ACP197 Dan Wells Test Pilot For The First Civil Certified Tilt Rotor

test pilotDan Wells Test Pilot For the first Civil Certified Tilt Rotor. Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. Today we have a special guest Dan Wells. Dan was recently named Fellow by The Society of Experimental Test Pilots. Today we are speaking with Dan about his career as a test pilot and hope to inspire you the listener to pursue this fascinating career. But what is a test pilot? But before we begin a few announcements.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and various technical courses online. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

Please keep your questions coming at feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com. Please be patient with us since it is October and we are still on our back log of questions from May of this year. If you have an immediate need or question I encourage you to sign up for coaching at AviationCareersPodcast.com/coaching.

What is a test pilot?

Test Pilots are translators; they give engineers intricate feedback about aircraft while it is under development. They often hold advanced degrees in engineering or a related field, providing a foundation for understanding and describing how an aircraft performs under highly specific test conditions. Successful test pilots are like brave statisticians, comfortable holding the controls of an airborne machine then formulating a nitty-gritty report that leads to its improvement.

To discuss the role of test pilot and Careers is Dan Wells.
Dan is a test pilot for Leonardo AW609 TiltRotor. The AW609 is slated to become the world’s first civil-certified tiltrotor to market when it is FAA certified in late 2019.

Welcome to the podcast Dan and congratulations on your recent recognition as fellow for the Association of Experimental Test Pilots.

Dan Wells Test Pilot For first Civil Certified Tilt Rotor:

  • Dan’s early career and did he ever image becoming a test pilot?
  • The current project he is working on with the TiltRotor.
  • You need to read.
  • What is a TiltRotor.
  • Why a tiltrotor.
  • Advice for those considering becoming a test pilot.
  • The challenges and rewards of Dan’s Career.
  • What is Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
  • Advice for those seeking a career in aviation

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

http://www.setp.org

Society of Experimental Test Pilots’ Challenge Award, given in recognition of the team’s continuous improvement of aeronautical knowledge and skills, and performance at the NIFA competition.

Polk State Flight Team Brings Home Numerous Awards from National Intercollegiate Flying Association Competition

The right stuff by Tom Wolfe

http://www.leonardocompany.com/en

Leonardo’s AW609 Test Pilot Describes What it’s Like to Fly a Tiltrotor:

test pilot

ACP196 What Airline Pilots Should Consider When Flying Recreationally

Flying RecreationallyWhat Airline Pilots Should Consider When Flying Recreationally. Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. Joining me today is co host Justin Ash to help me answer your questions.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and various technical courses online. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

As many of you know I coach the Flight Team at Polk State College. I set up a website PolkStateFlightTeam.com

What Airline Pilots Should Consider When Flying Recreationally:

  • Flying Recreationally as an airline pilot.
  • Do you think i can get hired to a major airline with asthma?
  • Encore career in aviation.
  • Flying with Diabetes.
  • Will Canadian Airlines hire American pilots?
  • What should I do when considering getting back into aviation?

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

Pilot Jobs Book

Aviation Medicine Advisory Service

ACP195 College Aviation Costs and Your VA Benefits

College Aviation CostsCollege Aviation Costs and Your VA Benefits. We welcome Eric Crump back to the podcast. Today we are on the campus of Polk State College to discuss cost of collegiate aviation and how far your VA Benefits will take you.

Sponsor:

Find Scholarships, Career Coaching, and Interview Preparation at AviationCareersPodcast.com.

News And Announcements:

Best Value Schools ranks Polk State Aerospace No. 2 in the country

College Aviation Costs and Your VA Benefits:

  • How long does it really take to complete your ratings
  • VA benefits and how they apply to flight training.
  • Limitations of VA benefits.
  • Why you need to plan for other costs such as examiner fees.
  • Why extracurricular activities are important.

Links Mentioned In The Podcast:

https://www.polk.edu/news/best-value-schools-ranks-polk-state-aerospace-no-2-in-the-country/

 

ACP194 On To The Regionals with Tim Lake

The Regionals
On To The Regionals with Tim Lake. Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. In Episode 156 From Vice Principal To Pilot we spoke with Tim Lake about his career change and journey towards an airline career. At the time Tim had taken the leap from Vice Principal to Flight Instructor and now he is ready for the next stage in his career.

Recently Tim was hired by a regional airline. We continue discussing his career progression and what he has learned during his journey.

