my thoughts exactly. it's tough at first but the more you learn the more you can't help but to fall in love. aviation is wonderful and i'm in wonder every time i'm up in the sky
@@DD10_OFFICAL Excellent plan and well thought out. I hope your medicine career is everything you expect it will be. Best wishes for your continued success.
Totally agree. I’m beginning flight school and many different pilots have told me that if I don’t like learning about the mechanics and physics of flight and airplanes. And just enjoy flying in general. This job is not for you. For me flying airplanes is something I could do all day.
I love flying. Feels like surfing but in the air. People drive without knowing how to change a tire. You can’t fly without knowing some basics and that’s for your safety. I love it all
This is so true. I took 4 flying lessons back in 2016 at a suggestion of a pilot friend of mine. He said that at the end of 4 lessons, that I either 1) would feel like I couldn’t wait until the next time I could go up, or 2) be totally indifferent to the idea. I was #2. It wasn’t because I hated flying, but because the ONLY reason I wanted to become a pilot was to be able to transverse 600-1000 miles on consulting gigs in half the time as driving, or avoiding commercial air travel. I remember driving to the airfield for my 4th lesson thinking, “it’s such a beautiful day. I really wish I was out on my motorcycle rather than having to do this.” Great advice my friend gave me. I’m glad I did it, and I’m glad I learned it was something I didn’t want to pursue further.
I got sick of working retail after 12 years and decided "Fuck it" one Friday.. That afternoon I was in the pilots seat in a hands on action flight at YBSU.. I was absolutely terrified.. until we came in to land.. We were landing runway 13.. Seeing the sun set over the mountains as the moon hung low over the ocean, with the glow of the runway and Maroochydore off in the distance.. it just made me feel this was right for me.. Unfortunately, learning to fly is expensive.. I've had to restart my journey 3 times, and I'm still not there.. I'm hoping next year I'll save enough to get it.. I do enjoy it
Completely agree - the fascination with flight is much more enjoyable when you see WHY a two ton aircraft can leave the ground. For thousands of years, mankind has been envious of this magic. I still can't believe I get to be a pilot and stand on the shoulders of the giants before me, who had the guts and the brains to figure out how to do what I love
I love that physical feeling of flying, the weightless, and the freedom of being in the air. The understanding just HOW that "crate" with wings really does STAY UP THERE is a bonus. There is such a difference between gliders and power flight too.
I agree 100% I’m a private pilot with an instrument rating. I’ve never held a commercial rating, but I have friends who have been airline pilots that have no interest in actually flying and I have friends that love flying and there is a big difference. Some very happy and some are not happy.
Also curious about these airline pilots that don’t enjoy flying… I’m guessing bc just like anything, ANYTHING you do or are forced to do for pay .. becomes a 'job'
100%. The pay and travel opportunities are great but I am genuinely fascinated by aerodynamics and the way planes and all the instruments work. Not only that but the shear amount of technical info you have to know to fly is information most people don’t know. Teaching it is a blast.
I fly for the shear beauty of it. The beauty of the sky, the beauty of the top of the clouds and the earth below, the beauty of the machines, and the beauty of a perfect landing.
Great reason as well. Personally, I think you just need a passion for some aspect of flying, like the scenery or the machinery. I think this also gives you a better sense to appreciate different aspects of aviation.
Didn't know anything about aircraft. Joined as a curiosity. Ended up putting in 45 years as a search & rescue pilot for, Civil Air Patrol, USAF Aux. Ended up with close to 7000 hours, with private pl, instrument and glider ratings. The volunteer work with CAP was very rewarding and gave a purpose for flying. Don't know much about mechanics of airplanes.
I’m 17 and am head deep in study for aircraft mechanics and piloting. Lots and lots of reading but the mechanics and science is so interesting and I love it.
I retired at AA last year after 37 years and a total of 49 years of flying. I work with young people that are interested in the career and did years of career days. I never had the words that you have to put across the same point. The love of the machines and the idea of being as one with them is a key. I was a mechanic at times as well as a pilot and that kind of old school training can keep a young guy alive to fly another day. Very good job and I have shared your video to quite a few young people. Thank you.
The travel, pay and status are all excellent reasons to get into aviation. I'm into aviation because i love aviation and seeing the world from a completely different perspective.
@@HBSuccess Idk man... I think everybody values different things. Yeah, most of us love the technology and are fascinated by the machinery, but to be fair, you can't say those three perks don't make you love it even more.
I've never been on a plane before, I'm 29. Never went to school because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I always thought about being a pilot but thought I can't do that. Then one day I did some research and thought, I can do this. I bought some books and I've been reading them in my free time, one day I'll go to school and hopefully get a job. The travel and money seems great, but I'm also really excited about being able to fly a plane. Seems like it will be a fun job that I'll enjoy
If you can, I would suggest saving up some money to try a “discovery flight”. Generally most aviation/piloting programs have some sort of variant, and you can see what it’s like. They are super fun, I would recommend them
@alaskansoybean6297 i definitely plan on doing one soon. I'm still learning and just got a flight sim to get a feel for what it's like flying a plane. I want to get more comfortable on the sim and finish the book before I get in a real plane. How much does a discovery flight cost?
