Any pilots in the house?
 

Any pilots out there? I tried to see if such thread existed but no luck. Just wondering who else shares the aviation bug. Hoping to one day find a career as a commercial pilot.

Yes. I can't speak to Canada, but in the US it isn't a cheap dream to pursue. That's probably why a lot of commercial pilots are former military. Ironically, one of the biggest reasons I didn't pursue flying as career post-military was the type of flying most commercial pilots do. Point A to B straight and level at altitude. Or in my case, at low altitude.

If this is your passion, then I say follow your dreams. Just be realistic in your expectations. :cheers:

Grew up flying. On track for my PPL as we speak. It has always been a dream of mine to fly for a living. It has been said that there will be a large demand for commercial pilots within the next 5-7 years as the average age of most pilots are nearing retirement. We will see what happens.

They've been saying that since I started flying (1997). A great way to keep people in flight schools and more importantly to keep the money flowing. ;)

With that being said, follow your passion. Just be smart about it and be realistic in expectations. One only has to spend an hour or two perusing different aviation foums to see many examples of people who've gotten themselves into large amounts of debt, working crazy hours/schedules only to find it much harder to get that dream job than they realized. (there's some great advice on those forums, not sure how much research you have done but well worth the time if this is something you really want to do)

I also highly recommend networking. Aviation is a small community and reputation can make or break you. If I ever go back to flying, it will be for recreation/fun. Unless of course, someone was to come along and offer me a job I couldn't refuse. :)

Do former hang glider pilots count?

I considered becoming a pilot, but the costs and how long it can take to become a commercial pilot for a decent airline is what swayed me away from it. Off to engineering i guess

Yup I'm a pilot. Working in NW Ontario for a subcontractor of Ornge

Flying PC-12's or are you a whirly bird pilot?

PC-12/45. Whirly birds scare the **** out of me lol

Yes, long time ago. Fixed and float ratings. Made my solo cross country in a 65 hp J-3 on floats. But also lots of time in a super cub, and Cessna 180 on floats, and a Grumman Widgeon. But that was many moons ago. Back in the 70s.

Private pilot (SEL) with some time in helicopters (my real love, but can't afford), gliders, gyrocopters, and hang gliders.

Also have a kit plane in my basement I should get around to finishing some day.

Out of biannual right now because kids in college, but am getting ready to start back up. Seriously considering getting my CFI as a semi-retirement job. If nothing else its an excuse to go fly.

Reminds me of a story.

I worked for Delta Air Lines for 10 years in IT. I was talking to the Chief Pilot one day and he asked me how I enjoyed my job. I told him it was great, but I would much rather have his job.

He said, "well, you must have made an error on your job application. When I applied in the 'what job are you applying for' I typed PILOT. What did you put?"

I got a good chuckle out of that. It probably didn't hurt that right afterwards he took me into the 777 simulator with him and let me do a couple of landings!
@austin_kw as said above, as long as you go into it with clear expectations that it's a long haul to get there, I say go for it, just don't go deep in debt to do it. There are going to be some lean years but you can't beat the view out of your office.

I have been told by many that it's a long and tough road to get to where I want to be, but I know in the end that it's well worth it. It's always been a dream of mine that I will indeed pursue.

Another thing to keep in mind. I don't know what the laws are in Canada, but in the U.S. educational loans are NOT forgivable under current bankruptcy laws. So going back to what I was originally alluding too, a lot of people get themselves into crazy debt trying to get certifications and building hours only to find themselves making peanuts while working crazy hours/schedules. So when you start perusing the aviation forums out there, pay attention to this. You'll see a lot of sad cases where people had to leave the flying behind but are stuck with gigantic debt. My best advice to aspiring pilots (if they are still young) is to try and get into the military in a flight slot. It's a long road, but they pay you to do it and when you depart you won't have any debt (at least not from flying)!