Many of you have asked for a follow up on the career path of those we have had on the show or those whose stories we have shared through correspondence. If you have a career update or want to be part of the show either in an interview our writing in your story to be shared so others can benefit please send us an e-mail at feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com.

We appreciate Tim Lake and all those who share their stories so others can be inspired and learn from their journey to their dream job! Thanks for coming on the show again Tim.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and various technical courses online. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

On To The Regionals with Tim Lake:

  • Recap of his career when we last spoke in episode 156.
  • Where he is now.
  • How he progressed to his current position.
  • Instructor pay rates.
  • Get the CFII.
  • Invite a regional in to your flight school.
  • Getting hired by a regional and advice to those looking towards changing careers and flying at a regional.
  • What he has learned during his last career step.
  • What his next step will be in his career.
  • Print the logbook.

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

Flight Path Museum LAX.

Photo Credit:
http://www.tomblizzardphotography.com

ACP193 Keeping a Realistic and Positive Outlook In a Cyclical Industry

Keeping a Realistic and Positive Outlook In a Cyclical IndustryKeeping a Realistic and Positive Outlook In a Cyclical Industry. Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. I just returned from a trip and a red eye flight from Los Angeles. While on my overnight I visited the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center. I created a short video about my visit with an interesting technical question about the arrival and approach. If you are thinking of working for the airlines or are an instrument rated pilot looking for a challenge please watch the short video and try to answer the question. We will be discussing this in an upcoming episode of the StuckMicAvcast.com

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and various technical courses online. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

Positive Outlook In a Cyclical Industry:

  • Why people commute to work.
  • What is your opinion on Accelerated Flight Schools.
  • How Do scholarships work?
  • Advice for young pilots on keeping a positive and realistic outlook in a cyclical industry.

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

ACP192 Financing Flight Training, Advantage of A Master’s Degree

Financing Flight TrainingFinancing Flight Training, Advantage of A Master’s Degree. Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. Today we answer your questions with Robert Guyer as co host. Remember to send us your questions at feedback@aviationcareeerspodcast.com.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and various technical courses online. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

Financing Flight Training, Advantage of A Master’s Degree:

  • Do you know how I can apply for the forces to flyers program?
  • I want to fly for a living and request your guidance or suggestions to finance my flight school.
  • Have you ever followed anyone from start to finish on the podcast in their journey to becoming a commercial pilot?
  • Are there higher points given for a masters degree when applying as an airline pilot?
  • What for flight training will to get me to an airline in the next 3-5 years?

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

Forces To Flyers

Pasco Hernando State College

Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

https://www.salliemae.com

https://www.wellsfargo.com/student

ACP189 A Leap Of Faith To Pursue His Dream – Clay Whatley

ACP165 CommutAir The Fastest Career Pathway Program To United

ACP121 – Organization Of Black Aerospace Professionals, The Coast Guard, and ExpressJet Airlines

ACP191 Surviving Your Initial Airline Training

Airline TrainingWelcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. Many times I am asked how to survive initial training at an airline. To help me answer that today I have with me an airline simulator instructor and new co host to the podcast Justin Ash. Before we begin we have a few announcements.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and the Pilot Jobs Book. We also have monthly membership which includes the Pilot Jobs Book, Advanced Guide To Holding Patterns, The Practical Guide To Winter Flying, and various Webinars. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

The Current version of the scholarships guide is August 29, 2018. The online scholarships guide is in PDF format and can be obtained if you purchased the book from one of the online retailers by sending us your e-receipt. You will get access for one year to the scholarships guide from date of purchase on your receipt.

For those listen to our general aviation podcast, we have started uploading videos again to the Stuck Mic AvCast YouTube channel. We will have short videos including visits to aviation attractions and venues while I am on the road traveling. We also will have some of our podcast at StuckMic uploaded to the channel as a video podcast if the topic is technical and has numerous photos.

https://www.youtube.com/stuckmicavcast

Surviving Your Initial Airline Training:

First off let me say congratulations if you are listening in preparation for your new job. Preparing for your first training event can be stressful, intimidating and question filled. Hopefully our conversation today will help ease your mind.

