Jan
29
Becoming an Airline Pilot
Filed Under Human Resources | Comments Off
Sristy asked:
You wouldn’t get very far on a flight without pilots: They are the people who put all that sophisticated equipment to work. On commercial airlines, there are always at least two pilots, and on many flights, there are three.
All airline pilots have had extensive training and flying experience, often as part of military service. The road from the first training flight to the airline cockpit is a long and difficult one, but for many pilots, this is the only way to go. To learn more about this career path, one should be aware of the intricacies in piloting.
On an airliner, the pilot in command is called the captain. The captain, who generally sits on the left side of the cockpit, is ultimately responsible for everything that happens on the flight. This includes making major command decisions, leading the crew team, managing emergencies and handling particularly troublesome passengers. The captain also flies the plane for much of the trip, but generally trades off with the first officer at some point.
The first officer, the second in command, sits on the right side of the cockpit. He or she has all of the same controls as the captain, and has had the same level of training.
The primary reason for having two pilots on every flight is safety. Obviously, if something happens to the captain, a plane must have another pilot who can step in. Additionally, the first officer provides a second opinion on piloting decisions, keeping pilot error to a minimum.
Most airliners built before 1980 have a cockpit position for a flight engineer, also called the second officer. Typically, flight engineers are fully trained pilots, but on an ordinary trip, they don’t fly the plane. Instead, they monitor the airplane’s instruments and calculate figures such as ideal takeoff and landing speed, power settings and fuel management. In newer airliners, most of this work is done by computerized systems, eliminating the need for the flight-engineer position. In the future, it will be phased out entirely.
Flying an airplane is fun. Getting paid to do it is even better. For some people, it’s the perfect job: an office that travels, a view that’s constantly changing and challenges that are exhilarating. It has been said that a pilot’s job is hours of boredom punctuated with seconds of sheer terror. This is perhaps hyperbole, but sometimes not all that far from the truth.
A person who takes a multimillion dollar machine, casually flies it off the ground and then safely returns it, fascinates people. They wonder what it’s like to be responsible for hundreds of lives or goods worth millions. When passengers peek inside a cockpit, they are amazed. They stare at the multitude of dials and ask incredulously, “Do you really know what they all do?”
Pilots are the focal point and end operator in a huge team of highly trained professionals. They are the movie stars of the air transportation show, because they are the most visible people to the public, while most of the other team members remain “behind the scenes.” But movie stars rarely die or cause others to die because of an on-the-job mistake. All pilots run that risk. Piloting is a serious business.
HENRY
You wouldn’t get very far on a flight without pilots: They are the people who put all that sophisticated equipment to work. On commercial airlines, there are always at least two pilots, and on many flights, there are three.
All airline pilots have had extensive training and flying experience, often as part of military service. The road from the first training flight to the airline cockpit is a long and difficult one, but for many pilots, this is the only way to go. To learn more about this career path, one should be aware of the intricacies in piloting.
On an airliner, the pilot in command is called the captain. The captain, who generally sits on the left side of the cockpit, is ultimately responsible for everything that happens on the flight. This includes making major command decisions, leading the crew team, managing emergencies and handling particularly troublesome passengers. The captain also flies the plane for much of the trip, but generally trades off with the first officer at some point.
____________________________________________________________________
The first officer, the second in command, sits on the right side of the cockpit. He or she has all of the same controls as the captain, and has had the same level of training.
The primary reason for having two pilots on every flight is safety. Obviously, if something happens to the captain, a plane must have another pilot who can step in. Additionally, the first officer provides a second opinion on piloting decisions, keeping pilot error to a minimum.
Most airliners built before 1980 have a cockpit position for a flight engineer, also called the second officer. Typically, flight engineers are fully trained pilots, but on an ordinary trip, they don’t fly the plane. Instead, they monitor the airplane’s instruments and calculate figures such as ideal takeoff and landing speed, power settings and fuel management. In newer airliners, most of this work is done by computerized systems, eliminating the need for the flight-engineer position. In the future, it will be phased out entirely.
