What makes you happy?

tip tank · Post by **tip tank** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:47 pm

How many of you guys knew after finishing what would make you happy in your flying. For ex: Did you know you would like the airlines, or a medivac job, or even instructing. How many of you guys balance on the fence between a turbine full time position with relatively low pay, or a piston twin job that maybe seasonal that pays great... What would some of you do? Would you settle for the great pay, or take the full time turbine job just becasue it is turbine full time?

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:04 pm

Admitedly I'm not there yet, but I think I know what will make me happy. Working for Bombardier as a test pilot, experimental or production. Its not extrodinary pay, but not bad once in a senior position. It allows me to have a stable life and a family some day, with a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job with the occasional travelling. It's eternally challenging, and are faced with potential problems every flight that keeps you on your toes. It never becomes routine.

But I am having fun now too. I like my classes, I enjoy instructing. But I can't see myself instructing forever. I'm not a big fan of dealing with the public. I can be good at it, except I don't enjoy it a whole lot when it's day in and day out.

I also look forward to the adventure to become a test pilot. I look forward to gaining experience with Charters, flying town to town in Canada seeing different places in this wonderful country, meeting experienced pilots.

All in all, flying makes me happy, as long as I can be in the air every so often, and not bored with routine, I am happy.

I'd Rather Be Flying · Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:05 pm

My thoughts are that any flying is good flying. Even though it's a long, hard road; by paying your dues, working hard, and sticking it out you eventually get to where you want to be. So, at least for me, through the bad and the good, instructing or otherwise, flying has still been the best choice.

And attitude (a positive one) goes a long way in this industry. As long as you're happy in the work you're doing, you're further ahead than most.

Clear skies!!

ahramin · Post by **ahramin** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 5:59 pm

Hey Right Seat Captain.

How do you plan on being a test pilot without going to test pilot school?

Just curious as i have never seen an opening for a test pilot that did not specify Canadian Air Force / U.S. Armed Forces Test Pilot School as a requirement.

Oh, and as far as the thread subject goes, i have met a ton of airline pilots who all thought that their dream was to be an airline pilot and now they just want to bid reserve so that they can be at home. I hope i can make some good coin without going to the airlines as stability and time at home are not what i want out of life. That may change.

ahramin

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 6:22 pm

There are many civilian test pilots who have not passed through test pilot school. To get into most test pilot schools, you must either be sent by the military or a company, since it costs upwards of $500 000 to attend the year long course. Usually a company like Bombardier will hire pilots with Engineering degrees that have operational experience to conduct production flight tests. This means testing aircraft that come off teh production line. As you become more senior in these ranks, they select candidates to send to National Test Pilot School (NTPS) at Edwards AFB in California, to move on to Experimental Test Piloting in Witchita. It is true that there are also many test pilots who have passed through the military, who have also attended NTPS, but my eyesight prevented me from joining the military (which I still hate the military for). But at Bombardier in Dorval, many are civilians who didn't have $500 000 sitting in their dirty pair of pants to pay for NTPS.

Also as a note, Canada does not have a test pilot school. The RCAF sends their candidates to Edwards fro NTPS, and some to ETPS in Britain, and another I can't remember the name of in France.

... · Post by **...** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:37 pm

I always wanted to be a float pilot but had a change of heart.....

Could not find water...but I am good on pavement!!!

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:31 pm

That hurts just looking at it!

oldtimer · Post by **oldtimer** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:38 pm

You can always tell you are an old freight dog when.
the airplane is older than you are and your pushing middle age.
youhave to requalify for daylight landings.
the FBO hides the popcorn machine cause you plan on making a meal out of it. etc,etc.
Nobody ever mentions the world of the night freighter. Things have changed a lot in the last few years. Terrible hours, airplanes are still ugly but are airworthy, pay is getting better, flying is great. Accurate loads, good flight planning, a good schedule. I did freight for 8 years and never worked weekends and never missed a payday.

OW · Post by OW » Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:09 pm

I seem to remember a certain young nurse, on a certain cross country flight through central Alberta back in the 70's. Boy she was agile. I just didn't think that could be done in a C150.

Oh sorry, I guess that wasn't what you meant.

tip tank · Post by **tip tank** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:54 am

Nice. I'm starting to think that I will not find my passion until I try it. Who knows what you'll be happy doing until you actualy do it. Just have to keep trying new things until I find somthing that I like. I use to think that the airlines is where i wanted to be, but have a broader view of all the opportunities there are now a days.

KMAC · Post by **KMAC** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 6:22 am

Variety is the spice of life. I know exactly how you feel, tip tank. I'm sitting on the fence at this very moment with that exact dilemma. Leave what I'm doing now for a lower-paying turbine FO job, or stick it out here with the better coin til my training's all paid off. Tough one.

