All posts by CarlValeri

Host of Aviation Careers Podcast. For more about me go to AviationCareersPodcast/About.

Check Airman, China, Expatriate Flying, Flight Instructing, Pilot, Podcast

ACP068 – Flying In China With Boeing 737 Captain Doug Ward

September 19, 2014 CarlValeri Leave a comment

With the growth of travel and aviation in China there is an increase in the number of piloting jobs. We have received many e-mails from listeners asking what it is like to fly in China. Many of you heard that the opportunities to fly in China are very lucrative.

In episode 11 we had Dave Ross, the president of WASINC, on the show to explain the opportunities in China, but many of you wanted to know what it is really like to fly and live in China. Today I have with me Doug Ward; a Boeing 737 Captain who is actually flying in China.

Doug is based in Shenzhen, China and is currently flying as an active B737-800 Captain. Captain Ward has over 13,000 hours of flight time, including Captain on the DC-10, B737, B727, F27, and SA-227 to name a few.

He has also served as a Check Airman and Instructor. Doug has an extensive background as a captain, check airman, instructor, and pilot recruiter. We are excited to have Doug on the show to answer the question “what is it really like to fly in China?”

Doug and I Discuss:

Why you should consider flying in China.
The personal benefits of flying in China.
The Challenges of flying in China.
Living in China.
The financial benefits.
How do you find a job flying in China.

Links:

L-3 Aviation Products Scholarship (registered users)

WASINC

ACP011-Flying In China, Interview With WASINC President Dave Ross

Webinar

Webinar : Should You Become An Airline Pilot – Part 1

September 8, 2014 CarlValeri Leave a comment

“Should You Become An Airline Pilot” is a webinar series to help you decide if becoming an airline pilot is for you. This video series will give you an in depth view of the life of an airline pilot. We also explain some very technical aspects of the career including seniority, bidding, jump seat privileges, and travel.

Sign Up For Email Updates and Webinar Viewing Instructions.

In Part 1 we discuss:

Ten Reasons You Should Become An Airline Pilot.
Why Airline Pilots Can Be A Poor Source Of Information Concerning Your Career.
Online Forums And Why You Should Ignore The Negativity.
Seniority And Why It Is Important.
Actions You Should Take Now To Move Forward In Your Career

The webinar is free, simply sign up for our e-mail updates. Directions will be sent on how to register for this event and other webinars when you sign up for email updates.

Click here to watch watch the webinar “Should You Become An Airline Pilot – Part 1”

Bush Pilot, Mission Pilot, Pilot, Podcast

ACP067 – Bush Flying as a Mission Pilot : The Real Story with Brian Pottinger

September 5, 2014 CarlValeri 6 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

When we watch movies and television the life of a bush pilot seems glorious. I envision a bush pilot swooping down from the heavens above to provide emergency medical supplies to a sick child. Later that day we slowly climb above the bright green canopy of trees to a burnt orange sunset smiling from ear to ear as we glide towards our next adventure.

Well I am sure there are many days like these flying as a mission pilot in the bush but there are also many challenges. Today I have with me someone who can help us understand what it is really like to be a bush pilot because he lives it every day. Brian Pottinger is a mission pilot flying in the mountains and jungles of Papua, Indonesia. Today he will give us the real story behind being a bush flying as a mission pilot.

Brian and I Discuss:

His passion for aviation and missionary work.
Why Become A Mission Pilot?
How to prepare for flying in the mountains and over the jungle.
The rewards of mission flying.
The dangers and challenges of mission flying.
Who should consider becoming a mission pilot

Links:

Brian Pottinger – Cessna Caravan Landing Angguruk Yalimek Papua.

http://ama-papua.blogspot.com

Lost in Shangri-La: Escape from a Hidden World – A True Story

Lords of the Earth: An Incredible but True Story from the Stone-Age Hell of Papua’s Jungle

Episode 62 – Includes A Story About A Birth In His Plane

Scholarship of the week:

Michelle North Scholarship for Safety

Army Aviator (Low Flyer), Helicopter Pilot, Military, Pilot, Podcast

ACP066 – US Army Aviation and Military “Low Flyers”

August 22, 2014 CarlValeri Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The job of helicopter pilot (low flyer) is exciting, rewarding, and of great benefit to our society. I have had a long interest in flying helicopters and have only a few hours but can tell you the most amazing thing in the world is being able to hover above the ground as if you are floating in the air. It is truly magical. Today I have with me someone who enjoys this “magical” experience as part of his job.