Flying an airplane is fun. Getting paid to do it is even better. For some people, it’s the perfect job: an office that travels, a view that’s constantly changing and challenges that are exhilarating. It has been said that a pilot’s job is hours of boredom punctuated with seconds of sheer terror. This is perhaps hyperbole, but sometimes not all that far from the truth.
A person who takes a multimillion dollar machine, casually flies it off the ground and then safely returns it, fascinates people. They wonder what it’s like to be responsible for hundreds of lives or goods worth millions. When passengers peek inside a cockpit, they are amazed. They stare at the multitude of dials and ask incredulously, “Do you really know what they all do?”
Pilots are the focal point and end operator in a huge team of highly trained professionals. They are the movie stars of the air transportation show, because they are the most visible people to the public, while most of the other team members remain “behind the scenes.” But movie stars rarely die or cause others to die because of an on-the-job mistake. All pilots run that risk. Piloting is a serious business.
HENRY
Jan
29
Sullenberger: Pay Cuts Driving Out Best Pilots
Filed Under News | 14 Comments
AssociatedPress asked:
The pilot who safely ditched a jetliner in New York’s Hudson River said Tuesday that pay and benefit cuts are driving experienced pilots from careers in the cockpit. (Feb. 24)
ANDREW
Jan
29
How do Pilots find their path in air during their plight from one place to another?
Filed Under Air Travel | 4 Comments
Kalash asked:
I would like to know, how the air pilots find their path in the air to drive the aeroplane from one place to another during plight,that too at a higher altitude?
____________________________________________________________________
I would like to know, how the air pilots find their path in the air to drive the aeroplane from one place to another during plight,that too at a higher altitude?
Jan
28
jasongntl asked:
When piloting a flight, do pilots compensate for the rotation of the Earth (i.e. - Phoenix to NY, or NY to Miami, etc.)?
MICHEL
When piloting a flight, do pilots compensate for the rotation of the Earth (i.e. - Phoenix to NY, or NY to Miami, etc.)?
MICHEL
Jan
28
Monty Python Airplane Pilots
Filed Under Comedy | 25 Comments
Bloomingwings asked:
How to irritate people… These bored pilots scare the hell out of their passengers. Very funny scetch…
RAY
Jan
28
How To Become a Fighter Pilot
Filed Under Creative Action | Comments Off
Stephen Dolan asked:
Becoming a fighter pilot isn’t something that happens overnight. It requires lots of time, dedication and perseverance if you want to be successful. A special type of person is required to join such an elite group. Funnily enough, most people think that becoming a fighter pilot is mostly about flying, when in fact that isn’t the case. You also need to successfully train as an officer. So you’re primarily an officer, even if you continue on to be a fighter pilot. Your primary job is to defend the USA against its enemies, and any career aspirations are secondary to that.
There are three possible ways to train as an officer - service academy, Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). As a high school student, you should apply to a service academy if you want to become an officer. You can choose between the Air Force Academy, Annapolis (Navy & Marines), West Point (Army) or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. All of them put you through rigorous military training, and you also obtain a Bachelor of Science degree. If you have a strong aptitude to advanced math and science then you’ll have a much better chance of succeeding.
If you’re planning to enter one of the academies, then be aware that the competition to get in is fierce. You’ll need a high school grade point average of 3.8 as a cadet, as well as a SAT score of 1300. This has to include a minimum of 1050 for verbal and math. It’s a good idea to have a strong extra-curricular activity record as well, even more so if those activities demonstrate leadership or athletic skills.
So if you want to enter a service academy, earn a commission and receive a college education, the path is simple. It’s not easy though - you’ll need to perform very well in high school, and not just inside the classroom. It takes a long time to work your way through the application process. You certainly don’t just hand over a simple form and expect to be accepted into a service academy. You need three letters of recommendation, extensive paperwork, and even to be nominated by your Congressman. To improve your chances of success, start preparing your application early, and certainly don’t start any later than your junior year.
The bad news is that just because you made it into the service academy, pilot training slots are still extremely limited. Being accepted by the academy is a piece of cake by comparison. However pilots are in demand right now, as all the military streams are struggling to retain the pilots they have. So if you’re keen to be a fighter pilot, it’s a little easier than usual to obtain a slot. How long that lasts, nobody knows.
