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

December 18, 2013 CarlValeri 2 Comments

Welcome 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

Pilot Jobs Book Course

Podcast

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

November 11, 2013 CarlValeri Leave a comment

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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

Corporate Pilot, Part 121, Part 135, Podcast, Scholarships

ACP042 – Integrity In Your Life And Your Career

October 11, 2013 CarlValeri Leave a comment

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Today we continue our question and answer session with Eric Crump from Episode 41.

Listener Mail:

I always wanted to be a pilot but since unmanned aircraft have taken the skies do you think that computers will take over pilots in my lifetime?
If I am able to get 500 hours of turbine part 135 time will I have a better chance of getting hired with an airline compared to working as a flight instructor?
Am I crazy for wanting to ‘go for it’ in my 30’s? Will the regionals frown on hiring me?
Is it a good idea to complete my training at a school with a guaranteed instructing job upon successful completion of training? The opportunity includes RJ sim training, and possibly receiving a conditional offer of employment via their bridge program with a regional airline.
Can you recommend audio that can be used as study material while driving to work?
What is the best route after college if I can’t get my ATP until 1000 hours?
If I go to college with around 130 hours how many hours would you estimate I would graduate with being a part time CFI junior and senior year?
What is the best route to corporate flying?
Is this fifteen to twenty thousand much debt to come out of school being a pilot?

What is Integrity In Life And Your Aviation Career?

Being honest with yourself
Being honest with your passengers and your students.
Adhering to your moral standards and never wavering from your values.

Links Mentioned:

AOPA Av8rs – The Pilots of Tomorrow

AviationScholarshipGuide.com

SMAC039 – Behind the Scenes of Flying Wild Alaska with John Ponts – Part 1

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

UND (University Of North Dakota) AeroCast HD Video

UND YouTube Chanel

myFlightCoach Podcast

The Finer Points of Flying Podcast

Rod Machado

Gleim Aviation Training Products

Gleim Private Pilot Audio

ASA Private Pilot Audio Guide

Gleim Instrument Pilot Audio

Airline Pilot, Aviation Maintenance Technician, Business Aviation, Career Change, College, Color Blindness, Corporate Pilot, Financial Aid, Flight Instructing, Part Time Aviation Career, Pilot Shortage, Podcast, Questions Answered

ACP041 – “Don’t Let The Effort Keep You From Your Goal” Listener Mail With Eric Crump

October 3, 2013 CarlValeri 1 Comment

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Eric Crump the Aerospace Program Director at Polk State College is an experienced pilot and has had years of experience helping people achieve success in their aviation career.

Eric and I discuss the following listener mail:

An aviation maintenance student wants to know job prospects for pilots and mechanics.
A 38 year with a family wants to know if age is a factor in choosing a career as a pilot and what his financing options are.
A private pilot wants to know if color blindness will keep him from becoming an airline pilot and what opportunities are available for those that are color blind.
Anissa has some advice for young pilots: “Don’t let the effort dissuade you from your goal!”
A 43 year old private pilot asks if a particular type of flying companies like to see in a pilot’s logbook?
Do I need to fund my own multi-engine rating to be considered for corporate or charter flying or are there opportunities for single engine pilots out there?
Will a special issuance medical hurt my chances at an aviation career?
What is your opinion on the future of civil aviation regarding pilotless aircraft. In the last half decade there have been huge advances in UAV technology and do you think that in say the next 30-50 years we will see the cockpit be reduced to 1 person just monitoring systems or possibly no-one?
Should take a semester off, and go to flight school and while instructing finish my associates online?

Links Mentioned In This Podcast:

Polk State Approved to Offer Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Sciences

Red Bird Flight Simulators

Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook

Episode 006 – Career Prospects Are Good for Both A Pilots And Mechanics, A Panel Discussion with Guests From National Aviation Academy.

AOPA Article: Answers for Pilots: Color vision

AOPA Article: Color Vision Restriction Removal

Air Surgeon’s Medical Bulletin January 2012

PlaneSense – fractional operator of single engine aircraft.

The UAV Digest

The Golden Age of Unmanned Flight

Aircraft Scheduler, Business Aviation, Corporate Aviation Flight Attendant, Dispatcher, Flight Attendant, Podcast

ACP040 – How To Get Your FAA Dispatcher Certificate; Corporate Flight Attendant Jobs with ExecuJet Flight Coordinator Daniel Slapo

September 26, 2013 CarlValeri 1 Comment

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DanielSlapo2 What does an aircraft scheduler do? How do you become a flight dispatcher? What is it like to be a corporate flight attendant? What jobs are available in all of these fields?

I am excited today to have with me someone who can help answer these questions. His name is Daniel Slapo and he has had a varied and interesting career which has included all the jobs mentioned.

Today Daniel and I discuss:

How he became interested in aviation.
Why he enjoys his job.
What is an aircraft scheduler and how to become one.
What is a flight dispatcher.
The licenses necessary to become a flight dispatcher.
How to become a corporate flight attendant.
What are Part 91, 91 Sub Park K, and Part 135.
What a “normal” day is in the life of each of these interesting careers.
What action you should take now if you are interested in one or all of these careers.