As far as the type of flying I'd ultimately like to do goes: it has changed so much since I actually started. I enjoyed instructing at the time. I'm enjoying the charter work now and CFI duties now. I do some corporate here and there. It's all fun. Once I would have said airlines and nothing but. However, having spoken to guys who have been there and done it - it doesn't really sound all that great. Airline guys get less stick time than instructors! Mind you, they're not living with mom'n dad either.

See? Tough one.

tip tank · Post by **tip tank** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 11:06 am

That is exactly what I am talking about. The ultimate dream back then, has changed dramatically, to the point now where I could not care less if i ever got behind the stick of an Airbus or a Boeing. Job security, pay cuts, not knowing if your pention will be there once you retire???? I dont think it is worth it anymore....The picture is slowly fading!

I love flying, just dont think I would enjoy that kinda flying.

corn-shoot · Post by **corn-shoot** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:02 pm

Like my friend at the top there, the bombardier test pilot, I really believe that I am going to enjoy being an astronaut.

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:23 pm

Corn I'm sure I really understand your post, but are you saying my goal is unattainable?

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:28 pm

He may be thinking it is for him.........

ROUNDPOUNDER · Post by **ROUNDPOUNDER** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 9:32 pm

Be careful what you wish for in case you get it!!!!

Leaky Float · Post by **Leaky Float** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 2:19 am

Well folks, I personally think you all are on the wrong path. You are (from my perspective anyhow) looking for a situational ideal to make you happy. Happyness is not found in your work, not in family, not in the new shotgun, nor the new set of golf clubs, but rather from within. I know this is sounding way San Fran Sisco but looking for others to make you happy won't and I'll repeat won't work. Yaul need to make a conscious choice that you are going to be happy and you WILL. Make the best with what you have, and when you wake up every morning tell yourself today is a great day to be alive, and I'll do the best job I can. Living ones life with excillence is a grand reward in and of its self.

tip tank · Post by **tip tank** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 6:57 am

That sounds like a very nice and disciplined attitude, but i'm sorry, that does'nt always work. It is great to be alive, but that itself is not enough. Work, family, social life etc.....all add to overall happiness. If your not happy in your marriage, do u stay in it? If you dont like your job, do you not look for other work that will satisfy you, and if your taking part in an activity or sport that you dont like, will you continue to take part in it? Flying is a love, BUT, type of flying is even a greater love that you have to enjoy to do it. That is my take on life.

Redwine · Post by **Redwine** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 8:12 am

Read this a while ago and I'll pass it on;

So, how can you be happy today? Follow these easy steps:

1. Accept That You Deserve To Be Happy.

If you don't think that you deserve to be happy, then no wonder you're not. The messages you give yourself determine what direction your life will take. If you are telling yourself that you are unworthy or don't deserve happiness, then how can you expect to be happy?

2. Accept Who You Are.

Being happy today is accepting who you are; the good, the bad and the ugly. It's knowing that you are doing the best you can do, and being content with that. I'm not saying to ignore what you'd like to improve in your life, but if you only see what's missing, you lose out on "loving" what's great about you.

3. Be Comfortable Where You Are.

Being happy today means being comfortable where you are in the present, not where you would like to be in the future. It's about being in awe for the opportunity to learn something new each day. You don't know what your life will bring tomorrow, so you might as well enjoy where you are today.

4. Appreciate Your Life.

Being happy today means being grateful for your life. Whether it's being grateful for having your health, a job, a place to live, food everyday, or a family that loves you. If you knew that you were going to die in 90 days, would you do things differently? Guess what? You are going to die one day, and you don't know if you even have 90 days. Gratitude, not blame will give you happiness and freedom.

5. Ask For Help.

Being happy means not keeping your problems to yourself. It also means that you ask for support when you need it, and let others contribute to your life. Most of us don't ask for help because we don't want to burden the people around us. But, if someone asked you for assistance, wouldn't you lend a helping hand? Then why wouldn't you let others do the same for you?

6. Do Something Nice For Someone Else.

Being happy today is doing something nice for someone else. This could be as simple as holding the door for the person behind you, or as big as volunteering your time to your favorite charity. Your problems become smaller when you are not always thinking about them. When you take the focus off yourself, it is easier to see how great your life really is.

7. Do Something That Will Move You Forward.

Being happy is taking steps that will move you forward. Movement keeps you from feeling like a victim. When you're unhappy, formulating a plan puts you in a different place and helps change your perspective. It also put the power back in your hands!

So, what is it going to take to have you be happy today? How much more of your life do you want to live waiting for "someday" to bring you the happiness you crave? It's up to you to create your own happiness. It's up to you to create a life filled with joy rather than sorrow. Why not choose a life filled with happiness today?

Happy Flying

ndb · Post by **ndb** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 9:26 am

Perhaps age has a way of lowering the bar, but I would be perfectly content with a woman with large, firm brea$t$ that needs to screw at least twice a day and owns a liquor store.

"Wanted: woman with liquor store. Send picture of liquor store."

What makes you happy?

What makes you happy?

what makes you happy.