Why aren't you a commercial pilot?
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Why aren't you a commercial pilot?
Hey dudes.
I've been thinking, although I am so damn obsessed with being a pilot I had this idea that I should just use my common sense and do something else
And I'm guessing there are alot of people at PPRune who are into flying but became an engineer or ATC instead. So can you tell me why your not a commercial pilot and what your doing. Plus, are you happy with it. That goes for being a pilot and not being happy with it to.
A while ago I had the same idea. I go through phases, not on/off but negative positive thoughts... Anyway, I asked over the net whether it's a good idea to become an aeronuatical engineer or A&P mechanic. But all the replies were negative. Things like;
I've been thinking, although I am so damn obsessed with being a pilot I had this idea that I should just use my common sense and do something else
And I'm guessing there are alot of people at PPRune who are into flying but became an engineer or ATC instead. So can you tell me why your not a commercial pilot and what your doing. Plus, are you happy with it. That goes for being a pilot and not being happy with it to.A while ago I had the same idea. I go through phases, not on/off but negative positive thoughts... Anyway, I asked over the net whether it's a good idea to become an aeronuatical engineer or A&P mechanic. But all the replies were negative. Things like;
- "You have to buy your own tools" (even though flying lessons cost a billion times more)
- "When the aircraft you've maintined are in the air you wont be able to sleep"
- and, "If you make a small mistake it will have a fatal result and you'll be executed"
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I'd liked to have had a PPL, but the cost was always too high. I would never have considered becoming a commercial pilot as I love my wife too much to be away from home for long periods. I spent most of my life in ATC, which was my ambition, and enjoyed every single second of it. I sure could have used a pilot's salary but otherwise I wouldn't have swapped my job for theirs!!
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Live in the present
I'm not a mechanic or ATC, but I have been and still am in your shoes. It's ok to be obsessed with flying, I was and still am, but to a lesser degree now than a year ago. I find that being obsessed with the dream distracts me from what I'm presently pursuing, a degree in aeronautical/mechanical engineering.
Having calmed down the aviation bug in my head, or rather, having started to explore the field of engineering and what oppertunities I have as an engineer more closely, I've suddenly found some jobs that to me are very interesting.
Believe it or not, not all engineers sit 9-5 in an office. One such job that i found awesome is that of a service engineer. They set-up, operate and maintain machinery on rigs around the world (lots of travel) working 1month on 1month off (depends on company of course). Starting pay (at least here in Norway) is around 80k-100k pound sterling.
There are many other types of jobs that you might find interesting, you just have to explore. Calling it boring and a "typical 9-5 office job" just doesn't do any field any justice. Do some research and you just might find something that fits you.
My point is, don't let any "dream" distract you from the present and other uppertunities in life, especially when you're young and with the current economic crisis.
edit:
And am I happy? I was positively surprised by how diverse the field of engineering is. Your not locked to aeronautics if that turns out not to be your thing. The degree is first and foremost a mechanical engineering degree, which again is very broad.
Other than that you can find so many other things to do in UNI, join a student group, take 1 semester or 2 abroad, find a job that is related to your studies.
I believe happiness as a student, and further along as an engineer is proportional to ones ability to immerse oneself in the field. Last year( my first year at uni) i was always dreaming about aviation, spent way too much time on pprune and apc, never really thought of engineering as a possible career, but rather as a secondary thing. As a result, i did everything half-heartedly at school, had i continued, i would probably be one of those guys that never even comes to school, just does the bare minimum to get by.
I'm not saying that one should give up ones dream, just don't let it get in the way of other uppertunities that may turn out to be really great.
Having calmed down the aviation bug in my head, or rather, having started to explore the field of engineering and what oppertunities I have as an engineer more closely, I've suddenly found some jobs that to me are very interesting.
Believe it or not, not all engineers sit 9-5 in an office. One such job that i found awesome is that of a service engineer. They set-up, operate and maintain machinery on rigs around the world (lots of travel) working 1month on 1month off (depends on company of course). Starting pay (at least here in Norway) is around 80k-100k pound sterling.
