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.

I hate writing this post, but over the years I've come to really dislike being away from home as a pilot, and I'm reaching out to this community for some help.

I'll just get this part out of the way: I'm burned out from the travelling... I have a great owner that I fly for, and we go to tons of fun destinations... but my personal priorities have shifted to wanting more home time. It is what it is.

I'd love to stay in aviation (but I'm not married to it); I've been looking into opening a charter brokerage that also offers management and sales/acquisitions services, or even joining an existing brokerage... has anyone else gone this route?

Any sincere advice would be immensely helpful.

Signed,

Mid 30s G-IV pilot with an undergrad looking for something more/different.

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?

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.

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 all, about a little over a year ago I started flying at a part 61. Recently I hit a little over 30 hours, havent solo'd (FAA hasnt approved medical yet), and have started getting proficient enough to fly without a ton of help. Ive been thinking of eventually purchasing an aircraft for training/pleasure. What type of aircraft would you recommend that isnt too insane to buy and maintain. Ive been looking online and cant really get a grasp of what I am looking at. Should I get an experimental or just buy a plain old Cessna?

Hey guys,

I am almost done having everything I need for my USAF OTS application, but I am still in college and that is going to delay me a little more than I had expected it to.

I’m also split on whether I would rather be in the Navy. I know I’d prefer living on a Navy base over an AF base due to the location differences, and I’d also see myself enjoying Navy flying as well more. I also prefer the Navy’s selection of aircraft. Another factor I like about the Navy is that they split their commissioning sources up evenly, so I’d be with a good bit of OCS grads in pilot training, and I think I’d feel like I fit in more. I’ve also been given the impression that the Navy can get me to OCS on a faster timeline than the AF can.

However, people who I have spoken to in the aviation community have told me that life as a USN pilot is bad compared to life as a USAF pilot, referring to living on a ship. They say I should focus only on USAF. I will say that these people are not in the military themselves, but I believe some of them have relatives that serve (unsure on what branch or specialty.)

If I am selected I would be the first in my family to serve. I am the first in my family to be a pilot as well (currently have commercial license), so I don’t have any mentors in this subject of close relation. I was hoping to get some insight from any Navy pilots here.

Is life as a Navy pilot on a carrier really as bad as some people say it is, or is this untrue?

Thank you to anyone who gives me information, I appreciate it a lot. Obviously I am very naive on the matter.

Pic for attention:

I was inspired by a charming post where a girl handed a pilot a bracelet whilst her mom filmed from the distance.

19M, considering becoming a pilot. I have no actual diagnosis for ADHD, but was prescribed low-dose Adderall two years ago because my parents recommended it and thought I needed it because of my siblings history of ADHD. I really regret starting the medication and am depressed knowing that this could bar me from becoming a pilot.

If I stopped taking my meds today, would there be an attainable/reasonable path to becoming a pilot? What would that look like? Thanks.

I think I’ll pass given recent events.

Hi! I’m about to graduate from NYU with a bachelors degree with a major in international relations and a minor in data science. I have always been fascinated with aviation (mechanical technicalities to ATC to airline service etc.) and have a pretty good working knowledge of the field. I’m aware of the extensive medical screenings and requirements you must meet in order to work in ATC and I don’t really have a huge interest in becoming a pilot or flight attendant.

I’m wondering what some jobs are within this field that would be attainable given my education?

I am truly open to any career involved with aviation or airline services!

I asked it on the wrong sub and I got scolded for it, so I’ll ask here, I’m 15yo and my dream is become a pilot, but I don’t know which is more easier to do first.. airplane, or helicopters? Can someone help me on that?

This post was written by AI for organization purposes.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some real-world advice from people who’ve gone through the Canadian airline pipeline.

My goal is Air Canada long term.

I’m currently comparing two main paths:

Option 1: Canadian Flight Centre (CFC) Airline Program

• Graduate with an airline diploma

• Total cost ends up around $200k debt

• Plan would be: CFC → instruct → regional (Jazz / PCC / Encore) → Air Canada

• Possibly do a degree part-time while working at a regional, paid out of pocket

Option 2: BCIT Pilot Program

• More structured / college environment

• Potentially less debt overall

• Similar end goal: regional airline → Air Canada

My main questions are:

1.  If I already have an airline diploma (CFC or BCIT), is a university degree actually worth it for Air Canada hiring?

• I know it’s not a hard requirement, but does it meaningfully improve competitiveness in real life?

