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Re: off-topic/ Anyone know commercial pilots? Curious.. Posted by EGD [Email] (#663) [Profile/Gallery] (more from EGD) on Thu, 22 Mar 2001 20:06:39 In Reply to: off-topic/ Anyone know commercial pilots? Curious.., Ian Whelan, Thu, 22 Mar 2001 16:55:25 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
As an engineer in the aero-business for 20+ years, here are some thoughts based on my experience: First, set WRITTEN goals. Second, lay-out a basic plan on how to get there. Third, don't be afraid to modify the plan along the way. Fourth, learn from the mistakes of others as well as your own.
IMHO, one obvious path to an aviation-related career is to use your current interest in computer graphics and animation as a link to flight simulation hardware and software development. If you're not already in school, get a 4-year degree (minimum) in engineering or computer science. The money you'd earn in that career would certainly pay for some of the nice things in life like pilot licenses and new Saabs.
You can get a single-engine private pilot license for around $5K. Getting a job as a commercial airline pilot, of course, is something else entirely. It's a hard road -- very competitive -- and the route usually goes through the military because the cost of getting a multi-engine jet rating is well-beyond the reach of most people. A 4-yr technical degree is typically required and rigorous physical standards must be met. You train in single-engine prop planes and then work your way up through increasingly sophisticated prop aircraft before they even let you near a jet. Clearly, it's important now to figure out if you can handle the mental and physical discipline of a military environment. If not....
Finally, written goals are very important in this process. Putting your goals on paper make's the difference between developing an executable plan to achieve them or just having a BS session with yourself. Good luck!
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