Working for airfields as a way of paying for lessons
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: North Wales
Working for airfields as a way of paying for lessons
I was told that working for my local airport doing all sorts of odd jobs and generally helping in return for lessons is a good way of starting out in light commercial.
This sounds very attractive to me, but have any of you had any expeiriance doing this and was it worth it/satisfying?
WelshFlyer
This sounds very attractive to me, but have any of you had any expeiriance doing this and was it worth it/satisfying?
WelshFlyer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Brighton
Working on the airfield
Have never done it but am thinking about it if I do some flying abroad.
If you are into flying/aviation - which I assume you are - I guess it would do no harm. Its better than working in McDonalds, i know I'd prefer to be helping dismantle an engine than turning burgers!
Let us know if you do it an how it goes - also, more importantly what kind of credit you are getting towards lessons/hours!
Wingz
If you are into flying/aviation - which I assume you are - I guess it would do no harm. Its better than working in McDonalds, i know I'd prefer to be helping dismantle an engine than turning burgers!
Let us know if you do it an how it goes - also, more importantly what kind of credit you are getting towards lessons/hours!
Wingz
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: uk
Get the best paying job you can.....either in or out of the aviation industry, and fund your flying that way. Most of those working at airfields as "odd jobbers" usually end up being exploited and also given all of the nice jobs like cleaning out the toilets. Only ever walk into a flying school when you have the money to spend in your pocket. They'll give you more respect that way, but only slightly more!
I'matightbastard
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Mystic isn't wrong, but you can learn a lot by being around aviation and you can make a lot of contacts too. After all, life is all about being in the right place at the right time.
An extension of Mystic's logic though is "Why become a pilot?" Why not get some great paying job in computers, buy your own aircraft and fly whenever you want?
Perhaps a happy medium would be to do it and keep your eyes open. You'll know if you're being exploited.
An extension of Mystic's logic though is "Why become a pilot?" Why not get some great paying job in computers, buy your own aircraft and fly whenever you want?
Perhaps a happy medium would be to do it and keep your eyes open. You'll know if you're being exploited.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: eire
I worked at an airfield in the states and payed for an entire instrument rating one summer. I mowed grass, watered flowers, painted hangers, all the pee- on jobs and it was well worth it. Meet many great people who let me fly their airplanes and made some great connections and career adivce. This was just a mom and pop airfield so there wasn't much attitude, just friendly folks mostly. Wouldn't have traded that experience for the world. It payed horrible but hey you have to be in it to win it.
