Hiring is on the uptick and many of you are headed for training at your first airline, here are the things you should do to prepare for your first airline job. I am Carl Valeri, an A320 captain and instructor with a major airline.
Memory Items and Limitations.
Study and be prepared.
Too many failures due to lack of studying.
You have a direct effect on changing this.
Use the correct study guide.
Prepare your friends and family.
Remind them this is like basic training in the military without the pushups.
Sleep.
Stay healthy.
Be flexible
Sims do break and schedules change in general.
Ask for help if needed.
Better to extend your training than fail a check-ride reportable to the FAA.
Keep studying.
If you get a long break between training events ask for more training.
Don’t try and be the ACE of the base.
Contingency planning.
What if you get sick?
What if a family member gets sick?
Visit our sponsor Stratus Financial - Where Dreams Take Flight. Stratus Financial offers loans for pilot training and they understand your needs because they are pilots! you can find more at https://stratus.finance/
Whether financing your dream of flying or simplifying the process by taking care of your student loans, their efficient, hassle-free funding can connect you to the life of your dreams of becoming a professional pilot sooner than you ever thought possible! To find out more https://stratus.finance
As a sponsor of this podcast, Stratus Financial is giving away scholarship guides and you can get yours for free using the coupon code “Stratus” when you visit https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/free/
The aviation industry has grown and is on a continued trajectory leading to a shortage of mechanics and pilots.. A challenge to aviation both today and for the foreseeable future is keeping quality mechanics and trying to slow the high turnover rates. Taking a unique approach to the problem of retention is CEO of JETS MRO Suresh Narayanan. If you are someone looking towards a career in aviation or trying to retain maintainers you will learn much from Suresh, a successful aviation entrepreneur and industry ambassador.
Suresh is a passionate aviator with a family tradition in aviation dating back to the Concord.
His Path To Jets MRO CEO.
What is JETS MRO?
Is there a high turnover of mechanics? If so, what industry is affected the most?
How do we address the high turnover rates of mechanics?
His path forward and outlook for the MRO industry.
Please visit our sponsor Stratus Financial – Where Dreams Take Flight. Stratus Financial offers loans for pilot training and they understand your needs because they are pilots! you can find more at https://stratus.finance/
As a sponsor of this podcast, Stratus Financial is giving away scholarship guides and you can get yours for free using the coupon code “Stratus” when you visit https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/scholarships/
Whether it’s financing your dream of flying or simplifying the process by taking care of your student loans, their efficient, hassle-free funding can connect you to the life of your dreams of becoming a professional pilot sooner than you ever thought possible! To find out more visit https://stratus.finance
Cruise Flight:
Fuel begins on the ground.
AvGas
Auto Fuel (Mo Gas)
Jet Fuel
Strategies to avoid misfuelling
What to do with spent fuel?
Know your Fuel System.
Do you know your system?
182 new vs old story from Carl.
Gravity fed
Fuel boost pumps
Aux fuel pumps
Aux Tanks - Super Cub
Know your fuel selector
Tools to manage fuel in flight.
Timer - Leslie
Audible reminder
Visual reminder
How far vs how long you can stay aloft
Leaning
Do you track your fuel consumption?
For instructors who is responsible for the fuel
Personal minimums
Where is it
Accident referenced in my opening: Jet A instead of 100L leads to a crash. https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100366
Loss of control. Contributing was the pilot's inadequate supervision of the fuel servicing.
Aircraft fleets are growing and the number of hours flown keeps increasing.
To fly these airplanes we need more mechanics both now and in the future.
The prospects are good for an annual growth rate of 5% per year according to government statistics.
Joining me today is an aircraft mechanic who helps mechanics reach their career goals.
Mark Joy is a certificated A & P mechanic with over 15 years of experience.
Mark has a specialized background in avionics and drone research and development.
To top it off, Mark is also a private pilot.
Mark also believes that you don’t need to spend tons of money to become a mechanic and explains why in this episode.
Questions feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com?
Send us your accomplishments and a photo if you want us to share in the podcast on YouTube to feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com
Talking Points:
Why Mark loves being a mechanic.
I find fulfillment in making things “work” again
I have ADHD and have found that there is something about doing hands-on work that gets me into the deep “flow” state
I enjoy solving hard problems
What type of job opportunities for mechanics?
Manufacturers
Airlines
Line Mx
Hangar Mx
General Aviation
Contracting
For civilian businesses
For the military/government
Drones
Drone delivery services
Google Wing
Zipline
Mana
Amazon (under construction)
Drone manufacturing & repair
Consumer
Military & Government use
Data collection
Space (rockets, satellites, etc)
Specializations within any of these:
Structures (sheet metal, composites)
NDT
Avionics
Powerplants
Manufacturing/Assembly
QA
R&D
You can also work outside the aviation sector:
Amusement parks
Renewable energy (wind turbines, solar, etc)
Railroads
Other manufacturing
Many other hands-on skilled trades
What the future of mechanic hiring looks like
Per Bureau of Labor Projection Stats thru 2033:
5% growth total (same as all other occupations)
8% for avionics
5% for other Mx, repair, and service
~13,400 job openings per year
Due to folks retiring or leaving for other fields
Growth in pax travel and shipping demand
May also see an uptick in space travel
Why you don’t need to spend a ton of money on getting your mechanic certification.
Employers know that if you are a new A&P, you’re going to need some level of job-specific training anyway
You have your A&P, or you don’t. How much you spent doesn’t really matter to employers.
A&P is generally accepted in aviation as a “license to learn”
If you already have the required experience, there is no FAA requirement to spend any money on a PT147 school if you don’t want to - you just need to prepare for the tests and pass them.
What are some of the misperceptions most have about being a mechanic?