There are many other types of jobs that you might find interesting, you just have to explore. Calling it boring and a "typical 9-5 office job" just doesn't do any field any justice. Do some research and you just might find something that fits you.
My point is, don't let any "dream" distract you from the present and other uppertunities in life, especially when you're young and with the current economic crisis.
edit:
And am I happy? I was positively surprised by how diverse the field of engineering is. Your not locked to aeronautics if that turns out not to be your thing. The degree is first and foremost a mechanical engineering degree, which again is very broad.
Other than that you can find so many other things to do in UNI, join a student group, take 1 semester or 2 abroad, find a job that is related to your studies.
I believe happiness as a student, and further along as an engineer is proportional to ones ability to immerse oneself in the field. Last year( my first year at uni) i was always dreaming about aviation, spent way too much time on pprune and apc, never really thought of engineering as a possible career, but rather as a secondary thing. As a result, i did everything half-heartedly at school, had i continued, i would probably be one of those guys that never even comes to school, just does the bare minimum to get by.
I'm not saying that one should give up ones dream, just don't let it get in the way of other uppertunities that may turn out to be really great.
Last edited by daydreamer89; 31st Jan 2009 at 14:47.
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I hold five different FAA certificates...one of which is the Airline Transport Pilot certificate, and the other the Mechanic certificate...with both Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
Over the course of my career I've served frequently as a mechanic, and inspector. I'm doing that very thing now.
Yes, you should buy your own tools, but that's an investment in a career, and worth what you put into it. I believe in buying the best tools you can, where you can, or at least the best tools for the money. I've had inexpensive tools fail, and I've had some expensive ones fail, too. Get ones with a good warranty and reputation, that won't let you down.
I've never been in the position where I couldn't sleep because of an airplane on which I had performed maintenance. Do it properly, don't cut corners, and go to sleep knowing you did good work, and did the right thing. You'll sleep well.
In flying, I've done everything from cropdusting to flying the 747 internationally. Many of my flying jobs involved maintenance. When there wasn't flying work, I did maintenance, and sometimes it was maintenance instead of flying. Right now I'm doing both, which is often the case.
If you intend to fly for a living, a maintenance background, training, and education serves you well in understanding aircraft systems and in the way you think about the airplane. It can help your decision making process, and in my opinion, will make you a more rounded and competent pilot.
Likewise, if you intend to be a mechanic/engineer, then having flight experience and pilot training gives you more insight into your job, and I think makes you a better mechanic.
Over the course of my career I've served frequently as a mechanic, and inspector. I'm doing that very thing now.
Yes, you should buy your own tools, but that's an investment in a career, and worth what you put into it. I believe in buying the best tools you can, where you can, or at least the best tools for the money. I've had inexpensive tools fail, and I've had some expensive ones fail, too. Get ones with a good warranty and reputation, that won't let you down.
I've never been in the position where I couldn't sleep because of an airplane on which I had performed maintenance. Do it properly, don't cut corners, and go to sleep knowing you did good work, and did the right thing. You'll sleep well.
In flying, I've done everything from cropdusting to flying the 747 internationally. Many of my flying jobs involved maintenance. When there wasn't flying work, I did maintenance, and sometimes it was maintenance instead of flying. Right now I'm doing both, which is often the case.
If you intend to fly for a living, a maintenance background, training, and education serves you well in understanding aircraft systems and in the way you think about the airplane. It can help your decision making process, and in my opinion, will make you a more rounded and competent pilot.
Likewise, if you intend to be a mechanic/engineer, then having flight experience and pilot training gives you more insight into your job, and I think makes you a better mechanic.
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Well let me know how you go dayreamer89, oh and by the way it is spelled 'Opportunities'. Do you think you would get a job with the airlines straight away or you have to work your way up? Starting on single engine prop's for years then getting that engineering carreer going with... British Airways, in your case...
Do you think engineers get benefits, like free travel. How much would you expect and engineer to get from say, EK or QF? Salary wise.
Do you think engineers get benefits, like free travel. How much would you expect and engineer to get from say, EK or QF? Salary wise.
