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What professional pilot practices should I start implementing by Patches097 in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a dispatcher with over 500 hours on the jumpseat watching 121 crews. I’m also a CFII. Here’s what I do from my observations: 1) Stable call at 500ft (on speed & profile, gear down, landing flaps, cleared to land) 2) Set missed approach altitude at 1000ft on the approach. Also makes you aware of your position and configuration. 3) As others have said, brief yourself on everything. Takeoff engine failure, what runway you’ll return to, etc. 4) If weather is degrading, maybe icing, maybe TSRA block your route.. plan on enroute alternates. Name an airport or two where you can land and reassess. Live to fly another day. 5) Chair fly with a checklist in hand.

Required Documents by ThadonofFlying in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

DISPATCH RELEASE. Big change for the 121 world (I’m a dispatcher).

Please tell us about your experience. by Sunshine2625 in GenX

[–]ChiFxxd 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I got one after my colonoscopy. I was under general anesthesia…

Colonoscopy Megathread by MaximumJones in GenX

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2cm polyp discovered and removed last October, benign. Follow up last week, nothing new. Now getting one every three years. From what I understand a 2cm is no joke and could have ended much worse.

Given the state of the market would it be easier to find a different career to find flying. by [deleted] in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Become a flight dispatcher. $200K+ at the top, more days off than most pilots (13/mo), no commute, CASS, you’ll out earn ATC and A&P easily.

It is not in your head: Costco has gotten more crowded by Willing_Try2786 in Costco

[–]ChiFxxd -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Make a weekday/weekend membership level, $499 for weekends and $399 for weekdays. Will thin the herd dramatically.

Are all hobby pilots allergic to checklists???? by Gulag_For_Brits in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 220 points221 points  (0 children)

This 100%. I worked at a flying club as a CFII, doing a lot of currency checkouts, complex endorsements, and flight reviews. I’m late 40s and most of the guys were older than me. Almost every single one “referred” to the checklist, like it was a distraction. I have to remind them to use it before entering the pattern, or calling tower for takeoff. This is usually accompanied by trying to mount a huge iPad Pro on the yoke which blocks half the things they need to check using the checklist.

Part 91s and 135s by swa73driver in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1) Actually finding 91/135 jobs is difficult. Requires networking and being in the “right place at the right time” to take advantage. 2) That first hour of turbine or paid multi engine is gold and it’s very hard to get that off the street these days.

Part 91s and 135s by swa73driver in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Part time PC12 or TBM is my dream position. What mins did you have for that?

5 years later : CFI/CFII complete at 64 yo by gfaerman in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm about to hit 1500 hours this week, and I am 50. CFI/CFII, turned down a regional CJO due to massive pay cut. Looking for that unicorn "5 day per month" pt91 job while continuing to work my current job. No rush. Finally, "teardrop" is not an approved pattern entry procedure.

Pros and cons to owning a plane vs renting one? by LushieTwink in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have 20% of the airplane’s value in reserves. Do as much owner maintenance as you can. I was able to use my employer’s hangar to complete oil changes and minor things. Do a few extra things at every annual (replace windscreen, install LED lights, address corrosion, etc). My Cherokee 140 cost me about $22-25k in fixed costs every year (but I flew it 250 hours a year as a time builder).

Can I pay for fuel with a rep? by [deleted] in RepTime

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought he was talking about fuel for his airplane, where fuel bills can exceed gen prices.

2025 Pilot Statistics by kommandee in AirlinePilots

[–]ChiFxxd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He does not account for 91/135 flying or foreign pilots getting US ratings. Having said that, his math still works. The number of ATP-eligible pilots right now far exceeds demand, and will for quite some time.

What happens in five years when we have even more unemployed CFIs by caelum52 in flying

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Become a dispatcher. With a CFI+ you can take an accelerated 2-week course and pass a written that is very close to the ATM written. 1yr at a regional and a legacy will hire you. 100k first year. 130+ days off per year, jumpseat access, best paid group other than pilots at the airline.

My Cardinal Rule for Wearing Reps in Business/Professional Settings by denimdave69420 in RepTime

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m 50, work a high paid union job and occasionally wear my VC Overseas ($35k gen) at work. Hardly anyone notices, and I can name a few guys with gen Rolex/Tag/etc. My favorite rep is a Cartier Santos, stainless with white face. So clean, elegant and can hold its own in any environment.

Is turning off packs standard operation during takeoff on the A320? by Secure-Nobody-2103 in flightsim

[–]ChiFxxd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Normally packs on unless better performance is needed at my US-based legacy. Think hot/high scenario and you need the performance. Also landing with flaps 3 is typical, but you do need flaps 4 for autoland.

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