@@tardis4125 Good on you, sims are a great way to go into a plane and have a general idea of what/where everything is and become familiar with controls. Discovery flights can cost $100+, but shouldn't cost more than $350. Try to aim for the cheaper side of that If you have the time and money to choose, I would recommend going with a longer flight rather than a shorter one, and see if there's a day that they have less other flyers as well.
If you just like the mechanics of the aircraft, you should probably be an aircraft mechanic. One of the reasons so many people are becoming pilots is because of the pay.
They’re going to make third rate pilots. Whilst I deserved every penny I earned the money wasn’t what I was doing it for. Professionalism and aiming for perfection. Perfection and the stars.
I absolutely despise flying because being crammed in a tube for hours on end with other people doesnt exactly translate to a good time. I endure flying only for the purpose of the destination. I dont know what the talk is about pay but pilots probably arent raking in 500k+ unless theyve done it for 30 years. Cant think of a number that would convince me to become a pilot really. Plenty of business ventures to make a great living without doing somthing you absolutely hate
Just a heads up.. There are no RIGHT or WRONG REASONS to be a pilot. Motivations are hard to see but becoming a pilot starts with one universal single rule - a love of airplanes..the rest ask fall into place. The more you fly the more you learn about the mechanics of it the more you love it.. Eventually everyone gets to where you're at. Just not initially. The more I learn about flying the more I love it.. For ALL REASONS
I stopped right when u said the reasons. My reason why i wanna be a pilot is to meet friends have fun, do it for the people, sacrifice all possibilities of jobs just only for this job
Approach controller for 14 years. Also have private certificate. I still look up even if it’s only a training plane that I see every 30 seconds. I hear the engine, I look up. Many controllers are here because of pay as well. They don’t know the difference between aircraft and don’t care, especially in the radar environment where we don’t see the planes
Interesting perspective! It’s good to hear from air traffic control sometimes when they chime in on Pilot stuff because you sometimes forget that there’s a whole other world down there controlling the airplanes and it’s nice to be able to hear that from you :-) in the controllers, Noah, heck of a lot more about airplanes then some pilots do for sure. Sounds like you need to start using that private pilot certificate a little bit more and hit the skies! :) would love to see what it’s like to be in the control tower at some point!
My Dad was USAF Crew Chief on 135s & 52s, then C-130 FE, retired 1970. Grew up going and helping him in hangars and later going to flight line and to ops rooms. One of the best sights was seeing a pair of P-51s land about an hour after a C-5 landed. Great time to be a kid around air force & army bases/posts. Started flying models when I was 12, then eventually the real thing. Flying when one wants to is very different than flying when one is scheduled to. Agree that to be really good at anything one must enjoy the fundamentals.
"Agree that to be really good at anything one must enjoy the fundamentals." --- Yes, you said. And I could add "for anything else." following your wards.
When I built an airplane I thought there wouldn’t be much maintenance because it was new. What a surprise. But I love doing the maintenance. Very rewarding.
Totally agree. Sometime we take for granted this amazing innovation. Every time I see a plane in air I can't stop wondering how these machines can fly in air from one point to another precisely. To be a good pilot you need to have appreciation and love for those machines.
After going deep inside myself I realized, that I would have gone into commercial aviation because of the status. Of course, the mechanics amaze me every single time, but paying 125k without any job safety (here in Europe) is one more reason not to do it. But here I am, beginning my ppl next year to enjoy aviation as it should be 😁
what exactly is stacks of money? I for example hate flying and wouldnt do it for half a mil. I earn a very comfortable living while keeping my feet planted more or less
@@baronvolkov6172 legacy carriers like Delta, United, FedEx, etc all average $200-350k with some higher seniority pilots taking on extra flights for percentage modifiers and whatnot can bag nearly 1mil in a year. The private charter side of aviation can also be just as if not more lucrative than 121 carriers if you know where to look
Yes exactly. I told my engineering classmates this. My friends always wondered why I studied Mech engineering when my goal was to be an Airline Pilot but I'm just fascinated and obsessed with Airplanes..😂🍻
hes right - the era where being a pilot was glamorous and well paying is loooooong gone. You're better off driving a city bus than being an airline pilot
@@josh-ed7je The cost of entry to becoming a pilot, and then an airline pilot, is over 1500 hours of accumulated training to even be hired as a first officer making under 100k a year, and then years of seniority to becoming a captain, just to make over 100k a year - and keep in mind, training costs by this point are over that by a lot... Nah, its better to be a bus driver. American airline pilots are treated like garbage, paid like shit, flying planes held together by tape, for a quarter of the salary they used to make. Airlines overseas treat their pilots much better, which is why most pilots I've met who want to fly for airlines, want to fly for foreign airlines (Emirates for example - Emirates starting salary for a FO is around 5k a month in US dollars)
@@joshparnell7755 Facts, money is a motivator for any job. Passion is cool but not a necessity. Although I do like airplanes and how they work so there is that.
Retired firefighter, medic who owns an automotive business. But I grew up around aircraft and now I'm becoming a pilot . But I love the mechanics and physics and engineering in aviation
Well said!!! To me this is the only reason I would do this....the love of airplanes and how they work. All the other things are secondary things you get for doing what you love.
