Beating a dead horse
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: USA
Beating a dead horse
I'm sure many of you have been asked this planty of times, but I feel like I need to post this question. Also, before you tell me use the search function. I've gone through almost every thread related to getting my CPL, as far as prospects and pay are concerned. None of which is current 
. Which leads me to my question. What are the prospects/pay for FAA CPL holder?
I'm going to be finished with my A&P schooling this May and I'm at a junction. If I don't pursue this now I feel as if I'm going to pass on something I've wanted to do since I was very young. I have found a few schools on the airport where I currently work and it would be too easy to get my training within rock throwing distance of where I work.
I have access to the funds it would take to get my CPL and CFI which, from talking with the schools around the state comes to about 90,000USD.
The only doubt I'm having is that after I'm done blowing a decent sized house worth of money, will I make it back? Or will it go to waste? I have been looking for some pilots around the airport to speak with about my prospects but I haven't had enough time to sit down and actually talk about it. So I appeal to the PPRUNE'rs : suggestions, experiences, ect? Also, will having my A&P with helicopter powerplant experience help with getting a job? Anything contrusctive is appreciated.
. Which leads me to my question. What are the prospects/pay for FAA CPL holder?I'm going to be finished with my A&P schooling this May and I'm at a junction. If I don't pursue this now I feel as if I'm going to pass on something I've wanted to do since I was very young. I have found a few schools on the airport where I currently work and it would be too easy to get my training within rock throwing distance of where I work.
I have access to the funds it would take to get my CPL and CFI which, from talking with the schools around the state comes to about 90,000USD.
The only doubt I'm having is that after I'm done blowing a decent sized house worth of money, will I make it back? Or will it go to waste? I have been looking for some pilots around the airport to speak with about my prospects but I haven't had enough time to sit down and actually talk about it. So I appeal to the PPRUNE'rs : suggestions, experiences, ect? Also, will having my A&P with helicopter powerplant experience help with getting a job? Anything contrusctive is appreciated.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,330
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From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
"will having my A&P with helicopter powerplant experience help with getting a job?"
It depends on the company, but yes, it will.
You have to think years ahead in this business, so you may as well follow your dream. It is my opinion that in about 3-4 years' time there will be plenty more opportunities.
phil
It depends on the company, but yes, it will.
You have to think years ahead in this business, so you may as well follow your dream. It is my opinion that in about 3-4 years' time there will be plenty more opportunities.
phil
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 135
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From: Over the rainbow
Good point by Paco, look at the emerging markets and the offshore industry growing and growing in SA, East/West Africa. Boom time is coming, but be careful, some companies in these area's operate under a euro AOC so FAA won't count but on the other hand some will except you with a ICAO. You'll just end up doing a Airlaw exam or not and bob's your uncle a local ticket.
But as ever its getting your foot in the door and its the classic case of who you know! Or in some cases who doesn't know you.
But as ever its getting your foot in the door and its the classic case of who you know! Or in some cases who doesn't know you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: USA
Thanks for the help. I might be starting in about two weeks time at a company that pays for a chuck of my flight school so we'll see. It's definitely something I want to pursue though. Just hard forking over the condo's worth of cash. 
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: USA
My next question is:
Do I start school and get my PPL, then build some hours a PPL before going to commercial. Or, do it all at once?
Can that even be done, or can I not build hours for my CPL as a PPL holder?
Do I start school and get my PPL, then build some hours a PPL before going to commercial. Or, do it all at once?
Can that even be done, or can I not build hours for my CPL as a PPL holder?
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 74
From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Always get the PPL first, then if some free flying comes up you can take adavntage of it. If you go straight for the commercial, you have nothing to show for it until the end. Also, get your class 1 medical, just in case.
Phil
Phil
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: USA
Thanks for the advise paco!
I've had a few meetings with schools around my area. I've flown the R22 a bit and liked it but there is a school within line of sight from me that operates the 300C. So I booked myself a flight to see if I like it more. (it's also about 40 an hr more expensive than the 22)
I've had a few meetings with schools around my area. I've flown the R22 a bit and liked it but there is a school within line of sight from me that operates the 300C. So I booked myself a flight to see if I like it more. (it's also about 40 an hr more expensive than the 22)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 322
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From: Canada
Subject: Dead Horse Theory
If you don't understand this theory, you haven't lived long enough......
The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that, "When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount."
However, in government, education, and in corporate America, more advanced strategies are often employed, such as:
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
4. Arranging to visit other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.
5. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
6. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.
7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.
9. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase dead horse's performance.
10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance.
11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overhead and therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other horses.
12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.
And of course....
13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position
If you don't understand this theory, you haven't lived long enough......
The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that, "When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount."
