Category Archives: Aerospace Engineer

ACP261 Stripes To Bars – Helping Get A Start In Aviation

Stripes To Bars

Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast.  Today we have a special guest to discuss how he is helping veterans get started in aviation.

Before we begin a few announcements.

Announcements:

If you have questions, comments, inspirational stories, or announcements please write to us at feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com.  Have a special story about your career that would inspire others? Want to share your career in Aerospace, or have other information you feel would help our listeners then please consider becoming a guest on the show? Click on the be a guest tab in the show notes or on the right of the screen at AviationCareersPodcast.com.

At AviationCareersPodcast.com  You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and various courses online.  Don’t forget to use the coupon code “payitforward”, all one word. Through the generosity of others, you may receive the scholarships guide for free. As a matter of fact, for every $10 we raise from patrons of the podcast we give away one scholarship guide. 

If you want to make a difference in someone’s life by contributing to giving away a free scholarships guide please click on Patron. For as little as $1 a month you can make a huge impact on someone’s life and career.

The February edition of the online scholarships guide is out now and includes 56 new scholarships and 10 updates a new “Scholarships for Adults” category. To find out more visit AerospaceScholarships.com or click on the scholarships tab at AviationCareersPodcast.com.

Today we have special guest Clayton Horney,  an Army combat MEDEVAC pilot with international corporate experience. He is a helicopter and airplane CFI / CFII / MEI / ATP certified and holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Boston University. Welcome to the show Clayton!

In This Episode We Discuss:

  • His journey to the flight deck.
  • Current Career
  • https://stripestobars.org
  • Why Stripes To Bars
  • S2Bs Mission 
  • Previous Winners 
  • How Can I Help?
  • Organization Future

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

https://stripestobars.org

ACP032 – Listener Mail with Tom Wachowski

FlightDeck737Welcome to Episode 32. I hope you enjoyed the last two episodes full of interviews from  the 2013 Sun N Fun Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida. I enjoyed interviewing these passionate people as they talked about aviation careers.  If you really want to hear some motivating interviews of some truly inspirational aviators make sure you listen to episodes 30 and 31.

In today’s episode we are going to catch up on some of the past questions.  Included in this episode is a short interview with Alan Lawless a flight test engineer who I interviewed in episode 22. He will help us answer one of our engineering questions.

 Today I have with me a frequent co-host on the show Tom Wachowski. Tom is a corporate pilot and former airline pilot who brings a unique perspective to this podcast. Before we begin lets catch up with Tom and some of the interesting flying he has done in the past few months.

Listener Mail:

From Todd:

 I am 37 and can retire from law enforcement in 5 years. I am looking at starting a career in aviation. I will be 42 when I can retire. Would it be possible for me to start now and make a career in aviation at least flying regional or cargo?

From Jesus:

 Jesus is a air traffic controller with questions about jobs in the United States compared to Europe.  Jesus also wants to know if we can recommend large flight schools and online training.

From Brian:

 Brian started flying while he passed the bar and wants to discuss options on how he can meld the two careers of flying and law.

From John:

 Would a flight school look askance at someone who took such a long time to learn how to fly? How about “real flying” jobs? Are they looking for pilots who completed their primary training as close to FAA minimums as possible? 

From Tim:

What would you recommend in terms of getting my pilot training and a college degree. Should I do one or the other first or both at the same time?

Tim also would like us to compare and contrast the training experience from a big flight academy to the training received from an individual instructor at a smaller school.

Question From Junior:

 In Episode 27 we had a question from Junior concerning changing careers from a Designer to Engineering .

 From Jonathan:

Am I too old to become a professional pilot?

What pilot ratings would I need to become a UAV pilot?

How would you suggest I go about my career?

From Carlos:

I am currently a student pilot, but I am within days of taking my check ride.

Would it be possible to do some charters part time?

If so what are some things that I should start looking into?

Thanks for listening to Aviation Careers Podcast. Your questions are important to us and if you have any questions comments or suggestions there are many ways to contact us. You can simply click on the Contact page on our website – AviationCareersPodcast.com or submit a questions via facebook or twitter.  You can also leave us a voicemail at 347-MY-WINGS, 347-699-4647.

