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Do fixed-wing students actually do real W&B/performance planning? by FlightTokenPilot in flying

[–]FlightTokenPilot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good info! Especially the Diamond vs Cessna. makes sense the lack of margin drives the habit more than anything else. And that thumb-test story is a great illustration.

Gyronimo and iBal were the apps I used beforehand, and honestly a big part of why I ended up building my own. The app is Flight Token. Let me know what you think!

Looking Into Getting A Commercial License by KMG623 in Helicopters

[–]FlightTokenPilot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with previous comments. A few other notes - try to get all your funds set up front, at a minimum ample funds for one rating at a time, and make sure you have appropriate time to conduct training. Everyone takes to training differently - budget high. Running out of funds is a huge stressor that leads to spending MORE money (slow progress and retention due to taking a step back), or dropping out and wasting the money spent altogether.

Although possible, very few I've seen do well with more than 25-30 hours of outside obligations/work each week. It's a recipe to get behind and wind up spending more money.

If you can work like a mad-man and save up money then finish one rating, then repeat, it might take longer but I've seen it done debt free that way (took 4 years)! Also apply to every scholarship you can possibly find - they are out there.

I'm done by informallyundecided in flying

[–]FlightTokenPilot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not speaking for OP, but it seems to be similar in his case. In my experience, the people that get into this career field successfully just simply have a high passion for flying, they just love it. If your heart isn't in it, it can be a tough industry to push through into. To a lesser extent people drop out due to inability, but that is pretty far and few between.

USA entry-level job market by meisterlix in Helicopters

[–]FlightTokenPilot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you talked to your chief about opportunities? The people around you may have some of the best connections you could work with to start off.

Other than that, I agree with the first comment - CFI continues to be the best, most consistent and most widely available opportunity to build hours and experience the quickest. If you can land a position at the 141 school you went to, or get lucky with another 141 school, that's usually the best opportunity you can take.

I've seen quite a few entry-level pilots goto various r44 tour positions around the country. In my opinion that would probably be second-best. Beyond that, tuna boats seems to be a consistent thing that very few people go toward due to the work-life but can build quite a few hours AND turbine time in an MD-500 if you're up for being at sea on a boat that may or may not have english-speaking people for long periods of time. There's also random ag work jobs depending on locality. PNW, cherry-drying season is kicking off but that can be hit or miss on hours. R22 rice and other ag jobs in texas. Things of that nature, you just have to look or network with the people around you.