However, in government, education, and in corporate America, more advanced strategies are often employed, such as:
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
4. Arranging to visit other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.
5. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
6. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.
7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.
9. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase dead horse's performance.
10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance.
11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overhead and therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other horses.
12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.
And of course....
13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 322
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From: Canada
With a sense of humour like yours might I suggest a much different career path? I am sure a few of us old hands found it funny. Relax a bit and you might survive in the job search, one of the hardest ones to break into.
Good luck
Good luck
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
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From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
With a sense of humour like yours might I suggest a much different career path? I am sure a few of us old hands found it funny. Relax a bit and you might survive in the job search, one of the hardest ones to break into.
OEI-Dave.....seriously, you need to relax a little.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 322
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From: Canada
As I said before, best of luck in the pursuit. I spent a long time doing ground jobs before I attained my first hour of revenue time. 24 years after my first flight, I sometimes wish I was back at the start again, lots of fun along the way.
Many of my early jobs involved operational support of spraying and heli-logging. Helping out during the winter maintenance not only gives you more respect for the folks supporting you but also gives you some practical knowledge that many pilots lack.
Financially it is a big burden, especially with the future of the North American economy. Finding a way to receive outside funding would be a huge step, no doubt.
Many of my early jobs involved operational support of spraying and heli-logging. Helping out during the winter maintenance not only gives you more respect for the folks supporting you but also gives you some practical knowledge that many pilots lack.
Financially it is a big burden, especially with the future of the North American economy. Finding a way to receive outside funding would be a huge step, no doubt.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 35
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From: USA
Thank you.
I plan on working and doing a few hours a few hours a week until I'm there. I'm not quite ready to throw all my eggs in one basket. But it's something I'm moving forward on. Again, sorry for the post. Just stressed etc.
I plan on working and doing a few hours a few hours a week until I'm there. I'm not quite ready to throw all my eggs in one basket. But it's something I'm moving forward on. Again, sorry for the post. Just stressed etc.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 1
From: UK
Canadian: nice initial post
OEI - This post of yours has been done to death on pprune, can't remember where and can't be bothered to look for it as I'm off to Turkey for a break in 3 hours
Yours is a long arduous route, it's been trod by thousands before you and will be by those following - no doubt. It'll cost you everything you've got, both in time and money, especially if you do it piece meal as you propose to do it. At the end - you will join the queue like everyone else and eek out an adequate income ranging from survivable to comfortable dependent on who you end up with and what you actually do commercially.
make no bones about this venture OEI - you will struggle to survive.
Now the good bit - it means that you will be doing something very few people get to do (frequently) and you might even get paid for it too! Every day will be different because every day airbourne requires totally different awareness of the environment. You will be breaking those surly bonds that tie you to earth
It's unique.
There is only ONE thing that will keep you afloat - financially and emotionally: PASSION. The rest is clutter................
If it's not in your blood, if there is any element of doubt...walk away and get a proper job sunshine
OEI - This post of yours has been done to death on pprune, can't remember where and can't be bothered to look for it as I'm off to Turkey for a break in 3 hours
Yours is a long arduous route, it's been trod by thousands before you and will be by those following - no doubt. It'll cost you everything you've got, both in time and money, especially if you do it piece meal as you propose to do it. At the end - you will join the queue like everyone else and eek out an adequate income ranging from survivable to comfortable dependent on who you end up with and what you actually do commercially.
make no bones about this venture OEI - you will struggle to survive.
Now the good bit - it means that you will be doing something very few people get to do (frequently) and you might even get paid for it too! Every day will be different because every day airbourne requires totally different awareness of the environment. You will be breaking those surly bonds that tie you to earth
It's unique.There is only ONE thing that will keep you afloat - financially and emotionally: PASSION. The rest is clutter................
If it's not in your blood, if there is any element of doubt...walk away and get a proper job sunshine
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 171
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From: Massachusetts
I've had a few meetings with schools around my area. I've flown the R22 a bit and liked it but there is a school within line of sight from me that operates the 300C. So I booked myself a flight to see if I like it more. (it's also about 40 an hr more expensive than the 22)
And never, ever, give any school more money than you are willing to lose if they suddenly go out of business. At least here in the States, it happens all the time
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 35
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From: USA
Thanks for the replies. It's been a while since I was last on. I've almost got my funding figured out so I'll start shortly. I flew the 300C and loved it. Funding is proving to be a little trickier than expected but like I said. Almost sorted that. 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 22
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From: Australia
TC Quote
Can"t say it any better than TC. Head down , buckle up , get ready for the hard ride.....and enjoy it all the way man.
Every mans experience is a different one in this game so grab it and go with it and all the best!!
Cheers
Rotor
Every mans experience is a different one in this game so grab it and go with it and all the best!!
Cheers
Rotor