Liking travel is a fine reason. Traveling during for work sucks but the travel benefits are excellent. I don't know anyone that loves work. Why wouldn't you be a mechanic if you just love the machinery.
I love everything about Aviation, I absolutely love learning about how to operate aircraft and how they operate and I cant get enough, it is my passion, I am training to become a pilot!
To me it’s purely magical. I know how and why it works, but it’s still just insane that’s it’s something that can actually happen. Humans are able to go up by going fast through something we can’t see. It’s just unfathomably fascinating
I’ve loved airplanes and anything that took to the skies ever since I was a kid and never thought I would be able to be a pilot. Living the dream as an instrument rated PPL.
I love the safety aspect. Like studying crashes that have been made by other pilots and looking what can be improved of those mistakes. So do I have the right reason to become a pilot?
I love how planes work, I love the mechanics of them, and I am extremely fascinated by them and am eager to learn more about them everyday. But damn, I would be extremely terrified which is why I won't get into it. I'm fine studying from the ground.
Haha I totally feel this. I still really love the actual act of flying, but even more than that I just freaking love airplanes and am fascinated by how they work. Operating the systems of an airplane really makes me nerd out 😂
Totally man!!! And you’ve got the coolest projects on the go… you’re actually building them haha. Well… building one, tearing cutting up another 😝 (747)
Well the good news is that with the 1500-hour rule, ain't no one gonna become an ATP unless they REALLY love flying. And I mean bouncing around the pattern in a C-172 teaching person how to fly. But the time you get close to the "travel" and the "pay" you'll have had your love of flying thoroughly tested.
How did you get into flying? I am a nurse and 30 years old and recently looked into a career change to become a pilot, because I've always wanted to fly. The cost of training is my biggest barrier
totally agree, especially because being a pilot for the wrong reasons will ensure a much higher risk of failure to stay safe during the many diverse conditions and situations you will encounter.
Very true. Been doing this corportate flying for 20+ years, its not glamorous anymore and sometimes the flying life can be brutal. But if you have the passion for it, the moment you strap on your bird, all those worries melt away
During A&P School, it amazed me how few were interested in the mechanics of flight, or even the thrill of flight. I wish more people had a fascination of aircraft and flight.
All the layers of machanics that have been added to flying ruin it. I want to fly free like what is shown in Studio Ghibli movies, or how I fly my RC Plane around with camera attached. Floating in the wind, feeling the currents, useing them, not trying to go anywhere but where you are and seeing it from a new perspective rather than an air traffic controller telling you what to do and watch your instruments.
Yeah…that’s why we’re in the safest stretch of aviation history.. sounds like you need a glider or a drone. You’ll never get a commercial job with that mentality.
how do i start to love the mechanics of a plane then? i’m just starting to get my ppl, and it’s something completely new to me to how do i build a passion for planes
Went and got my degree in Aerospace Engineering and was the lead on aerodynamics during my senior project, fell in love with the design of aircrafts. Through internships I got to fly with some test pilots and pick their brains and that gave me the bug. Now I’m about 40ish hours through my training and finishing up my PPL and going this route was the best decision ever. I love flying and try to not take that part for granted but continue to find myself fascinated with systems, mechanics, and why certain things on different aircraft’s were designed that way. It’s really fascinating!
32 Year retired airline pilot. If you want to fly do it for fun. Any job flying right now sucks! In the airlines, pilot are looked at by management as if you are cancer, they hate you. You cost too much money. If there ever is a day when pilots can be replaced it will happen overnight. The only way to enjoy airline flying is if you are senior, which means the airlines will try to get rid of you as soon as they can because junior pilots are cheaper. The "free" travel is a joke, totally not worth it as the plannes are packed and no empty seats. And here's what you will miss, christmas, birthdays, your child's birth (if you're a man), spending time with your new born (if you're a woman, a long marriage, and the list goes on and on. And by all means avoid the regionals especially SkyWest. I pushed my son into engineering and my daughter into corporate business.
There’s just something special about flying planes and operating these large complex machines. It’s one of those things that feels like magic to me when you’re even flying by the needles and finding yourself exactly where you need to be or over a runway ready to land in almost no visibility, I love it
I got into it because I love travel, tbh, but I've fallen in love with the mechanical sides and learning about everything from weather, to systems, even regs.
How do I know if I am interested in the mechanics of flying? I am amazed watching planes fly and I want to learn how to fly but engines and parts? I've never really thought about it. Am I not a good candidate to learn?
As a mechanic for a major airline and been a mechanic in aviation for the last 35 years, I can well agree with you. You better have a love for working on aircraft as well as flying them or owning one.
I fly for the challenge, I always like to learn new skills and find things I’m not good at. I definitely could have picked a different challenge but I love the control and feeling like being one with my machine.
I love this, I wish I knew this before because I love aviation but I wish I would’ve known more about it before I got into it. The navigation, the meteorology, aerodynamics, air laws, hpl instruments etc. great advice
Can’t agree more. I like the accoutrements you mentioned, but I love the airplane itself the and how and why it does what it does! And because of this, I always think of safety and proper operation of the aircraft. Safe travels brother! ✈️👍😎
I agree, good pay, travel and everything else are good perks, I want to do it because it is the most enjoyable thing I have ever done, I’m still a student but I love every second of it!
