All posts by CarlValeri

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

ACP052 – Bridging the Gap, Exploring the 727 at Sun N Fun, and Moving Forward With Your Career.


ACPCoverArtNewCarl and Eric talk about bridging the gap from low time to airline pilot. Additionally, we have encouraging stories from pilots who have taken the next step towards their career goal.

Listener Mail:

If airlines want to farm out their regional operations, how are they going to do that when regional carriers don’t have enough pilots now to meet current demand?

Do you think that commercial aircraft will ever get sucked into the Drone bonanza?

Tom Wachowski answers a previous question about Networking and a corporate jobs.

A listener relates his reasons for not becoming an airline pilot as discussed in episode 23.

A pilot with 250 is turned down by the regionals in Australia and wants to know how he can make himself as competitive as possible?

Is it worth spending the extra to complete an instructor rating in the hope of securing some work to help more time?

A little of encouragement goes a long way.

Should I fly a corporate jet or for the regionals to make me more competitive for the major airlines?

What can I do now to increase my chances of being hired with the majors even though most of my recent time is flying drones?

Will airlines hire me before separating from the military and/or meeting the minimums?

Can you think of any downsides to getting a restricted ATP prior to getting to 1500 hrs?

During airline training how does the pay work? Is it still by-the-hour? Should I plan on a few months of even lower pay than a first-year first officer?

Links:

American to Shrink Regional Unit After Pilots Reject Contract

Sun N Fun Radio

ACP023 – Ten Reasons You Should NOT Become An Airline Pilot. Career Questions Answered with Tom Wachowski.

National Business Aviation Association

ACP014 – What Is Business And Private Aviation?, Interview with Corporate Pilot Tom Wachowski

Polk State College


ACP051 – Air Traffic Control, Air Force Academy, Working For The FAA, and Part Time Flight Instructing with Russ Roslewski


RussAndStearmanWant to know what it is like to work in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller or manager? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to design approaches? Thinking of working part time as a college professor or flight instructor? Today I have with me someone who has experience in all these fields and more.

The path towards your career goal is not straight but a journey full of variety and exciting adventures. One person who personifies this journey is Russ Roslewski. Russ has had many interesting jobs in his aviation career including The Air Force, FAA, and now working as an adjunct professor and flight instructor.

Russ has some great advice for those pursuing a career in aviation and is someone we should all admire for his ability to consistently move forward in his career AND have fun along the way. I know you will find his story fascinating and helpful in pursuing your career goal.

We Discuss:

  • How Russ developed his passion for aviation.
  • His years at the U.S. Air Force Academy and serving as a “U.S. Air Force Academy Liaison Officer”.
  • Advice for those applying and interviewing for the Air Force Academy.
  • What an “Airfield Operations Officer” is and how this prepared him for a civilian job.
  • Air Traffic Control and Airfield Management jobs in the Air Force.
  • Working as as a liaison to the foreign national leadership.
  • His involved in several mishap investigations from an ATC standpoint.
  • How he worked his way into a TERPS (Terminal Procedures) job with the FAA.
  • Advice for those interested in an job working with Terminal Procedures.
  • The benefits and challenges of working part-time as a flight instructor.
  • Working as an adjunct professor the rewards and challenges.
  • General career advice for those who are thinking of taking the leap into a new career direction.

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Links:

FAA Aviation Careers

Occupational Outlook Handbook : Air Traffic Controllers

FAA Salaries from Glassdoor.com

SMAC066 – How To Build An Instrument Approach With Russ Roslewski

Russ Roslewski Blog


ACP050 – The Truth About The Pilot Shortage


CarlAndEric727In this episode we answer one question: What is the truth about the pilot shortage?

We Discuss:

  • Taking politics out of the pilot shortage equation.
  • The truth about low starting wages in aviation and why I feel that will not change.
  • Changing the name of the pilot shortage to a “limited supply of qualified pilots”.
  • Career progression and expectations.
  • Why over selling the pilot shortage will create dissatisfied pilots.
  • How regulations will increase the requirements to fly for a Par 121
  • How new regulations have produced this shortage.
  • Why you should be careful who you listen to.
  • Why the pilot shortage should not be driving your decision to become a pilot.

Listener Mail:

I just wanted to try to be the first to congratulate you on a podcast mile stone of your 50th episode.

I also wanted to let you know that I have taken the first step in my aviation career. I have 850 TotalTime, 150 Multi-engine time, and 150 instrument.I have just taken a job flying aerial survey flying the 206. Not quite up there with you yet but I think I’m now on the right track. I feel that we are lot a like I’m 34 starting my aviation career and If I remember correctly you were in your early to mid thirty’s as well.