You might also find that The Reserve Officers Training Corps is the best option for you. With this, you study at a college or university as normal, but add in the officer training requirements. On top of your regular studies you will have to attend military training and courses, spend at least one summer on a training camp and attend weekly meetings. Most of the time you live as a civilian, only donning your military garb when you’re actually attending military classes. When your officer training is complete, you can then apply for specific programs such as pilot training. Competition is tough, and you’ll need to pass some rigorous academic, medical and testing requirements to be successful.
For those who decide a little later in life to become a fighter pilot, The Officer Candidate School (OCS), sometimes called The Officer Training School (OTS), is the best route. Within 4 months OCS will take a college graduate with no background in the military and turn him into an officer. Again, you have the opportunity to apply for pilot training school when you qualify as an officer, but the competition is just as fierce. It’s also necessary for you to begin training as a fighter pilot before you turn 27, so this third option is only available for a limited time.
JON
Becoming a fighter pilot isn’t something that happens overnight. It requires lots of time, dedication and perseverance if you want to be successful. A special type of person is required to join such an elite group. Funnily enough, most people think that becoming a fighter pilot is mostly about flying, when in fact that isn’t the case. You also need to successfully train as an officer. So you’re primarily an officer, even if you continue on to be a fighter pilot. Your primary job is to defend the USA against its enemies, and any career aspirations are secondary to that.
There are three possible ways to train as an officer - service academy, Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). As a high school student, you should apply to a service academy if you want to become an officer. You can choose between the Air Force Academy, Annapolis (Navy & Marines), West Point (Army) or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. All of them put you through rigorous military training, and you also obtain a Bachelor of Science degree. If you have a strong aptitude to advanced math and science then you’ll have a much better chance of succeeding.
If you’re planning to enter one of the academies, then be aware that the competition to get in is fierce. You’ll need a high school grade point average of 3.8 as a cadet, as well as a SAT score of 1300. This has to include a minimum of 1050 for verbal and math. It’s a good idea to have a strong extra-curricular activity record as well, even more so if those activities demonstrate leadership or athletic skills.
So if you want to enter a service academy, earn a commission and receive a college education, the path is simple. It’s not easy though - you’ll need to perform very well in high school, and not just inside the classroom. It takes a long time to work your way through the application process. You certainly don’t just hand over a simple form and expect to be accepted into a service academy. You need three letters of recommendation, extensive paperwork, and even to be nominated by your Congressman. To improve your chances of success, start preparing your application early, and certainly don’t start any later than your junior year.
The bad news is that just because you made it into the service academy, pilot training slots are still extremely limited. Being accepted by the academy is a piece of cake by comparison. However pilots are in demand right now, as all the military streams are struggling to retain the pilots they have. So if you’re keen to be a fighter pilot, it’s a little easier than usual to obtain a slot. How long that lasts, nobody knows.
You might also find that The Reserve Officers Training Corps is the best option for you. With this, you study at a college or university as normal, but add in the officer training requirements. On top of your regular studies you will have to attend military training and courses, spend at least one summer on a training camp and attend weekly meetings. Most of the time you live as a civilian, only donning your military garb when you’re actually attending military classes. When your officer training is complete, you can then apply for specific programs such as pilot training. Competition is tough, and you’ll need to pass some rigorous academic, medical and testing requirements to be successful.
For those who decide a little later in life to become a fighter pilot, The Officer Candidate School (OCS), sometimes called The Officer Training School (OTS), is the best route. Within 4 months OCS will take a college graduate with no background in the military and turn him into an officer. Again, you have the opportunity to apply for pilot training school when you qualify as an officer, but the competition is just as fierce. It’s also necessary for you to begin training as a fighter pilot before you turn 27, so this third option is only available for a limited time.
JON
Jan
27
Pilots License and Vintage Aircraft purchase?
Filed Under Aircraft | 2 Comments
monkeyinaplane asked:
I would like to gain a pilots license. What is the cheapest way to go about this? After I gain the license I would like to purchase an old warbird, WW2 or so, preferably a small bomber or cargo, C-47 or B-25. What costs would I be looking at for both and do I need another license for multi engines?