I think my biggest reason is I feel intimate connections with the machines I operate. Cars, planes, boats...idk when I'm in them, they feel alive. It makes me listen to them, feel them.
You got a point. People who do not really love mechanics or physics, they still can learn to fly perfectly safe. Flight instructors can deal with those pilots. But the thing is, pilots who love mechanics, they got an advantage, it is passion.
The mechanics of aviation is what keeps you interested. It has to be about the journey instead of the destination. It’s a beautiful view and freedom to leave the ground.
I actually ask myself a different question. I would love to become a pilot someday but my biggest reason for not jumping into it, is by nature I tend to be a nervous person, and I feel like in an emergency situation I will just spiral into a panic and not be able to properly focus to get out of the situation. I feel that in order to become a well trained pilot, you need to have a cool head first and foremost.
definitely. i’ve met so many that didn’t get selected by aviation colleges due to the medical, and when i start an aviation related convo they don’t seem to know anything or show the excitement and passion an avgeek usually displays, which got me questioning why they wanted to be a pilot. kid you not almost every single one answered with something along the words of “it looks so cool being able to fly a plane”. yes, yes it does, but nobody can be impressed by themselves over being a pilot forever, that “it’s so cool” drive isn’t even enough to push one through ppl i don’t think😂
Well I loved it initially for the fascination and passion but as I grew up past childhood I was able to travel with my family. Now I love it for the travel as a bonus.
He is 100% correct. I am currently a student and this is one of these careers where you need to be passionate about it. Otherwise you’re going to have a very difficult time getting through school let alone becoming a CFI. It’s much easier to become a pilot now, but you still need to learn everything that doesn’t pertain to how the airlines fly. You also have to learn and remember everything from chapter 1, all the way up to chapter whatever. You have to go through a verbal exam and check rides and you’re expected to know the questions they ask. They want to make sure you’re safe and you know how to fly an airplane so you don’t kill yourself or somebody else. This career is not a joke. Don’t join it if you’re just in for the money.
I agree 100%. I am not a pilot, but a technician. I am thoroughly intrigued by how machines work, therefore I am considering training for a personal pilot license.
For me personally, i cant pinpoint it. One of the reasons being that its my lifes dream to be a commercial airline pilot. So i want to work towards it any chance i get. Another reason is smth i cant describe. Eversince i set foot on a plane when i was 12. Its all i wanted to do, at age 13 i had gotten a sim and did nothing but watch videos abt planes, how planes work, cockpit views. I just wont be happy in life until im in there, and the lights are illuminating the cockpit on a dark morning and im sipping a coffee ready to take people for what may even be their first flight just hoping theres a kid back there like me. Im 20 rn. Its super expensive and work is tough. But i will make ends meet eventually and i soon hope to be up there. I know ill love it.
I’m still going strong after a 31 year career in aviation and I’ve never worked a day in my life. They pay me to be away from home and I fly for free. Since the beginning of my career in the early 1990’s, I realized that there are 2 kinds of pilots: 1: pilots who love to fly 2: pilots who love to be called a pilot. If you belong to the 2nd group, don’t start. You will become a mediocre pilot at best, who will hate his or her job. My whole career, before a flight, I turn towards the runways and watch airplanes take off. I’ve know pilots who have no interest in that at all. They won’t watch. They won’t know that an A340 has 4 engines or that an L1011 had 3 engines. I’ve met pilots that honestly don’t know these things. Don’t be one of those.
Yes! I am obsessed with identifying different airliners from each other. I miss L1011s, 727s, 747s, 737-100s/200s. There used to be a greater variety of airliner aesthetic back in the 90s and early 2000s. Now it’s mostly 2-engine wide body across the board aside from some remaining 747s along with A380s. A340s are not as common in the states anymore more either. I’m always rolling my eyes whenever I’m watching a movie that has an airliner and there isn’t any consistency, even showing a completely different plane in another shot. The comedy Airplane! is a great movie that touches on this by showing an exterior shot of a 707 flying through the clouds but you hear roaring propellers instead of jet engines 😅
This is really helpful for me to think about. I'm 28 now (almost 29) and have always had the idea of becoming a pilot in the back of my mind.. I still haven't yet taken a flying lesson, but when I do I will definitely keep this in mind. I do think I probably am unfortunately more drawn to the travel/lifestyle/feeling of flight/status/etc... But I also really love working on vintage steel bikes so maybe theres some overlap there. TBD. Either way, thank you for this.
I think becoming a pilot, it is the things to improve myself, moreover studying about mechanics of the aircraft or physics of the airplane. You have to learn about safety, planning, problem solving in emergency situations, communication to be clear and sharp, situation awareness and discipline. they are all the things that I believe to be a professional person.
I love taking off from 1 area (say, hometown) and landing in a totally different area - somewhere totally different than I've never been before. It's awesome.
Some people get into Aviation for the wrong reasons, but end up loving it for the right reasons... consider that.
