Aviation Maintenance Technician, Flight Instructing, Flight Instructor, Part Time Aviation Career, Pilot, Podcast, Politics

Episode 008 – Combining a Flying Career with Another Career Interview with Jamie Beckett, Publisher of Flight Monkeys

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Pilots are fascinating people because they are goal oriented and have many interests. If you find you have a passion for flying but have other interests in life, a career in aviation can still be for you.

One of the wonderful things about flying for the airlines are my days off. Some months I have 20 days off which affords me the opportunity to pursue other endeavors. Can you think of a career you might enjoy part time while having a career in aviation?

I have friends with successful careers in aviation while also having a career in many other fields such as dentistry, law, real estate, accounting, and medicine just to name a few. If you have a passion for aviation and a passion for other endeavors don’t fret, flying might be the perfect career for you.

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A person who has designed a lifestyle which includes a career in aviation is Jamie Beckett. Jamie is the publisher of FlightMonkeys.com, an author, flight instructor, and City Commissioner in Winter Haven, Florida. Jamie is a busy individual and you can tell by speaking with him for only a few moments that he lives life to the fullest.

Jamie Beckett and I discuss:

  • How you can define a career in aviation that fits your personality.
  • Advice for people looking towards instructing part time.
  • The advantages of being both a pilot and mechanic.
  • Melding of Politics and Aviation.
  • Jamie’s varied career path and the fears many of us have in pursuing a career in aviation.
  • FlightMonkeys.com.

Recommendations:

Jamie Beckett produced an outstanding video The Value of Aviation. Jamie eloquently describes the benefit of aviation in the lives of those at the airport but more importantly the community as a whole. This is one of those videos you should save to give to your friends when they ask you the “real” value of aviation.

Watch The Value Of Aviation:

Politics for Pilots (The Loose Cannon View – 2011) – Jamie Beckett’s Politics for Pilots is a weekly column that appears as a popular blog posting on GeneralAviationNews.com and has been used to collect the stories for The Loose Canon View. The column is described as “irreverent, casual, highly optimistic, and at least occasionally inspirational. It also tends to be uniquely insightful and written with a high degree of professionalism. It’s actually fun to read, too.”

For those wanting to read something beyond how to fly and learn how to navigate the world of politics and aviation this e-book is for you.

Thanks for listening to Aviation Careers Podcast. If you have any questions comments or suggestions please contact me at AviationCareersPodcast.com, ITunes, Twitter, Facebook, or by e-mail. Until next time please keep in mind the path to an aviation career is varied, challenging, and exciting.

Keep your eye on your aviation goal and fly safe!

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Female Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Pilot, Podcast, Women In Aviation

Episode 007 – Why The Low Number Of Female Pilots?; Interview With Lynda Meeks Founder Of Girls With Wings

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Ever wonder why you don’t see many female pilots? I never truly reflected on this fact until one day while boarding the plane a young girl pointed at the First Officer and said “Look Mom A Girl Pilot!” She then turned to me and said nothing. Upon further reflection I realized a man with silver hair is more inline with what we see as an airline pilot. But why?

After my flight that day I decided to do some research. I discovered there are over six hundred thousand pilots and only six percent are females. Additionally only three percent are Airline Transport Pilot rated. Of the five hundred thousand non-flying jobs in aviation 3.85 percent are women.

So why are there not more women in aviation and how do we attract more women to the field of aviation? To help answer these questions I am joined with Lynda Meeks of GirlsWithWings.com.

Lynda is an accomplished pilot and an inspiration to all those who wish to pursue a career in aviation. She is one of the key players in motivating young girls to pursue a career as a pilot and is one of the shining lights in the flying world. If you or someone you know wants to fly and they think they can’t because they are a female, you need to hear what Lynda has to say.

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Lynda and I discuss:

Recommendation:

GirlsWithWings.com is a unique and fun website. It is entertaining, informative, and inspirational. I encourage you to visit the website if you have a young aviator interesting in flying.

If you have a child between the ages of 5 and 11 I highly recommend the wonderfully illustrated and inspiring story of Penelope Pilot and Her First Day as Captain. Join Penelope as she and the crew prepare for her exciting flight! All profits from the sales of this book benefit the non-profit organization Girls With Wings, Inc. It Includes a bonus stand up Penelope doll!