Thanks again for your podcast and for it keeping me motivated. I have listened to the podcast from episode one. So you can also take credit for my new job in a small part. Thanks again for all your hard work and you should start looking for me in a cockpit near you.

Links Mentioned In This Podcast:

Eric Crump on Twitter : @SeeEricGo

Polk State College

Current and Future Availability of Airline Pilots : US Government Accountability Office

As Communities Lose Air Service, Regional Airlines Decry Flight-Hour Threshold for Pilots

World needs pilots! Record growth leads to record need

How miserly airlines created their own pilot shortage

The new ATP certification test may cost up to $15,000. How will these high costs impact the pool of ATPs available to the airlines?

Union Says Lack Of Pay And Respect Leading To Pilot Shortage

ACP049 – Accelerated Pilot Training And Time Building


EricTheHappyFlyerWe often receive questions concerning the advantages of accelerated pilot training and time building programs. Today I have with me to discuss this topic, Eric Crump, Aerospace Program Director at Polk State College.

Advantages of Accelerated Pilot Training:

  • Obtain all of your pilot certificates in as little as six months.
  • Structured education.
  • Topics learned stay fresh in your memory.
  • Cost can be lower.
  • You can start making money in aviation sooner.
  • 141 programs have reduced requirements for total time.

Disadvantages of Accelerated Pilot Training:

  • Learning can sometimes be short term.
  • Up front costs are high because you are paying for the entire program.
  • You will have less time and less experience flying.
  • Some programs may only teach for the test instead of teaching you to become a good pilot.

Listener Mail:

Can you recommend Ground Instructors study material?

A listener relates his experience flying as a mission and air ambulance pilot.

A listener who always wanted to be an airline pilot relates his first step towards his goal.

I have a varied background with many different jobs. Does that look flighty or indecisive, to an airline and would they hire me?

If airlines are making strategic decisions now to cut capacity, doesn’t that take away the “pilot shortage”?

I’m trying to Network towards obtaining a corporate job. How do I actually approach a individual, and what do I say to them?

I am still working on my CFI licenses, should I start networking right now?

Links Mentioned In This Podcast:

Polk State College
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Republic to remove 27 aircraft in face of pilot shortage

ACP046 – Ten Things You Should NOT Do During A Pilot Shortage

ACP044 – Career Questions with Tom Wachowski Creator of The Pilot Jobs Book

Gleim Publications aviation training courses.

King Schools aviation training.

ASA flight aviation training products.

ATP Certification Training Program (CTP)

Sun N Fun Radio


ACP048 – Airline Cargo Specialist and Revenue Management Careers with Jesse Ziglar


cargo specialistWe spend the majority of the time on this show discussing piloting jobs due to the highly specific training required and the large investment of time and money. But there are many other jobs in aviation which are challenging, lucrative, and interesting.

A large portion of the airlines revenue is generated by shipping cargo. Many of us don’t realize this but the hold baggage compartment under the airplane is not just for holding our bags but for shipping cargo. To help us understand more about how the airlines utilize the cargo hold and what careers in cargo and revenue management are available, I spoke with Jesse Ziglar. Jesse is a cargo specialist and revenue manager with a major airline.

Jesse and I discuss:

  • Why cargo is important to the airlines.
  • What airlines ship in the cargo hold.
  • The difference is between an all cargo airline and a passenger airline carrying cargo.
  • Opportunities for those interested in working with cargo or revenue management at an airline.
  • Salary expectations for the various jobs in cargo from handling to management.
  • Benefits you can expect at a major airline including travel.
  • Why he enjoys working with cargo and revenue management at an airline.
  • How his flying background helped him with his career.
  • The many challenges and rewards of working with cargo.

Links:

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Wages.

Air Transparency Blog


ACP047 – 10 Ways To Avoid Burnout As An Airline Pilot

10 Ways To Avoid Burnout As An Airline Pilot:

  1. Go exploring instead of sitting in the hotel room.
  2. Get a hobby.
  3. Become involved in a charity.
  4. Take some time off.
  5. Pay it forward by helping others with their career
  6. Get involved in General Aviation.
  7. Stay as far away from Aviation As possible on your days off.
  8. Look behind you at your passengers and remember how important your job is.
  9. Try to increase your knowledge about the airplane or flying environment.
  10. Don’t let your lifestyle grow into your salary and avoid feeling like you “have to go to work to pay the bills”.