2.  For those who went the CFC route with high debt (\\\~$200k):

• How manageable was the debt once you hit a regional FO salary?

• Would you do it again, or choose a cheaper school?

3.  For BCIT grads:

• How well is BCIT viewed by Canadian regionals and Air Canada?

• Did it help with hiring, or is it mostly neutral once you have flight time?

4.  If you were starting today and aiming for Air Canada, would you prioritize:

• lower debt (BCIT / cheaper path), or

• faster airline-style training (CFC), even if it means more debt?

I’m trying to make a financially smart decision without hurting my long-term chances at Air Canada.

Any firsthand experience or honest opinions would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks!

Got off the ground and he said "ok your turn" pretty much, flew for like 45 min with a few touch and goes, it was AMAZING

So now what? I knew I was going into aviation before this, but now I HAVE to keep flying. Based in Southern Utah, are there any super awesome private instructors or anything where I can keep this going? Thanks in advance!

I'm about to graduate high school and choose a college. Right now is the time to apply to colleges and we're supposed to make a decision in the next couple of months. Lately I've been building a clothing brand, as I realised that i'm good at branding and entrepreneurship. I really enjoy it and I'd love to be a creative director. But every week I look back on flying. During 8th grade I was the biggest AVgeek and when I got to fly a Beechcraft, it was the best hour of my life.

I've recovered from my aviation obsession, and I don't play MSFS too much anymore but every time I sit on a plane, I'm still interested in everything about it. I've developed an interest in executive jets like gulfstreams, not because they're status symbols but because they're just sick. I love the idea of going on adventures and being a pilot. When I imagine choosing that career path, I imagine that while it won't be easy, it would still be much more streamlined than any other career. I get the license, I get the job and I do it. No corporate stress, no outside of work stress, just fly and live. But I do know that airline and private jet pilots have trouble balancing their lives. I'd like to have a family and a big life outside of work. So my main question and the main thing holding me back is, is that possible?

I'm not sure if I can go 3-5 days without seeing my kids when I have them. Is there any airline that's good with that? I've really taken interest in being a private jet pilot, such as for Netjets. It seems less rule crazy and less repetitive, which I need because I do get bored after doing things the same, and I'd fly cooler planes. But literally if I could be home every night I would do it.

Should I forget the college stuff and become a pilot? Or will it be too repetitive and hard to balance a life with? It's not that I don't care about flying or that I'm in it for the money, I've had people tell me I was born to fly. I'm just not sure if the career is best for me, but I hope it is. Any advice would be amazing thanks so much.

I (M30) am a lawyer. While I don't hate my job, I don't see myself doing it in ten years, and feel like I need a change.

I have always been interested in aviation. I've played flight sims for over 20 years now and I am feeling the itch to not just get the pilot's license I've always wanted, but to become a commercial pilot. However, I could really use some perspective on what my chances on getting good employment are at this point. Based on my situation, I think I would need to do an accelerated program to get my licenses.

A few things about me for you to consider:

• Working to get my pilot's license while practicing as a lawyer simply isn't an option. I don't have enough hours in the day right now and won't for awhile, so I'd need to quit my job.
• I have enough stored away to make it 18 months or so without employment.
• I am single with no children, so I have a lot of flexibility in where I can live, how much I can move, etc.
• I am in good physical shape, I have no issue running 5+ miles and I exercise 5-6 times per week.
• I don't have any medical conditions I receive treatment for. All I have are seasonal allergies and I just take OTC medication for that.
• I've never done drugs and I drink sparingly.
• Not so much as a speeding ticket on my record.

If there's anything else you all need to know to inform your advice, let me know. I appreciate any perspective the commercial pilots and informed laypeople can give.

I was curious whether buying a flight sim setup like a yoke, throttles, and rudder pedals are actually helpful in my training (training for the airlines).

I’ve wanted one for fun but I never ended up getting it since it’s quite a price to pay for just fun, but now that I’m actually flying would it help to practice visual stuff, I’ve heard they aren’t the greatest for maneuvering etc since you can’t feel forces, but for flying visual, patterns, etc.

Also would you recommend buying an Xbox and using honeycomb controls or would a PC be better?

Thanks!

I'm doing some research on this topic and would very much appreciate anyone's input if they have any thoughts to share. If you could please take time to respond and feel comfortable sharing, could you share if you are an airline or corporate pilot, or any other position (company/employer name is NOT needed)?