Aidan and I recently got together to answer some of the most interesting and frequently-asked questions we’ve received over the past few months.
In this first Q&A session we talk about:
- The Oddball Pilot Network
- Becoming a commercial pilot in your 40s or 50s
- The minimum flight time necessary to get your first job as a pilot (in the U.S. or abroad)
- The importance of making personal contact with potential employers
- Whether you can be overeducated for an oddball flying job
- Whether Era Alaska is still looking for pilots (and what they’re looking for)
- Getting flying jobs in other countries
- Transitioning to the Cessna 406
- Humanitarian aid flying
Audio
Press the Play icon to begin streaming the audio, or right-click the text link and choose Save As or Save Link.
[audio: q_and_a_001.mp3]Right-click to download the MP3 file (29.5 minutes – 27 MB)
Have questions of your own? Add a comment below (or in any post). Or, send us a message using the form on the Contact page. We’ll try to get you an answer in our next Q&A session.
Better yet, become a member of Oddball Pilot, get access to the Oddball Pilot Network, and hear what oddball pilots from around the world have to say!
Awesome info guys I’m so glad I found this site keep up the good work.
Really helpful information gained from some real world, hands on experience, thanks
This is a cool way to respond to questions that you’re getting. I’m sure you hear the same ones frequently, I know that many I’ve had popped up in this Q&A, and this seems like an ideal way to reach many people with the answers. Thanks for the great site!
Very useful information! Thanks!
Sam,
Austria
I feel like I’ve come across a gold mine. Thanks for sharing this information.
Thanks for creating this site! This podcast in particular answers a lot of questions for me. I just got out of the army, and at age 39 I am in the Aviation Technology program at UAA. I plan to spend the rest of my life flying around Alaska.
Hey matt im currently in the army deployed in Afghanistan about 1 year from getting out am looking to follow a similar path by using my GI bill and enrolling in the Aviation Technology program at UAA. How do you like the program so far? Any pointers you may have? Good luck with you career sounds like a great start.
Very interesting site. Ex-Merchant mariner, now 61, travelled the world. Started flying at 16, soloed but quit after 15hrs. 20 years later started again, owned a 47 Stinson for a year + more TW time and Cheetah / 150 / 172 time. Now haven’t flown since 2002. Never finished my private but have 85 hours. Started A&P school 2000, stopped and started, now AF done, maybe PP done in a year. LOVE FLYING and WORKING on GA airplanes.
I assume the easiest way to gain time – and cheapest is to buy an old airplane like a C150, C140 or other. CFI ?
Any other suggestions ?
GOAL : Finish my commercial, fly for a living. Finish A&P.
Passionate about flying a Caravan someday. Also interested in banner towing, flying overseas – Brasil, Africa, Australia, Central America or ?
WHO is looking for a guy with a low time commercial and an A&P ?
I’ve been all over the world and am ready for more adventures.
DON’T LIKE COLD WEATHER !
KEEP UP the great work.