Listener Feedback:

  • A flight attendant who was considering a job as an airline pilot  has decided not to pursue a flying career.
  • Steve Molos provides more advice for the military pilot from last episode.
  • Can you do an episode on what it is like to be a UAV pilot?
  • A listener interested in an airline pilot carer hears many negative comments in the online forums.
  • Do you think it would be better at this point to try to ‘fast track’ my training by taking on debt, or to pay as I go while working my current job?
  • Is an airline job a realistic goal for someone starting where I am, or should I concentrate on other flying jobs?
  • I would like to professionally fly planes and make 60 thousand a year. Is this practical?

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  • A 51 year old would like know if he can still pursue a career in aviation as a pilot. 
  • I would like to be a corporate pilot. What exactly is needed to be one?

 

Links:

Flying The World As A Corporate Pilot With Chris Thren – ACP033

ACP014 – What Is Business And Private Aviation?, Interview with Corporate Pilot Tom Wachowski

Airline and Commercial Pilot Pay

Pilots N Paws


ACP046 – Ten Things You Should NOT Do During A Pilot Shortage


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Ten Things You Should NOT do during this pilot shortage:

  1. Burn your bridges.

  2. Turn down interviews.

  3. Don’t show up for the interview.

  4. Show up for the interview with a bad attitude or overconfident.

  5. Think this pilot shortage will never end because they always do.

  6. Turn down a flying job because you are waiting for something better, and then ask for the job when the “better” never materializes.

  7. Lie about your past since they will never discover my lie.

  8. Don’t prepare for the interview.

  9. Don’t show up for training.

  10. Tell the interviewer you are taking the job until you find something better.

Listener Mail:

  • A listener gives suggestions for saving money on your flight training.  
  • A listener takes one step towards his goal by obtaining his Advanced Ground Instructor rating.  He plans on teaching and being available for instruction for anyone who I can help. I may try to get the IGI later this year as well. His ultimate goal is to become a full time instructor. We look forward to hearing his progress.  Here is a picture of an airplane he built helping him build hours towards his aviation goal.

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  • Percy shares how being a crop duster helped him achieve his goal of becoming an airline pilot in Brazil flying a 737.  
  • A listener who was wondering if there were any Scholarships available  In Canada for pilot training.  
  • A high time First Officer was furloughed in 2010 with several thousand hours of heavy jet time but has no PIC time since leaving the commuters  20 years ago. He wants to know more about jobs in China.
  • A 47 year old real estate Broker and Instrument Flight Instructor is interested in shifting his  energy towards a career in aviation. He also has an MBA with management experience and wonders what opportunities there are for both flying and management positions. 
  • A military band member is looking at moving on after his position is being eliminated. He is now looking towards a career in aviation and has taken one small step towards his career goal which includes studying as is shown in the picture below:

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  • A military pilot who  listened to episode 36 and is considering his options and wonders if he is competitive for the majors with only 1800 hours of total flight time.

 

Links:

ACP036 – Should You Leave The Military To Become An Airline Pilot?

Pilot Insurance and Financial Service

WASINC Jobs

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

FAPA.aero


ACP045 – Airline Pilot – Stressful, Dangerous, and Boring?


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We Discuss:

  • ATC Contract Towers.
  • Why airline pilot is listed as the most stressful and most dangerous job.
  • Is Being an Airline Pilot Boring?

Listener Mail:

  • A listener who wants to become an astronaut asks:  Should I join the Air Force and gain flight experience and then apply to test pilot school?  Is it possible to pursue a graduate degree while learning how to fly a MWS aircraft? 
  • What would you recommend is the best place to network regarding corporate aviation & Jobs?
  • I live in Chicago, any recommendations, or any clubs I could join?
  • Would a check ride failure impact my corporate flying careers?
  • Will employers still consider me for employment with multiple failures?  
  • A 20 year old Bahamian pilot would like more information on aerial photography.  
  • A 38 year old flight attendant with a charter airline wants to be a commercial  pilot. Given the time and expense involved, am I too old to enter this profession? How long would it take me to complete my training? Once training is completed, how many years would I have in the profession before I have to retire   
  • A Canadian pilot wants to know if there are scholarships available for aviation in Canada?
  • Does the excitement of aviation continue once you actually ‘make it’?
  • Are you still as passionate about aviation as you were when you blew your tires driving off the road pointing out the 747?  

Links Mentioned In This Podcast:

SimpleFlight.net – Live Aviation Radio Show in broadcast over the internet.