That’s what I was thinking
my thoughts exactly. it's tough at first but the more you learn the more you can't help but to fall in love. aviation is wonderful and i'm in wonder every time i'm up in the sky
@@jorgeanibal8834Fr man
Also true.
Exactly
But for me it’s kinda 50/50 the pay is really good and I love planes and the feeling of being in the air
This goes for you too, doctors.
And lawyers
Years ago, I had to make a conscious choice between aviation and medicine.
To quote the Grail Knight:
"He chose....poorly"
@@williammahaffy4642What career path did you end up going down? Why do you feel like you chose poorly?
@@BigNickPoodle Not aviation and I regret it on a regular basis.
@@DD10_OFFICAL Excellent plan and well thought out. I hope your medicine career is everything you expect it will be.
Best wishes for your continued success.
Totally agree. I’m beginning flight school and many different pilots have told me that if I don’t like learning about the mechanics and physics of flight and airplanes. And just enjoy flying in general. This job is not for you. For me flying airplanes is something I could do all day.
Me personally I just love the feeling of flying and the rewarding experience-the perks are just add-ons.
How about you
I love flying. Feels like surfing but in the air. People drive without knowing how to change a tire. You can’t fly without knowing some basics and that’s for your safety. I love it all
Along with the aroma of AVGAS...constant learning! Every day you "clear prop", there's a different experience!!! Blue Skies!
Better enjoy doing it all night, too. 😊
@@emaneasler
For me, flying the airplane was the least difficult part of learning.
This is so true. I took 4 flying lessons back in 2016 at a suggestion of a pilot friend of mine. He said that at the end of 4 lessons, that I either 1) would feel like I couldn’t wait until the next time I could go up, or 2) be totally indifferent to the idea. I was #2. It wasn’t because I hated flying, but because the ONLY reason I wanted to become a pilot was to be able to transverse 600-1000 miles on consulting gigs in half the time as driving, or avoiding commercial air travel. I remember driving to the airfield for my 4th lesson thinking, “it’s such a beautiful day. I really wish I was out on my motorcycle rather than having to do this.” Great advice my friend gave me. I’m glad I did it, and I’m glad I learned it was something I didn’t want to pursue further.
That's kinda how I feel. But at the same time, I still love aviation. Which is why I think I'll go into aircraft maintenance.
That truly surprises me, especially your thought to yourself. I understand.
Love this, thanks for sharing!
I got into aviation because I love getting high.
"I just wanna get high with my lover"
Questionable pun, but I’m still able to understand it 😁👍
😂🤣
Sounds like you needed an altitude adjustment.
Exactly right
I got sick of working retail after 12 years and decided "Fuck it" one Friday.. That afternoon I was in the pilots seat in a hands on action flight at YBSU.. I was absolutely terrified.. until we came in to land.. We were landing runway 13.. Seeing the sun set over the mountains as the moon hung low over the ocean, with the glow of the runway and Maroochydore off in the distance.. it just made me feel this was right for me..
Unfortunately, learning to fly is expensive.. I've had to restart my journey 3 times, and I'm still not there.. I'm hoping next year I'll save enough to get it.. I do enjoy it
Beautifully said!
Press on!
He's HIM. You had a main character moment 😂
How's your journey going now? also the vid on your channel is hilarious LOL
@@JusticeForTheWin sounds more like he had an unforgettable experience that led to finding a new passion to me
My humble advice, … “Save and fly”!!
Then rinse and repeat!!
Completely agree - the fascination with flight is much more enjoyable when you see WHY a two ton aircraft can leave the ground. For thousands of years, mankind has been envious of this magic. I still can't believe I get to be a pilot and stand on the shoulders of the giants before me, who had the guts and the brains to figure out how to do what I love
that is exactly waht i think
I love that physical feeling of flying, the weightless, and the freedom of being in the air. The understanding just HOW that "crate" with wings really does STAY UP THERE is a bonus.
There is such a difference between gliders and power flight too.
I agree 100% I’m a private pilot with an instrument rating. I’ve never held a commercial rating, but I have friends who have been airline pilots that have no interest in actually flying and I have friends that love flying and there is a big difference. Some very happy and some are not happy.
airline pilots that don’t love flying, interesting! can you tell us more about that? (genuine inquiry)
Also curious about these airline pilots that don’t enjoy flying… I’m guessing bc just like anything, ANYTHING you do or are forced to do for pay .. becomes a 'job'
100%. The pay and travel opportunities are great but I am genuinely fascinated by aerodynamics and the way planes and all the instruments work. Not only that but the shear amount of technical info you have to know to fly is information most people don’t know. Teaching it is a blast.
Yes!! And for me a big part is the people meeting people the friendships along the way
I fly for the shear beauty of it. The beauty of the sky, the beauty of the top of the clouds and the earth below, the beauty of the machines, and the beauty of a perfect landing.
You said what I was feeling
Same! But i do also like the mechanics of airplanes too.
I know him.. he's me!!😅
THAT is the only only reason to fly.
That is love.
Great reason as well. Personally, I think you just need a passion for some aspect of flying, like the scenery or the machinery. I think this also gives you a better sense to appreciate different aspects of aviation.
