Category Archives: Airline Pilot

Airline Pilot, Aviation Training, Career Change, Podcast

ACP156 From Vice Principal To Pilot with Tim Lake

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In This Episode, I am joined by Tim Lake who went from high school Vice Principal to Pilot. Tim flew into Lakeland to join me on the podcast. This is my first interview with a guest that has flown in and is one of the great things about living near an airport.

Announcements:

Keep watching our facebook page for upcoming events and updates. I had to go to work on the 4th so I was not able to make the pancake breakfast at Bartow Airport but I will be at the AOPA Fly-In in Tampa, FL. Hope to see you there. For more information visit AOPA.

From Vice Principal to Pilot:

  • How Tim went from Vice Principal of a High School to a flight instructor in a very short time.
  • Making money as a flight instructor.
  • Working as a drone pilot to supplement his income.
  • How Leasing back an airplane to the FBO has helped him obtain his ratings and increased his income.
  • Tim can be found on http://facebook.com/lakeaviationfacebook.

Pick Of the Week:

Murfreesboro Aviation

Airline Pilot, Finance, Podcast

ACP153 Tips For High-Income Pilots Part 3 – What To Do With Excess Income

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In this episode, we continue our new series titled “Tips for high-Income Pilots. This series will eventually be an online video course.

As a reminder, we are not allowed by law to give you financial advice but this is only general information. You should consult your financial advisor for information specific to your needs. We recommend your finding a fee-based certified financial planner who must comply with the FINRA rules and regulations. Fiduciary is important.

Announcements:

Wanted: Student musicians for scholarship and internship

View the new scholarships guide at AerospaceScholarships.com

Due to Hurricane IRMA we may not be able to produce an episode next week. We also discuss what happens to an airline when a hurricane is approaching.

Tips For High-Income Pilots:

What to do with excess income?

  1. Side business
  2. Investing it wisely
  3. Cash vs. self vs. business vs. investments

Side business/hobby into income considerations

  1. Keep it legitimate (hobby loss rules, proper filings, liability, etc)
  2. How to find ideas
  3. Caution with Real Estate
  4. Tax planning with a new business
  5. Upfront deductions
  6. Purchasing things wisely

Tax efficient investments

  1. Municipal bonds
  2. Index funds
  3. Master Limited Partnerships
  4. Real estate (passive and active)
  5. Where you locate your investments

 

Pick Of the Week:

Aviation is Among The Rising Careers in Polk County’s Economy

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Airline Pilot, Careers, Pilot, Podcast

ACP152 Choosing The Best Airline For Your Career

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There are many airlines out there to choose from. How do you go about choosing the best airline for you given the options? In some circumstance, it might be an easy choice given we might just choose the first one to call or only receive an invite from just one carrier.

Others might receive multiple offers and need to evaluate their options. Some might just be trying to decide which airlines to submit their applications to.

Many make a decision based on block hour pay alone. But is there more to consider when making what will be a major life decision? Let’s look further into different considerations when deciding on which airline will be the best fit for you.

Choosing the Best Airline

The health and longevity of the airline.

  • Stability
  • Growth
  • Financials

The airline’s mission and your flying preference

  • Long haul? Short haul?
  • Passenger/cargo

Where do you live and where are the domiciles?

  • Is commuting a viable option?
  • Are there domiciles that would be attractive to live in?

What are the schedules like for a typical line holder?

  • PBS/ Line Bidding
  • Days off
  • Trip type vs personal preference
  • Ability to drop or pick up for money
  • Vacation and accrual

Overall Contract or Quality of life extras

  • 401K match
  • Profit sharing
  • Extras earning benefits
  • Health insurance (Big one)

The overall employee/management relationship

  • This one is tricky because it is so dynamic
  • If possible get a feel for the overall Pilot groups attitude knowing there will be extreme negatives and positives on both ends of the spectrum

These are many of the considerations while making a decision on which airline to work for or at the very least apply for. In some cases, applicants may have their choice while others go just to the one that calls. If you are able to choose it is important to consider all factors, not just the pay rates alone. When considering all factors it is more likely that the choice will be made that will result in the applicant selecting an airline that suits their life.