TIMOTHY
I would like to gain a pilots license. What is the cheapest way to go about this? After I gain the license I would like to purchase an old warbird, WW2 or so, preferably a small bomber or cargo, C-47 or B-25. What costs would I be looking at for both and do I need another license for multi engines?
TIMOTHY
Jan
24
Private Pilot License - Total Flight Training Cost
Filed Under Education | Comments Off
Airfreddy asked:
In this article I am going to add the total cost of a private pilot license up for you. As you can see from breaking your private pilot training down into three sections and then adding in books and materials, this is probably quite a bit higher than most flight schools will lead you to believe.
Like I said there are a lot of great flight schools out there and then there are a lot of bad ones. The key to the entire process is planning and researching. From the other three articles here, I have put down all of the costs together to come up with a realistic cost estimate for you.This way you can understand what you are getting into before you start spending money.
Once again I will use an aircraft rate of $120 Per hour For a C-172 and $45 for the Instructor Since that is what I charge. Remember you will find many different rates in different areas of the country so just use my numbers as a guide for you. After you read this you can use the cost estimate workbook at the bottom of the page to plug in the rates for the aircraft and flight instructors in your area.
Private Pilot License Books and Materials Cost. This is all the books and materials needed for your pilot training.
Private Pilot License Kit $200.00
Aviation Medical $100.00
Headsets $290.00
Total $590.00
Private Pilot License Pre Solo Cost. This is the Cost of your Pre Solo Flight Training.
17 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour
5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )
Total Dual Instruction $2805.00
Total Ground Instruction $225.00
TOTAL # 2 $3030.00
Private Pilot License Post Solo Cost. This is all the Post solo training required before you go on solo cross countries.
11.1 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour
2.5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )
5 Hours of Solo Flight Time @ $120 Per Hour
11.1 Hours Dual Instruction $1,831.50
2.5 Hours Ground Instruction $112.00
5 Hours of Solo Flight Time $600.00
TOTAL# 3 $2543.00
Private Pilot License Flight Test Preparation Cost. This is the cost to get prepared for your flight test.
3 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour
5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )
10 Hours of Solo Flight Time @ $120 Per Hour
Flight Test Examiner Fee
Flight test (airplane)
3 Hours Dual Instruction $825.00
5 Hours Ground Instruction $225.00
7.5 Hours of Solo Flight Time $900.00
Flight Test Examiner Fee $400.00
Flight Test (airplane) $180.00
Total # 4 $2,530.00
Total Private Pilot License Cost. This is everything all added up. This will give you a realistic idea of what a priivate pilot license will cost you.
Now when we add all of this up we get the following cost Estimate:
Books and Materials $590.00
Pre Solo Flight Training $3030.00
Post Solo Flight Training $2543.00
Flight Test Preparation $2530.00
TOTAL $8693.00
So you can see this is probably more than most flight schools will lead you to believe. There are some honest one out there. You just need to research before you start flying. Remember you want to plan and then get your private pilot license in the most cost effective manner.
Hope to See You in the Sky
AIrfreddy
SAMUEL
In this article I am going to add the total cost of a private pilot license up for you. As you can see from breaking your private pilot training down into three sections and then adding in books and materials, this is probably quite a bit higher than most flight schools will lead you to believe.
Like I said there are a lot of great flight schools out there and then there are a lot of bad ones. The key to the entire process is planning and researching. From the other three articles here, I have put down all of the costs together to come up with a realistic cost estimate for you.This way you can understand what you are getting into before you start spending money.
Once again I will use an aircraft rate of $120 Per hour For a C-172 and $45 for the Instructor Since that is what I charge. Remember you will find many different rates in different areas of the country so just use my numbers as a guide for you. After you read this you can use the cost estimate workbook at the bottom of the page to plug in the rates for the aircraft and flight instructors in your area.
Private Pilot License Books and Materials Cost. This is all the books and materials needed for your pilot training.
