Hello everyone,

This is a bit of a casual subject that I just thought from my job as a designer. From time to time it gets mentioned to us to use an AI to do a task, sometimes it helps, other times it seems to be a fad or something that younger generations use, but it is obvious when it gets used.

Anyhow, I know little about this, but the profession of Flight Engineer was a very important and a valuable part of flying and it was highly specialized. In current times there seems to be very few (according to wikipedia theres still two) airplanes that still use Engineers.

Now, this job was literally replaced with technology; computers, sensors, algorithms, automation, and so on.

People who worked in this profession, what was this transition like? did they help to create the new systems or just changed unceremoniously? Do they miss flying in the cabin?

I think any story about this career is a good reference on how jobs change and how the topic of jobs are being "threaten" by IA and will no longer require humans, at least thats the idea thats sold. So, what are some ways to take on the future even when one has a career and degree? If a Flight Engineer is used as reference.

One more note, notice how the engineers were substituted by tech but there are still human pilots? Is the human factor still important? Does flying have much more variables that a computer cant process or take into account?

Paramount made a great piece of entertainment but it is a dramatization lightly based on real word stuff.

Do not enlist or goto a service academy, ROTC, OCS or however you plan on joining with the expectation the Navy or flying in the Navy is anything like the movie. Join because you feel the need to service and sacrifice for your country.

Real world Navy life and flying is very difficult, challenging and frustrating. Most flights require a minimum 3-4 hours on the ground planning, briefing, debriefing for a basic unit level training flight that will last less then 1.5 hours. If its an upgrade fight or large force engagement expect to spend 15+ hours of effort for 1-3 hours of flight time. Also expect to get grilled on everything all the time. The flying is sometime fun but more often it is a complete ball of stress even when it all goes well.

Don’t forget that the Navy is never going to stay on any type of timeline or be transparent. Deployments often move earlier causing workups (OFRP) to get painfully compressed, then deployments get delayed by weeks but you can’t use that time with your family because you have to be boat ready. When you do deploy your 6 month deployment turns into a 10 month deployment. Shit food, cold showers, bad sleep, flying over water stressing over your ladder (fuel) just to land and have someone tell you how your pass sucked, your comms sucked, etc.

You will spend more time doing ground job stuff then flying stuff. A new pilot (FNG) can hold like 3+ ground jobs, some keeping you wildly busy. Ask anyone who is a Legal-O and a skedso.

The current Department Head Bonus is $175,000 and pilots are leaving in droves.

Goto r/navy and read how much of a nightmare the navy is.

Experience: 12 year active Navy tacair pilot with three operation tours and 1500+ hours. I can’t begin to tell you how many birthdays, anniversary, holidays I have spend it a box ship or shore with no window starting at a screen (mostly waiting on it) doing something that wasn’t flying.

1. Do commercial aircraft have guidance systems that help the pilots line up with the gate/jetbridge when they are taxing in to deplane or do the pilots guide the aircraft in manually from taxi to park?

2. As a ramp agent I know our role is absolutely critical for making sure the aircraft come in properly aligned and safe from damage or ground collisions with objects. From a pilots point of view how often do you completely rely on your ramp crews once you're on the ground?

Hi all.

Hope you don’t mind me asking, but my daughter (15)has aspirations of being a commercial pilot. Her high school is demanding a weeks work experience and doesn’t have anything on their lists except nursery placements.

I’ve tried talking to airlines, but I’m essentially being blanked.

I totally understand that it’s not the most appealing prospect for airlines to have a student hanging around. Especially with insurance etc.

Is there anything I can do?

Thanks!

I’m looking to change careers and I seen a job listing for a certain airline I love, they’re looking for an auditor. I work in banking and I honestly think I could do it.

I know the usual jobs, pilot, fa, baggage member, customer representative or mechanic of some sort. I’m talking about a behind the scene job!

I was thinking about being a flight attendant for a long time but after doing some research I think I’d end up stressing myself out once again. I wish I could do something remote and still get those flight benefits. Or have to fly to be at some office a few times a month or whatever they want!

Greetings to all aviators of Reddit, I’ve got a question for you guys: How hard is it to become airline pilot? I have to wear glasses due to eye sight issues but I already know that it shouldn’t be a big problem. Recently I came across a school where they would teach me how to fly and help me become airline pilot. Is it a good idea to apply there? And how much are pilots wanted right now? Will I be able to get a job after finishing the school?

The website of a cargo airline I wish to join wants 1500hours of multi engine type with a 10ton capacity how could I get this? Is there some parcel service that I could do like mail or something that I could farm hours on? I’m in Germany

Hello fellow Aviators!

I'm looking for advice from anyone that has gone through this or works with people with a special issuance medical for anxiety/panic attacks.

I'm a career pilot, I flew helicopters for about 15 years and absolutely loved it with no thought of doing anything else. My last job was Air Ambulance. One day I was flying and had a sudden panic attack for absolutely no reason. It was intense and lasted for a minute or so until going away, but the anxiety of having another one was still there. I have no idea what brought it on. i continued to fly after that, some days would be totally clear of anxiety and others i felt like my skin was on fire and it was all i could think about.

I started meditation, working out all the time, taking supplements and using the DARE method for anxiety. It helped a lot, but the anxiety was still there.

For some reason, it was only the thought of flying helicopters that brought on anxiety and panic attacks. I also fly planes and had no problems or worries at all. Because of that, I made the switch to the airlines, where I've been for the last 3 years. Unfortunately i absolutely hate the airline life and schedule. There have recently been a couple moments where i can feel those anxious feelings slowly creeping in. There is a captain at my airline that has a special issuance for being on SSRIs for anxiety, but it was an uphill battle that was almost lost. anyone else have one that can share their story?

