Contracts

I have held many different types of flying jobs in my career. Some good, some very good, some so so and some bad. I won’t say very bad because if you are flying something it can’t be very bad, right?  Well anyways, it has been an interesting career so far. I am going to blog more about some of my experiences later, this blog is about pilot training contracts.Have you ever had to sign one? If not, that is good. If so, not good. I happen to fall in the later category.

The last company I flew for required all pilots to sign a training contract every year. I have heard of companies requiring a contract for new hires or for an upgraded type rating but to require a signature every year is bad business for pilots. Makes you look for ways out of the contract resulting in less commitment and a negative outlook.  The contract I signed  (had to or else) stated that if I broke the agreement for any reason, I would be liable for all training costs including travel and hotel. Fortunately for me, they laid me off and haven’t  requested any repayment. I know for some out there, this is not the case.

I am not a lawyer but it seems to me that if the company’s insurance requires a pilot to have recurrent training once a year, this is the price of doing business and the costs for keeping a pilot current are squarely on the shoulders of the employer. It is that way with the airlines and fractionals. Beware of the operators who require contracts for you to work there and if you do sign, you might want a lawyer to look it over first.

Job Market

About three years ago when I last was looking in the job market there were many more ads and openings being advertised. Now not only are there far fewer ads, but the ones that are out there tend to be quite a bit more specific. They ask for a pilot to be typed and current in the aircraft and also many ask for local candidates only. Not that three years ago they didn’t, it just seems to be the norm today. I know there are a lot of pilots out of work now days allowing employers to be more choosy. In my part of the country it makes it much more difficult and to be honest, quite frustrating. Many ads for the southern and western states, not so much in the midwest. Things do seem to be turning the corner though, I have been seeing a trickle of ads in my neck of the woods. Just have to keep a positive outlook and hope the flying picks up here.

Bad Press

I saw on a couple sites yesterday that a couple of small planes collided in midair in Arizona. Not too long before that it was big news in New York over the Hudson. Seems like it has been happening more often or maybe when it does happen, it is a media field day. Just a little over two weeks ago it happened not once but twice near me. One at the airport I occasionally fly out of and another less than 20 miles away. Fortunately there were only minor injuries at my airport but there was a fatality of the solo pilot at the other. The local media covered both accidents more than I thought necessary with TV crews filming and interviewing at the accident sites.

As pilots, we know that the non flying public is very curious as to how this aviation stuff works, hence the interest when something goes wrong. Human nature I guess. So it is up to us to be as safe and proficient  as we can be. If we do that, it can only bring good news.

Fly safe.

Flying in PJs (Personal Jets)

Have you been seeing ads and hearing talk about personal jets lately? Yeah, me too. The Cessna Mustang, Honda Jet and Embraer Phenom 100 to name a few. I am very curious as to how these jets are going to affect the future of aviation, the corporate side of it more specifically. Should be interesting. Jet performance for 2 mil that seats 6 at 350 knots, not bad. Who is going to buy and fly these units? Well, a lot of people I hope. There are a few out there now in the system, the only one I have seen so far is the Mustang.

I am thinking about getting typed in the Mustang soon. There are a couple of places you can get type rated in them now, including The Jetstream Group and FlightSafety International. I think these PJ’s may be the wave of the future, might as well get on the bandwagon. I am going to look into the possibilities and opportunities a little further  before I decide. I’ll report on my findings in the near future. If anybody out there has some insight, let me know.

Fly safe.

Clear and a Million

Hi everyone. Just thought I’d comment about the weather we have been having here in the great state of Michigan. It has been fantastic to say the least. Under a big high pressure system bringing nothing but sunshine, warm and calm winds. Perfect for flying and learning in those little single engine plane I used to teach in. Speaking of that, I have been thinking about getting back into instruction. I kind of miss it. The challenge of teaching the basics to the interaction of the students was something I truly enjoyed.

I think starting next week I am going to look around for a part time gig just to pick up a few students and get back into it. It might not be so easy given the state of the economy here, but you never know until you try. If anyone hears about anybody out there who wants to give it a try, send them my way will ya!

Safe travels.

Passing Time

Sitting around the pilots lounge with not much to do, thought I might write this post for you.

Us pilots, corporate more so than airline or other, tend to have a lot of down time being it at the FBO or waiting between flights. What you do with this time is up to you. You can stare at the TV, read, play cards, sleep, exercise or many other activities to pass the time. Myself, I like to read, exercise and write in this blog to name a few. It gives me many opportunities to post my ideas and thoughts. As you probably know, if you have read my blog that I am very new to this. I still have to remind myself that I have a blog started and I should write something if I want to keep it going. So here I am, writing something in my blog and passing the time until I fly back to GRR. Thank goodness for this otherwise I may be just sleeping my time away. Well, I better go, I should take a nap before I fly back. Just kidding!

Talk with you later when I may write about something aviation related.

Flying Drunk

When I first heard about this book Flying Drunk by Joseph Balzer,  I thought, who would want to write about that? Now that I know and have seen the book, I understand why. I just started reading it and it is compelling. What strikes me the most while skimming through it is this mans perseverance. Incredible!  To come back from all the setbacks and down times he had to endure is truly a story to behold. On top of all that, to get his flying career back is an inspiration to all.

I will continue reading and have a full review in the near future. In the meantime, fly safe.