Private Pilot License Kit $200.00
Aviation Medical $100.00
Headsets $290.00
Total $590.00
Private Pilot License Pre Solo Cost. This is the Cost of your Pre Solo Flight Training.
17 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour
5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )
Total Dual Instruction $2805.00
Total Ground Instruction $225.00
TOTAL # 2 $3030.00
Private Pilot License Post Solo Cost. This is all the Post solo training required before you go on solo cross countries.
11.1 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour
2.5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )
5 Hours of Solo Flight Time @ $120 Per Hour
11.1 Hours Dual Instruction $1,831.50
2.5 Hours Ground Instruction $112.00
5 Hours of Solo Flight Time $600.00
TOTAL# 3 $2543.00
Private Pilot License Flight Test Preparation Cost. This is the cost to get prepared for your flight test.
3 Hours Dual Instruction @ $165 Per Hour
5 Hours Ground Instruction @ $45 Per hour ( Flight Instructor )
10 Hours of Solo Flight Time @ $120 Per Hour
Flight Test Examiner Fee
Flight test (airplane)
3 Hours Dual Instruction $825.00
5 Hours Ground Instruction $225.00
7.5 Hours of Solo Flight Time $900.00
Flight Test Examiner Fee $400.00
Flight Test (airplane) $180.00
Total # 4 $2,530.00
Total Private Pilot License Cost. This is everything all added up. This will give you a realistic idea of what a priivate pilot license will cost you.
Now when we add all of this up we get the following cost Estimate:
Books and Materials $590.00
Pre Solo Flight Training $3030.00
Post Solo Flight Training $2543.00
Flight Test Preparation $2530.00
TOTAL $8693.00
So you can see this is probably more than most flight schools will lead you to believe. There are some honest one out there. You just need to research before you start flying. Remember you want to plan and then get your private pilot license in the most cost effective manner.
Hope to See You in the Sky
AIrfreddy
SAMUEL
Jan
23
Pilot License
Filed Under Sports And Fitness | Comments Off
Peter Bankss asked:
The airplane is the nearest thing to animate life that man has created. In the air a machine ceases indeed to be a mere piece of mechanism; it becomes animate and is capable not only of primary guidance and control, but actually of expressing a pilot’s temperament.
— Sir Ross Smith, K.B.E., ‘National Geographic Magazine,’ March 1921.
There are many kinds of pilot licenses that you can receive. This book primarily deals with private pilot licenses and certifications. Pilot licenses are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) They are divided into two categories:
certificates and training. A certificate defines the various levels of flying privileges that the pilot has earned. A rating defines the various categories and
classes of aircraft in which the pilot may exercise the privileges of their certificate.
Certificates are:
?? Student pilot
?? Sport pilot
?? Recreational pilot
?? Private pilot
?? Commercial pilot
?? Airline transport pilot
?? Flight instructor
Ratings primarily refer to commercial pilots, airline transport pilots, flight
instructors, and private pilots. Some of the ratings that a pilot can receive are:
?? Airplane – single-engine land
?? Airplane – single-engine sea
?? Airplane – multi-engine land
?? Instrument
?? Glider
?? Rotorcraft or helicopter
Denney Kitfox (G-FOXC), built in 1991. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in July 2005 at Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire, England,
Sport Pilot Licenses
The exhilaration of flying is too keen, the pleasure too great, for it to be neglected as a sport.
— Orville Wright
Sport pilots fly smaller and lighter planes. The idea is to enable a pilot to fly alight, small plane for pleasure. To fly as a sport pilot, you have to get a sport pilot license which consists of 20 hours of flight time, getting a medical examiner’s certificate, and passing a knowledge test.
A sport pilot license allows you to fly for pleasure. It does not teach you how to fly into an air traffic control strip at a busy airport like Chicago O’Hara or New York’s La Guardia airport. Many private pilots flying around today though primarily fly planes as sport pilots do and hence do not need to have taken all the certifications and flight time which they do not use.
sport pilot license allows you to fly for pleasure. It does not teach you how to fly into an air traffic control strip at a busy airport like Chicago O’Hara or New York’s La Guardia airport. Many private pilots flying around today though primarily fly planes as sport pilots do and hence do not need to have taken all the certifications and flight time which they do not use.
