If you are thinking of changing careers in your late 40’s but are not sure you have time, I have someone who will inspire you to take off on a journey toward a career you will love. Scott Papera is a former director and producer and an inspiration for all of us looking to launch career 2.0!
When Scott started his Career 2.0 journey.
Why he became an airline pilot at 48.
The challenges of becoming a pilot later in life.
The rewards.
Why he loves his job.
Can you make a living flying at such a late stage in life?
Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent Aviation Careers Podcast. Networking is vital to moving forward with your aviation career. Joining me today is Tim Nickel who at a young age was able to use networking to land an internship with the local airport and became the recipient of a scholarship to help fund his flight training. Tim is an operational specialist at Lakeland Linder International Airport and is here to share his story.
The importance of networking
The Advantages of Internships
The scholarship process and how I got one
The importance of education in the aviation industry.
What is an airport operations specialist and what does a day in life look like?
Have you ever wondered what being an air traffic controller is like? Today I have Dawn Whyte, an air traffic controller with over 30 years of experience who inspires others through her career coaching.
How I became a controller – what I thought the job was going to be like, as compared to what the job does entail
What is air traffic control and what makes it such a great career? – what are the pros? What are some of the challenges of the occupation? Things to consider are work/life balance, shift work, fatigue, and how stress in personal life can affect work.
Career pivot – how it came about, how did resilience fit into the situation. Why did I choose to coach?
Building resilience – what is resilience for starters? Why would you want to be resilient? How do we learn to be resilient in life? Why do we need it in aviation?
What holds us back from being resilient? What are normal reactions to challenges or change? Awareness is such an important part of a resilience journey. Intentional thoughts and actions rather than reacting to situations.
How do we become more resilient – there is no one way to become resilient. However, there are proven actions, thoughts, and behaviors that we can practice to become more resilient.
It is that time of year again to discuss the pilot shortage. This episode was inspired by a recent question from our contact page so if you have questions, comments, or inspirational stories please write us at:
I appreciate the topics you bring to us through YouTube and enjoy hearing your voice on all aviation topics. The reason for my message today, the pilot community needs you to discuss the pilot shortage in the USA for 2024 and 2025.
New pilots are concerned about the hiring slowdown. Especially those still training or who are building their hours towards ATP.
I know there is a video about this topic on your channel but things are changing rapidly and we would love to hear your opinion. Many low-time pilot groups on Facebook are having conversations concerning whether we will have a job after we get our Airline Transport Pilot minimums.
Are we heading to those days working for $20 an hour as first officer for regionals? A lot of news is coming out about airliners slowing down hiring for 2024, and many pilots with ATP are struggling to get a job now. We would like to hear from you as a low-time pilot community.
Thank you
Talking Points:
I understand your concern but you can’t predict the hiring market the day you get your 1500 hours, but we do have a good outlook for the future for pilot hiring in general.
I am 60 and want to know how fast I can go from having no pilot license to flying a private light jet. Maybe a coaching session for advice on how to do it.
Thank you
From Contact Page:
Hello, I am a recent college graduate in civil engineering considering a career change to become a pilot. I have listened to your podcasts and appreciate all the tips and information you provide!
I have been working my engineering job for almost a year and am considering whether committing to an accelerated flight school like ATP or a local flight school is right for me.
Time and money are large components of what I decide. What are your thoughts? And what advice would you share in a situation like this? Thank you!
From Contact Page:
Please how does one get the scholarship guide?
From Contact Page:
Hello, I am looking for information on scholarships to start pilot lessons. Thank you for your consideration.
From Contact Page:
I currently fly a Cessna Grand Caravan as an aerial survey pilot. Consequently, I am logging Turbine PIC. The hours I fly are typically (90%) day VFR. This is a Part 91 operation.
The schedule with the MEDEVAC operation is much better than my current schedule, but the pay is a bit worse. Fair trade in my opinion. I’m still a time builder (about 540 hours to my R-ATP minimums, about 490 to my 135 PIC mins)
My 2-4 year goal is to fly for NetJets or a Florida-based LCC, as I would like to be Florida-based long term.
My question is this should I build Turbine PIC SEL vs Turbine SIC MEL? Do hiring managers at big companies like I listed care about something like this? I’ve been told in the past that having the most multi-time possible is a good thing. Currently, I meet the ATP multi-engine and PIC requirements. I do need the night and instrument hours, which I believe I would log a lot of if I go with the King Air position.
Thanks for reading my email, I’ve been a long-time listener of the podcast. This podcast is the reason I attended Polk State College. You may remember showing me around your office once a couple of years ago, I hope you still have the photo of Lindbergh on your wall.
