25 Lessons Learned In 25 Hrs.

[cptn2016]

Call me an idealist, call me a rookie, tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I probably don't. But at this point this is what I've learned. Maybe in another 100 hours it'll change a lot. Maybe it won’t.

1. I've been in the process of interviewing for my future job for 25 hours. I will continue to be in the process of interviewing for at least 175 more hours. Quite probably more.

2. Sit down, shut up, and listen to those who know more than you. At 25 hrs. TT, that's everyone.

3. If I have a question, I'll search for the answer myself. If I can't find it or don't understand it, then I'll ask about it.

4. Respect the people in aviation. They cannot be in this business unless they work incredibly hard, apply themselves, and are able to understand numerous fairly-complex subjects. Some of them will be assholes, and some of them will be irresponsible, reprehensible accidents waiting to happen. But they still know more than I do. If you’re smart, you’ll know which advice of theirs to heed, and which not to.

5. Respect the incredible endeavour of human flight. We are earthbound creatures who've done something absolutely incredible. Appreciate it, it's not a goddamn root canal. Even if your passengers are cranky, the kid in the back has puked for the 3rd time and you've been asked to enter a hold...again...and even if you know you'd make more money driving a Greyhound. Remember how cool this all was when you were a little kid. Would you rather be digging ditches or flipping burgers? If so, maybe you should.

6. Once in a while, take a child for a flight in a small airplane. You'll blow their minds and open up a whole new world. Remember the look on their faces afterwards.

7. Every new student should read 'Stick And Rudder' before they ever take the controls of an airplane. Every PPL student should re-read Stick and Rudder at least once more before they take their flight test. Continue re-reading it once a year thereafter.

8. Subscribe to as many flying magazines and read as many books about flying as you can. You can never know too much.

9. Be proud of what you do. Doctors are not ashamed of telling people they're doctors. Nor are pro athletes, firefighters, police officers, mechanics, engineers, soldiers or lawyers. You’ve spent countless hours and years of your life becoming a pilot, therefore, you ARE a pilot. You don't 'work in transportation'. Just like a doctor is a doctor, he doesn't 'work in healthcare'. You haven’t gotten as far as you have without it becoming an integral part of your identity. And you're not taking your clothes off for money, you have nothing to be ashamed of. If you ‘work in transportation’, maybe it's time to do something else.

10. The industry is gonna do what the industry is gonna do. The world will also take its own course. Maybe in 5 years aviation will rebound. Maybe in 10 years aviation will be dead. But you can't make decisions based on what you don't know. Decide if you want to do this based on what you DO know. Do you love it? Does it bring you enjoyment? If so, do it. If the industry collapses, you'll find something else to do. If it doesn't, you'll feel like an idiot for not going for it.

11. There's nothing wrong with paying your dues. You're not too good to clean toilets. You do it at home after all, don't you? If not, you should. Paying dues is a part of life, get used to it. If you haven’t by now, you’re a spoiled brat and your parents failed. There are many people who clean toilets just so their kids can eat. You won’t be doing it forever.

12. If I had tried to get my PPL or CPL in my teens or early 20’s, I would have failed. I probably would not have taken it seriously and I very likely could have endangered my own or somebody else’s life doing it. I have infinite respect for the kids (I say that respectfully) in this industry that are more mature and responsible at that age than I ever was. Your parents should be proud, as should you.

13. Read the AIM and CARS regularly. Even if you’ve just started your training. You likely won’t understand most of it, but you’ll learn something. And by god you’ll need to know it soon.

14. Pay attention to detail, it’ll likely save your life at some point. Don’t aim for 90% on your PSTAR or 60% on your PPL written or your flight test. Aim for 100%. Mediocrity has no place in aviation. Mediocrity kills.

15. Read accident reports regularly. Not because you’re morbid, but because maybe even though they lost their lives, they might save yours in the process. Hell, maybe you're morbid, I don't know.

16. Fly with as many people as you can. You’ll learn at least one new thing from each of them.

17. There is no excuse for not physically checking your fuel. It takes less than a minute for god’s sakes. I’ve never yet seen my fuel gauge indicate a correct amount even once. I doubt I ever will.

18. It’s not important to ‘express your individuality’. You should have gotten that out of your system when you were 15. Get rid of your weirdo green hair and take that goddamn ring out of your nose. Sleeve tattoo? Too bad, wear a long-sleeve shirt, Tommy Lee. Wash your clothes and iron your goddamn shirt. Be a professional and be safe. When you’re on the clock you are representing your company, not yourself. If you don’t like it, try starting your own company. You can be an individual there all you want.

19. Be paranoid. Your engine WILL quit, the weather forecast WILL be wrong, your fuel consumption WILL be more than you expected, your ground speed WILL be slower than you thought, your electrical WILL go dead, your destination airport WILL be closed. If you haven’t prepared for all of this before starting your engine, your pre-flight is not complete.