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As an aeronautical engineer there are OPPORTUNITIES (thanks for correcting me) to work for an airline right after university. Try to get some summer-internships before graduating to get some relevant experience (gold worth for newbie engineers), or join an organization, anything to show you're going to be a capable and all-round professional and thus increasing your chances. Needless to say, grades count as well.
Otherwise, like all other companies, they want relevant work experience beforehand.
Salary depends on your experience usually. Recent graduates start out at the typical 35k-40k, or if you have a masters ca.40k-45. That is how it generally is in Norway at least.
You mentioned moving up the ranks from small planes to large. There is no such ladder for an Aeronautics/aerospace engineer to climb (unless you choose to). Remember that aero-engineers are very different to a&p engineers (easy to confuse the two), although at the companies that I've visited they work very closely together.
As for me, my initial plans were the airlines but not anymore. Now I'm going in another direction not related to aviation.
Good luck wherever you choose to venture.
Otherwise, like all other companies, they want relevant work experience beforehand.
Salary depends on your experience usually. Recent graduates start out at the typical 35k-40k, or if you have a masters ca.40k-45. That is how it generally is in Norway at least.
You mentioned moving up the ranks from small planes to large. There is no such ladder for an Aeronautics/aerospace engineer to climb (unless you choose to). Remember that aero-engineers are very different to a&p engineers (easy to confuse the two), although at the companies that I've visited they work very closely together.
As for me, my initial plans were the airlines but not anymore. Now I'm going in another direction not related to aviation.
Good luck wherever you choose to venture.
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Nooo, so your not gonna work in aviation, I guess an aeronuatical engineer can do alot of stuff, like F1 cars. And, Can an aeronuatical engineer design and market their own aeroplane?
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Do you think you would get a job with the airlines straight away or you have to work your way up? Starting on single engine prop's for years then getting that engineering carreer going with... British Airways, in your case...
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Young man, you claim to be 'obsessed' with becoming a commercial pilot. I've noticed this takes the form of sitting behind a keyboard asking regular questions here and trying to get responses going to some rather esoteric questions. But basically 'keyboard chat'. What a contrast this other 16 year old is who is also enthusiastic:
http://www.pprune.org/questions/3603...nce-ideas.html
So pray, what other means do you use to express your enthusiasm? Have you bothered with voluntary work, making contacts, work experience, Air Cadets etc in an aviation field, like this other young man, who doubtless will go far? You certainly make more noise about your alleged obsession than anybody else here! I see you are making some absolute crackpot postings on this board- you are concerned about 'not having enough blood' (?), the lack of B737 wheel undercarriage bay doors 'disturbs you'! And you won't accept the answers given you by experts!
What I would suggest is you complete your schooling as well as you can, and in the meantime quietly learn about the career and find out how you may fit in, and not keep posting irrelevant queries in technical sections, and then not accepting the answers! You are a lot of noise and no action. Learn from the other young chap.
http://www.pprune.org/questions/3603...nce-ideas.html
So pray, what other means do you use to express your enthusiasm? Have you bothered with voluntary work, making contacts, work experience, Air Cadets etc in an aviation field, like this other young man, who doubtless will go far? You certainly make more noise about your alleged obsession than anybody else here! I see you are making some absolute crackpot postings on this board- you are concerned about 'not having enough blood' (?), the lack of B737 wheel undercarriage bay doors 'disturbs you'! And you won't accept the answers given you by experts!
What I would suggest is you complete your schooling as well as you can, and in the meantime quietly learn about the career and find out how you may fit in, and not keep posting irrelevant queries in technical sections, and then not accepting the answers! You are a lot of noise and no action. Learn from the other young chap.
Last edited by Rainboe; 1st Feb 2009 at 22:06.
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Lamb,
If you're going to criticise a non native English speaker on their spelling, you had better make sure your spelling and grammar is up to scratch.
If you're going to criticise a non native English speaker on their spelling, you had better make sure your spelling and grammar is up to scratch.