 If you found this information useful please rate us on iTunes so others can find us.  Remember to always keep focused on your career goal but be ready for many challenges because those challenges will define who you are in the future. The challenges are the process through which our resolve is hardened like steel.  Keep focused on your goal because I have faith you will achieve it.

Talk to you next episode and Safe Flying!

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Airplane Geeks Podcast

Taking Advantage Of The Pending Pilot Shortages

Sun N Fun 2012 Interviews Look for the interview Restored Champ to hear the interview with an aviation attorney.

Your Money House


ACP031 – Inspiring The Future Of Aviation – Interviews From Sun N Fun 2013 – Part 2

Welcome to Episode 31. Today’s episode is the second part of the inspirational aviation career interviews from Sun N Fun 2013.  Sun ’n Fun’s mission is to preserve and enhance  the future of flight through world-class events while inspiring and educating people of all ages. To learn more about Sun N Fun please listen to episode 30 and read the show notes. I think you will find that there is something for everyone who is interested in aviation at Sun N Fun year round.

Before we begin the interviews I want to encourage you to sign up for our e-mail updates. Many of you have asked if I could be available for career counseling. Of course if you have questions please feel free to go to Aviation Careers Podcast and click on the contact page to submit your questions, but I do understand you would like a more comprehensive conversation. I have spent many years consulting and would love to do one on one with each and every listener but I have limited time and my consulting rates may be a bit high especially for those who are just starting out in their career. Therefore,I came up with an idea that will help all of you and be of a high value.

I am still working on a few solutions along with some books and videos that will help you move towards your career goal. To keep up to date on the progress of these ideas and to receive other career updates please go to AviationCareersPodcast.com and sign up for e-mail updates in the right column.  I also will send announcements on occasion to include who is hiring, new programs available at flight schools, and new financing options to name a few. I encourage you to sign up for these e-mail updates because I am excited to be bringing you this valuable information in the future.

This episode contains inspiring interviews which all who are interested in a career in aviation will enjoy. In these interviews we discuss many aviation career fields including : commercial airline pilot, flight instructor, mechanic, engineer, and management.

Most of the volunteers at Sun N Fun Radio represent many podcasts. In my case I was representing The Stuck Mic AvCast:  an aviation podcast about learning to fly, living to fly, and loving to fly. I encourage you to  listen to at StuckMicAvCast.com.

Now with that said, lets get started listening to some of these informative and inspirational discussions.

 

  • Al Thompson – Central Florida Aviation Academy – Al discusses the purpose of the academy and how students can apply to the school. CFA is a wonderful opportunity for those young people interested in aviation.
  • Elaine Larsen The Embry Riddle University Jet Dragster. Elaine speaks about opportunities for engineering students to work on the jet engine and the dragster through the Eagle Hire Program
  • Jamil Larkin and The Embry Riddle Dream Launch Tour. Jamil discusses all of the career fields you can pursue at Embry Riddle.
  • Jessica MacClinchy, Admissions Representative, National Aviation Academy – Jessica speaks about the aircraft mechanic school, flight school, financial aid, and job opportunities for graduates.
  • Marisha Faulk – Driver of Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster – Marisha talks about driving the Jet Dragster, her degree experience at Embry-Riddle, flight instructing, and her future plans for flying. Marisha is truly an inspiration and is an example of someone who has overcome many challenges and succeeded in defining her career in aviation.
  • Julius with Aeronautical Systems Engineering at the National Aviation Academy Booth discusses the advantage of using simulators for your training.
  • Wayne with Elite Flight Simulation Solutions discusses the various flight simulators and the advantages of simulator training.
  • Paul Cassell – Fedex – Donates a 727 to Sun N Fun as a training device from the Central Florida Aviation Academy. Paul speaks about the outreach programs at Fedex and the importance of the many different careers in aviation. In addition Paul talks about the great need in all aviation career fields.
  • Tailwheels Etc. opened a new campus at Lakeland Linder Airport – John discusses their new flight school and what they have to offer for the student looking into a career in aviation. You can also learn how to fly a Stearman!  Kevin Chambers talks about the new program at Lakeland and the pending pilot shortage, and their new financing program. John discusses how Sallie Mae is back in the aviation educational financing business. John also talks about basic and advanced Aero Camp.
  • Jim Sherman talks about Plane Sense and the career opportunities.