Captain Ross McClure is a United States Army helicopter pilot and is going to help us understand what it is like to be a career Army Helicopter pilot. Captain McClure is second in command of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) Aviation Company. His job includes planning, coordinating, and directing employment of aviation assets to support the Egypt-Israeli peace treaty, civilian observer units and distinguished visitors. His job entails assisting the Unit Commander in the management of logistics, administration and operation of over ninety million dollars in assets and over fifty personnel including aviation aircraft and component repairmen, rotorcraft aviators, flight operations specialists, fuel supply technicians and technical supply specialists.

We discuss:

What type of flying he is doing now.
What is the mission of the MFO ?
What flying jobs are available in the Army.
How to become an Army Aviator and “Low Flyer”.
Advice on what you should do now if you want to join the Army and become a helicopter pilot.
What other jobs are there in the Army related to Aviation?
How Unmanned Systems will affect the job opportunities for pilots.
Any websites people can view now to get more information about Army jobs.

Links:

Helicopter Pilots in Past Episodes

ACP021: Adventures Of A Police Helicopter Pilot; Interview with Darryl J. Kimball

ACP039 – Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot Steven Vigus

U.S. Army website

Multinational Force & Observers

ACP020 Land That Job: Successful Interviews and Resumes with Amanda Myers of JSfirm.com

Scholarship Of The Week:

Bauer-Bisgeier Memorial Scholarship

Careers, Webinar

Webinar : Should You Choose a Career in Aviation?

August 8, 2014 CarlValeri 4 Comments

On August 20th we began broadcasting a webinar video: “Should You Choose a Career in Aviation?“ This is a unique opportunity to get an overall picture of the Aviation field, the pros and cons of a career in the aviation, whom is best suited for these careers, and how to get started.

In order to view this video, all we ask is that you sign up for our newsletter and become a registered member of the site. Registration is free, and comes with some other perks like being able to view an additional 50 scholarships on our website, and to receive our newsletter.

Not a member? Sign Up for our Newsletter and receive instructions on how registration for access to this webinar, please click here.

Click Here To Watch : “Should You Choose a Career in Aviation?”

Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Check Airman, Flight Instructing, Pilot, Podcast

ACP065 – How to Become an Airline Check Airman with Robert Guyer

August 8, 2014 CarlValeri 6 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Many of us dream of flying for the airlines as an airline Captain and have a passion for teaching. There is a job that fulfills both your dream of becoming an airline pilot and your passion for teaching. That job is airline check airman and I have with me someone who has recently achieved this goal.

Robert Guyer is an airline Captain who recently became a check airman. Rob will describe his aviation journey and how he was able to reach his goal of becoming an airline check airman. He also will help you understand the process of becoming an check airman and how to prepare now to become a check airman.

Robert and I Discuss:

Robert’s passion for flight which started at a young age.
His progression to the left seat of the EMB145.
His progression to check airman.
The different types of check airman roles at an airline.
Why you need to start preparing now to become a check airman.
The characteristics of a check airman and how to develop them.
General advice for those wanting to become an airline check airman.

Scholarship of The Week:

Chuck Freeland Memorial Scholarship

Since its inception, the AEA Educational Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million to students seeking careers in the aircraft electronics and aviation maintenance industry, as well as technicians from AEA member companies.

Aviation Photographer, Photography, Podcast

ACP064 – Military Aviation Photographer Jose Fuji Ramos

July 25, 2014 CarlValeri Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The warm amber light slowly pours over a sleepy little town like maple syrup. As I climb out of one thousand feet I wish I can’t stop thinking how I wish I could share this beauty with everyone. But there is a person whose job it is to share the excitement, serenity, and awe inspiring views of our gravity defying world. That is the job of the aviation photographer.

Today I have with me an aviation photographer with the unique ability to capture the essence of flight! Jose “Fuji” Ramos is one of the most talented and respected photographers in the aviation industry and is going to share with us his unique perspective on careers as an aviation photographer.

José is a multifaceted, award winning, aviation photographer based in Lakeland, Florida. For the past 22 years, he has documented military aviation subjects all over the United States. Currently NATOPS qualified as a select passenger for flight in all aircraft types operated by the US Navy, José has logged flight time in various high-performance aircraft including the F-14B Tomcat, F/A-18B/D Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, S-3B Viking, TA-4J Skyhawk, F-5F Tiger II, EA-6B Prowler and the SH-60F/H Seahawk.