What is the concept of leapfrogging and how can it help you accelerate your career path to the legacies? Today I will explain leapfrogging to the legacies and what the advantages and disadvantages are.
What is A Legacy?
Understanding Flow Through Agreements with the Legacies.
Advantages of a flow through.
Disadvantages of a flow through.
What is Leapfrogging?
Should you Leapfrog?
Remember you will be held responsible for any contract signed.
You need to analyze your situation to see if it is worth leapfrogging.
Get advice from an unbiased source.
Listener Mail:
Hello, I have been considering becoming a career pilot for some time, at 41 I am at a point in my life where I think it might be possible, however, I realize I don’t know what I don’t know about the industry. I am looking for advice and guidance, I think I may benefit from your career coaching service, I could make myself available anytime that you were available, perhaps some company offers a “career day” type of experience for prospective pilots. I have an appointment to check out a local flight Academy but I am willing to look at all options, any guidance is much appreciated.
Thank You.
We are here to help visit our career coaching page at:
As airlines announce they will reduce the number of pilots they hire in 2024 how can you make yourself more competitive so you can get hired when others are not? In this episode, we will give you 12 actions you can take to prepare yourself during the hiring slowdown in 2024. To be clear the airlines are still hiring but you will need to be more competitive than in the past. So how do you do that? This is what we will discuss.
Keep flying. – The biggest mistake I see people make when there is a downturn in hiring is quitting flying expecting to come back to flying when the industry is better. Remember there are many people building hours while you are doing something else making you less competitive for a job.
Take one step today to enhance your career goal with the gift card you received this holiday! Welcome to our annual recommendation on how to spend your Amazon Gift Card and Enhance your career!
Questions, comments, or inspirational stories; please write us at feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com.
If you are looking at funding your education, flight training, or degree look at this definitive guide and the upcoming new version with a listing of cadet programs. https://amzn.to/3H6Yqrh
2. Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot 13th Edition 13th Edition
An amazing resource for explanations of simple to complex topics. A great resource when preparing for an interview and transitioning to flying advanced aircraft. https://amzn.to/48b4hrf
3. The Turbine Pilot’s Flight Manual 3rd Edition
A must-have For those pilots beginning training at the airlines or simply wanting to expand their knowledge. https://amzn.to/3v9vFrc
4. The Unofficial Airbus A320 Series Manual
Ok, I am biased since I am an A320 instructor but this is truly a great guide for those wanting to train or about to train on one of the most popular airplanes in the world. https://amzn.to/3tAemyX
5. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C: Pilot Flight Training Study Guide
The FAA reference you will use for your entire aviation career from flying small planes to transitioning to multi-engine jets. https://amzn.to/3RXERaM
6. Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Many technical interview questions are derived from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and you will use this knowledge throughout your entire career flying. https://amzn.to/48yOP7Z
7. Instrument Procedures Handbook
Your knowledge of instrument procedures is paramount when you are a professional pilot. This book is filled with potential interview questions and will be a great resource throughout your career. https://amzn.to/3tnECwx
8. FAR-FC 2024: Federal Aviation Regulations for Flight Crew
The definitive reference for professional pilots flying for 121 and 135 operators. https://amzn.to/41Axrxo
9. FAR/AIM 2024: Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual
For the remainder of your career, you will tested on your knowledge of the FARs and the information provided in the Aeronautical Information Manual. This is a manual you will want to highlight and tab pertinent pages.
Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. Today I answer listener mail and discuss why you should not compare yourself to others on social media, especially YouTube.
Before we begin a few announcements.
Questions, comments, or inspirational stories please write to us at feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com or https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/contact/
The Scholarships Guide is available with over 120 million in scholarships.
Are there other resources that I could look into for finding scholarships? I am an Asian male in his 30s married with kids. I noticed there aren’t any scholarships geared toward Asians on the current list and was wondering if any would be added in the next update.
Thank you!
Show Notes:
Don’t try to be like someone online. You are who you are and your situation is unique.
You are important and your citation is much different than those online.
Although it is great to get ideas from others you need to chart your path forward.
Not everyone is the same.
People will want to tell you what you should do primarily based on their worldview and situation, not yours.
That is why it is important to get an unbiased opinion from a career coach or counselor who is willing to listen to your unique situation.
Some examples of things you might not know about the person you are following and trying to emulate.
Their money situation may be different.
Education different
Family obligations.
That is why you need to take a holistic view of your life and situation to move forward.
Don’t try to be someone else, be yourself.
Links Mentioned in This Podcast:
https://amzn.to/3uNTUuV
All You Can Do is All You Can Do: but all you can do is enough! This book describes a deceptively simple six-point plan that turns ordinary people into winners.
A Podcast about Achieving Your Aviation Career Goals