Thank you for listening to Aviation Careers Podcast. I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions for future shows. I can be reached at AviatonCareersPodcast.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and by e-mail.

The path to an aviation career is varied and exciting. By clearly defining your career aspirations and continually moving towards your career goal you will succeed.

If you or a girl you know wants to become a pilot remember the advice of Penelope Pilot, “Girls need Flight Plans, not Fairy Tales”. So start making your plans today.

I look forward to speaking with you in the next episode!

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Aviation Maintenance Technician, College, Financial Aid, Grants, Part 141 Flight School, Podcast, Scholarships

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

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Do you have an interest in becoming both a pilot and a mechanic? You would be surprised how many pilots hold a mechanic’s license. There are some advantages to being both. I discuss:

  • How you can be an operational asset because you can repair items which break and a mechanic is miles from your location.
  • Certain seemingly simple repairs must be signed off by a mechanic especially if it includes a safety wire.
  • Some pilot jobs including corporate jobs require a mechanic’s license.
  • Story of a simple bird strike which grounded our plane and how having a mechanic on board saved the day.

Interview

Teresa Ferent of National Aviation Academy in Clearwater, Florida invited me to speak with a variety of employees at their Clearwater Florida facility. National Aviation Academy has a long history of training mechanics and recently has added pilot training to their curriculum. I have worked with many of the mechanics and pilots who have graduated from the National Aviation Academy and can say first hand that they provide outstanding training.

We discuss:

A special thanks to those I spoke with at National Aviation Academy Including:

Teresa Ferent, Community Resource Representative
Angie Capriotti, Director Of Career Services
Richard Rios, Director Of Student Finance
John Okenfus, Assistant Director of Admissions
Marty Carpenter, Director Of Admissions for Professional PIlot Technology.

Recommended Products and Services:

The National Aviation Academy website has one of the most extensive repositories of information concerning careers as Aviation Maintenance Technicians and Pilots. They have outstanding online presentations concerning job prospects, salary expectations, and how to get your certificates. This is the first website I tell folks to turn to for information concerning becoming an aircraft mechanic. Even if you are not planning on attending the school I highly recommend the information they provide on this website.

For those who are interested in getting a jump start on becoming an Aviation Maintenance Technician or for those who already are AMT’s there is a handy reference for the iPhone and the iPad. I use their app for pilots and think it is one of the best organized and easiest to read Aviation Regulation reference for a mobile device. For more information on what is included in this reference click below:

FAR/AMT for the IOS device.

 

Engineer, Flight Attendant, Management, Podcast

Episode 005 – Most Aviation Career positions are non flying; Interview with Max Flight a manager with a large aircraft engine manufacturer.

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For those of us passionate about aviation there are a modicum of positions which allow us to foster our passion even if you don’t want to fly. As a matter of fact most aviation jobs are non flying positions. There is a wide variety of jobs available with the airlines and other businesses and government organizations that support the airlines.

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Delta Airlines has approximately 80,000 employees including all of their subsidiaries. Of that number approximately 12,400 pilots are employed with the airline. So if you are interested in a job in aviation but don’t want to fly there are many more career options. As a matter of fact for every pilot at an airline there are approximately 6 other employees which include ramp personnel, reservation agents, security, mechanics, managers, and customer service agents to name a few.

Interview: Today I have with me Max Flight who has enjoyed a long career in the field of aviation. Max has surrounded himself with aviation and airplanes all his life. Max has held many different positions with an aircraft engine manufacturer and we are excited to have him with us today to share his journey and some of the interesting jobs he has held in the field of aviation.

Max And I Discuss:

  • His background in aviation.
  • His educational background and how he obtained his current position with a large aircraft engine manufacturer.
  • What type of degree he has and what degree he would recommend for the type of jobs he has held.
  • Advice Max has for those interested in aviation wanting a regular schedule.
  • What other jobs in aviation Max has knowledge of that you may never have thought of but would be very interesting and which may foster your interest in the field of aviation.
  • Max’s other interests online including Thirty Thousand Feet, a huge online aviation directory; and The Airplane Geeks Podcast.

