Application - aka crop dusting - is very specialist work. I don't know any one who does it here - maybe someone does? I have a mate who does it in Australia (and Canada). Definitely need tailwheel time for that.
What do you mean by Air Courier? Charter work? Bizjet work? Again, contacts are essential. So's experience.
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SYDNEY, NSW
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A number of young Aussie pilots have spent time in southern Africa; especially Botswana (the Okavango Delta) flying scenic flights. I understand the flying (and life there) can be challenging, but I am sure interesting and rewarding. The US is I believe short of instructors. Other countries may also take pilots, but the scope of work visas for foreign nationals changes rapidly in most countries, and is difficult to plan on. GA can be great fun and will give you a wide range of different experiences.
I agree with the other posters; get a CPL and IR, and all your ATPl theory done,
Good Luck
I agree with the other posters; get a CPL and IR, and all your ATPl theory done,
Good Luck