Preparing prior at home:

  • Talking with your spouse about the time commitment, stress, etc.
  • Coming home can be a huge distraction so be aware
  • Talking with kids so they understand how long you’ll be gone etc.
  • Talking with yourself to mentally prepare
  • Make sure your travel arrangements to training are set up

Once you arrive:

  • Get to know the facility and your commute
  • Get to know your SIM partner and classmates
  • How to Study
  • What to Study

Once your in the swing of things:

  • Set a schedule

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

Stuck Mic AvCast In Lakeland FL

ACP190 Would hours in a complex/high-performance airplane have any significant benefits?

high-performance airplane
Would hours in a complex/high-performance airplane have any significant benefits? Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. Today Justin Ash joins me to answer listener questions.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and the Pilot Jobs Book. We also have monthly membership which includes the Pilot Jobs Book, Advanced Guide To Holding Patterns, The Practical Guide To Winter Flying, and various Webinars. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

The Scholarship guide August 29, 2018 edition is live. We have 5 updated scholarships with this edition.

Would hours in a complex/high-performance airplane have any significant benefits:

  • What is the prospect of becoming an airline flight instructor if I become a flight attendant then pursue flight instructing at a local flight school as a second job and supplemental income?
  • Would getting most of my hours in a complex/high-performance airplane have any significant benefits?
  • Are flight-schools amenable to you providing your own airplane for training?
  • Do you think it’s worth the buy-in price vs renting from the flight school?
  • Do you think I am too old to go to aviation school?

ACP189 A Leap Of Faith To Pursue His Dream – Clay Whatley

leap of faithToday I have with me a listener who took a leap of faith to pursue his dream. Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. One of my favorite aspects of this podcast is sharing your success stories which help inspire your fellow listeners. The story of Clay Whatley moving towards his career goal one step at time is inspirational and an example of how you can overcome challenges in your life if you make a plan and execute the plan, and be open to making changes in your course.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and the Pilot Jobs Book. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

A Leap Of Faith To Pursue His Dream – Clay Whatley:

Before I introduce our guest let me read an email he sent into the show as a follow up on November 21, 2016.

Hello Carl and Co-hosts!

It was a little over a year ago that I wrote into your show looking for some advice on choosing a flight school that was right for me. You graciously answered my questions on a podcast shortly after.

Using some of the tips and info you and your co-hosts provided me I narrowed my search to a few schools. As fate would have it, my wife and I decided to relocate to Florida for me to attend Polk State College, as it was the best fit of my short list of schools. We saved up for the move and the start of training and made a leap of faith into the sunshine state! I am now a 28 year old going back to college for the third time! I started my Private Pilot Lessons in August and now have just over 23 hours! In fact, I completed my first two solo flights this week! Learning to fly has been an amazing experience so far and I always look forward to the next time I can go flying again! I don’t write in to brag; instead I hope to provide inspiration to others who may be where I was just over a year ago, trying to figure out how and where to start.

From the time I wrote in over a year ago to today, I am always trying to do something to take the next step into starting an aviation career: Listening to your podcast and Stuck Mic Avcast, watching YouTube videos, and reading blogs and articles as much as I can. I’ll admit that it took some time for my small steps to get some traction, but now the progress is real and it is all flying by (pun intended)! I continue to listen to your podcast and recommend it to anyone I can. Thank you again to all you do for those of us just starting, or trying to start anew with an aviation career.

Clay Whatley has over 500 hours and is well on his way to pursuing his career goal. Welcome to the show Clay.

Talking Points:

  • His journey to the cockpit.
  • How important it is to include your family in your plan.
  • Planning for the financial impact of flight training.
  • Advice for those looking to make the leap.
  • The changes he has made along his career path.
  • What is next.

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

Best Value Schools ranks Polk State Aerospace No. 2 in the country

ACP188 Preparing To Fly In A Glass Cockpit

glass cockpit

Have you flown with a glass cockpit? Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. Today I am joined by Justin Ash to discuss learning to fly in a glass cockpit, as well as answer some of your other questions.

Announcements:

AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and the Pilot Jobs Book. We also have monthly membership which includes the Pilot Jobs Book, Advanced Guide To Holding Patterns, The Practical Guide To Winter Flying, and various Webinars. Visit AviationCareersPodcast.com/Courses to discover more.

Preparing To Fly In A Glass Cockpit:

  • Using your retirement savings to fund flight training.
  • Pilot Fatigue in the training environment
  • Challenges Of Fatigue Instructors face.
  • Do I need to live close to the training center as an instructor?
  • Getting ready for glass.

Links Mentioned in This Podcast:

14 Retirement Mistakes You Will Regret Forever

Best Value Schools ranks Polk State Aerospace No. 2 in the country

Photo Credit: Dillon Kraushaar – Polk State College Aerospace

A Podcast about Achieving Your Aviation Career Goals