Product Recommendation:

Would you like to know more about becoming a flight attendant. One of the leading producers of aviation training materials has a good book for you to get started on your career path towards becoming a flight attendant.

Welcome Aboard : Your Career As a Flight Attendant

A resource suggested by our guest Max Flight is Betty In The Sky With a A Suitcase Podcast. Betty takes us along on her travels as a flight attendant and relates some very unique stories. Want to know what it’s really like to be a flight attendant then listen to her podcast. She also has a very popular book by the same name. You can read more about her book on Amazon.com.

Listen to Episode 005:

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College, Podcast

Episode 004: College Degree Choices, Interview With Airplane Geeks, and What Color Is Your Parachute.

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The majority of the pilots at the major airlines have a four year degree so to be competitive you should get your degree. Should you get a degree in aviation or in another field you are interested in?

This episode will take on a different format. Instead of having a guest I will share with you my guest appearance on the Airplane Geeks Podcast. We discussed many topics during the podcast and including information concerning job prospects and your degree choices. I think you will find the conversation interesting and insightful.

Before I get started I always like to begin the show with a readers question or some advice. Having helped many people find jobs in aviation one thing has always perplexed me. Why do so many people turn down flying jobs which will advance their career ? I have an interesting story where you can learn from the hardship of other pilots who turned down flying jobs that they felt were beneath them only to find out they can’t find a job anywhere else.

Let’s listen to my interview with the Airplane Geeks. We discuss:

  • Why I am doing the Aviation Careers Podcast.
  • The many jobs in aviation that are non flying and very fulfilling
  • Should you get a degree in aviation; a discussion with Rob Mark

Recommended Reading

This is the book I read when I began searching for a new career. It has been available for many years and is one of the best resources for discovering the career path you should choose. Not only does it help you discover what direction to take it helps you along the path towards finding a job.

I hope you have enjoyed Episode 4 of Aviation Careers Podcast. You can reach me on twitter, facebook, or by e-mail. If you have any questions concerning aviation jobs please feel free to contact me. I hope I have inspired you to further your career or look into a career in aviation.

It’s time to start living your dream and fulling your career goal today. Remember every step is an important step towards your career goal.


Flight Instructing, Flight Instructor, Part Time Aviation Career, Podcast

Episode 003 – How to be a Successful Part Time Flight Instructor

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Thinking of flight instructing part time? Today we will address the many benefits and challenges you will face. There are many reasons why you might choose to flight instruct part time which include:

  • You have a career you enjoy but want to share your passion for flying in a more profound way.
  • You are an experienced pilot who feels you can give back to the aviation community by passing along your knowledge.
  • You are thinking of a career as a pilot but don’t wish to make a full time commitment.
  • You are retired and are looking for another challenge in life.

Whatever your reason we will discuss becoming a successful part time flight instructor. I will discuss some of the aspects of being a flight instructor if you are currently a professional pilot including:

  • Getting permission from your employer.
  • Fight time and how it affects your full time flying position.
  • Violations and other risks that could affect your career as a professional pilot.

Today’s guest is Tom Halvorson. Tom has a challenging career unrelated to aviation and has been doing an outstanding job as a part time flight instructor. Tom and I will discuss:

  • Why he became a flight instructor. Tom’s story of how he changed a child’s life is truly inspirational and may bring tears to your eyes.
  • What he finds are the most rewarding aspects of being a flight instructor.
  • How to market yourself and obtain students.
  • Should you teach at more than one airport.
  • Insurance.
  • How to balance your full time job, family, and your instructing.

Recommendation:

Professional Pilot’s Career Guide by Rob Mark. If you are considering a career in aviation this should be the first book you read. You will discover what it is like to be a professional pilot and understand all aspects of the job including pay, work hours, lifestyle, and the not so glamorous side of flying. This is the book that was instrumental in my decision to become a professional pilot. To read more about the Professional Pilot’s Career Guide and discover what others have to say about this book go to Amazon.com.

Thanks for listening to the Aviation Careers Podcast. If you have any comments or questions for me or my guests feel free to contact me on facebook, twitter, or by e-mail.

