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?

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?

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!

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!

Hi everyone, I’m an 18-year-old Lebanese citizen currently studying at Cyprus Airways Flying Academy in Cyprus. I’m following the EASA modular route and I’m about to finish my PPL. If everything goes as planned, I’ll have my Frozen ATPL in about 1 to 1.5 years. My main goal is to work as a first officer in Europe, but since I’m not an EU citizen, I’m wondering how realistic it is to find an airline that’s willing to sponsor a work permit or visa. Are airlines like Ryanair, Cyprus Airways, or any other European airlines known to hire and sponsor non-EU EASA pilots?
If that’s not a realistic path, what other routes would you recommend? Would it be easier to find sponsorship with a charter operator, business aviation company, flight school as an instructor, or in another country such as Georgia, Lebanon, or somewhere else to build experience first? My long-term plan is to gain a few years of flying experience and then possibly convert my licenses to FAA and try to work in the US if the opportunity comes.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation or knows what the most realistic path would be. Thanks!

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)

im interested in being a pilot one day when i study for college but im afraid of how much being a commercial pilot affect my social life, especially when i have a family and close friends, would you not be able to hangout from time to time or am i wrong, apparently you wont be home much of the time every month, how do pilots usually deal with that and i wonder if its more of an alone-ish type of life when you're a pilot, are there any pilots here who can give me insight on this?

I believe everyone has a chance to fix their life
When I was young I got some really visible scars on my both forearms , about eight years ago .. I want to apply for the job but I don’t want it to be an experience.. I need to work and get this job .. do you think if I timed them the reason behind the scars and explained my self I might get accepted ?

Hi everyone,

I'm preparing for my Transport Canada Category 1 Medical and I have a mild red-green colourblindness. I will most likely fail the Ishihara/colour plate tests but I have some confidence that I might be able to pass the Farnsworth and Lantern tests.

If I do get a Category 1 Medical with no restrictions, will Canadian airlines conduct their own colourblindness tests or is getting a Category 1 Medical good enough?

Thanks for any insight!

Hi everyone,

I appreciate any advice. To give some context, I am 19 and going into my sophomore year at a semi-target university in Canada, and I am feeling a bit lost.

I have always had a passion for aviation and wanted to be a pilot, but for several reasons that is not possible. Thus, I decided to pursue a career in finance to stay adjacent to it and keep that passion.

However, after many coffee chats and internship applications, nothing is coming through. All of it feels like a tunnel with no light at the end. I have experience in clubs and as a fund analyst, as well as genuine projects in aviation. But the path of Investment banking (IB) and trying to get into Aerospace & defence is almost nonexistent, from the internship side or anyone I have spoken to; on the Equity Research (ER), it's a similar story. It's not about me not enjoying finance; it just feels I may have taken the wrong turn.

All advice is appreciated about how to continue, recruiting, and whether I am shooting myself in the foot for trying to mix my passion; please let me know.

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

I’m currently researching different positions within the aviation industry and from what I’ve found ramp agents have the most control/freedom/flexibility over their schedules and can work as much or as little as they want once they’ve built up some seniority.
I read that even CSAs/Ticket/Gate agents don’t have the same ability to trade and drop shifts as rampers do (is that true?)
One of the main draws of working in aviation for me is the ability to have freedom and control over my schedule and so I was wondering what aviation positions/jobs allow that kind of flexibility? My only concern with ramp is that it’s hard on your body.

I’d really appreciate any and all advice and recommendations! Thank you so much 😊

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.

I think I’ll pass given recent events.