If they’ve never picked up a wrench, you can’t do this job
They won’t be able to pass the tests
They won’t make very much money
2023 wages:
Top 10%: $115k
Median: $75k
Bottom 10%: $45k or less
How can we reach Mark?
Download my free ultimate guide on how to become a mechanic - https://markhjoy.com/guide
Email me: mark@markhjoy.com
Links:
Become an Aircraft Mechanic - Ultimate Guide | Free PDF download for listeners:
Leslie: I Hart aFlying Foundation “Fuel From the Hart” scholarship. Will be used toward Commercial Multi-engine add-on training.
Talking Points:
Reasons to Buy or Not Buy (Not just about money):
Cost/Utilization
24-hour availability
Type of aircraft
Exactly meet your mission
No unicorns.
Solo Ownership v Partnership
Costs
Control
Availability
Ability to Sell Plane
Common Mistakes made when purchasing an aircraft:
Not having a written purchase agreement
Using a poorly written purchase agreement
Not having an attorney review the agreement
Other costs - taxes/insurance/tiedown or hangar, etc.
Inadequate prebuy or no prebuy
In this episode, we will discuss the 10 reasons you should NOT become an airline pilot. In our last episode, we talked about the many great reasons to become an airline pilot but there are some reasons you should NOT become an airline pilot.
10 Reasons You Should NOT Become An Airline Pilot:
You are away from home many nights.
You will miss many holidays, birthdays, and family events.
If something goes wrong at home you might be thousands of miles away.
You like changing jobs often.
Don’t like an unstable industry prone to swings in the economy.
You don’t like continuous training and testing of your skills and knowledge.
You don’t like working in an enclosed environment.
You can work 16-hour days.
Income comes later during your career.
You don’t work well in stressful environments.
In the last episode, we answered whether you should become a pilot in 2025. In today’s episode, I want to get very specific as to why you should become an airline pilot. In future episodes, we will discuss reasons you should become a General Aviation Pilot.
Send us your accomplishments and a photo if you want us to share in the podcast on YouTube to feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com
10 Reasons You Should Become An Airline Pilot:
Visit the world and get paid.
Safest aviation work environment.
Great Pay and Benefits.
Travel the world for free.
When you are off you are off. No calling into work on days off.
No office politics since you don’t work in an office.
The Distinguished Flying Cross medal is awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. We are proud to announce that our Co-Host James Spearman has been Awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross and he is here to tell us about his experience leading to the award and how you can learn from his experience and apply it to your flying.
Cruise Flight
What Is the Distinguished Flying Cross?
Why James Was Awarded The Medal.
What James Learned From His Experience.
Fly the plane
How to decide what is wrong
Team
Good takeoff brief
Delegate
How Can We Apply His Experience To Our Flying?
Should you become a pilot in 2025? If you are considering becoming a pilot to pursue a career or work part-time as a commercial pilot I think 2025 is going to be a great year to become a pilot and I will show you why.
Send us your accomplishments and a photo if you want us to share in the podcast on YouTube to feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com
Talking Points
Why you should become a pilot even if you are not looking into a full-time career in aviation.
Benefits of being a pilot as a part-time career and how it will help you in your full-time job.
Why this is a perfect time to become a full-time pilot.
Hiring is about to increase.
18,500 jobs estimated YOY for the next ten years according to the BLS.
Even with bankruptcies, there is a rosy picture.
How to become a commercial pilot.
Most schools can help you with that.
How to become an airline pilot.
Build 1500 hours.
Do I need a degree?
No, but it makes you more competitive.
How To pay for it all?
Find a mentor or career coach. https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/coaching/
Watch upcoming videos including 10 reasons to become an airline pilot, 10 reasons you shouldn’t become an airline pilot, and how to not make a 3 million dollar mistake in your career.
The sponsor of this is Stratus Financial, Private Student Lending - For Pilots, By Pilots. Stratus Financial offers student loans for pilot training from zero to hero. Stratus Financial Understands your needs because they are pilots! You can find more at https://stratus.finance/
As a sponsor of this podcast, Stratus Financial is giving away scholarship guides and you can get yours for free using the coupon code “Stratus” when you visit https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/free/
Whether it’s financing your dream of flying, or simplifying the process by taking care of your student loans; their efficient, hassle-free funding can connect you to the life of your dreams of becoming a professional pilot sooner than you ever thought possible! To find out more visit https://stratus.finance
Want to truly feel like a bird and fly with the wind rushing by your face? You should try powered paragliding today! Our guest Noah will explain that it is easier and less expensive than you might think. Noah runs the All American Paramotor in Harrah Ok. Welcome to the show Noah
Talking Points:
What is Paramotoring (Powered Paragliding)?
Why is Noah passionate about Paramotors?
Noah’s aviation background.
Do I need a pilot certificate? How about a medical certificate?
How much does it cost?
Paramotor scholarships. (I only know of ones in the UK.)
How long does it take to learn to fly?
Weight limits.
Are there rules you have to follow?
How is the experience, what is it like to fly a paramotor?
How is flying a paramotor different from flying an airplane? (Maybe more of a question for Russ)
Sponsor:
Visit our sponsor Stratus Financial - Where Dreams Take Flight. Stratus Financial offers loans for pilot training and they understand your needs because they are pilots! You can find more at https://stratus.finance/
As a sponsor of this podcast, Stratus Financial is giving away scholarship guides and you can get yours for free using the coupon code “Stratus” when you visit https://www.stuckmicavcast.com/free/
Whether financing your dream of flying or simplifying the process by taking care of your student loans, their efficient, hassle-free funding can connect you to the life of your dreams of becoming a professional pilot sooner than you ever thought possible! To find out more https://stratus.finance
