Sat Nov 07, 2020 12:09 pm
#1807600
Some sensible input above IMHO.
I think that anyone spending money on commercial flying training at the moment, needs to think very carefully indeed. Even spending money on instructor ratings could require some realistic thought; new PPLs could be few and far between if the economy does collapse the way some believe it will. Getting a fATPL via the now typical 18 month integrated route is surely not very sensible, for all the reasons stated above.
I can see the sense in gaining a PPL, getting some experience, adding a night rating, an instrument rating of some sort, doing it in the style of the old self-improver route and just enjoying the journey slowly. That way you can be ready to react when things pick up. They will, but there is a lot of surplus to soak up judging by the various friends in hold pools, in part time working or with no job at all.
Aviation is hard. It always has been.
On the flip side, it is filled with the most amazing experiences. The views, the destinations, the cultures (though this becomes less so with modern LOCO operations), it kinda makes it all worthwhile. Until you can't pay the mortgage and need something else to fall back on. The advice to go and get some solid training and experience in another field before trying aviation has never been more appropriate.
As someone who relies on instructing and examining to help pay for my toys, I am not going to get excited about the next year or two. When it does bounce back, it will be a very different industry IMHO and I have to say I am fortunate to be in the GA side and not the airline side of the industry. However, fully aware that ALL parts of aviation are creaking currently.
Prospective pilots...?
Don't overpay for training.
Much like @Flintstone says, resist paying for type ratings; if only everyone stuck together it wouldn't happen. Bonding is fair and personally I have also honoured both of those I have done.
Do what you think is right, so long as you have thought long and hard about it. Tenacity pays dividends, but job markets are tough normally, let alone now or in the short term future.
Be in it for the long term.
I think that anyone spending money on commercial flying training at the moment, needs to think very carefully indeed. Even spending money on instructor ratings could require some realistic thought; new PPLs could be few and far between if the economy does collapse the way some believe it will. Getting a fATPL via the now typical 18 month integrated route is surely not very sensible, for all the reasons stated above.
I can see the sense in gaining a PPL, getting some experience, adding a night rating, an instrument rating of some sort, doing it in the style of the old self-improver route and just enjoying the journey slowly. That way you can be ready to react when things pick up. They will, but there is a lot of surplus to soak up judging by the various friends in hold pools, in part time working or with no job at all.
Aviation is hard. It always has been.
On the flip side, it is filled with the most amazing experiences. The views, the destinations, the cultures (though this becomes less so with modern LOCO operations), it kinda makes it all worthwhile. Until you can't pay the mortgage and need something else to fall back on. The advice to go and get some solid training and experience in another field before trying aviation has never been more appropriate.
As someone who relies on instructing and examining to help pay for my toys, I am not going to get excited about the next year or two. When it does bounce back, it will be a very different industry IMHO and I have to say I am fortunate to be in the GA side and not the airline side of the industry. However, fully aware that ALL parts of aviation are creaking currently.
Prospective pilots...?
Don't overpay for training.
Much like @Flintstone says, resist paying for type ratings; if only everyone stuck together it wouldn't happen. Bonding is fair and personally I have also honoured both of those I have done.
Do what you think is right, so long as you have thought long and hard about it. Tenacity pays dividends, but job markets are tough normally, let alone now or in the short term future.
Be in it for the long term.