Todos
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The Noisy, Sweaty Hell of Small Planes
I spent the better part of five years — from, roughly, autumn of 1985 through the late summer 1990 — immersed in the world of general aviation, as it’s also called, slowly building time and collecting the various add-on licenses and ratings I’d need for an airline job. When I think back to those years, my memories aren’t especially fond. Frankly, as I see it, those are 1,500 hours — two full months aloft — that I’m never getting back. There was much about general aviation flying that I did not… (www.askthepilot.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I spent a lifetime flying, from students in a Cessna 150, spraying crops, co-pilot/mechanic fighting forest fires in a B-17, and finally moving into corporate flying, and having the opportunity to finish up my career in corporate jets. It was a 50 year career, and I wouldn't have traded any of it for anything.
Most of us pay dues of some sort while working our way up the ladder of success. Whining about it doesn't help get through it. I would bet you were more skillful at hands on flying of a 182 than you are of a 747...which you might not have to hand fly except on the runway! I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trust you to fly my Pipistrel Sinus without a very thorough check-out first.
I've instructed, dusted crops (that was the term back then), charter, towed banners, dropped skydivers, you name it. Then I flew for the majors for 29 years. Now I'm a Cub pilot. Enjoyed it all, every minute and every airplane. Some people see themselves as just jet pilots, military, whatever. I just wanted to be an aviator.
Typical. Aero trash I call them! The elite. Not all ATP's are snobs. Comes with the territory. So Sad, To Bad...
Some people hate every minute of their job. Smart people work a job they love, warts and all. If you think your job too much like work, as the author seemed to, then you're in the wrong business.
Apparently, some of the commenters here don't recognize Patrick Smith....Hmmmmmm
And, Squawks can now be from two years ago? Who knew?
And, Squawks can now be from two years ago? Who knew?
I can understand many not knowing him. An International FO for a major airline who followed the route to the majors like many of us. I too started out instructing on the road to a major international airline, with about 1,500 hours as a CFI (Inst & ME) and am saddened to read his article. I have some great memories from those hours, some of the students and the ability to influence the development of eager pilots. I can look at all the different phases of my piloting career and see great times and great people in all of them. Some were better than others. I hope that I am not the exception to the typical career pilot's views, but in the solid majority who thoroughly enjoy all aspects of aviation.
If you don't enjoy it, it's time for a career change.
If you don't enjoy it, it's time for a career change.
http://www.askthepilot.com/about-the-author/
Patrick Smith is an active airline pilot, air travel blogger and author. His Ask the Pilot column, from which portions of this website have been adapted, ran regularly in the online magazine Salon.com from 2002 until 2012.
He has appeared on over 200 radio and television outlets, including PBS, Discovery Channel, CNN, the BBC and National Public Radio. His work is regularly cited in print publications worldwide. He was voted one of the “25 Best Bloggers of 2013” by TIME magazine.
Patrick Smith is an active airline pilot, air travel blogger and author. His Ask the Pilot column, from which portions of this website have been adapted, ran regularly in the online magazine Salon.com from 2002 until 2012.
He has appeared on over 200 radio and television outlets, including PBS, Discovery Channel, CNN, the BBC and National Public Radio. His work is regularly cited in print publications worldwide. He was voted one of the “25 Best Bloggers of 2013” by TIME magazine.
Best Blogger? Ha.