10 TOP REASONS FOR BECOMING A PILOT

1. FREE TIME - Varies from airline to airline, Charter  airlines have most of their flights during the summer season, during the winter season you are more than likely to have some extra free time on your hands. Long haul pilots can have up to 8 flights a month, however sometimes that figure is even lower resulting in a lot more free time and so you can expect to see up to 20 off days at times, about 10 of these days will be spent away from home

2. SHORT TRAINING AND STUDYING PERIOD - For most fields, study periods range from 3 to 5 years, some fields have even longer periods of time to complete your studies in that particular field, this is not one of them, in aviation you can become a qualified pilot in approximately 2 years, for some that number can be even less, it's based on student performance, weather conditions , instructor availability, your finances and so the duration is variable but 2 years is a reasonable figure.

3. INTERESTING PEOPLE - You constantly meet new people; your crew members constantly change and so do your passengers. You also don't have to be an Airline pilot; you can be a Charter pilot getting the rich and famous from point A to point B. During the different countries visits you can meet lots of diverse people from multicultural backgrounds

4. OVERNIGHT HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS - You get paid to stay in beautiful destinations across the globe, live in world class luxury hotels, get a chance to see new cities and to bring friends or family long for the ride. 

Statute of Liberty, NYC, USA

Taj Mahal, Agra India

Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Eiffel Tower, Paris France

5. CHEAP TICKETS - Varying from airline to airline you receive between 2 and 4 free tickets a year and you can have 50% or more on discounts for standby tickets, these can be for family, your friends or yourself to spoil. Take your grandma along for a flight, your parents or go on a fun trip with your mates. Your Airline might also have partnerships with other Airlines, and certain hotel chains making your booking for both in most cases, cheaper than for everyone else, leaving you with more spending money.

6. ADRENALINE RUSH - Flying is not a job its a PASSION. The first solo flight, you'll ever do ; you will never forget. As an airline pilot imagine having control over a huge Airbus or Boeing, soaring through the skies; it must be absolutely exuberating. Flying to unknown destinations or just flying through fog, while you completely rely on your instruments and your autopilot to get you and your passengers to your destination. Its breath taking.

7. RESPECT - Pilots are admired for the huge responsibility they have on their shoulders to ensure the passengers, the aircraft and the cargo land safely.

8. MONEY - Pilots get paid extremely well compared to most other occupations out there today piloting is relatively high up in most areas of the world. Example a doctor working 100 hours compared to an Airline pilot working 70 hours a month; an Airline Captain would generally get paid more.

9. GOOD HEALTH
Well, it is exhausting to keep up an Aviation medical yet it's also beneficial to your body and mind. By wanting to keep your medical, you are encouraged to be healthy which makes you live longer.

10. ROBOT VOICE
To have a Electric "Robot voice " is not one of the best reasons to become a pilot, but definitely one of the most FUN reasons.

 

Pilots have a huge responsibility; this is due to the passengers, cargo and the aircraft therefore pilots get paid in most instances an above well off salary. They also need enough time to recuperate after flights because of jet lag. All the fun aside you need a lot of discipline, courage, willpower, belief in yourself, money and a bit of luck to become one. Make sure you sure to subscribe on my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1Hp55yX4jM and confirm subscription to this blog via email

Email : rikathepilot@gmail.com

THE NAKED TRUTH

While being an Airline Pilot comes with exotic destinations and a glamorous lifestyle. The cost of becoming a Pilot is absorbent compared to a regular university education. If you are from a middle class family or you haven’t been gifted financially and you fully understand the financial stress, yet you are still willing to save up and wait, then start saving up your cash and look into possibly applying for a loan.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE COSTS OF COMMERCIAL PILOT TRAINING

There are various aspects that impact the overall pricing, some of these are; the type of field and course you select; exchange rates; your accommodation/housing – depending on whether you choose to either live in accommodation that is situated on base or at the aerodrome, should that be an option, or whether you choose to live off base/campus; the school you chose; examination costs; equipment costs (headsets etc.); fluctuation in jet fuel costs; instructor costs (good instructors come at a price in most cases) and much more. South Africa is a very favourable destination for flight schools due to the exchange rates benefiting other countries. Do your research with regards to the best possible schools and job prospects.

SO WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

Generally privately funded pilots pay +/- R1million to fund their commercial pilot training. Once completing there commercial pilot course pilots often need to start building their flight hours for charter companies and major airlines to begin consider them. Most qualified pilots in their FIRST job can earn between R20 000 to R40 000 depending on the airline. 

THE NAKED TRUTH 

Think very carefully about whether this career will be for you. It will take years of dedication, resilience and willingness to relocate apart from the financial issues. Always have a “PLAN B”. You shouldn’t get into this industry solely for the financial benefits, your main reason should be your passion for aviation. Yes the costs are ludicrous and it’s essentially a gamble (if not on a cadet program); but I would rather move forward in life saying I tried rather than regretting not trying at all to fulfil my dream.

CHECK OUT MY VIDEO

FROM RIKA WITH LOVE (Its general information about myself)

https://youtu.be/s1Hp55yX4jM

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS OF A PILOT

What inspires and motivates Rika?

For me, my family is everything, and my greatest strength is found in both my parents Reetesh and Tamara and my younger brother Raul. It’s also in this bond that we share that I find the inspiration and passion to strive for success both as an individual and in my career.

Why this career path?
I was born into a World of Aviation and Travel. My father exposed me to the Aviation World ever since I was little. He was employed by a major Airline for several years; his position gave my family many opportunities to travel far and wide, to all ends of Our Mother Earth. This opened up my mind, my heart and my soul. I fell in love with the diversity of this Colourful, Beautiful, Wonderful World and of course the Dynamics of Flight

80s Fan

My Parents, My Team

 

How can YOU become an Airline Pilot?

Subject choices in High School are important and will aid you with later studies viz. English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Geography are beneficial. In addition, you will have to complete up to two months of Ground School Training and need more than 1,500 hours of flight experience. Usually the path to follow is from PPL (Private Pilots License) to CPL (Commercial Pilot License)

What are a Pilots Health Requirements?

The First Recommendation to any aspiring Pilot is to obtain a Class 1 Medical Certificate. This is a mandatory requirement for all flight crew in order to operate commercially. You are tested for good general health, and any disqualifying conditions such as diabetes and colour blindness are identified. Some conditions are not necessarily disqualifying, but may require further investigation and testing. Generally, Class 1 Medical is designed for the Airline Transport Pilot and a Commercial Pilot; and Class 2 Medical are for the student, recreational and private pilots. Class 3 medical certificates have the least restrictive medical requirements; for Air Traffic Controllers. After the initial issue, you are required to attend a medical assessment on an annual basis until the age of forty, then every six months until the age of 65. Maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle may well go a long way to prolonging a career as a pilot.

What are the visual requirements for different classes of medicals?

The visual examination has minimum requirements for different parameters examined depending on the class of medical applied for. You are allowed to fly with either spectacles or contact lenses. Surgical correction of refractive abnormalities is allowed but a three to six month waiting period is required before the applicant can be re-certified. Also you require 20/20 vision to be a pilot, but if you don't have 20/20 vision naturally you can be a pilot with glasses provided your vision can be corrected; with the use of glasses.