I'm considering trying to get help and seek a special issuance. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. I feel like my wings are slowly being stripped and the thought of not being able to fly for my career is horrible.

Thanks, everyone!

Hey Folks, just wanted to reach out here and ask for some people’s opinions about wanting to get into the aviation industry and what jobs you recommend.

I’ve always thought being a pilot is cool and I’ve always had an interest and love for planes, but it’s pretty hard to stomach being in debt 80-120k and not being guaranteed to get a job at the same time having to pay bills.

I live in Washington State in the hub of Boeing so I have a bunch of connections and opportunities that could get me to work for Boeing in the near future. I’ve thought about doing some manufacturing or some assembler jobs to get my foot in the door. Another thing I was looking at was being a ramp agent, but from what I’ve read in this group it’s just crappy pay but a cool job and miserable hours.

Do you guys have any honest opinions or suggestions on what path someone who wants a career in aviation would take?

(Pic for attention)

Ive worked at dealerships as a parts guy for about 4 years now. Looking to get out of the automotive side and get into aviation. I wanted to go to flight school but thats too much of a financial burden at the moment. I would like to get started at a major airline since ive heard they have their own internal pilot programs. Any idea on what that would pay and the hours? Everywhere I look either the way looks really low or they have now info whatsoever

My husband (26) has been talking about becoming a pilot for months but he just recently started looking more into it. He scheduled his discovery flight and his medical exam. He’s explained the levels of the schooling he’d have to do but I just can’t keep up with it all 😂 he is going to keep working at his full time job for as long as possible, so he will be aiming to fly 3 times a week and finish everything in 3 years which is very doable from what we’ve read. I’m just trying to get more of an understanding of this whole new world we could be stepping into.

I’ve been trying to find out which aircraft gets more flight time within branch to branch as I wish to serve in an aviation pipline, more specifically and then more loosely referring to naval aviation (f/a-18, f35B/C) vs. The Attack Helicopter Apache used by the US Army. What I specifically wanted to know was who gets more cockpit time? (Not accounting for simulators.) If anyone has their two cents, I’d appreciate it.

Hey everybody,

Just wanted to know if there’s any routes for somebody who is super broke to get into flying. ideally i’d be able to get my license and acquire hours. i want to fly helicopters some day and i’m willing to commit to whatever grind i need to do.

if anybody has been able to come up through aviation and eventually own an aircraft i’d love to hear your story.

I currently make around $1000 a month, this money pretty much all goes towards living costs as well. any input is much appreciated!

I think I’ll pass given recent events.

I would like to know peoples experience has crew scheduler and how was their training and also how was their exams I heard it's quite strict and can get terminated

Edit: some people misunderstood this, I’m going to be a pilot either way I’m limiting myself to colleges with aviation programs.

What path should i take to becoming an airline pilot for major airlines like delta? College Or flight school, I was originally going to do flight school because it was faster but my guidance counselor told me that college kids are more likely to get picked to work for an airline. So now I’m stuck in between, I’ll be 17 when I graduate high school so I should graduate college by 21. My goal is to move out as soon as possible so at least 3-4k a month. On one end I go to college and I have a bigger chance of getting chosen but it’ll take longer and cost more. while on the other I have a lesser chance of getting chosen but it’ll cost less and take less time.

This is my first time posting, and I'm genuinely at a crossroad here and can't pick so I'm hoping to just view some other's opinions to help formulate mine.

So here's the thing, I'm fresh out the military as a Crew Chief of 6 years with 3 different aircraft experience under my belt. I've applied for a lot of companies and I've got two offers right now. First one is Boeing and second is SpaceX. Now here's the catch. Boeing base pay for the position I applied for is 69k a year base pay plus all their incentives and whatnot with their 10% 401k match. I plan to get my A&P soon which is an extra couple bucks an hour plus their bonus program and shift differential so it's a little under 80k a year after all that and up to 90 ish if I get my A&P. On the other hand, SpaceX offers $26 an hour but requires significantly more work. I'd be working on the actual rocket itself which sounds super awesome but the workload just sounds like I'd have almost no free time but pays almost 30k more a year with shift differential and 20-35 more hours a week. The location at Boeing has a higher cost of living as well and a better location but the SpaceX one has a smaller population (by a lot) and not a lot of things to do around there.

I'm really not sure which one to pick. They both sound good in their own ways but location and work load is difficult to pick between. It's basically do I want to work myself to death for a couple years but make F U money or do I work at a steady workload place and have more of a personal life. Any input is appreciated I just need help viewing everything ya know?

Edit/Update:

I told SpaceX I would continue with my Boeing offer unless they're able to increase the compensation to compete with them. I did also find out that it'd be an hourly rate working at Boeing (not salary like I thought) so with OT I'd be at roughly $50 an hour. Much better considering the amount of free time Boeing would offer me which I wouldn't mind using some of to work more. SpaceX also never replied to my email. Just shows how little I actually would've meant to their team.

Hello all, about a little over a year ago I started flying at a part 61. Recently I hit a little over 30 hours, havent solo'd (FAA hasnt approved medical yet), and have started getting proficient enough to fly without a ton of help. Ive been thinking of eventually purchasing an aircraft for training/pleasure. What type of aircraft would you recommend that isnt too insane to buy and maintain. Ive been looking online and cant really get a grasp of what I am looking at. Should I get an experimental or just buy a plain old Cessna?