Links:

Flight Instructor Non-owned Aircraft Liability Insurance Plan – Air-Pros Insurance Company

CFI Insurance – Avemco Insurance


Airline Captain, Career Change, Careers, Pilot Shortage, Podcast, Simulator Instructor, Women In Aviation

Episode 002 – Seniority, Age 65 and the Pending Pilot Shortage, Interview with a professional flight simulator instructor, and a product recommendation to enhance your flying career.

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Welcome to Episode 2 of the Aviation Careers Podcast. In today’s episode we will discuss:

What the term seniority means and how it impacts everyone involved in aviation.
The “age 65 rule “ and why it is affecting the pending pilot shortage.
What you should be reading if you plan on flying jets or more complex aircraft.

Our interview today is with Angie Terrell. Angie is a former airline Captain and has changed her career path recently to become a professional simulator instructor. In our interview we will discover:

  • What it’s like to be a simulator instructor.
  • What qualifications are needed to be a good simulator instructor.
  • What should you be doing if you want to become a simulator instructor.
  • What type of career progression can be expected.
  • What are the job prospects.
  • Who are the biggest employers of simulator instructors.
  • What is the lifestyle of a typical simulator instructor.

Recommended Reading:

The Turbine Pilots Flight Manual is the book I read before I moved up to larger more complex aircraft. It helped me when I began flying jets and turboprops because the book uses descriptions and diagrams which make even the most complex systems easy to understand.


Expatriate Flying, Pilot Shortage, Podcast

Episode 001 – Welcome To Aviation Careers Podcast. Why Should You Choose an Aviation Career? Interview with an expatriate pilot flying overseas. Recommended Products and Services.

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Welcome to Aviation Careers Podcast. My name is Carl Valeri and I blog at ExpertAviator.com.  There has been much discussion in the news about the pending pilot shortage.  Is this pilot shortage which has been promoted amongst the aviation career websites, media, and the flight schools a real problem?

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This podcast will discuss:

  • Information concerning the upcoming pilot shortage.
  • Your training options.
  • Why you should look towards a career in aviation.
  • The various aviation careers available.
  • The best course of action to achieve your aviation goals.


Before we get started let me introduce myself and tell you why I started this podcast. I am an airline Captain and flight instructor.  I write articles on my blog ExpertAviator.com concentrating on four subjects:

  • Learning to fly
  • Living the aviation lifestyle
  • Pursuing an aviation career
  • Explanations of technical concepts for all to understand


I have over ten years experience assisting unemployed pilots find new flying jobs and and in some cases helping pilots decide on the possibility of a career change.  I have worked with over a thousand pilots and have assisted in brokering interviews with numerous airlines in the United States and throughout the world.

I have discovered some great informational resources for aviation careers. Additionally, I have seen a few poor resources.  Some information can be confusing and at times misleading.  I have created Aviation Careers Podcast to assist you in determining which path is best for reaching your aviation career goals.

So let’s get started.  To truly be successful you should pursue a career that will fulfill your inner sense of purpose.  Once you understand your purpose and why you have chosen your career you must start down the path towards your goal with the flexibility and anticipation to change course often.  If you keep your eye on the goal choosing the correct path becomes easier. You will soon know whether your path is leading you closer or further away from your career goal. I hope this podcast will help you define your goal with more clarity and reach your aviation career goal.

Your goal may be to one day teach people how to fly. It might be flying passengers around the world in a large and sophisticated jet. It might be maintaining or building airplanes. Maybe you want to write about aviation. You may want to pursue a part time career in aviation.  Whatever path you choose in aviation I hope you find this podcast helpful.

Each episode will include three main segments:

  • Career advice and answers to listener e-mails.
  • Interviews with aviation professionals including pilots, mechanics, and recruiters.
  • Recommended aviation career products and services.


Instead of telling you why you should pursue a career in aviation let me tell you why I chose flying and flight instructing as my career goal. Maybe in my discussion you will find something that interests you.

I had an interest in aviation and flying from a young age but it was not until someone motivated me to pursue the dream of actually flying a plane that I headed down the path towards a career in aviation. It has been a varied and exciting road to where I am today but I have always enjoyed the journey.

The primary reason I fly is to see the world from a unique perspective. For me the world is always wonderful from the air. Dirty and dilapidated cities take on new light from the air.

The unique things I have seen from the air include, The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, the green flowing northern lights, and the Washington Monument through my left window as I pass below its top as I’m landing, and some of the most incredible sunrises and sunsets.