Links Mentioned In This Podcast:

Execujet Charter

NBAA (National Business Aircraft Assoction)

Reasons To Use A Scheduler Dispatcher

Tampa Bay Aviation Association

Episode 6 – National Aviation Academy

Jet Professionals

Flight Safety Flight Attendant Training

Air Care Crews – Business Aviation Staffing

Beyond and Above Flight Attendant Training

Coast Guard, Flight Instructing, Flight Instructor, Helicopter Pilot, Navy, Podcast

ACP039 – Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot Steven Vigus

September 20, 2013 CarlValeri 2 Comments

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USCGphoto by SN Kevin Bland Welcome to episode 39. Today I have with me former Coast Guard helicopter pilot and Navy flight instructor Steve Vigus. Steve has a varied background and many interests including a passion for automobiles. I am really excited to listen as Steve takes us inside the cockpit of a Coast Guard Helicopter pilot on a rescue mission.

Steve and I discuss:

What it is like to pluck someone from the ocean saving their life.
His career path and how he developed a passion for aviation.
How he became a Coast Guard Pilot.
The various missions of a helicopter in the Coast Guard.
How he was able to transfer to the Navy as an instructor.
What it is like to be a Navy Helicopter Instructor.
The mission of a the helicopter in the Navy.
His advice to those wanting to become a helicopter in the Coast Guard and Navy.

Slideshow:
[portfolio_slideshow exclude=”1280″ slideheight=310]

Links mentioned in this podcast:

Polk State College

Merchant Marine Academy

United States Coast Guard Academy

Sports Car Junkie Business Podcast

Recommended reading:

Start by Jon Acuff – helps you start towards your path towards doing something that matters.

Military, Part 135, Part 141 Flight School, Podcast

ACP038 – Don’t Listen To The Naysayers

September 12, 2013 CarlValeri 1 Comment

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2013-08-17 09.11.07 In episode 38 we continue to answer listener e-mail with Tom Wachowski. Tom is a corporate pilot who also flew for the airlines and brings a unique perspective to this podcast.

The following are the questions we answer during the episode:

I have been pulled away from aviation. What is the best way to get back into flying?
Is there a list of the many scholarships and grants available?
Where should I land in this vast field of aviation?
If I am 28 years old is it too late to get into airline flying?
How do I get to the airlines if I am just shy of the ATP minimums?
Should I learn how to fly either part 61 or 141?
Should I purchase a used airplane for training? Would this reduce the overall cost of learning?
What advice can you offer concerning schools for the Flight Instructor Certificate? Should I be concerned about the high failure rate for the CFI?

Links Referenced In This Podcast:

Jonathan was mentioned in episode 36 and wrote an e-book to help people who are aspiring to become AF pilots achieve their dream. The book is called Your Road to Wings: How to Become an Air Force Pilot.

Private Jet Podcast

Financial Aid, Flight Instructing, Part 141 Flight School, Podcast

ACP037 – Is It Too Late, Flying Club vs 141, What University Should I Choose, Scholarships, Starting Over.

September 5, 2013 CarlValeri 1 Comment

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2013-07-05 04.31.38 In episode 37 we answer listener questions with Tom Wachowski. If you have a question or need advice about your career please click on the Contact page and submit your question. We will answer your question directly and share the answer in an upcoming episode to help others who are listening.

Today I have with me Tom Wachowski a frequent guest on this podcast. Tom is a corporate pilot who also flew for the airlines and brings a unique perspective to this podcast.

In This Episode We Discuss The Following:

Is it too late for me to pursue an aviation career at 25 years old?
I eventually want to fly commercially. Should I join a flying club or learn at a Part 141 flight school?
What jobs are available for a 400 hour pilot?
I’m 17 years old and my dream is to become a commercial pilot flying for Emirates. What is the best route to became an Emirates pilot and how do I get there?
Swayne recently completed his first solo cross country and shares his story at: martinsaviation.blogspot.com
The challenges and costs of learning to fly in Brazil.
Are there any aviation careers that do not require a strong background in math?
I am from overseas and was just wondering if you could quickly run me through the most beneficial process of becoming a captain.

Links Referenced In This Podcast:

USS Midway

NYC Aviation – Plane Spotting and News

Mission Beach – San Diego, California

Tom Wachowski Aviation Careers Podcast Episode 14

Experimental Aircraft Association.

What Color Is Your Parachute.

AOPA Flight Training Magazine and Website

FAA Safety Team

Airline Pilot, Career Change, Military, Podcast

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

August 8, 2013 CarlValeri 2 Comments

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Are you a military pilot thinking of making the jump to the airlines? Do you think you might wait until retirement before making the jump to the airlines? There are some pro’s and con’s of both staying in the military and leaving for the airlines. For over a decade I assisted military pilots with leaves of absence and have seen the good and bad of combining an airline job with military reserve. In this issue I will relate my experiences working with military pilots who have both retired and those who are in the military part time.

Today’s episode was inspired by a question from a listener in the military who is thinking of making the jump to the airlines. To help me respond to his question I have a response from Steve Molos who for many years has also helped military pilots with military leaves of absence with the airlines. Steve had to make the same decision himself about changing careers.

