Help - Please advise!
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Help - Please advise!
Hi folks,
I was anticipating starting my flight training this summer. Having looked deep into my crystal ball, I feel upon completion jobs for low timers will still be scarce and I'd have to do some instructing to build up experience.
However, I have just been offered a job as a graduate / software engineer designing and developing aircraft flight simulators <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> As an aero eng graduate with great interest in flight sims it is an ideal job, apart from the computer programming element which I'm not too keen on. <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
So what would you advise -
1)Get on the ladder, do the licence starting this summer, and start building the hours so when things DO pick up I'm ready.
or
2)Take the job. Hopefully apply to BA when they start up the TEP again, otherwise start training summer 2003, or when the industry is visibly improving.
BTW, Im 23, PPL, Aero Eng grad, and was about to apply for the BE instructor sponsorship.
Any help appreciated <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> . .JT8
I was anticipating starting my flight training this summer. Having looked deep into my crystal ball, I feel upon completion jobs for low timers will still be scarce and I'd have to do some instructing to build up experience.
However, I have just been offered a job as a graduate / software engineer designing and developing aircraft flight simulators <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> As an aero eng graduate with great interest in flight sims it is an ideal job, apart from the computer programming element which I'm not too keen on. <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
So what would you advise -
1)Get on the ladder, do the licence starting this summer, and start building the hours so when things DO pick up I'm ready.
or
2)Take the job. Hopefully apply to BA when they start up the TEP again, otherwise start training summer 2003, or when the industry is visibly improving.
BTW, Im 23, PPL, Aero Eng grad, and was about to apply for the BE instructor sponsorship.
Any help appreciated <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> . .JT8
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Personally I would choose option #1. Get trained so that if an upturn (and hopefully subsequent pilot shortage) occurs you will be all done and dusted ready to start at a moment's notice. If you start this Summer you will be ready hopefully for Winter 2003. Winter is traditionally when the recruitment gets done.
If you are trained and the industry is only just beginning to turn round job vacancies utilising your degree may be forthcoming. Train now worry later.
Just an opinion. Note the use of 'hopefully' and 'may' in my above paragraph. Good luck.
sB
If you are trained and the industry is only just beginning to turn round job vacancies utilising your degree may be forthcoming. Train now worry later.
Just an opinion. Note the use of 'hopefully' and 'may' in my above paragraph. Good luck.
sB
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Thanks for your input SB. Your point about when most airlines recruit is exactly why I would start in the summer, qualify around 14 months later ready for the winter.
Anyone else care to share their opinion? I need some quick feedback on this one, as I'm going to have to make a fast decision.
Cheers,. .JT8
Anyone else care to share their opinion? I need some quick feedback on this one, as I'm going to have to make a fast decision.
Cheers,. .JT8
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I too am a recent graduate and have decided to go for it. I think the industry will pick up and we will have a good chance at getting employment almost immediately in 18 months time. Just my opinion but if you have the cash now, why not.
It may be worth remembering, as you debate this one, that many, many people were in your position a few years ago. None of them could have predicted what has happened in the industry over the last six months. Many lives/dreams have been shattered.
Unlikely for a similar event to happen again - but goes to show that the totally unexpected can sneak up and really screw things up. You simply cannot tell! Like the warning goes "Your investments may go down as well as up"!
Unlikely for a similar event to happen again - but goes to show that the totally unexpected can sneak up and really screw things up. You simply cannot tell! Like the warning goes "Your investments may go down as well as up"!
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Do as advised by sickBocks. During the past 30 years anticyclic timing as far as training was concerned in our profession has always been a clever move. Could draw you the related sinuswave numbered with years and demand figures, 'cause was involved with training pilots heavily.
Good luck <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Good luck <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
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I'm 90% with Irish Flyer but one thing strikes me immediately: at 23 you're pretty young, you could easily wait another 2 or 3 years if personal + financial circumstances would allow and still be at a very good entrance age. The reason I say this is from an engineering + aviation point of view you've just been offered what sounds like a golden opportunity. There may be a seriously sexy engineering project + experience in that offer. This could provide those extremely important first 2 - 3 years of experience on your CV that will be worth their weight in gold if you every want to or have to return to engineering.
Me, well I'm too old to wait around any longer and will be hot on Irish Flyer's heels later this year. I have 15 years of R'n'D engineering experience and just one or two years of hiring engineers too. I find experience is in the bank forever.
Of course with a PPL under your belt, you could go barmy waiting around regardless of age!
Me, well I'm too old to wait around any longer and will be hot on Irish Flyer's heels later this year. I have 15 years of R'n'D engineering experience and just one or two years of hiring engineers too. I find experience is in the bank forever.
Of course with a PPL under your belt, you could go barmy waiting around regardless of age!
My heart would tell you to go for it, do your flying training and be in a position to apply for a job.
But..
My head tells me to get yourself a backup plan if all goes t**s up. This industry is so un-predictable that having something to fall back on is advisable.