My second reason is the challenge. Every landing is different because the winds are never the same. One of the greatest challenges is flying in areas of weather such as thunderstorms, ice, and fog. There is a sense of accomplishment when you take this aerial vehicle through the air, find a runway amidst the thick fog, and land with precision.

Other aspects of aviation challenge our intellect such as planning our route around weather, choosing the safest route over terrain, and dealing with mechanical problems. At times I welcome the challenge when something breaks on the plane and then landing safely after a major system failure. I truly have a sense of accomplishment knowing that if I wasn’t there to guide the plane safely to the ground things might have ended differently.

If you asked me what is the number one thing that causes me to fly, I would tell you that it is the beauty of seeing the world from an amazing and exciting perspective . If you want to see the world from this perspective I hope you will at the very least take a flight in a small plane and fly over someplace you know or someplace you have always wanted to see. This new perspective in life might motivate you to become a pilot.

Interview

I spoke with Handel Wellington who is also very excited about flying and the wonderful adventures it brings to our life  Handel is an expatriate flying overseas and has some very interesting things to relate about flying around the world.

Handel also is one of the pilots who conducts interviews for the airline he flies for. I think you will find it interesting and helpful to listen to him as he discusses the things you should and should not do during interviews.

Recommendation

I am co host of an aviation podcast, The Stuck Mic AvCast, where we talk about learning to fly, living to fly, and loving to fly.  The other co hosts, Victoria, Len, and Rick, have a variety of aviation experiences so I encourage you to listen to the semi monthly show. A listener asked what are the pros and cons of flying for fun versus flying for work. In Episode 17 of The Stuck Mic AvCast – Flying for Fun Versus Flying For Hire  we answer the listeners question.

There are many opinions on the Internet and aviation forums, some from disgruntled airline pilots, other from passionate aviators looking to fly heavy iron. Both Len and I are airline pilots and Rick and Victoria fly for pleasure. The group discussion about the contrast of flying for fun or flying for a living are very interesting. Click here to view the show notes and listen to the discussion.

I look forward to talking to you in our next issue. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the website AviationCareerspodcast.com. You can also reach me at my aviation blog ExpertAviator.com and on twitter, facebook, and by e-mail.

Aviation Career Podcast hopes we can help you:

Define your dream and start living your dream!

Careers

Welcome

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Welcome to Aviation Careers Podcast. This podcast is for those interested in discovering more about the many careers in aviation. By listening to this podcast you will:

  • Discover the various aviation career fields with a focus on becoming a pilot.
  • Determine if a career in aviation is for you.
  • Learn how to advance your aviation career.
  • Discover jobs which allow you to work in your current profession while being able to enjoy a part time aviation career.
  • Learn the various paths toward reaching your aviation career goal.

My name is Carl Valeri and I have over twenty years of flying experience. Currently I fly as an airline captain and flight instructor.  For over ten years I have been assisting pilots find jobs and obtain interviews with numerous airlines in the United States and throughout the world. I have discovered some helpful resources for those considering an aviation career or trying to advance in their career.

To truly be successful you should pursue a career that will fulfill your inner sense of purpose.  Once you understand your purpose and why you have chosen your career you must start down the path towards your goal with the flexibility and anticipation to change course often.  If you keep your eye on the goal choosing the correct path becomes easier. You will soon know whether your path is leading you closer or further away from your career goal. I hope this podcast will help you define your career ambition with more clarity and help you reach your aviation career goal.

Your goal may be to one day teach people how to fly. It might be flying passengers around the world in a large and sophisticated jet. It might be maintaining or building airplanes. Maybe you want to write about aviation. You may want to pursue a part time career in aviation.  Whatever path you choose in aviation I hope you find this podcast helpful.

Each episode will include three main segments:

  • Career advice and answers to listeners e-mails.
  • Interviews with aviation professionals including pilots, mechanics, and recruiters.
  • Recommended aviation career products and services.


Aviation Career Podcast hopes we can help you define your dream and start living your dream!

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the website AviationCareersPodcast.com. You can also reach me at my aviation blog ExpertAviator.com and on Twitter, Facebook, and by e-mail.

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A Podcast about Achieving Your Aviation Career Goals