Any Tips?
Any Tips?
(OP)
I am a professional pilot with three soon to be four children. I want to be at home more, so I am considering a undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering. With a family, I know I am looking at a lot of challenges i.e. housing, insurance, tuition etc. Has anyone made this switch, and do you have any tips? I am 33 years old......Another challenge.





RE: Any Tips?
Your biggest obstacle appears to be your attitude.
TTFN
Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376
RE: Any Tips?
If I had a second chance – I would ensure I came back as a pilot!
Try stress management when the President asks why the $10 Million in-flight Entertainment system keeps crashing or the 2 o’clock morning phone call demanding a ferry permit!
Our latest engineering office buzz-word is “AIDS” … “Aviation induced Divorce Syndrome” I make good money – (much less then a Pilot) & work on weekends & evenings. I have a company Laptop that allows me to work at home & have lots of home time! My company president phones me anytime he is in a bad mood & we have no negotiated Union clause that allows us to get paid to watch TV. Every once in a while I’m allowed out on some training course.
Have you explored all the Pilots jobs out there?
RE: Any Tips?
I am not protected by a union, if metal bends, I am on the street with lawyers on my tail.
RE: Any Tips?
i can remember several guys in my class at uni. who were doing their engineering degree as a fall-back, 'cause they were going to be pilots, and were planning for when their body let them down.
my opinion is that your degree is a "ticket to a ball game", and it's not which school you go to but how you apply yourself there. airplane companies have a preferrence for Aero. Eng degrees, but not exclusively. if you wanted a stress job with a Mech. Eng degree that you'd stop you; if you wanted an aero job, i think Aero. Eng is obviously preferred. what about test pilot ? (you're already 1/2 way there) ... not necessarily the "Chuck Yeager" (sorry if i got the spelling wrong) type, production flight test would keep you at home.
Your post suggests you're ununionised, which implies to me not particularly well paid for a pilot. in any case, be ready for a pay cut. i'd look around at where you'd like to get a job, see you you'd work for, and see what the conditions would be like. remember too (as the bread-winner) you'll be looking at several years paying for school, instead of getting paid ... that's not something i'd do without tons of thought (and cash). and if you were thinking of doing it part-time or on-line, it'll take longer or look suspicious !
a last comment on your last post ..."if the metal bends", i think (as the guy in the pointy end) that you'd count yourself lucky if you had lawyer problems ... given the alternatives.
RE: Any Tips?
I think you typically need to make arrangements with both schools up front, and you can't take forever to do the program.
OR, for less time and money invested, you could get an MBA, boss the engineers around, make way more money, and work shorter hous.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Any Tips?
Thanks for the info. I have considered test piloting, and this might be just my speed. I have talked to several test pilots, and most are former military and they seem to enjoy what they do. As far as the "tons of though, or cash" it seems to me you have one or the other, and for me it is going to have to be thought. I am currently looking at co-op programs as well as the two tier community college route. Both of these appear attractive. I plan on going to school full time and then some, as much as my mental capacity will allow. Do you know of any outstanding students that have made arrangements with companies, that reimburse for tuition in exchange for employment after graduation? I dont think that an MBA would satisfty my desire to contribute to the aerospace industry. Not to say that that I dislike those folks, just not my cup of tea.
Thanks Again,
CE525
RE: Any Tips?
RE: Any Tips?
If not a pilot, you must know a few. I am employed by a fractional, great company, love the work, but I see my children for half of my life. I would like to be more involved with them, and I cant do this from 1000 miles from home. This is only half of the equation, the other half (the better one) has her hands way past full. My father is a reserch scientist and he always told me that my job sounded repetitive and mundane. The more I learn the more I understand his perspective. I am going to try and find contract work that will be close to the school that I choose. Remaining current and going to Flight Safety on a regular basis will be the tough part. If you don't mind me asking, what is your current job? Do you like it, and do you see yourself staying there until retirement? Thanks for the encouraging words.
Thanks,
CE525