If you are thinking of making becoming an airline pilot and changing careers prior to retiring I think you will find the information we relate helpful. So lets listen to the question that inspired the show today.

In This episode we discuss:

Family life as an airline pilot.
What it means to commute to work.
What it is like to commute to work and live in base.
Pro’s and Con’s of leaving the military job early.
The benefits and challenges of being in the reserves or guard.
Why it is important to know all the contacts at your company concerning military leave.
Should you get a type rating?

If you are thinking of retiring from the military or from any job and transition to the airlines it is important to weigh the pro’s and con’s just like Steve said. What I like to do when making a significant decision is to take out a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle then begin putting the pro’s on one side and the con’s on the other. If after you finish your list the con’s out weigh the pro’s then you need to start thinking again about your decision.

During this process it is important to get your spouse or significant other involved. Have them look at your list and make changes as necessary. A pro to you can be a con to your partner.

Whatever you decide make sure you are doing this for what is best for you and your family. Don’t worry about what others might think because they don’t know your situation. Then after making your decision go for it and move forward.

I have faith that whatever you decide in your career you will be successful because you are willing to put forth the effort and persevere through the tough times because you have a purpose. Make sure you keep the list with you and add items even after you have made your decision. This will be helpful in altering your path towards your ultimate goal.

Expect challenges along your new career path but don’t get discouraged. Look at these challenges as growth opportunities and not as road blocks. Road blocks along your career path are not failures they are there to be removed or driven around.

I have faith that you will achieve your aviation career goal. I can’t wait to see you join me in this exciting, challenging, and fun field of aviation.

If you found this information helpful please support this podcast by visiting our sponsors websites. Also if you have any questions please click on the contacts tab and ask. I’m sure there is someone listening right now who would benefit from the question you ask.

Thanks again for listening and we will talk to you next episode. Clear skies and safe flying!

Photos copyright KenMist.com

Airline Pilot, Career Change, Careers, Computer Programmer, Podcast

From Computers to the Cockpit with Embraer 170 Captain Chris Olson, Developer of Bingo Fuel – ACP035

July 25, 2013 CarlValeri Leave a comment

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CaptChris2 Welcome to Episode 35 of Aviation Careers Podcast where we help you achieve your career goals and give you an inside view of various careers in aviation. Many pilots have an interest in technology and computers. Many times people change careers from computers to aviation, as I did. Some people are able to successfully combine both careers into one.

My guest today Chris Olson is living the life he designed. Chris is an airline pilot and computer programmer. Chris is passionate about both his careers and is here to share with us how he was able to combine both careers.

Chris and I Discuss:

How he developed a passion for both computers and aviation.
His career path to the airlines.
How he is able to combine both his passion for computers and his passion for aviation.
The challenges of combining an airline pilot career with another career.
How having many days off as an airline pilot allows us to pursue other careers on our days off.
Using his Bingo Fuel mobile application Chris walks us through the challenges and triumphs of developing a software application while working as a pilot.
Advice for people considering combining a piloting career with another career.

ChrisByPlane Thanks for listening to Aviation Careers Podcast. I hope this podcast has helped motivate you to pursue your passion and translate that passion into a fulfilling career. Whatever career field you choose remember to live your life with passion and pursue a career that fulfills that passion.

If you pursue a career simply for the money you will end up being miserable. Occasionally, I speak with airline captains who are making very good money, have multiple homes, a motorhome, a boat, and an airplane, but they are not happy. The reason is because they became airline pilots because the pay was good.

Having money makes paying the bills easier and allows you to buy the many toys we enjoy in life. With that said, if you pursue a career simply for the money you will be miserable just like some of the airline captains I fly with. Please make sure whatever you decide to do in life it is something you have a passion for. If you work in something you really enjoy, like I do, the money you receive is a great bonus. I get to do something I enjoy and get paid! That is one of the most wonderful feelings in life.

I want you to do something for me today. Think about the one thing you would love to do in life if money was no object. It could be sailing, fishing, golfing, or designing computer systems. Now, begin imagining yourself getting paid to do something you love. Imagine going to work every day and enjoying your job. Now I want you to take some action and start designing the life that fulfills that dream.

Begin by taking one step right now and start moving towards that goal. Maybe you like your current job but you are really passionate about pursuing another career. Then try to work part time in that career you desire. Ask people what it is like to work in that career. If it involves aviation then listen to people such as on this podcast who are doing what you want to do. But do something.

My hope is that this podcast will truly inspire you to pursue and reach your career goal. If you want to hear about a career in aviation you have not heard on this podcast then please go to the Contact page on Aviation Careers Podcast and put in a request for an interview. I will find someone in the field of aviation you are interested in and have them on this show. Also if you have a career question please write me and I will answer your questions on this show.

If you have found this podcast helpful and want to help contribute please visit our sponsors at Aviation Careers Podcast.com. If you are interested in advertising or contributing to this podcast please send me a message on the contact page.

Again, I hope you enjoyed hearing from Chris as much as I did concerning his journey from the computer to the cockpit. We will talk to you next episode. Safe Flying!

Links Mentioned in this podcast: