Shaun_300 Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Well I've been considering this for a while, but have decided it's going to be a reality. I'm currently an automotive technician at a GM dealership specializing in automatic transmission. I love what I do, but I know the toll it's going to take on my body in the long run. Have seen it with fellow co-workers. But anyways, gonna start soon going through to be a commercial pilot. Gotta get my private pilot's licence first, then continue on for my commercial licence. In the end I want to be flying for Air Canada, West Jet or First Air. My landlord is a 727 pilot for First Air and has been for many years. I'd be quite happy with this since he mainly flies to the Canadian north like Nunavut, NWT, Yukon, ect. Anyways been talking with him for a while about it and have made my mind up this is what I want to so I'm gonna follow my dreams!:turned: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Go for Shaun! Good luck to you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Shaun, if you ever change your mind my door is always open for you. Wouldn't it be nice to own your own business? It would require a move though. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Man that's a change bud! I wish you the best with it! How long does that take to train for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted April 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thank you guys! It'll be a few years training experience (and about $70,000:48:) but hey, you only live once and it'll pay itself back in a few years. :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doog3 Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 good luck shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 A dream is a wish your heart makes, Shaun. If that is what you really want to do, follow that dream. Good Luck, my friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailfreak55 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Good luck man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 awesome shaun ,,,,,,, since we travel south once or twice every year, I'll be looking for you to be our pilot some day, best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Good luck to you. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SourthenILdeerhunter Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 good luck shaun at some point i to want to go after my private pilot license i love to fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboy778 Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Good luck Shaun. At least you know what you want to do and are going for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBow Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Shaun, I too wish you the best of luck, but as I'm sure you are aware, becoming a commercial jet pilot is a long and expensive uphill battle. It could take 15 to 20 years and I'm thinking more than the $70K you eluded to. Although I've never talked to any of the airline pilots, I have worked with several rotary wing (helicopters) pilots and have gained a little insight into the aviation world. Few airlines will hire anyone without a considerable number of air hours, which only comes with years of experience in the pits. You will likely have to take jobs with one or a number of smaller air services in order to tally 2000 or 3000 plus air hours before any of the larger airlines will even consider you. One of my chopper pilot friends had a son in the military who was a fixed wing pilot for the airforce branch. He mentioned to me that quite a few of the major airlines hire ex-airforce pilots as they have a tremendous amount of air time in larger aircraft. Here's just some food for thought. As you are an outdoor enthusiast, I was wondering if you ever considered becoming a chopper pilot. You would be more in your element as choppers tend to work in bush type areas. The majority of them only fly VFR which means no nightime shifts. I know there is a helicopter training institute in North Bay for rotary wing which is pretty much right around the corner from you if you ever considered taking a weekend tour to check it out. I believe at one time, the hours required for a private rotary wing licence was 35 hours and for commerecial it was 100 hours. The most expensive part of that is paying for the air time for the machines which can run anywhere from $500 to $1500 per hour depending on the type and model of machine they use. Again, few of the major companies will hire anyone without a lot of air hours (2000 plus), so it still involves hopscotching working for smaller companies in remote areas to tally those needed hours. I know chopper pilots would not make what the larger airline pilots make, but I know I just loved working around choppers far more than anytime I ever spent around fixed wing. Again, this is just me thinking out loud and giving you some food for thought. I truly wish you the best of luck in whatever endevour you opt to pursue. From reading your posts, I can see that you have a passion for whatever road you choose to take and the competence to fulfill your dreams. TBow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Good luck with it Shaun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 That's quite a change Shaun! Good luck, man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Good! Nothing is easy that's for sure. I do know that what Tbow said regarding ex-air force is pretty true. I have a 2nd cousin that's a pilot for Delta and that's what he did. Nothing is impossible, but you do have to go into it whole heartedly and knowing exactly all the details possible. what are dreams if you don't dream big! keep us posted and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Good luck Shaun, that's pretty exciting. I'm looking at a career change too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Good Luck Shaun. Wish ya the best. Better to regret the things you did, than regret the things you didn't do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted April 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Thanks for all the support everyone! It's always been something I've wanted to do. First thing's first is to get my private's licence, get some hours under my belt then go from there. Truly want to go commercial eventually. Thankfully have a very supporting landlord that's willing to guide me through all the steps. Not sure when this is all going to start, hoping to start getting my private's licence this summer sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Best of luck Shaun - I keep thinking I'm gonna go back and finish on my private liscense but other things keep getting in the way. I admire you for stepping out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 do you have your university degree, shaun? no airline will hire you without one. i have all my ratings through atp. you can do well with a smaller commuter airline, mostly tuboprops. but forget the big boys without your degree. that said, it's a blast. go for it. airlines do pick from the military as most of the retirees hafe 20.000 plus hours. you'll need about 1000 hours just to have a commuter put you in right seat. also, just for a kick some weekend, get your float rating. tons of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted April 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 do you have your university degree, shaun? no airline will hire you without one. i have all my ratings through atp. you can do well with a smaller commuter airline, mostly tuboprops. but forget the big boys without your degree. that said, it's a blast. go for it. airlines do pick from the military as most of the retirees hafe 20.000 plus hours. you'll need about 1000 hours just to have a commuter put you in right seat. also, just for a kick some weekend, get your float rating. tons of fun. I know my landlord mentioned that it'd be best to go to college and get the aviation management diploma which is offered up here. But he did say you can get on but it's more difficult. I'm in no means dropping what I'm doing right this second and going to college and doing everything in one go. Gonna hopefully start getting my private licence by the end of the year and go from there. I can do this in the evenings and still maintain the job I have now. And yes, I do plan on getting the endorsement for float plane in the future as well. We'll see what the future holds with the commercial. Always something I've wanted to do, but will do what's best financially as it comes and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 Thats a great dream and seems like it would be a great job.... Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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