Absolutely agree with you. And if you love understanding weather and human factors, even better!
Didn't know anything about aircraft. Joined as a curiosity. Ended up putting in 45 years as a search & rescue pilot for, Civil Air Patrol, USAF Aux. Ended up with close to 7000 hours, with private pl, instrument and glider ratings. The volunteer work with CAP was very rewarding and gave a purpose for flying. Don't know much about mechanics of airplanes.
Thank you for being an absolute HERO!!!
I’m 17 and am head deep in study for aircraft mechanics and piloting.
Lots and lots of reading but the mechanics and science is so interesting and I love it.
I retired at AA last year after 37 years and a total of 49 years of flying. I work with young people that are interested in the career and did years of career days. I never had the words that you have to put across the same point. The love of the machines and the idea of being as one with them is a key. I was a mechanic at times as well as a pilot and that kind of old school training can keep a young guy alive to fly another day. Very good job and I have shared your video to quite a few young people. Thank you.
Super cool to hear it from a pilot like yourself!! Thanks so much!!! :)
I got into it because I have a severe case of “if you want something done right you gotta do it yourself”
The travel, pay and status are all excellent reasons to get into aviation.
I'm into aviation because i love aviation and seeing the world from a completely different perspective.
Totally disagree. Your attitude will lead to complacency and disaster.
@@HBSuccess Idk man... I think everybody values different things. Yeah, most of us love the technology and are fascinated by the machinery, but to be fair, you can't say those three perks don't make you love it even more.
I've never been on a plane before, I'm 29. Never went to school because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I always thought about being a pilot but thought I can't do that. Then one day I did some research and thought, I can do this. I bought some books and I've been reading them in my free time, one day I'll go to school and hopefully get a job. The travel and money seems great, but I'm also really excited about being able to fly a plane. Seems like it will be a fun job that I'll enjoy
If you don't go to school, you'll be stuck at the regionals.
If you can, I would suggest saving up some money to try a “discovery flight”. Generally most aviation/piloting programs have some sort of variant, and you can see what it’s like. They are super fun, I would recommend them
@alaskansoybean6297 i definitely plan on doing one soon. I'm still learning and just got a flight sim to get a feel for what it's like flying a plane. I want to get more comfortable on the sim and finish the book before I get in a real plane. How much does a discovery flight cost?
@@tardis4125 Good on you, sims are a great way to go into a plane and have a general idea of what/where everything is and become familiar with controls.
Discovery flights can cost $100+, but shouldn't cost more than $350. Try to aim for the cheaper side of that
If you have the time and money to choose, I would recommend going with a longer flight rather than a shorter one, and see if there's a day that they have less other flyers as well.
@alaskansoybean6297 yeah I'll do some research pretty soon
If you just like the mechanics of the aircraft, you should probably be an aircraft mechanic. One of the reasons so many people are becoming pilots is because of the pay.
truth Facts
Na i love to up in the sky all the time and flying those machines
"Mechanics" doesn't mean the inner workings of the plane. It means things like understanding lift, drag, how airspeed indicators give you values, etc.
They’re going to make third rate pilots. Whilst I deserved every penny I earned the money wasn’t what I was doing it for. Professionalism and aiming for perfection. Perfection and the stars.
I absolutely despise flying because being crammed in a tube for hours on end with other people doesnt exactly translate to a good time. I endure flying only for the purpose of the destination. I dont know what the talk is about pay but pilots probably arent raking in 500k+ unless theyve done it for 30 years. Cant think of a number that would convince me to become a pilot really. Plenty of business ventures to make a great living without doing somthing you absolutely hate
i want to become a pilot because every aviation related just fascinates me. the things you listed in the beginning just seem like bonuses to me
Just a heads up..
There are no RIGHT or WRONG REASONS to be a pilot. Motivations are hard to see but becoming a pilot starts with one universal single rule - a love of airplanes..the rest ask fall into place. The more you fly the more you learn about the mechanics of it the more you love it.. Eventually everyone gets to where you're at. Just not initially. The more I learn about flying the more I love it.. For ALL REASONS
I stopped right when u said the reasons. My reason why i wanna be a pilot is to meet friends have fun, do it for the people, sacrifice all possibilities of jobs just only for this job
Approach controller for 14 years. Also have private certificate. I still look up even if it’s only a training plane that I see every 30 seconds. I hear the engine, I look up.
Many controllers are here because of pay as well. They don’t know the difference between aircraft and don’t care, especially in the radar environment where we don’t see the planes
Interesting perspective! It’s good to hear from air traffic control sometimes when they chime in on Pilot stuff because you sometimes forget that there’s a whole other world down there controlling the airplanes and it’s nice to be able to hear that from you :-) in the controllers, Noah, heck of a lot more about airplanes then some pilots do for sure. Sounds like you need to start using that private pilot certificate a little bit more and hit the skies! :) would love to see what it’s like to be in the control tower at some point!
But do you say “SEEEEEYA”?
Nice. Glad to hear that doesn’t go away. Sometimes I could just watch planes all day. Oh, if only.
