Today\u2019s young pilots face the same age-old number one question as pilots in the last century: namely – how do I get a job?<\/p>\n
Of course, as it was in the Twentieth Century, so it is in the 21st. New pilots find themselves caught in the exact Catch-22 as older pilots when they first started in the business. Many have pondered, I need experience to get a job, but I need a job to gain experience<\/em>.<\/p>\n This is the old classic chicken and egg conundrum. There is, however, another piece of the puzzle involving new regulations and insurance requirements.<\/p>\n Because of more restrictive insurance criteria, the first \u201cstepping stone\u201d flying jobs are now more difficult to obtain. Additionally, more young pilots having exposure to the more \u201cinteresting\u201d aviation jobs are dissatisfied with the idea of working for a living. Some even believe they should have the right to fly jets for an air carrier the moment they finish their commercial checkride.<\/p>\n Projected pilot job growth between now and 2018 is eight percent in the airline industry and 19 percent for other commercial pilot positions. Most young people dream of flying Boeing 700 series airliners and there is nothing wrong with this dream. However, they should not overlook the possibilities of finding great happiness in other fields of flying.<\/p>\n A new pilot with a freshly inked commercial pilot certificate sometimes feels overly important. Consequently, they may believe they are above working the menial jobs of aviation. They refuse to work what is probably the best, most important and underpaid job in the business: flight instructing.<\/p>\n Flight instructing is a position offering great time building, but little money. Like teachers everywhere, a flight instructor holds one of the most demanding and important positions in aviation, for which he or she never earns their worth.<\/p>\n Two things about flight instructing are worth mentioning. The first is that new instructors learn more about flying than they teach their students. Secondly, teaching allows pilots to form life long bonds with their students and other aviators.<\/p>\n If a young person is not interested in flight instructing, there are other ways to build time for the airlines. One may become a charter pilot, but obtaining a charter pilot position may also prove somewhat difficult.<\/p>\n To act as the pilot in command of a Part 135 charter flight, you have to look at the regulations. Part 135 PIC requirements include a minimum of 1200 hours total flight time. We come back to the question of how to get the experience and therefore a job.<\/p>\n Other early flying jobs include sightseeing flights, banner towing, and flying skydivers. All of these positions the airlines will tolerate, but airline chief pilots are typically looking for more in the way of experience.<\/p>\n I often think back on one young pilot who was anticipating a career with United Airlines. After 4000 hours as a flight instructor, he became discouraged and gave his notice. He had no job prospects and no idea of what he was going to do. He did take some time to vacation with his family in Alaska.<\/p>\n While there, he inquired about bush flying. He found a position with an operator and gained experience in the Alaskan wilds. He learned the trade and long story short, bought his own operation. Before long, he was hiring other pilots and having the time of his life.<\/p>\n When the airline hiring boom started up again, when told United would be interested in him, his reply? \u201cWhy would I want to take a pay cut, work longer hours, live in a crash pad, and have my schedule dictated to me?<\/p>\n \u201cBesides, I wouldn\u2019t be able to fish salmon and hunt elk when I\u2019m not flying.\u201d<\/p>\n If you are a young pilot looking for opportunity, don\u2019t close your eyes to things you think<\/em> you may not enjoy.<\/p>\n -30-<\/p>\n \u00a9 2010 J. Clark<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today\u2019s young pilots face the same age-old number one question as pilots in the last century: namely – how do I get a job? Of course, as it was in the Twentieth Century, so it is in the 21st. New … Continue reading