How long was it from first solo to first flying job?

yycflyguy · Post by **yycflyguy** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:24 am

7 years and I was looking... all depends on what the industry is doing when you get out of training.

scopiton · Post by **scopiton** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:30 am

2 years

El Comat · Post by **El Comat** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:43 am

Almost exactly 3 years.

mathias_now · Post by **mathias_now** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:44 am

I would think the people it took between 7-10yrs didnt instruct.... Maybe I'm wrong? Atleast the majority of the people have jobs now, and those who dont, good luck. I will be in the mix soon, but still on the fence as to instruct or not

MN

JL · Post by JL » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:14 am

2.5 years - first job instructing (1988 - 1990)
9 years - to airline job (1988 - 1997)

AUGER9 · Post by **AUGER9** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:33 am

1 year 10mths.

Big Pistons Forever · Post by **Big Pistons Forever** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:43 am

First Solo 1976 PPL 1977 (I was a poor high school student), CPL 1987, Flight Instructor Rating 1988. When I finished the flying portion of my flight instructor flight test I walked into the office and the CFI said "I hope you passed the ride because Bob just quit. Your first student is at 3 O'Clock".

In this industry it is always better to be lucky than good.

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:59 am

almost 3 years...had to work between ratings......

Zatopec · Post by **Zatopec** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:24 pm

HuD 91gt · Post by **HuD 91gt** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:55 pm

3 years flying/ramp position.

KHills · Post by **KHills** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:11 pm

5 years to the day from my first solo to my first unsupervised flight for my first job. Did highschool and 2 year diploma during that time.

N2 · Post by N2 » Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:25 pm

Never happened for me! Thank god I could afford to buy my own and fly for fun.

brokenwing · Post by **brokenwing** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:09 pm

Rowdy wrote:Wolfie.. you've never had a FLYING job

From solo to actual flying job was 3 years.

needing to point that out is kind of douchy.

5 years for me

raven54 · Post by **raven54** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:23 pm

El Comat wrote:Almost exactly 3 years.

Oxymoron, nui?

mathias_now · Post by **mathias_now** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:32 pm

Just thought I would throw this into the forum. My question is to all current, and past light twin drivers. Did you instruct or ramp it, and what would you recommend for someone wishing to make a career flying light twins? I'm still really on the fence..... Some days I think I would make a great instructor and joyfully answer any question people ask me at work (current job), while other days I get pretty irritated when I get asked the same question, or how to do something, for the 100th time by the same person

Luckily I've worked in hospitality/guest services for the majority of my working life, so I've learned to answer in a some what polite manner even though I'm mildly boiling over inside.

Guess that's just human nature....

Let me know that you think

MN

laticsdave · Post by **laticsdave** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 6:21 am

1 year, 10 months.

Invertago · Post by **Invertago** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:26 pm

Remember, it only counts as a job if you are being paid!

Anyhow, solo 1998, first flying job 2006 = 8 years, but threw in a degree and blew some shit up with the military to pass the time. Its all good

FastFlyBy · Post by **FastFlyBy** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:43 pm

This is a great thread, really puts things into perspective. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's taken this long.

12 years is what I'm currently at and counting. Half of that was spend working through my training.
Solo and Private in 1997
Commercial and Multi IFR completion in 2004
First ramp/dock position 06
Second ramp/dock job 08
...

Captain_Canuck · Post by **Captain_Canuck** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:10 pm

1 year 6 months right on to a turbine. I am VERY lucky

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:39 pm

Captain_Canuck wrote:1 year 6 months right on to a turbine. I am VERY lucky

I'm going to do my best Cat Driver impression:

Why are you "VERY" lucky flying a turbine in 1yr 6 months?

stl

Captain_Canuck · Post by **Captain_Canuck** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:53 pm

A lot of people that I know and respect had to go up north and fly in the bush, take unnecessary risks and the like. I was able to get on to a nice turbo prop in a 703/704 environment, in a big city. Thats why I consider myself lucky.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:07 pm

Captain_Canuck wrote:A lot of people that I know and respect had to go up north and fly in the bush, take unnecessary risks and the like. I was able to get on to a nice turbo prop in a 703/704 environment, in a big city. Thats why I consider myself lucky.

Playing Cat is fun... so:

Don't you think there is a lot to be learned flying on one's own, "up north?" Whether or not you take "unnecessary risks" or not is your choice, and I think that learning to calculate that risk is one of the most important things a young pilot can learn. There's few better places than out on ones own in a single pilot environment working an airplane where every decision is yours alone, and sometimes critical.

I'm not trying to be difficult, although I suspect I am, but flying isn't about collecting hours, or living the "life-style," it's about developing a craft and as such, I'd like to believe that most people would strive to develop that craft as best they can - unfortunately I think I'm way off base in the "most people" part of that statement, particularly in this day and age. I must laugh at low-time pilots talking schedules and life style, that is something that is earned.

Chucky

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:11 pm

A lot of people that I know and respect had to go up north and fly in the bush, take unnecessary risks and the like. I was able to get on to a nice turbo prop in a 703/704 environment, in a big city. Thats why I consider myself lucky.

However there is also the fact that you are missing some of the most satisfying and career building experience in aviation.

Not to mention your flying skills may be limited to one type of flying that may become intensely boring once the new wears off.

Chuck Ellsworth · Post by **Chuck Ellsworth** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:13 pm

STL you are better at me than I am.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:20 pm

Thanks .,

It's kind of fun... I should be Chucky, stl's aler ego - I could even moderate myself.... lol

stl

How long was it from first solo to first flying job?

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