Aviation BS and Photo Thread

I have received several personal messages with questions about how to become a pilot, so I thought I would create a thread where those questions can be answered in public.

If you want to learn, ask some questions. If you're a pilot, lets see what you fly or the views from your cockpit! If you were a pilot in the military, show us your jets/tankers/helicopters/etc.! If found or made a cool video, share it! If you work(ed) on airplanes, let us know!

A little about me... (update in 2018)
I am pilot for Southwest Airlines. I love my job and I am happy to help others achieve their goals if I can be of any help.
I used to be a corporate pilot based in Oakland, CA. I flew Cessna Citation CJ's (CE-525) Citation Sovereign (CE-680), Phenoms, and other light jets. I started flying in high school when I was 15, did aerobatics for several years, became a flight instructor, flew under Part 135/91, and now Part 121.

This thread is open to any and all for questions, discussion, BS, and photos/videos.


Current job....






Some of the aircraft I used to fly - CJ1, CJ3, CJ2+.


Citation Sovereign.

 

Sub-a-dub-dubbed!

 

A Tanker buddy of mine took this and gave it to me. Pretty sweet photo.

 

Nice ..Interested !

 

Do any of you guys own your own planes? The reason I ask is that my buddy just got his license, and I learned about a whole "timeshare" type of plane ownership. Was new to me and still trying to figure it out.

4 people own the plane and they split the maintenance costs and engine rebuilt costs, but they have to reserve it for weeks/weekends. Is this a pretty standard method of flying?

 

This is a fairly common way to own an airplane, especially the more expensive types. There is a T-6 at Livermore, CA airport and 10 people own it!

We have a Citation Mustang on our charter certificate and 5 people own it. It's a cheaper way to own something you couldn't afford alone.

 

How long did it take him ? .. and general question to anyone but after getting license, about how long realistically to use it to get a job ?

Thanks

 

Looks like Kaiser in oak...

 

Pretty much! The big hangar in the middle background is Landmark's, but to the back right side of the photo is Kaiser.
Signature Flight Support actually just bought out Landmark so those hangars will be changing again.

 

Time it takes to get your private license can depend on a lot of variables, such as you're availability to go flying, how much money you have to afford the lessons and associated costs, weather, etc. You typically need 30-35 hrs (been a while so I may be off) of flight training to get your license.

 

Call me a noob, but what's all available ? I'd love to work for a sports team or private elite and fly people or cargo where needed.

 

Getting a job will really be dependant on what you want to do. Best thing is to research as much as possible, start building hours, and get qualified in additional things like multiple engines and instrument flying.

 

@justinmbowen can probably help you better with that. 95% of my experience has been military.

 

Currently need 40 hours to get your private under Federal regulation FAR Part 61. Can be done in 35 hours if you go to a qualified school that operates under Part 141.

I met one guy that did it in 36 hours but he was very smart and in the Air Force already, so much of the info wasn't that new to him.

 

oh ok. I'm only there the month of December. It looks like you have fun and enjoy your job! It's such a crazy industry.

 

I only got 25 hrs of civil time before military flight training. I got all of my civilian equivalencies after I was "winged"

 

Already talked with Justin about this but if anyone else has a recommendation for ANY airport/school/anyhelpgetstart in LA/OC area it would be helpful

 

Dawn at NAS Fallon, NV 2008

 

The military is a different beast and I cannot speak from experience.

Which is why you are here!!!!!

 

Maverick or Goose ?

lol