General Aviation Careers

[Seanaldinho]

Im starting to look more towards my future and the more I think it about it I cant be a military pilot even though I dream of it. Between asthma, poor eyesight, and flat feet the Air Force can just shrug me off. Unfortunately Im not sure what else in the military I would find enjoyable even but if I find something that will be my first choice. (If anyone has some suggestions please share.)

 So Im looking now and I know that I dont want to fly for a commercial airline but want to fly. And the only real jobs that pop up are bush pilot and CFI. I live in florida and really dont want to move to Alaska so bush pilot is out but CFI would be attainable. So I guess what Im asking is what jobs are there in general aviation or the private sector and what do they pay?

[tmetal]

Be a pilot for one of the companies that charters airplanes. It is a good middle ground for those that want to fly but not for the big commercial companies.

[saggs]

Being a CFI (or CFII) most places doesn't pay well at all.  (my brother made less money for the year he spent as a CFII then when he was in school working nights as a janitor) For 90% of pilots working as a CFI is just a stepping stone to build hours until they have enough to meet them minimum requirements for a much better job.

You've ruled out the airlines, but there are still lots of other options out there, such as corporate/bizjets, freight/mail (boxes don't whine) and sightseeing tours.

[Tupac]

I look forward to being a poor CFI eating ramen. Should be a II before October 1st.

[Seanaldinho]

Being a CFI (or CFII) most places doesn't pay well at all.

You've ruled out the airlines, but there are still lots of other options out there, such as corporate/bizjets, freight/mail (boxes don't whine) and sightseeing tours.

I know they make horrible pay and and dont want to fly freight either I have friends who fly for UPS and they say after takeoff basically they just relax until landing and to me that isnt flying but they are retired Navy sticks and have thousands of hours of real flying.

Ill have to see if anyone around here does sightseeing at the beach I know several helicopter companies tried but went out of business. Anyone know what banner towers make?

I look forward to being a poor CFI eating ramen. Should be a II before October 1st.

  It sounds fun to me but again money 

[MachFly]

It's not that CFIs don't make much, it's that they don't work much. Say your making $40/hour, but you'll be working 4 hours a day, 2-3 days a week. So it's possible to make a respectable amount of money working as a CFI but you will have to work for a large school where you will have a normal work day. Most CFIs that I know do it because they either enjoy it or because their logging hours for something else.

One way you can a significant amount of money is if you open your own school. But then you'll be business man first and CFI second.

Anyone know what banner towers make?

I'd expect them to make less then CFIs.

[Hawk78th]

Sorry to burst your Bubble Seanaldinho, But Aviation is becoming the low rent district of "Professional" jobs.  Don't get me wrong... I've put in 29 years as an A&P; worked hard for the "benefits" and even managed to have fun along the way.  

When asked "would you consider doing it all over again, if you had the chance..?  My reply is quite quick, with a  "No... Hell NO, not in Aviation" !!  

 Find something that will be the  "Cutting edge"...  Technology, Health care, etc....( There are MANY  more)... and save those pennies for the Aviation Flight time/School/ownership of an Aircraft.  

 I have continuously sought higher education ( BS Aviation Mgmnt, minor in Psychology) and will, until I can no longer "learn"....


 I've worked for Small Regionals, Helicopter operators in the Gulf of Mexico Large Airlines, FBO's and lastly Pratt & Whitney (Inspector, manager & even had the opportunity to work with engineers, solving complex issues involving Turbine Engine reliability).  I have PPSEL by the way, but "fun" is always a question of $$$ going to the House?.....or burn circles in the sky?


I can go into many different reasons why I'm getting out of Aviation, but the gist is  "How do you make a Small Fortune in Aviation....... START with a large one"

Pm me if I an answer any questions OUTSIDE these bbs.
Good luck in your 'venture.


<<S>>

[Seanaldinho]

It's not that CFIs don't make much, it's that they don't work much. Say your making $40/hour, but you'll be working 4 hours a day, 2-3 days a week. So it's possible to make a respectable amount of money working as a CFI but you will have to work for a large school where you will have a normal work day. Most CFIs that I know do it because they either enjoy it or because their logging hours for something else.

One way you can a significant amount of money is if you open your own school. But then you'll be business man first and CFI second.

