Jack's question applies to me so much. 18 years ago I was offered a teacher aide position in a preschool, and through that decided to stay with teaching because I couldn't afford flight school. Flying was always in the back of my mind and recently I was finally able to start pursuing it. Funny thing is, having taught little kids for 18 years, I already have the communication, patience and I don't panic in a real emergency. I could probably be a very good CFI, I just can't see myself doing it. I want to LEAVE teaching, not go from teaching to teaching. At this point my main goal is to accumulate hours through my PPL and then CPL training, get my instrument and transport certificate, then get into something like aerial tours, and/or hauling cargo. I've also looked into joining aviation clubs where I would be able to build hours, and also have been working on connecting with pilots who would like to share hours.

I got a job flying king airs at 260 hours TT. Then started flying Lear jets at 1100TT. At 1500 TT I got my ATP and fly a 767 all over world. Glad that I took a chance and didn’t instruct. Opened so many doors so early in my career.

Me: Amazed that pilots can safely take off and land in a multi hundred ton aircraft. Pilots: amazed by an audio recording.

I skipped being a CFI. Wish I didn’t though. I think it would make me a better pilot today. Being able to see mistakes happen before they begin is key. IMHO

I did 3 years on floats, Cessnas, DH Beaver, Noorduyn Norseman and Beech 18. That is where I really learned to fly and make decisions. Later went on to fly various Airbus and Boeing aircraft before I retired and flew Gulfstream and Globals. The foundation for my career was those first 3 years. Whatever you decide has to be the right thing for you. Your career will look after itself with the right work ethic and attitude.

When you teach, you really learn.

Please do... there are so many bad CFIs we're getting a blind creating the blind situation. Lets break that cycle... fly cargo

Best thing I did after 1100 dual given was the caravan job I got. I flew over 250 actual instrument hours in less than a year. Shooting approaches in minimums, dealing with “real” (Not simulated ifr) weather, icing condition, real decision making is some of the things you cannot get from any cfi job. Yes, cfi is a good start but as soon as you get your 1200 hrs look for something closer to the airline world for the last 300hrs before you hit the atp minimums and move on to the airlines.

Never got my CFI or a college degree. I flew traffic watch and ferried planes for a sales company along with working line service pumping gas at a FBO. Also made connections at the FBO. Got hired at a regional with about 900TT/100 MEL. Current job is 747-400 CA for a cargo airline. It can be done.

I see a lot of rotating survey outfits that run twins. Inland definitely. A lot of it is geographic or insurance related. The twins have more space for gear and operators and also keep exhaust off the camera glass without the need for special exhaust extenders. Aztecs and the like. Slow but super stable.

This was a great question!

I'm the Chief pilot of a 91/135/121 operator (Gulfstream & Boeing). From a corporate standpoint, I know CFI's will know how to deal with a variety of personalities which is critical to charter operations and dealing with owners. Airlines? Not so much: close the door and fly the trip. I know box runners will have EXCELLENT IFR skills as they are flying in weather all the time in older equipment- but they will need to learn to work as a crew. This is an unprecedented time for less experienced pilots affording opportunities to advanced equipment. Best of luck.

Hey thanks for the great video. Any thoughts on being a factory/aircraft delivery pilot for Textron or Piper? Do you think you could build hours quickly at those jobs?

This podcast is 2 years old. However, I still think that it is still implied till this day. Thank you so much for the question and answers! I, myself, am a non-native speaker. I have been so interested in learning to become an Airlines pilot. However, the flight hours requirement even for regional airlines is quite difficult for me because I don't have that teaching abilities. Also, as a non-native speaker I cannot speak as fluently. This is what sets me back as well as the cost.

Great video. Iive in texas so i will look into pipleine or the survey route. I, too, do not want to teach.

This helps a lot because I don’t want to be a CFI for money purposes. I went to ATP and had to leave them and it left me in severe debt. So commercial license only for me

Great episode, good guidance. New subscriber here 👍🏼

I just seen a job posting for Air Canada flying Q400s, minimum hours needed was 250 plus 100 PIC. That's low hours needed but it makes it appealing and gives people hope that you can do it , never give up everyone, only dream and then achieve.

Is the book available in audible

What they don’t tell you is most of these jobs require you to have at least 400 hours and if you’re just getting you CPL and your close to 250 you still have to invest another 150 hours at least

I just got my commercial with 160 TT what recommendation does anyone have to skip cfi

Considering pursuing and understand the stated demand for pilots over the next decade however: Won’t AI take over the jobs like airplane surveillance and cargo delivery? Like soon… thinking drones

To be an airline pilot, what licences do I need?

Being a flight instructor is high risk because if your student screws up on a solo, you are held liable, they dont tell you that.

I would get my cfi if I had the money for it. I keep applying to all the pipeline and survey jobs but I can't get a response.

Is there value in earning a CFI and CFII if I don’t intend to be an instructor? I’m not interested in airlines… would rather eventually work corporate or for a private owner. I’d love to work early in my career flying a Pilatus PC-12 or King Air before moving on.

I have my ATP and never got my CFI. I have over 12,000 flight hours.

It's wonderful that this individual was able to find that position at commercial minimums...however, it's is extremely rare...and most of the time, you need to know someone and be well connected. Realistically, being a cfi can assure you consistent flight time for most individuals...however, everyone doesn't want to teach. This is a critical time for professional pilots in their careers and its takes alot of patience to be able to wait for those opportunities. Right now, I'm over 500 total doing flight tours. I was very fortunate to even get that position to build time. I'm still looking to get my CFI initial.., however, I'm still waiting to hear back from some part 135 operations

What are some great cities to do cargo flights? is Miami a good market?

Hey guys I am planning to start my ppl and hopefully make a living out of it. But I have a reckless driving on my drivers license back in 2019 and I was wondering if that would be a problem.

For everyone commenting that you don’t need a degree or cfi/cfii/Mei… it’s True, many airlines or 91/135 ops do not require a college degree currently or cfi experience, though it will make a difference. The difference will be in pay and safety. A degree will net you more money and the ability to be a captain(sooner/or is required in some cases). Being a CfI will make you a safer pilot and help you better understand human psychology. You will be a better person because of it, you will mesh better in a multi-crew (CRM) environment, and most importantly… a better leader. Instructing could hold you back in the sense of a career path, so do what you like! Many airlines love to see CFI experience AND 91/135 experience prior to entering the 121 world.

There's no pilot shortage; there are LOTS of people willing to do the job, and the barrier to entry is high (and rightfully so). I've met many people willing to fly for a living but it was just really difficult/impossible for them to build time or earn enough $$ to build time.

I live in Florida... hopefully I can get a job as a banner towing pilot with only 250 hours. haha.

They destroyed my dream of being a airline pilot with the medical mandates. Guess I'll just be private forever...

Is it to late to start training at 37yrs old?

The field is oversaturated with YT people I couldn't do it

Just rember you can't be a pilot if you have been jabbed. You put everyone in danger.

I’m sorry but if you skipped CFI there is an EXTREMELY high chance you are not as a good a pilot as you should be. That’s just the facts.

yea good luck with that unless you know someone, until 500h you simply uninsurable

f aerial survey , friend died crashed into the mountain , bad planning sure but the job is shit regardless