Airline Pilot, Business Aviation, Podcast, Questions Answered

ACP151 Training for Business Aviation with Paul Grieco

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Welcome to episode 151! Today I am joined by Paul Grieco to answer several listener questions, including one related to business aviation. Let’s get started!

Announcements:

  • An updated version of the 2017 Aviation Scholarships Guide will be coming out in September, with the 2018 edition coming out in January. If you have already purchased the 2017 version, Watch your Kindle or iBooks app for the update, which can be downloaded automatically.
  • Advice from Carl: When applying for a flying job, you can check your records with the FAA, so you don’t have any surprises in the interview.

Business Aviation Guidelines and Other Questions answered:

  • 59 years old, started in 2008, just achieved instrument rating.
  • From Russ: Would a Masters in Education be helpful to have in applying for a Check Airmen job?
  • Canadian Private Pilot, working toward a certificate, should you have a full-time career when training in a club? Is training through a club the best way to go for someone who cannot commit to Monday to Friday? Is the scheduling at a regional airline flexible enough to keep my current job?
  • Does commercial/business aviation require 1500 hours and 1st class medical, and should I train on a certain type of equipment, such as a plane or simulator with glass?
Airline Pilot, Finance, Podcast

ACP149 Tips For High-Income Pilots Part 2 – Saving Smart

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In this episode, we continue our a new series titled “Tips for high-Income Pilots. This series will eventually be an online video course.

As a reminder, we are not allowed by law to give you financial advice but this is only general information. You should consult your financial advisor for information specific to your needs. We recommend your finding a fee-based certified financial planner who must comply with the FINRA rules and regulations. Fiduciary is important.

Announcements:

Aviation Careers Facebook Page
For upcoming meetups, career news, and all of the episodes.

Tips For High-Income Pilots:

  • Saving for retirement
  • What to do when you’re maxing out your retirement plan limit.
  • “Excess Benefit Plan” options
  • What if you have a 401(k), Profit Sharing Plan, and a 401(a) plan?
  • Getting within “visual range” of how much you might need – it’s not as simple as you might think

Pick Of the Week:

Airspeedandmoney.com

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

 

Airline Pilot, Podcast

ACP141 The Podcast Is Moving To Lakeland, Florida

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The Podcast Is Moving To Lakeland, Florida! When choosing a career and where you want to live there are many factors you must consider. Some want to be close to work, others wish to be near their recreational activities, and others choose a town with good schools. One of the greatest benefits of being a crew member with an airline is your ability to live anywhere in the world. So why did we choose Lakeland, FL? We will discuss that below.

Announcements:

Coaching : Career Change Plan Of Action, Interview Prep, Resume and Cover Letter review.

Listener Questions and Feedback:

The school financing debacle is happening again.

Don’t Pay Any Flight School More Than $2500 In Advance: The Censored Information The Bad Guys Don’t Want You To Know

Better Business Bureau Online Complaint form

Federal Trade Commission Complaint Assistant

How To File A Consumer Complaint

Color Blindness

Why We Are Moving to Lakeland:

  • Location close to base.
  • Driving distance to two pilot bases.
  • Between two cities my company serves making it easy to commute to any base in the system.
  • Many aviation venues and air shows within 100 miles of Lakeland.
  • More opportunities to meet you the listener.
  • Close to Polk State College.
  • Sun N Fun Campus
  • Opportunity for me to fly more recreationally.
  • Compromise on living on an airport now we are living near one.

Feedback on Meetup and social events.

Map and Directions To Lakeland Airport

Pick Of the Week:

Officials cut ribbon on new NOAA Aircraft Operations Center

Airline Pilot, Flight Attendant, Podcast

ACP137 From Flight Attendant To Airline Pilot : A Pilot’s Journey

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At least once a week I am asked by a flight attendant how they can become an airline pilot. To help understand the journey from Flight Attendant to Airline Pilot I have joining me Jim, a flight attendant with a legacy airline. Jim’s journey is unique and exciting. We also discuss the qualifications and lifestyle of a flight attendant.