I'd expect them to make less then CFIs.

I have no problem working for a large school I think it would be cool to do that and make a decent living.

Without a doubt they make less but it would be a good summer job for me.

Sorry to burst your Bubble Seanaldinho, But Aviation is becoming the low rent district of "Professional" jobs.  Don't get me wrong... I've put in 29 years as an A&P; worked hard for the "benefits" and even managed to have fun along the way. 

When asked "would you consider doing it all over again, if you had the chance..?  My reply is quite quick, with a  "No... Hell NO, not in Aviation" !! 

 Find something that will be the  "Cutting edge"...  Technology, Health care, etc....( There are MANY  more)... and save those pennies for the Aviation Flight time/School/ownership of an Aircraft.   

 I have continuously sought higher education ( BS Aviation Mgmnt, minor in Psychology) and will, until I can no longer "learn"....


 I've worked for Small Regionals, Helicopter operators in the Gulf of Mexico Large Airlines, FBO's and lastly Pratt & Whitney (Inspector, manager & even had the opportunity to work with engineers, solving complex issues involving Turbine Engine reliability).  I have PPSEL by the way, but "fun" is always a question of $$$ going to the House?.....or burn circles in the sky?


I can go into many different reasons why I'm getting out of Aviation, but the gist is  "How do you make a Small Fortune in Aviation....... START with a large one"

Pm me if I an answer any questions OUTSIDE these bbs.
Good luck in your 'venture.


<<S>>

No bubble to burst lol. I understand that aviation is no longer as well paying as it used to be but I love doing it which pays dividends in my book. Im also not looking for a big six figure annual salary more along the lines of a solid 80 to 90k a year once Ive established myself, in my 30's, and built up seniority. Just enough to raise my 2.6  children with my small cottage house and white picket fence.

Thank you though for the offer and I may take you up on it at some point.

[AKKuya]

Look at NASA for aviation careers.  Remember on 20 July 1969, it was a civilian that stepped first on the moon.

[Dago]

Ah General Aviation, a good way to make a lousy income.  Add to that unstable employment, liability risks and greedy cheap customers.  No, it's a better hobby than career field overall.  But it is fun.

[Maverick]

You want to raise a family and yet work in some capacity as a pilot. You've already ruled out the jobs with even a remote chance of a living wage.

In all seriousness, I think it is time to take off the rose colored glasses and look at a career where you make enough that you can raise a family and have a hobby in flying. To try and raise a family on a CFI or CFII ticket outside of the heavy training arenas is a fools errand. You'd make more driving a greyhound bus.

Most of us involved in this game have a dream of flying for a living. Some folks already had the dream job and now have no retirement. Ask Toad about that.

There is no stability, there is no guaranty of a job, there is no decent money to be made flying little planes and teaching other folks to fly. Sorry but that is the cold hard truth of the matter.

[MachFly]

I have no problem working for a large school I think it would be cool to do that and make a decent living.

I know you don't, my point is that you will limit yourself to working for a handful of companies. You know how normally you send out like 20 job applications and get invited to 2 or 3 interviews, in this case you will only be able to send 2 or 3 applications.

Without a doubt they make less but it would be a good summer job for me.

Wait...you want a summer job? Thought you were looking for a career? You'll spend a lot more money getting your ratings then you will make during the summer.

[Seanaldinho]

I know you don't, my point is that you will limit yourself to working for a handful of companies. You know how normally you send out like 20 job applications and get invited to 2 or 3 interviews, in this case you will only be able to send 2 or 3 applications. 

Ah understood.

Wait...you want a summer job? Thought you were looking for a career? You'll spend a lot more money getting your ratings then you will make during the summer.

I am looking for a career but if Im not in college yet or without a job and have a commercial ticket it will be a possibility as an inbetween.

[MachFly]

I am looking for a career but if Im not in college yet or without a job and have a commercial ticket it will be a possibility as an inbetween.

If you already have the rating, the yes. Specifically getting them for it is not worth it. Private pilot alone will cost you around $10K, then you got to get your instrument, commercial, CFI, and CFII. The way I see that's the bare minimum you need to be compatible with other instructors.

[Tordon22]

As a student at a large school I know that the two highest paid instructors here made about 36k and 40k before taxes, but to do so they were at the school from 8 am to midnight.