20. Respect the machine you fly, even if it’s a piece of crap (and even if it looks it, it still flies, doesn’t it?). It only got that way because some a-holes didn’t respect it. Keep it clean (scrub off the goddamn bugs and clean the windshield after you land), keep it neat (take your goddamn Snickers wrapper with you and buckle the seatbelts) and don’t damage it. ESPECIALLY if it’s someone else’s, which it likely is.

21. If you’re not prepared to sacrifice to do this, you’re not ready for it.

22. If your significant other is not prepared to sacrifice for you to do this, you’re not ready for it.

23. If your writting anthing once and a while on be-half of ur Company like a memo u should of use spelcheck cuz like its not fuken twittr or face book and make sure your grammer doesn’t blows yu’ll look lik a fuken r-tard. Spelling and grammar are less complicated than flying. If you can’t competently handle the former, how do you expect to be able to safely handle the latter?

24. Take-off is optional, landing is mandatory.

25. Love it. Even if it was a terrible day, you still flew for god’s sakes. That’s amazing.

“You’re sitting in a chair, IN THE SKY! The whole time you should just be going ‘WOOOOOWWWW!!!’ New York – L.A. takes 5 hours, it used to take 30 years! You’d be a whole new group of people by the time you got there. Now you watch a movie, take a dump and you’re home.” – Louis CK

[Dagwood]

While most of this should be common sense, it seems like the new "me" generation has a problem with entitlement. Every commercial pilot wannabe should read this.

[Bede]

If you've figured all that out in 25hrs, my hat's off to you. It took me probably 5000hrs to figure that stuff out.

You won't have a problem making it in this industry.

[Big Pistons Forever]

If you've figured all that out in 25hrs, my hat's off to you. It took me probably 5000hrs to figure that stuff out.

You won't have a problem making it in this industry.

A big +1

[lownslow]

6. Once in a while, take a child for a flight in a small airplane. You'll blow their minds and open up a whole new world. Remember the look on their faces afterwards.

This is one of my favourite things to do. If you ask me, it should be everyone's favourite.

LnS.
(The ruggedly handsome Low and Slow can't be seen in this pic, but that's Mr. Low and Slow, Sr. helping the little guy get buckled in.)

[Brewguy]

6. Once in a while, take a child for a flight in a small airplane. You'll blow their minds and open up a whole new world. Remember the look on their faces afterwards.

This is one of my favourite things to do. If you ask me, it should be everyone's favourite.

A great big +1!!!
That's the reason I spent many years involved with the air cadet gliding program. I've probably taken close to 1500 children (young teens) on their first flight - and that never gets old.

[cptn2016]

If you've figured all that out in 25hrs, my hat's off to you. It took me probably 5000hrs to figure that stuff out.

You won't have a problem making it in this industry.

Yahoo, screw everything I said up there! I'm Maverick, time to buzz a tower, 'cause I'm that good!

Seriously though, I appreciate your comment, and BPF's as well. Thanks. Still a long way to go but that's encouraging to hear.

Lownslow, that picture's awesome. I wish I had that chance as a kid.

Brewguy, I'd love to get involved with the cadets at some point, seems like a great program. Can you just volunteer as a civilian if you have a glider rating (license?) or do you need to have a glider instructor rating? I'd assume the instructor because from what I understand you are teaching a basic ground school as well, no?

[iflyforpie]

I did some volunteer power fam flights with the air cadets just before I got my first job. It was a real hoot.

My current career as a scenic pilot allows me to fly all kinds people, including many kid's very first plane rides. I guess I am fortunate that I can make a living at it instead of having to go on to more 'lucrative' flying. The best are the kids who have no fear and can fly the plane better than the occasional reluctant adult who takes up my offer for a hand at the controls. I had a seven year old girl who was a natural.

[Beefitarian]

There was a recruiting ad for cadet instructors in the newspaper here once YYC. You did not even need flying or military experience. All training was provided and paid if I recall correctly.

[cptn2016]

There was a recruiting ad for cadet instructors in the newspaper here once YYC. You did not even need flying or military experience. All training was provided and paid if I recall correctly.

Seriously? Recently? Or back in the 'golden age'? I'd sign up in a second if you don't need flying or military experience!

[Beefitarian]

Was not too " golden years " ago. I'm guessing 6 or 7 years ago. It was when my daughter was little and I foolishly thought I was somehow find the time and clipped the ad but have since lost it. I'll see if I can find a link, the ad referenced the Internet.

Edit: Start here maybe, http://www.vcds.forces.gc.ca/cic/gwt-ef/index-eng.asp

[Brewguy]

There was a time when you could fly with a gliding center as a volunteer C.I. (Civilian Instructor); but times change.

