Future in Aviation for my Son?

As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

He's a senior in high school, and is wondering what to do with the
rest of his life. His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

He's now toying with the idea of a career in aviation. Possibilities
include:

- Commercial pilot
- Helicopter pilot
- Something on the business side of aviation.

I need some first-hand experiences, please. Hours worked, what to
expect at the entry level, how much college does your job require,
types of skills required, etc. What kinds of careers are out there
right now? What sort of college degree should a 17 year old pursue in
order to come out the other end with a successful job in aviation?

We're filling out applications for colleges, and his choice of
colleges will be steered by his decisions. Your input is very much
appreciated!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Oct 10, 6:24 pm, Jay Honeck wrote:
As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

He's a senior in high school, and is wondering what to do with the
rest of his life. His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

Become an Engineer and then buy his own plane.

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Oct 10, 6:24 pm, Jay Honeck wrote:
As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

He's a senior in high school, and is wondering what to do with the
rest of his life. His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

Become an Engineer and then buy his own plane.


Ha, ha. Very funny. Become an engineer and watch your job be out-sourced by
some doofus with an MBA who doesn't know which end is up, but can run a
spreadsheet.

His "timing" may just be right.. 4yr college degree at an aviation college,
get it in management of some type, or engineering may be better and get the
ratings... the "bottom of the food chain" is being sucked dry around here.

Used to be the local "ditch runners" flying turbo props for tourists to the
Grand Canyon required 1500hrs total time and 500 multi
now they are taking 500hr pilots with a Commercial Multi Instrument to "ride
right seat", entry level wages at $15-16K. Move up to Captain in a couple of
years at double the wage.

The entry level positions are open, because those Captains with experience
are being sucked into the regional's as everyone moves up the food chain
with the SBBP (Senior Baby Boomer Pilots) facing mandatory retirement at
age. Did I see a report last week that the first of the Baby Boomers are now
Medicare and Social Security eligible?

Most of our local "young CFIs" are coming from three places, staying about
12-18 months and moving on.

UND, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks ND
ERAU, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott AZ
Utah State University, Logan UT,
http://www.usu.edu/majorsheets/04-05/Pilot04.pdf

One of my co-workers son completed the Utah State program and stayed as an
instructor and is doing very well.
BT

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...
As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

He's a senior in high school, and is wondering what to do with the
rest of his life. His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

He's now toying with the idea of a career in aviation. Possibilities
include:

- Commercial pilot
- Helicopter pilot
- Something on the business side of aviation.

I need some first-hand experiences, please. Hours worked, what to
expect at the entry level, how much college does your job require,
types of skills required, etc. What kinds of careers are out there
right now? What sort of college degree should a 17 year old pursue in
order to come out the other end with a successful job in aviation?

We're filling out applications for colleges, and his choice of
colleges will be steered by his decisions. Your input is very much
appreciated!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:
As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

He's a senior in high school, and is wondering what to do with the
rest of his life. His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

He's now toying with the idea of a career in aviation. Possibilities
include:

- Commercial pilot
- Helicopter pilot
- Something on the business side of aviation.

I need some first-hand experiences, please. Hours worked, what to
expect at the entry level, how much college does your job require,
types of skills required, etc. What kinds of careers are out there
right now? What sort of college degree should a 17 year old pursue in
order to come out the other end with a successful job in aviation?

We're filling out applications for colleges, and his choice of
colleges will be steered by his decisions. Your input is very much
appreciated!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"


Maybe the field of commercial aviation may be OK but tell
him to stay away from the FAA or any aviation related
Government employment here in America if he is a
heterosexual white male.

There is absolutely no future in American Government service
or American big business unless he is:

1. Gay
2. A Black Female
3. An Overweight white female with nose warts

I would encourage him to pursue flying with a foreign
airline and learn another language maybe Chinese.

Jay Honeck wrote:
His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

What type of engineering was he interested in?

On Oct 10, 7:07 pm, "Tom Conner" wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in oglegroups.com...

On Oct 10, 6:24 pm, Jay Honeck wrote:
As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

He's a senior in high school, and is wondering what to do with the
rest of his life. His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

Become an Engineer and then buy his own plane.

Ha, ha. Very funny. Become an engineer and watch your job be out-sourced by
some doofus with an MBA who doesn't know which end is up, but can run a
spreadsheet.

Uh, I'm an engineer with mulitple patents AND an MBA. No shortage of
jobs here in the U.S.. I get calls frequently. Lots of companies are
having a very, very hard time filling recs in the U.S. There just
aren't enough engineers. We have people getting hired right out of
school and getting relocation packages to move across the country. Its
pretty slim pickings for employeers out there.

-Robert'

On Oct 10, 6:24 pm, Jay Honeck wrote:
As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

Yea we know. You flood usnet with every little thing that goes on in
your life (G).

He's now toying with the idea of a career in aviation. Possibilities
include:

- Commercial pilot
- Helicopter pilot
- Something on the business side of aviation.

All kidding aside, I can only help you with the first option. Airline
pilots make less $$$$ now than they did 10 or 20 years ago (Not
complaining here, I am sure this is true of many ocupations) . And the
future is bleak. Add to this the complete lack of benifits packages at
most carriers and it is not a career path most airline guys will
recommend.

I need some first-hand experiences, please. Hours worked, what to
expect at the entry level, how much college does your job require,
types of skills required, etc. What kinds of careers are out there
right now? What sort of college degree should a 17 year old pursue in
order to come out the other end with a successful job in aviation?

As far as college; Tell your boy to do what ever he wants but stay
away from most of theses aviation colleges ESPECIALLY Embry Riddle. I
have known many who have graduated from there and I have never heard
anyone say anything good about the place. Their people are ALLWAYS the
last to get hired (This is not a big deal when times are good, but
when thing slow down your boy could be tending bar for years).

Jay Honeck
IA
Pathfinder N56993www.AlexisParkInn.com

On Oct 10, 8:30 pm, Richard Riley wrote:
On Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:07:20 -0700, "Tom Conner"
wrote:







"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Oct 10, 6:24 pm, Jay Honeck wrote:
As many of you know, my son is taking flight lessons. He's past solo,
and into his cross-country flights.

He's a senior in high school, and is wondering what to do with the
rest of his life. His initial aim has been going into engineering,
but has decided that math is not something he truly enjoys. (Although
he's good at it -- far, far more advanced than I am.)

Become an Engineer and then buy his own plane.

Ha, ha. Very funny. Become an engineer and watch your job be out-sourced by
some doofus with an MBA who doesn't know which end is up, but can run a
spreadsheet.

Become an engineer

Get an MBA

Become a VP of engineering.

Not everyone is that smart. I guess we need to keep jobs around for
those with less intellect.

-Robert

On Oct 10, 7:10 pm, "BT" wrote:
His "timing" may just be right.. 4yr college degree at an aviation college,
get it in management of some type, or engineering may be better and get the
ratings... the "bottom of the food chain" is being sucked dry around here.

Used to be the local "ditch runners" flying turbo props for tourists to the
Grand Canyon required 1500hrs total time and 500 multi
now they are taking 500hr pilots with a Commercial Multi Instrument to "ride
right seat", entry level wages at $15-16K. Move up to Captain in a couple of
years at double the wage.

The entry level positions are open, because those Captains with experience
are being sucked into the regional's as everyone moves up the food chain
with the SBBP (Senior Baby Boomer Pilots) facing mandatory retirement at
age. Did I see a report last week that the first of the Baby Boomers are now
Medicare and Social Security eligible?

Pilots with experience are also getting lured overseas with high wages
to help start new national airlines around the world.