Announcements:

NAFI & King Schools Scholarship for certified Flight professionals

We Discuss:

  • What it is like to be a flight attendant for a legacy carrier.
  • Qualifications to be a flight attendant.
  • Flight Attendant Pay and benefits.
  • As Per the BLS Median Pay was $44,860 in May 2015
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics Flight Attendant Pay And Benefits
  • Journey to the cockpit.
  • Why transition to pilot now?
  • How vision standards have changed to allow many into the cockpit.
  • Accelerated flight training benefits and challenges.
  • Per BLS median pay for airline and commercial pilots was $102,520 in May 2015.
  • Timing starting flight school if intending to continue working as flight attendant.
  • What to look for in a flight school.
  • Will I have to go to a regional?
  • If not, how will I accumulate the hours needed?
  • Who do I want to work for and why?
Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Army Aviator (Low Flyer), Podcast, Questions Answered

ACP134 Flow Through Agreements and Transitioning to a Piloting Career with Robert Guyer

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Do you have questions about “In this episode we answer your questions with Robert Guyer, 737 Pilot and former recruiter and check airman at ExpressJet Airlines. Robert has been on this show a few times and has some valuable experiences to share

Announcements:

Coaching: Our coaching program is a great way to get help moving forward in your career. Whether you are needing advice on how to get started, figure out what your next move is, or anything else our coaching services can help you to move forward in your career.

Robert and I discuss:

  • Challenges in his career.
  • Dealing with Rejections.
  • Communting to Reserve

Listener Questions and Feedback:

  • Active duty Army Helicopter Instructor, asking how much of the promises of “flow through agreements” is true.
  • Recent Finance College Graduate aged 23, what are the options for switching to flying?
Airline Pilot, Finance, Insurance, Podcast

ACP132 Why Disability Insurance Is Unique and Important For Airline Pilots

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Today I want to talk about a sometimes uncomfortable topic, which is disability insurance. It has happened to me and I’m sure it has happened to some of you listening to the podcast. You get the dreaded letter from the FAA or you go to your medical exam thinking everything is ok but the FAA thinks otherwise.

I have seen this play out many times in Pilots careers. One day you are fine thinking about their next vacation bid and the next day you are facing medical disability for months even years. Sometimes due to a minor issue with your medical. In this episode, Andy Garrison, a certified financial planner, joins me to discuss what you need to know about disability insurance.

Announcements:

Career Coaching and Membership

Our Career Coaching is available for $75/hour, and the first hour includes some extra time to get to know you before starting the hour. Membership is  alsoavailable for $10/month and includes the full Scholarships Guide, lots of exclusive videos and other learning aids.

Andy And I Discuss:

  • Why Pilot Careers Have Special Insurance Needs.
  • Risks Unique To Our Careers
  • Short Term and Long Term Insurance Required and Defined.
  • Do You Really Know What Your Insurance Covers.
  • Difference Between own or any occupation.
  • What Disability Insurance do You need.
  • Cash on hand.
  • Just Ask someone if you have any questions.

Pick Of the Week:

The 5 Types Of Insurance You Must Have Now

Airline Pilot, Podcast, Questions Answered

ACP131 Dealing with Setbacks with Lenny Primak

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Lenny PrimakIn this episode I am joined by Lenny Primak to Help answer a listener mail and to discuss setbacks in your life and career. Lenny has some inspirational statements to help you through challenges in your caeer.

Announcements:

Just a clarification on how the Aerospace Scholarships guide is updated: A new edition of the book comes out once per year. Periodically during the year we do add some additions or make changes based on changes that organizations make to their scholarships. However the best way to get the latest information is to become a member of the site. The online directory has the latest information and the latest scholarships that we have found, and it is only $10 per month! Membership also includes access to several videos and other information only for members.

Listener Questions and Feedback:

A listener email about Lenny Primak, and finding out more about his journey. Since you asked, Carl has Lenny back again to discuss his story!

Lenny and Carl Discuss:

  • How to get started in an Aviation career and how Lenny did it.
  • Lenny recommends either going to an accelerated program, or finding an instructor who can devote 3 weeks to you solidly.
  • Lenny spent 10 years in the right seat, dealing with airline problems that prevented him from advancing.
  • Excessive preparation is key before every step in your career.
  • Carl and Lenny discussed quality of life and the pros and cons of becoming a Captain vs. staying First Officer at a senior level.
  • Know your goal, convert it into a todo list, and then don’t give up or get overwhelmed!