Jose and I discuss:
How he was able to combine a passion for aviation with a passion for photography
His path towards his career as an aviation photographer
The rewards of being an aviation photographer
Jose shares some of his most memorable moments
The challenges of being a photographer
Advice for those seeking a career in aviation photography

Scholarship of The Week:

Gathering of Eagles Flight Training Scholarship $1,500

Links:

Photographer Occupational Outlook

Ramos Aviation Photography

Ramos Aviation Photography Facebook Page.

Careers, Corporate Pilot, Pilot, Podcast, Private Pilot

ACP063 – Private and Corporate Aviation

July 10, 2014 CarlValeri Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This week we welcome back one of our repeat guests Tom Wachowski to discuss Corporate Aviation, flying aircraft owned by private companies to transport their employees for business.

In this episode we discuss:

Hiring a non-pilot aircraft owner (such as someone who owns a Saratoga and needs a pilot to fly them places)
How does a corporation hire a pilot for a day, what is the rate range? ($250-$1500 per day depending on the size of the airframe)
Dressing for success and professionalism
Network at the local airport, get your name out there and be seen as a pilot
Finding a private pilot job could help you get ratings on larger aircraft as the employer upgrades aircraft
Using pilot placement services to find jobs
Don’t be too cocky and act like you know everything, ask for advice
Remember that the person you are speaking to today might be interviewing you tomorrow

Scholarship of The Week:

Harrison Ford Flight Training Scholarship $1500

Links:

Wyvern

National Business Aviation Association

Aviation Personnel International

ACP020 Land That Job: Successful Interviews and Resumes with Amanda Myers of JSfirm.com

Finding and Hiring Aviation Leaders

Developing, Motivating, & Managing Your Aviation Talent

Retaining The Right People

Aviation Maintenance Technician, Career Change, Interview Tips & Advice, Podcast, Questions Answered

ACP062 – Aviation Writing And Listener Mail with Jamie Beckett

June 27, 2014 CarlValeri 3 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This week’s show was originally intended to simply be a Q&A session with my friend and fellow pilot Jamie Beckett, but as a bonus we started talking about his career in independent aviation writing. Jamie is an independent writer of non-aviation fiction and aviation related non-fiction. He has written for a number of aerospace companies including:

Gleim Publications
AOPA Flight Training
AOPA Flight School for Business
General Aviation News, where he has a regular column entitled “Politics for Pilots.”

Janie and I talk quite a bit about “General Aviation,” which is any aviation that takes place outside of the big commercial airlines that are in the business of moving lots of people or cargo in major, often international airports. General Aviation takes place at small local airports like Gilbert Field in Winterhaven, Florida where we recorded this show. At these small airports you will not usually find a ticket counter and baggage carousel, but you will find flight instructors, personal and corporate pilots, mechanics, rental car agents, travel promoters, and even office workers hired to keep the airport running, ordering fuel, and arranging flight time for students. Jamie makes a very interesting point about seeing your local GA airport like more of a mall, a hub for commerce for your community that can expand your town economically by bringing in people and goods to create jobs.

Jamie shared extensively about how he became and independent writer for airline publications and how that contributes to his passion for aviation, as well as making a living in that field. He also gave some great tips and advice on how to break into the industry.

In the second half of the show, Carl and Jamie answered some great listener questions:

Should I buy an airplane, and what type?
Is my flight review still current, do I truly need a flight review? (The answer might surprise you!)
Carl is NOT moving to Melbourne, Australia
Keep moving in your career, get your ATP written by August 1, 2014 even if you are not ready for the test.
How much will a checkered past prohibit you from pursuing a professional aviation career?
Flying in Papua, New Guinea
Story about switching to a career as a flight instructor
How to get hired in the aviation business
Creating an online resume through a personal website

Links:

If you would like to learn more about Jamie or get in torch with him,, you can do so at his website: JamieBeckett.com

FAA Regulation – Flight Review 61.56

Tom Wachowski discusses this in the Pilot Jobs book video How to Build a Web site. This video is available for free to registered users. The entire Pilot Jobs Book is available to Annual Members Of Aviation Careers Podcast.

Pilot Jobs Book Video : How To Make a Website

Podcast

How To Apply For A Federal Job ACP061

June 13, 2014 CarlValeri 3 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

With the growth in the number of federal job openings related to aviation you might want to satisfy your passion for aviation and serve your country at the same time. There are many benefits and rewards to working for the government but how does one go about finding jobs and applying?

Today I have with me Russ Roslewski who has had much experience both in applying and screening applicants applying for government jobs. Russ is a Flight instructor and federal employee. He will help us discover how you can successfully land the government job that will fulfill your aviation passion.