Hello everyone, is it unheard of to get PPL through commercial license and then go to the military for aviation? What are the drawbacks and advantages of doing this? Is this a stupid idea or if I want to serve in some capacity is looking at a guard unit a good idea as well if I don’t, I want the full-time commitment. Any advice is appreciated thank you.
If I wanna be a seaplane pilot in Florida and maybe a contract pilot on the side later down the line for corporate aviation, should I go part 61 or part for 141? I did my PPL part 61 and I’m doing my instrument 141 right now and I do not like 141. From commercial on what does everyone recommend? Thanks.
Hey everyone, I’m currently doing my flight training and looking for part-time work to help pay for it. There’s a corporate FBO near me that’s hiring line service techs, and I keep hearing mixed things about whether it’s actually worth it for an aspiring pilot.
For those who’ve done it: did fueling jets, marshaling, and being around corporate crews actually lead to anything? Networking with Part 91/135 pilots, getting your name known with charter operators, maybe a right seat opportunity down the line? Or is it just a job like any other and the “connections” thing is overhyped?
Would love to hear from anyone who worked the line during training and whether it opened doors for them, or if my time would be better spent elsewhere. Thanks!
Hey everyone, I’m currently doing my flight training and looking for part-time work to help pay for it. There’s a corporate FBO near me that’s hiring line service techs, and I keep hearing mixed things about whether it’s actually worth it for an aspiring pilot.
For those who’ve done it: did fueling jets, marshaling, and being around corporate crews actually lead to anything? Networking with Part 91/135 pilots, getting your name known with charter operators, maybe a right seat opportunity down the line? Or is it just a job like any other and the “connections” thing is overhyped?
Would love to hear from anyone who worked the line during training and whether it opened doors for them, or if my time would be better spent elsewhere. Thanks!
Hello everyone, is there a recommended way to pay for one on one training with a CFI instead of a big box school for my part 61 training. Can you use stuff like Sallie May or other stuff like that to finance independent training or do you have to go to a big school for that to be offered. Thanks.
Hello everyone, is there a recommended way to pay for one on one training with a CFI instead of a big box school for my part 61 training. Can you use stuff like Sallie May or other stuff like that to finance independent training or do you have to go to a big school for that to be offered. Thanks.
Hello everyone, is there a recommended way to pay for one on one training with a CFI instead of a big box school for my part 61 training. Can you use stuff like Sallie May or other stuff like that to finance independent training or do you have to go to a big school for that to be offered. Thanks.
Is it worth continuing my training at the new Smyrna campus from anothercampus. I have not been really satisfied with the results so far and feel like I will be making mistake. If I go there, I know these subs have rules against posting without this company, but I just wanna ask for an honest opinion before I make a decision.
Is it worth continuing my training at the new Smyrna campus from anothercampus. I have not been really satisfied with the results so far and feel like I will be making mistake. If I go there, I know these subs have rules against posting without this company, but I just wanna ask for an honest opinion before I make a decision.
Is it worth continuing my training at the new Smyrna campus from anothercampus. I have not been really satisfied with the results so far and feel like I will be making mistake. If I go there, I know these subs have rules against posting without this company, but I just wanna ask for an honest opinion before I make a decision.
For those who have used the Shepherd air study guide for instrument rating how long did you utilize it before taking your actual exam? Is it a multi-day process or can you do it in one day? What worked best for everyone
For those who have used the Shepherd air study guide for instrument rating how long did you utilize it before taking your actual exam? Is it a multi-day process or can you do it in one day? What worked best for everyone
I’m working on my instrument rating right now and my end goal is to fly seaplanes professionally, ideally based in Florida, and I’m trying to figure out the smartest path from here. I keep hearing that CFI hiring is soft or saturated right now, so I’m not sure if going the CFI/CFII/MEI route to build time and teach is still worth it, or if I’d be better off time building some other way like banner towing or pipeline patrol and then going straight for my multi engine and seaplane rating, or even getting the seaplane rating early and networking directly with Florida seaplane operators like charter companies, tours, or fish camps before I have a lot of hours. One thing that might set me apart is that I come from a heavy nautical background and hold several marine licenses and certifications, so I actually understand water operations, docking, and working around boats professionally, not just flying, and I’m curious whether that kind of background actually matters to seaplane operators or if they only care about ratings and hours. So basically I’m asking whether I should pursue CFI, CFII, and MEI first, or skip that and go for my multi engine and seaplane rating and try to break in some other way, and if anyone knows specific Florida seaplane operators that hire lower time pilots or value a maritime background I’d love to hear about it.
