| Airline experience: |
yes |
| Corporate or fractional experience: |
no |
| Cargo experience: |
no |
| Military, government, or law enforcement experience: |
no |
| Mentor profile: |
Well it's a long story. I started flying when I was 14 years old.
I was a member of the British Air Training Corps, which is some what
similar to the Civil Air Patrol. For two weekends per year they
sent us to a RAF base and there we given air experience flights in a
DHC-1 Chipmunk. This is still my favorite aircraft, I have many fond
memories of that bird. the flying was wonderful with the pilots
being active Royal Air Force personnel. We also used to attend
summer camp once a year also at an active RAF base. Here we used to
get rides in all kinds of RAF types.
My original plan was to join the RAF and become a pilot, but the
competition for flying slots was fierce and after several attempts to
obtain one I was not selected. So I decided to join the British
Army with the hope of flying there. All was going well until
Government budget restraints reduced the flying that the Army was
doing. So I ended up there in the Royal Military Police until my
time was up.
At this point in my life wander lust emerged and I set off
traveling. I ended up living in Australia for some time and here
aviation showed up again. I was working in central Queensland and
often used to hang around at the airport. I had a strong desire to
become a pilot for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This
organization provides medical device to people living in remote
areas of the bush. So in talking to some of the pilots they
recommended that I train in the USA as it was cheaper and I could
gain experience quickly.
In 1990 I found myself in Lubbock, Texas and three weeks later I was
a Private pilot. I returned to England and my job at DHL to save
money for more training. This took three years and I eventually left
England and continued flying this time in Newport News, Virginia.
After gaining all my certificates I worked as an Instructor in
Newport News and Norfolk. While I was there I met and became friends
with several of the other instructors who were bound for the airlines.
At this point in time I still did not have an interest in going to
the airlines but to return to Australia to fly the bush. I moved to
South Carolina after the company I worked for became bankrupt and I
instructed at an international academy for two years ending up as
chief pilot. This is where my friends stepped in and persuaded me
to join the airline that they worked for. They said I was having too
much fun and that I needed a real job. So I applied and was accepted
after interview for Continental Express. I was assigned to the
Beech 1900,after six months and 380 hours I was sent to Captain
training. I flew the 1900 for three years and became a check airman
on the airplane. I am now a Captain on the EMB 145 and will become a
check airman on this aircraft as well. I am based in Newark,NJ but
still live in SC and commute to work.
Well I am not a bush pilot living in Queensland but I do love my job
and I do love living in the USA as a new citizen. Let's face facts,
if I did not do this I would have to get a job!!!!!
|
| Favorite thing about flying: |
| That's a tough question as there are so many aspects but I would
have to say I still love the thrill of take off and the challenge of landing.
|
| Disadvatages of being a pilot: |
The main problem is obtaining the required flight time the airlines
want. Once you have it the doors start to open.
|
| What you would have done different: |
| I would have started on the career earlier |
| Advice to aspiring pilots: |
| Stay focused and do whatever it takes to reach that goal. |
| Problems encounterd along the way: |
The biggest problem is still money. It is very expensive to learn to fly and this part of flying is unavoidable. I really don't have any advice on this matter other than to be prepared for the cost.
|
