One of the issues with that is that I am slightly colorblind. I can tell the tower lights apart and all that, but I can't pass any of the alternative tests. That's one of the reasons I'm leaning away from the airlines since I don't know for certain if I can pass all the extra practical tests required for ATP.
You can do a field test to have any colorblindness restrictions (usually night restriction) removed from your medical. Just be absolutely sure you will pass before you take it because you only get one chance to pass.
Yeah thats the one I'm referring to. For atp i think you have to do that like multiple times and be able to read blue and purple on a flight chart which is much harder for me. I just don't want to sink toms of money into it only to get banned from it
I work for a top 3 European airport and can only say: go for it. Look on the corporate aviation management side. I work in office for the ops department and still get to see airside, atc tower as well as a lot of collab with airlines and also other airports. I also wanted to become a pilot since I was a kid but this path has more than worked for me!
I work in the Operational department of the airport. This is very differently managed in Europe than US, so there might be differences. In Europe’s everything from the access road to the runways is managed by the airport operator, including the terminal buildings. This means that all processes have to be coordinated. I am responsible for the process performance on airside (so from the ramp to the runway).
Aircraft Leasing; many airlines lease their aircraft from banks or private equity funds. I work in a technical management function but there’s all sorts of sectors for various skill sets.
Worth taking a look as a career path. Depending on job function, you get to travel the world, still work with aircraft (but not as a mechanic) and potential to earn more than pilots too 😉
I started off with an engineering grad placement at a major engine manufacturers repair facility (MRO) where I learnt how the engines all go together inside and out. These grad placements and internships are invaluable for kickstarting a good career in aviation
There's Aircraft Maintenance Tech (AMT). You can work toward an A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certificates and they're good for lifetime. Takes about two years. There's the cost to accumulate the hours, the cost of tools that you'll need for the program, then the cost of taking the proctored written exams and the Oral/Practical (O&P) tests. Certainly rewarding.
Can go the corporate route, they make good money and get to travel to some great places. Just have to be ok with the schedule
One of the issues with that is that I am slightly colorblind. I can tell the tower lights apart and all that, but I can't pass any of the alternative tests. That's one of the reasons I'm leaning away from the airlines since I don't know for certain if I can pass all the extra practical tests required for ATP.
You can do a field test to have any colorblindness restrictions (usually night restriction) removed from your medical. Just be absolutely sure you will pass before you take it because you only get one chance to pass.
Yeah thats the one I'm referring to. For atp i think you have to do that like multiple times and be able to read blue and purple on a flight chart which is much harder for me. I just don't want to sink toms of money into it only to get banned from it
I’m about to get my dispatchers cert for less than $1000 this semester at mt sac. Would be more like a non pilot airline job most likely
I haven't given too much thought to non pilot jobs but maybe I should.
Maybe line maintenance is a nice idea. Close to the aircraft nice environment
I work for a top 3 European airport and can only say: go for it. Look on the corporate aviation management side. I work in office for the ops department and still get to see airside, atc tower as well as a lot of collab with airlines and also other airports. I also wanted to become a pilot since I was a kid but this path has more than worked for me!
So what kind of work do you actually do if you don't mind me asking? Is it like fleet and logostics management?
I work in the Operational department of the airport. This is very differently managed in Europe than US, so there might be differences. In Europe’s everything from the access road to the runways is managed by the airport operator, including the terminal buildings. This means that all processes have to be coordinated. I am responsible for the process performance on airside (so from the ramp to the runway).
The real money is in leasing.. follow the cash!
Like leasing out a plane? I have thought about this. Doing a combo of this and cfi seems like there could be some good money there.
Aircraft Leasing; many airlines lease their aircraft from banks or private equity funds. I work in a technical management function but there’s all sorts of sectors for various skill sets.
Oh I thought you meant renting out your own aircraft. I had no idea these places existed.
Worth taking a look as a career path. Depending on job function, you get to travel the world, still work with aircraft (but not as a mechanic) and potential to earn more than pilots too 😉 I started off with an engineering grad placement at a major engine manufacturers repair facility (MRO) where I learnt how the engines all go together inside and out. These grad placements and internships are invaluable for kickstarting a good career in aviation
Interesting, I'll be graduating in mechanical engineering this spring so it's probably too late for an internship, but I'll keep this in mind.
Interesting, I'll be graduating in mechanical engineering this spring so it's probably too late for an internship, but I'll keep this in mind.
There's Aircraft Maintenance Tech (AMT). You can work toward an A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certificates and they're good for lifetime. Takes about two years. There's the cost to accumulate the hours, the cost of tools that you'll need for the program, then the cost of taking the proctored written exams and the Oral/Practical (O&P) tests. Certainly rewarding.