My Dad was USAF Crew Chief on 135s & 52s, then C-130 FE, retired 1970. Grew up going and helping him in hangars and later going to flight line and to ops rooms. One of the best sights was seeing a pair of P-51s land about an hour after a C-5 landed. Great time to be a kid around air force & army bases/posts. Started flying models when I was 12, then eventually the real thing. Flying when one wants to is very different than flying when one is scheduled to. Agree that to be really good at anything one must enjoy the fundamentals.
"Agree that to be really good at anything one must enjoy the fundamentals." --- Yes, you said. And I could add "for anything else." following your wards.
When I built an airplane I thought there wouldn’t be much maintenance because it was new. What a surprise. But I love doing the maintenance. Very rewarding.
I wanna be a pilot because flying a plane loooks sooo freaking fun and it is my dream to fly a plane
Absolutely correct.. You need to love the act of flying. Ive always been fascinated with wings on invisible air.. just sooo amazing to me!
Totally agree. Sometime we take for granted this amazing innovation. Every time I see a plane in air I can't stop wondering how these machines can fly in air from one point to another precisely. To be a good pilot you need to have appreciation and love for those machines.
After going deep inside myself I realized, that I would have gone into commercial aviation because of the status. Of course, the mechanics amaze me every single time, but paying 125k without any job safety (here in Europe) is one more reason not to do it. But here I am, beginning my ppl next year to enjoy aviation as it should be 😁
That’s why I moved to the USA. Couldn’t afford it in Europe. That was 3 decades ago. 😂. I’m still in the US, entering my last 17 years of my career.
The feeling I get every time my landing gear leaves the runway or comes back down and touches the runway. I hope it never gets old.
It doesn’t get old.. it just gets faster!
😊I grew up on an air base, I don't think I had a choice 😅but to love and want to become a pilot. passion was my reason
I got into aviation for quality of life and fat stacks of money. I have yet to be bored in an airplane.
what exactly is stacks of money? I for example hate flying and wouldnt do it for half a mil. I earn a very comfortable living while keeping my feet planted more or less
@GoProXadventures 😁that’s wassup
@@baronvolkov6172 legacy carriers like Delta, United, FedEx, etc all average $200-350k with some higher seniority pilots taking on extra flights for percentage modifiers and whatnot can bag nearly 1mil in a year. The private charter side of aviation can also be just as if not more lucrative than 121 carriers if you know where to look
Yes exactly. I told my engineering classmates this. My friends always wondered why I studied Mech engineering when my goal was to be an Airline Pilot but I'm just fascinated and obsessed with Airplanes..😂🍻
Can a 4'11 person become a commercial pilot?
Bro really said "Choose passion over money"
hes right - the era where being a pilot was glamorous and well paying is loooooong gone. You're better off driving a city bus than being an airline pilot
@@Hasshodothis is such a weird exaggeration I don’t know a single city bus driver making what even regional pilots make in the US
@@josh-ed7je The cost of entry to becoming a pilot, and then an airline pilot, is over 1500 hours of accumulated training to even be hired as a first officer making under 100k a year, and then years of seniority to becoming a captain, just to make over 100k a year - and keep in mind, training costs by this point are over that by a lot...
Nah, its better to be a bus driver. American airline pilots are treated like garbage, paid like shit, flying planes held together by tape, for a quarter of the salary they used to make. Airlines overseas treat their pilots much better, which is why most pilots I've met who want to fly for airlines, want to fly for foreign airlines (Emirates for example - Emirates starting salary for a FO is around 5k a month in US dollars)
That's easy to say when you're already making comfortable money. When your passion isn't paying the bills, it's time to choose money.
@@joshparnell7755 Facts, money is a motivator for any job. Passion is cool but not a necessity. Although I do like airplanes and how they work so there is that.
Retired firefighter, medic who owns an automotive business. But I grew up around aircraft and now I'm becoming a pilot . But I love the mechanics and physics and engineering in aviation
The thing I love about airplanes is the fact that you have this huge metal tube under your control.
Well said!!!
To me this is the only reason I would do this....the love of airplanes and how they work.
All the other things are secondary things you get for doing what you love.
I'm getting into aviation for the money, travel, and status.
Liking travel is a fine reason. Traveling during for work sucks but the travel benefits are excellent. I don't know anyone that loves work. Why wouldn't you be a mechanic if you just love the machinery.
I love everything about Aviation, I absolutely love learning about how to operate aircraft and how they operate and I cant get enough, it is my passion, I am training to become a pilot!
True ❤✈️ love aviation first
To me it’s purely magical. I know how and why it works, but it’s still just insane that’s it’s something that can actually happen. Humans are able to go up by going fast through something we can’t see.
It’s just unfathomably fascinating
I’ve loved airplanes and anything that took to the skies ever since I was a kid and never thought I would be able to be a pilot. Living the dream as an instrument rated PPL.
100% Accurate.
Its the love and passion!
Thank you!
I love the safety aspect. Like studying crashes that have been made by other pilots and looking what can be improved of those mistakes. So do I have the right reason to become a pilot?
I love how planes work, I love the mechanics of them, and I am extremely fascinated by them and am eager to learn more about them everyday. But damn, I would be extremely terrified which is why I won't get into it. I'm fine studying from the ground.