I am 23 and I do not have a degree to fall back on, just self taught IT etc... .I am thinking of borrowing money to pay for the remainder of my licence costs.
My motto has always been live for today..... .Do not do something you will later regrett in life, but make a sensible decision, afetr all you are 23 not 33.
Good luck my friend and I wish you the best
But..
My head tells me to get yourself a backup plan if all goes t**s up. This industry is so un-predictable that having something to fall back on is advisable.
I am 23 and I do not have a degree to fall back on, just self taught IT etc... .I am thinking of borrowing money to pay for the remainder of my licence costs.
My motto has always been live for today..... .Do not do something you will later regrett in life, but make a sensible decision, afetr all you are 23 not 33.
Good luck my friend and I wish you the best
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Thanks for the replies all <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
I must admit I was expecting most to say 'take the job' and am quite surprised!
The main advantage of the job is the finance, and the fact that it is something I beleive will be looked upon as good and relevant experience.
I've just realised decisiveness is a major weakness of mine <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
I must admit I was expecting most to say 'take the job' and am quite surprised!
The main advantage of the job is the finance, and the fact that it is something I beleive will be looked upon as good and relevant experience.
I've just realised decisiveness is a major weakness of mine <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
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I beg to differ,
The main advantage of #2 - taking the job is not just finance by a long way.
Being in a flight simulator company you will have access to all the latest CBT courses on different aircraft.
With every job outside flying there are downsides. Computing is boring, but look at the positive side of your job. Your simulator company will have access to airbus and boeing training courses in its library. Why not take advantage of this access you have and go through the coursework for free in the down turn as well as earn the money for your flying at the weekends.
You will be able to practice on the sims in the spare time and broaden your knowledge for those interviews which no doubt arrive in the 'predicted' boom.
If it doesn't happen so fast, then at least you'll have money comming in and you will not be laying all your eggs in one basket.
Don't just look for the flying at all cost - develop a broader knowledge approach and you will have something different to offer than the 1500 hrs fATPL applicant who has sunk everything into flying. Unfortunately, there are plenty of those people around at the moment and it is those with which you will have to compete.
Whatever you decide - I wish you the best of luck.
The main advantage of #2 - taking the job is not just finance by a long way.
Being in a flight simulator company you will have access to all the latest CBT courses on different aircraft.
With every job outside flying there are downsides. Computing is boring, but look at the positive side of your job. Your simulator company will have access to airbus and boeing training courses in its library. Why not take advantage of this access you have and go through the coursework for free in the down turn as well as earn the money for your flying at the weekends.
You will be able to practice on the sims in the spare time and broaden your knowledge for those interviews which no doubt arrive in the 'predicted' boom.
If it doesn't happen so fast, then at least you'll have money comming in and you will not be laying all your eggs in one basket.
Don't just look for the flying at all cost - develop a broader knowledge approach and you will have something different to offer than the 1500 hrs fATPL applicant who has sunk everything into flying. Unfortunately, there are plenty of those people around at the moment and it is those with which you will have to compete.
Whatever you decide - I wish you the best of luck.
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I'm also a recent Aero Eng Graduate, I started training in September.. . My No 1 priority is to become a proffesional pilot of some sort shape or discription, but we are in the privalaged position of having qualifications in an indutsry desperate for engineers and there is no shortage of well payed engineering jobs, regaurdless of your age, to fall back on if the industry is doesn't pick up.
Alot of the part sponsorship programmes I have read about ask for PPL & 150 hrs before application, that can take a while to achive and gives time to monitor the industry and also adjust the pace of your training appropriately.
In my case the decision came down to how much I want to be a pilot and how little I want to be an engineer!
Try asking some training organisations about it.
Best of Luck.
Alot of the part sponsorship programmes I have read about ask for PPL & 150 hrs before application, that can take a while to achive and gives time to monitor the industry and also adjust the pace of your training appropriately.
In my case the decision came down to how much I want to be a pilot and how little I want to be an engineer!
Try asking some training organisations about it.
Best of Luck.
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Get your ppl. Get your exams (they are good for 3 years). Reassess situation. or just wait... apparently aviation industry has a seven year cycle (goodness knows who came up with that one).. .It hasnt been a great buisness to be in for a while. I think now is the time to study/prepare but dont be too rash, you're still just a pup.
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It's all very well swotting up at the weekend using your simulator manuals and having a play but it doesn't give you marketable total time. The contacts you may meet would be the + point.
An ideal world would be get the training done, then go to sim-land. There will still be opportunities there in 18 months time (if not more opportunities). That way when you're fixing the sim for a time-pressured Training Captain s/he will remember you "Oh by the way I've got a Frozen ATPL and MEIR" you say. Box ticked.
sB
An ideal world would be get the training done, then go to sim-land. There will still be opportunities there in 18 months time (if not more opportunities). That way when you're fixing the sim for a time-pressured Training Captain s/he will remember you "Oh by the way I've got a Frozen ATPL and MEIR" you say. Box ticked.
sB