Sport pilots are not allowed to fly higher than 10,000 feet above sea level nor are they allowed to fly more than 2,000 feet above the ground level, which ever being higher. Sport pilots do not have to acquire the third-class medical examiner ertificate.
Recreational Pilot License
The recreational pilot license was created in 1987. Unlike the sport license, the recreational pilot license has almost the same requirements as a private pilot license such as acquiring the third-class medical examiner certificate, yet with more limitations and not as many benefits. In fact, currently, there are a little over than a thousand recreational pilot licenses in use today.
A recreational pilot can not fly all the planes that a sport pilot can. A recreationalpilot can fly only single-engine aircraft and helicopters, with a horsepower of 180or less, and can only fly planes with four seaters or less. At the same time, arecreational pilot can only have one passenger.
l
ISIAH
The airplane is the nearest thing to animate life that man has created. In the air a machine ceases indeed to be a mere piece of mechanism; it becomes animate and is capable not only of primary guidance and control, but actually of expressing a pilot’s temperament.
— Sir Ross Smith, K.B.E., ‘National Geographic Magazine,’ March 1921.
There are many kinds of pilot licenses that you can receive. This book primarily deals with private pilot licenses and certifications. Pilot licenses are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) They are divided into two categories:
certificates and training. A certificate defines the various levels of flying privileges that the pilot has earned. A rating defines the various categories and
classes of aircraft in which the pilot may exercise the privileges of their certificate.
Certificates are:
?? Student pilot
?? Sport pilot
?? Recreational pilot
?? Private pilot
?? Commercial pilot
?? Airline transport pilot
?? Flight instructor
Ratings primarily refer to commercial pilots, airline transport pilots, flight
instructors, and private pilots. Some of the ratings that a pilot can receive are:
?? Airplane – single-engine land
?? Airplane – single-engine sea
?? Airplane – multi-engine land
?? Instrument
?? Glider
?? Rotorcraft or helicopter
Denney Kitfox (G-FOXC), built in 1991. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in July 2005 at Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire, England,
Sport Pilot Licenses
The exhilaration of flying is too keen, the pleasure too great, for it to be neglected as a sport.
— Orville Wright
Sport pilots fly smaller and lighter planes. The idea is to enable a pilot to fly alight, small plane for pleasure. To fly as a sport pilot, you have to get a sport pilot license which consists of 20 hours of flight time, getting a medical examiner’s certificate, and passing a knowledge test.
A sport pilot license allows you to fly for pleasure. It does not teach you how to fly into an air traffic control strip at a busy airport like Chicago O’Hara or New York’s La Guardia airport. Many private pilots flying around today though primarily fly planes as sport pilots do and hence do not need to have taken all the certifications and flight time which they do not use.
sport pilot license allows you to fly for pleasure. It does not teach you how to fly into an air traffic control strip at a busy airport like Chicago O’Hara or New York’s La Guardia airport. Many private pilots flying around today though primarily fly planes as sport pilots do and hence do not need to have taken all the certifications and flight time which they do not use.
Sport pilots are not allowed to fly higher than 10,000 feet above sea level nor are they allowed to fly more than 2,000 feet above the ground level, which ever being higher. Sport pilots do not have to acquire the third-class medical examiner ertificate.
Recreational Pilot License
The recreational pilot license was created in 1987. Unlike the sport license, the recreational pilot license has almost the same requirements as a private pilot license such as acquiring the third-class medical examiner certificate, yet with more limitations and not as many benefits. In fact, currently, there are a little over than a thousand recreational pilot licenses in use today.
A recreational pilot can not fly all the planes that a sport pilot can. A recreationalpilot can fly only single-engine aircraft and helicopters, with a horsepower of 180or less, and can only fly planes with four seaters or less. At the same time, arecreational pilot can only have one passenger.
l
ISIAH
Jan
17
Star Pilots - In The Heat Of The Night
Filed Under Music | 25 Comments
starligth123 asked:
Music Video
CHARLEY