I’m working on my instrument rating right now and my end goal is to fly seaplanes professionally, ideally based in Florida, and I’m trying to figure out the smartest path from here. I keep hearing that CFI hiring is soft or saturated right now, so I’m not sure if going the CFI/CFII/MEI route to build time and teach is still worth it, or if I’d be better off time building some other way like banner towing or pipeline patrol and then going straight for my multi engine and seaplane rating, or even getting the seaplane rating early and networking directly with Florida seaplane operators like charter companies, tours, or fish camps before I have a lot of hours. One thing that might set me apart is that I come from a heavy nautical background and hold several marine licenses and certifications, so I actually understand water operations, docking, and working around boats professionally, not just flying, and I’m curious whether that kind of background actually matters to seaplane operators or if they only care about ratings and hours. So basically I’m asking whether I should pursue CFI, CFII, and MEI first, or skip that and go for my multi engine and seaplane rating and try to break in some other way, and if anyone knows specific Florida seaplane operators that hire lower time pilots or value a maritime background I’d love to hear about it.
Got my PPL under Part 61, then had a 4 year gap before starting instrument training at a Part 141 school. I’m having a rough time with the stage/progress checks specifically, not necessarily the flying itself, but something about how these checks go.
Not sure if it’s:
Rust from the gap catching up with me
My CFI not prepping me well for what the stage check standards actually look for
Just normal instrument training growing pains
A few questions for people who’ve been through 141 programs or made this switch:
**1.** How much did a multi year gap between PPL and instrument actually affect your progress, in your experience?
**2.** What’s the difference between an instructor not being a good fit versus just needing more reps for stage checks?
**3.** Is it reasonable to bring concerns to the chief pilot before finishing instrument, or should I push through with my current instructor and reassess after?
**4.** If you switched instructors or schools mid instrument training, was it worth it or did it set you back more than it helped?
Trying to figure out if I need a new instructor, a new school, or just more patience with myself. Appreciate any input from people who’ve been in a similar spot.
Hey all. I’m based in Florida, currently working through my instrument rating with my commercial coming after that. I’m trying to think through the smartest path once I have the commercial in hand, and I keep coming back to seaplane flying as the goal.
The obvious route is instructing to build hours, but from what I’ve seen that’s a bit of a gamble. Depending on where you land a CFI job and how many students you actually get, it can either build time fast or drag out by a couple of years if you’re sitting around with no one to teach.
What I really want to get into is seaplane operations. I’ve been looking at companies like Makers Air and Tropic Ocean Airways and wanted to hear people’s honest thoughts and experiences with them, things like hiring requirements, quality of life, hour requirements, training, and culture.
Mostly though, I want to know how you actually get your foot in the door at these places. I’m willing to start at the bottom and work for peanuts if that’s what it takes. Dock hand, loading bags, fueling, washing airplanes, whatever gets me around the operation and on their radar. For those who’ve done it, is that a real path to eventually flying for them, or is there a smarter way in?
A couple of specific questions:
Is instructing still the best hour builder, or are there better routes in the seaplane world specifically?
What are the realistic minimums and what do these operators actually look for in a new hire?
Any opinions on Makers Air, Tropic Ocean, or similar Florida and Caribbean operators?
Appreciate any insight from folks who’ve gone down this path. Thanks!