Jet Upset Training Adds Big Value To Your Aviation Ventures – Pilot Jet Podcast Episode 18

Pilot Records  Information Act

Forbes Most Deadliest Jobs

Most Stressful Jobs from Salary.com

CBAA – Chicago Business Aviation Association

Linked In Chicago Business Aviation Network

Linked In Chicago Area Business Aviation Association

Linked In Business Aviation Network


ACP044 – Career Questions with Tom Wachowski Creator of The Pilot Jobs Book

Podcast-Artwork-01Welcome to Episode 44 of the podcast where we help you achieve your career goal. Today I have with me a frequent co host, Tom Wachowski, who is a corporate pilot and creator of the Pilot Jobs Book. Tom is going to help me answer listener mail and also describe a tool he has created to help you land a job and stand out amongst the competition.

Listener Questions:

I may not be getting much IFR time but doing surveys at altitudes from 1,000 – 20,000 feet flying precise lines is great training for stick and rudder as well as weather knowledge. Is the time and experience I am getting now are continuing to increase my value as a pilot?

With the new ATP training requirements coming next summer would I be smart to go ahead and spend the money to go get my ATP before the rules change? I love introducing people to flying and have thought about getting my CFI to be able to instruct on the side but I don’t have the cash to do both. Should getting my ATP be my priority?

What are your thoughts on air traffic controller jobs at contract towers?

I wonder if you know of any scholarships, grants or loans that are specifically for people not associated with a college?

I have a bachelors in Aerospace Engineering and I was wondering if the airlines/pilot employers look differently on someone with an ATP restricted certificate?

What would be the best aircraft type rating to start off with if I would like to be a corporate pilot with interest in the airline industry?
From: Andrew

How important is the multi-engine rating?

What schools are available for pilot training outside the U.S?

Success Story:

A listener relates how he took advice from a previous guest of the podcast and obtained his ground instructor ratings and partnered with a local flight instructor. He is now making money and working towards his flight instructor certificate.

Links Mentioned in this podcast:

ACP029 – Flying As Captain For A Major Airline With Jeff Nielsen Of The Airline Pilot Guy Podcast

Polk State College

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Pilot Jobs Book Course

ACP043 Think Outside The Box with Len Costa of Practical Guide To Winter Flying


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Welcome to Episode 43. We are committed to helping you obtain your career goal through answering your questions and giving you an inside look into aviation careers. Now we are ready to take the next step with supplying you with some tools to help you move towards your career goal. One of the most exciting projects is the Aviation Scholarships Guide.

The Aviation Scholarships Guide is an exciting project for me because there are so many people who can benefit from receiving a scholarship to continue their training and degrees! Furthermore, many people don’t realize many scholarships are available even for those who are not in school and who may feel they need to financially qualify. This is very far from reality. There are scholarships for everyone.

If you are interested in the many scholarships the first 10 are free for anyone to view. If you register for a free access to AviationCareersPodcast.com the next 50 are yours for free. Premium members may view the entire updated guide. Check out the free guide today.

Another product I am excited about that we will talk more about in this podcast is The Practical Guide To Winter Flying. For those who are planning on becoming professional pilots or people who are interested in technical aspects of winter flying this course is for you. With me today is my friend and producer of the course Len Costa. Len is going to help me answer  listener questions, comment on feedback,  and describe in more detail the Practical Guide To Winter Flying online course. Some of the listener feedback and suggestions show that people are truly “thinking outside the box” when it comes to their career path.

Feedback and Questions:

  • A listener with a good job wants to work with and/or around aircraft. He asks if there are businesses which operate out of the local international airport that but are not part of the airport itself? Once I have at least my commercial license, how do I find companies or people that would be looking to hire? How would I find someone who needs their crops dusted? How do I find aerial photography businesses? Is it all by word of mouth and networking or do I have to make lots of phone calls and internet searches?
  • I currently have 13 years in the US Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. I do not have an A&P License but that is a goal. What are the prospects of getting hired as a mechanic? What is available if I were to get a pilot’s license?
  • One listener has a tip for those looking into corporate aviation. Find a major local event that brings in corporate traffic. This could be a convention or sporting event, then try to get some part time or volunteer work at the FBO. You will meet pilots of all types of backgrounds.
  • A laid off financial consultant asks how would you go about breaking into aviation with no previous experience? Would you take a role that is more hands on than behind a desk to get feel of the industry?
  • A listener with a medical issues wants to know if he can still be a pilot?
  • Have you considered doing a podcast on airline management?

Links Mentioned In This Podcast:

Meetup.com

Central Florida Pilots Association

National Aviation Academy

FAA Safety Team

IMC Club

Tampa Bay Aviation Association

Fina A Local EAA Chapter

Plane View Park and Other Plane Spotting around LaGuardia Airport.

Stuck Mic AvCast Episode 59 – Aircraft Salvage, Recovery, and Transport with @FastAviationFL

Practical Guide To Winter Flying

Gravelly Point Mark Arlington, VA – Plane Spotting