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I was not going to bring up the spelling.......but......in the midst of correcting others, he does have a distinct problem with aeronautical, gonna, you're, calling people here 'dudes', using smileys in a supposedly adult conversation to your betters, and an obsession with 'benefits'- pay, free travel, .........shall I go on? One is left almost breathless. If you are interested in a job, learn how to spell the title! Perhaps he would do better going back to his computer game obsession!
Does he really think people would be interested in an aeroplane he designed and marketed, with zero experience?
Does he really think people would be interested in an aeroplane he designed and marketed, with zero experience?
Last edited by Rainboe; 1st Feb 2009 at 22:07.
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If you make a small mistake it will have a fatal result and you'll be executed"
On a more positive note I recommend you spend some time reading through the postings and discussions on this forum.
They are categorised according to aviation related disciplines for your benefit. You will find most of the answers to your questions if you care to look for them.
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Let’s hope he may be "born again"; his ramblings provide much merriment on these long standbys.......
Having studied medicine, the lack of blood thread has to be my current favourite. I'm surprised no one suggested a transfusion.
Having studied medicine, the lack of blood thread has to be my current favourite. I'm surprised no one suggested a transfusion.
Last edited by Miles; 3rd Feb 2009 at 13:42. Reason: Dude, i 4got sumfink or nuthin
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Will we miss this garbage though:
?
Naaah! Spare us please!
A while ago I had the same idea. I go through phases, not on/off but negative positive thoughts
Naaah! Spare us please!
oh and by the way it is spelled 'Opportunities'
Now one for you, LambOfGod: Arrange the following words to make a simple, well known phrase, then learn what you can from it:
KETTLE
BLACK
POT
CALLING
The clue is hidden in the following out-takes of your major crimes against spelling and English:
Nooo aeronuatical POT is CALLING the prop's carreer KETTLE BLACK alot thank's your all dudes, I had this idea that I should just use my common sense...
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Mildly entertaining for a while though, like a Gordon Ramsay cookout......but without the delicious outcome.
Haven't been called 'dude' for years! Don't like it at all.
Lambs get sacrificed, don't they? Or eaten. But this one will be spotty.
Haven't been called 'dude' for years! Don't like it at all.
Lambs get sacrificed, don't they? Or eaten. But this one will be spotty.
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Hey dudettes, I'm back
Rainboe - I was in the Australian Air Force Cadet's. You know what, I learnt **** all about aviation. I felt I was going to be brainwashed into joining the army aswel. I'm not going to waste my time doing things that I don't need to become a pilot. I think maths is more important.
Redsnail - I was not trying to offend daydreamer89 but simply 'correcting' him. I am not good at english (subject at school) or spelling but I'm trying my best. I was unsure of the word 'aeronuatical' so I Googled it and the spelling was correct. Daydreamer89 was one of 3, SNS3Guppy, daydreamer89 and HEATHROW DIRECTOR to reply on topic.
pilotmike - I'm assuming you criticise your co-workers, peers ans family over lame reasons similar to those a young teenage couple would fight about.
windriver - I was a quote, not some humour I'd spent months working on.
And if you want to critisise me about my spelling and punctuation that I did actualy put some effort into I can just right it and post it. Just hope I never fly with most of you people.
Oh, and rainboe, you spelt RAINBOW wong...
Rainboe - I was in the Australian Air Force Cadet's. You know what, I learnt **** all about aviation. I felt I was going to be brainwashed into joining the army aswel. I'm not going to waste my time doing things that I don't need to become a pilot. I think maths is more important.
Redsnail - I was not trying to offend daydreamer89 but simply 'correcting' him. I am not good at english (subject at school) or spelling but I'm trying my best. I was unsure of the word 'aeronuatical' so I Googled it and the spelling was correct. Daydreamer89 was one of 3, SNS3Guppy, daydreamer89 and HEATHROW DIRECTOR to reply on topic.
pilotmike - I'm assuming you criticise your co-workers, peers ans family over lame reasons similar to those a young teenage couple would fight about.
windriver - I was a quote, not some humour I'd spent months working on.
And if you want to critisise me about my spelling and punctuation that I did actualy put some effort into I can just right it and post it. Just hope I never fly with most of you people.
Oh, and rainboe, you spelt RAINBOW wong...