As you can tell there are numerous passionate aviators at Sun N Fun who love to share their knowledge about aviation careers. If you are interested in a career in aviation, Sun N Fun is a great place to start. They have yearlong events and activities including summer camps, museum tours, an aviation high school, and so much more. For more information about Sun N Fun go to Sun-N-Fun.org.

Also if  you want to hear some amazing interviews and prerecorded shows you can listen to Sun N Fun radio at LiveAtc.net/snf or click on the link from my website.  Sun ’n Fun’s mission is to preserve and enhance  the future of flight through world-class events while inspiring and educating people of all ages and they truly achieve this goal. Click here to read How To Listen To Sun N Fun Radio 2013.

Thanks for listening to Aviation Careers Podcast. If you found this information useful please help support this website by visiting our sponsors listed on the website.  Also if you have any questions please click on the contact page where you can send an e-mail or leave a voicemail.

I hope you have enjoyed this podcast and gleaned valuable information from these interviews. To be successful in your career goal it takes persistence and perseverance. I have faith that you will achieve your career goal!

Talk to you next episode and Safe Flying!


Designing Repairs On Damaged Jets with Aerospace Engineer Walter Chan – ACP027

One of the best aspects of a career in aviation is that you are surrounded by people who are passionate about their vocation.  Today I have with me a person who is passionate about his career of designing repairs to airliners which have been damaged as an Aerospace Engineer.

Did you know fixing a damaged airliner includes engineering the repair. From nicks, scratches, dents, and corrosion, to bird strikes, skin patches, and other major repairs to aircraft primary structure an engineer is involved in providing a solution. I have with me someone who is designs structural repairs to damaged jets and who is passionate about flying planes as a private pilot.

Today we are going to be speaking with Walter Chan a Designer of Structural repairs and truly passionate aviation enthusiast. Walter was referred to me from the host of Stuck Mic Avcast, Len Costa. Len said you really need to speak with Walter about aviation careers and his passion for all things aviation.

Walter and I Discuss:

  • His job as a structural engineer.
  • How he developed his passion for aviation and flying.
  • The type of engineers who work for his company.
  • Working conditions and some exciting places he visits while performing his job.
  • The educational requirements to become an engineer working on airliners.
  • Advice for those interested in becoming a repair design engineer.
  • His passion for flying and his journey as a private pilot.
  • His interest in flying airplanes for fun and someday to get paid as a pilot.
  • The challenges he has faced in completing his ratings.
  • Why he likes his current job and career.

Listener Questions:

Should I begin with a an undergraduate degree in engineering before pursuing a masters?

Is it important to have a pilot license to be a test flight engineer?

Links Mentioned In This Show:

Flight Training Magazine

ACP024 – Preparing For A Midlife Career Change; The Successful Part Time Flight Instructor.

ACP022 Designing Tomorrow’s Airplanes With Flight Test Engineer Alan Lawless


ACP022 Designing Tomorrow’s Airplanes With Aerospace Engineer Alan Lawless

aerospace engeneerIf you want to play a key role in designing the next generation of aircraft and you have an interest in math and science, an aerospace engineering job might interest you. Aerospace engineers develop the new technologies in aviation, defense systems, and spacecraft.

Today I have with me someone who can help us understand what it is like to be involved in one of the more exciting engineering projects shaping the future of air travel. Alan Lawless is a Chief Flight Test Engineer and will be helping us understand the career opportunities in aerospace engineering.

Alan and I Discuss:

aerospace engeneer

  • How he became interested in Aviation and Engineering.
  • The type of education needed to become an engineer.
  • If you are in high school what you should study to better prepare yourself for a career in engineering.
  • Engineering degrees with applications in the aviation industry.
  • Organizations you should research and/or join if you want to be an aerospace engineer.
  • The lifestyle of an engineer.
  • Career progression and pay.
  • The future of aerospace engineering.


For More Information:

Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace Engineer Pay

The Society Of Flight Test Engineers

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

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