A few years back, there was a real push on to get all of the CI's to either join up as CIC officers, or make it less appealing for them to stay. CI's were no longer able to fly as a tow pilot, but could still fly gliders. Again, that's going back a few years, not sure if you can still fly / instruct on gliders as a civilian.

To join the CIC, you do not need any prior military training. Uniforms, training, etc. are all provided. In fact, you are required to take certain courses on an ongoing basis to stay in. BOQ is the 'basic' officers training, then MOC is your element specific (sea, army or air) , then comes Lieutenant's and Captain's courses, etc.

You did not need to have a gliding instructors rating to participate in the air cadet gliding program. At the unit level, you could provide familiarization flights on the weekends with just a license, and the requisite hours, etc. CIC officers can get their instructors rating at a summer training program; after which you can work as an instructor during the flying scholarship program.

If you join the staff of an air cadet squadron, you can provide power familiarization flights provided you have enough hours.

Sorry to drag this thread too far off of the original topic...

[cptn2016]

No worries Brewguy, thanks for the info (to IFP and Beef as well)!

[D_Thissen]

The air cadet program is a great program. Got my glider (2005) and ppl (2006) through it, I aged out in '07 and I'm still involved with the program. IIRC you need a CPL 200TT and 100PIC to be a famil pilot with a Sqn, I'd have to check my contract to be sure though. It is very rewarding taking cadets for their first flight in a small plane!

[Adam Oke]

The air cadet program is a great program. Got my glider (2005) and ppl (2006) through it, I aged out in '07 and I'm still involved with the program. IIRC you need a CPL 200TT and 100PIC to be a famil pilot with a Sqn, I'd have to check my contract to be sure though. It is very rewarding taking cadets for their first flight in a small plane!

2. If the pilots conducting the flights are not
employed by the Flight Training Unit (FTU), then
they must meet the following minimum flying
hours, as directed by the RC Air Ops O:

a. minimum total time - 150 hours;

b. minimum Pilot in Command time -
75 hours

c. minimum time on type - 15 hours;
and

d. minimum time on type last 60 days -
1 hour.

Taking the kids up never gets old, that's for sure.

[ant_321]

The air cadet program is a great program. Got my glider (2005) and ppl (2006) through it, I aged out in '07 and I'm still involved with the program. IIRC you need a CPL 200TT and 100PIC to be a famil pilot with a Sqn, I'd have to check my contract to be sure though. It is very rewarding taking cadets for their first flight in a small plane!

2. If the pilots conducting the flights are not
employed by the Flight Training Unit (FTU), then
they must meet the following minimum flying
hours, as directed by the RC Air Ops O:

a. minimum total time - 150 hours;

b. minimum Pilot in Command time -
75 hours

c. minimum time on type - 15 hours;
and

d. minimum time on type last 60 days -
1 hour.

Taking the kids up never gets old, that's for sure.

I've never saw those numbers before. I was always told all you need is a PPL and 30 hrs PIC.

[Changes in Latitudes]

IS this guy for real? If he is, I want him married to one of my daughters and employed where I work. I don't care if he hasn't got a commercial, get on it. Great post!

[Adam Oke]

I've never saw those numbers before. I was always told all you need is a PPL and 30 hrs PIC.

Rules and regs seem to change on a daily basis. That's the latest CRCO 1821.

[Old Dog Flying]

Excellent thread! And for once I'm in total agreement. Ex-air cadet, ex-RCAF, ex-cadet CI, Glider and CPL, Ex-instructor...and I worked my ass off for all of it and it was very rewarding.

And that pic of Mr. Low and Slow and the kid in the Tiger Moth is priceless

Barney

[jump154]

If you've figured all that out in 25hrs, my hat's off to you. It took me probably 5000hrs to figure that stuff out.

You won't have a problem making it in this industry.

Brewguy, I'd love to get involved with the cadets at some point, seems like a great program. Can you just volunteer as a civilian if you have a glider rating (license?) or do you need to have a glider instructor rating? I'd assume the instructor because from what I understand you are teaching a basic ground school as well, no?

I'm just starting with the Air Cedet program, after having been volunteered to plug a hole teaching ground school this year. Just a PPL - not enough hours yet for 'official' familiarisation flights, but nothing to stop you taking a kid as a passenger when you are flying yourself outside of the Cadet Program as long as their parents agree.

You don't need a commercial license or an Instructors rating to teach groundschool - the Cadet groundschool is preparation for the league exam they need to pass for entry into the glider/flight scholarship program. Once accepted, they will be taken through the TC required 40 hours groundschool to prepare for their TC written. Same material, different purpose.

PM me if you need more details, i'm at the very start so learning more every day.