After
hearing about the different aspects of the aviation industry from the
professionals this semester so of my career goals have indeed been shaken. My
original goal was to continue training and achieve my CFI. Then after a few
years of teaching, start my own 135 charter operation. I never really wanted to
fly for the airlines and that remains intact but the time from CFI to 135 has
now drawn some scrutiny.
During
the talks, the unusual flight careers really caught my attention. I am a fan of
doing those odd jobs and getting the experience from it that very few have. The
thought of earning my hours surveying pipelines or barnstorming brings back
some of the flair of aviation. It seems like every job is pick up these people
or cargo and fly them from here to there at this exact time… repeat until
exhausted. I wanted to fly simply for the love of flying. The freedom of flying
where I wanted when I wanted is what made my own charter operation so
attractive in the first place. I will probably still teach for a good portion
of my career but instead of going out to the practice area 8 times a day, I would
probably take time for me just to go get a burger. Flying without freedom is no
fun at all.
Over
the next five years my goals are relatively simple career wise. The two years will
be to finish my flight training and find a flight instructor job to start
building hours. During this time I also plan to become a member of EAA and fly
into Oshkosh. The next three years will be entirely dependent on my military
service. If I have some stability, I will set up my own 135 operation within
two years and have my own twin engine turbo prop. If I am constantly moving, I will look into
the odd jobs like surveying and flight instruction at the military bases. My
end goal have stayed the same, but how I get there is up for grabs.