That makes sense. Like, don’t be a farmer if you don’t like to get dirty. Thanks for the video.
Haha I totally feel this. I still really love the actual act of flying, but even more than that I just freaking love airplanes and am fascinated by how they work. Operating the systems of an airplane really makes me nerd out 😂
Same here. I might bitch and complain about FBW and other automation, but at the same time, I love playing with all that. 😂
Totally man!!! And you’ve got the coolest projects on the go… you’re actually building them haha. Well… building one, tearing cutting up another 😝 (747)
Well the good news is that with the 1500-hour rule, ain't no one gonna become an ATP unless they REALLY love flying. And I mean bouncing around the pattern in a C-172 teaching person how to fly. But the time you get close to the "travel" and the "pay" you'll have had your love of flying thoroughly tested.
How did you get into flying? I am a nurse and 30 years old and recently looked into a career change to become a pilot, because I've always wanted to fly. The cost of training is my biggest barrier
I first got a job building airplanes THEN i got into flight school. Aerodynamics was my favorite section in ground school
YOUR BEST VIDEO YET EVAN!
You are 1000000% right, Captain! I own a PA28 and I just love changing oil and learning about the engine and stuff.
Even as a blind pilot, I do love the mechanics of flying and how planes work. They are amazing machines.
Absolutely agree! Paired with safety and having common sense. Being a pilot is awesome! Fly safe!
totally agree, especially because being a pilot for the wrong reasons will ensure a much higher risk of failure to stay safe during the many diverse conditions and situations you will encounter.
Very true. Been doing this corportate flying for 20+ years, its not glamorous anymore and sometimes the flying life can be brutal. But if you have the passion for it, the moment you strap on your bird, all those worries melt away
Aviation industry should increase the price on air traveling
During A&P School, it amazed me how few were interested in the mechanics of flight, or even the thrill of flight. I wish more people had a fascination of aircraft and flight.
Same thing that makes a good racecar driver, like Ken Miles. When you are fascinated with how something works, you generally operate it very well.
Pilots don't panic.
If you panic when things go wrong flying is not for you.
Do not get into aviation if you are going to make TH-cam videos while you are flying.
All the layers of machanics that have been added to flying ruin it. I want to fly free like what is shown in Studio Ghibli movies, or how I fly my RC Plane around with camera attached. Floating in the wind, feeling the currents, useing them, not trying to go anywhere but where you are and seeing it from a new perspective rather than an air traffic controller telling you what to do and watch your instruments.
Yeah…that’s why we’re in the safest stretch of aviation history..
sounds like you need a glider or a drone. You’ll never get a commercial job with that mentality.
bro you are so right , it applies to everything that you do. I love being an aircraft mechanics
how do i start to love the mechanics of a plane then? i’m just starting to get my ppl, and it’s something completely new to me to how do i build a passion for planes
Went and got my degree in Aerospace Engineering and was the lead on aerodynamics during my senior project, fell in love with the design of aircrafts. Through internships I got to fly with some test pilots and pick their brains and that gave me the bug. Now I’m about 40ish hours through my training and finishing up my PPL and going this route was the best decision ever. I love flying and try to not take that part for granted but continue to find myself fascinated with systems, mechanics, and why certain things on different aircraft’s were designed that way. It’s really fascinating!
32 Year retired airline pilot. If you want to fly do it for fun. Any job flying right now sucks! In the airlines, pilot are looked at by management as if you are cancer, they hate you. You cost too much money. If there ever is a day when pilots can be replaced it will happen overnight. The only way to enjoy airline flying is if you are senior, which means the airlines will try to get rid of you as soon as they can because junior pilots are cheaper. The "free" travel is a joke, totally not worth it as the plannes are packed and no empty seats. And here's what you will miss, christmas, birthdays, your child's birth (if you're a man), spending time with your new born (if you're a woman, a long marriage, and the list goes on and on. And by all means avoid the regionals especially SkyWest. I pushed my son into engineering and my daughter into corporate business.
There’s just something special about flying planes and operating these large complex machines. It’s one of those things that feels like magic to me when you’re even flying by the needles and finding yourself exactly where you need to be or over a runway ready to land in almost no visibility, I love it
I got into it because I love travel, tbh, but I've fallen in love with the mechanical sides and learning about everything from weather, to systems, even regs.
Don't become a pilot if your not into tech because theres no avoiding it anymore!
What if i love everything you just mentioned 😂
Haha then you are MADE to be a pilot!!! Haha message if you have any questions about getting your license!
How do I know if I am interested in the mechanics of flying? I am amazed watching planes fly and I want to learn how to fly but engines and parts? I've never really thought about it. Am I not a good candidate to learn?
As a mechanic for a major airline and been a mechanic in aviation for the last 35 years, I can well agree with you. You better have a love for working on aircraft as well as flying them or owning one.
Exploratory flight tomorrow, and soon to begin flight school. Any advise on schools? Questions to ask before I choose school?
I fly for the challenge, I always like to learn new skills and find things I’m not good at. I definitely could have picked a different challenge but I love the control and feeling like being one with my machine.
I love this, I wish I knew this before because I love aviation but I wish I would’ve known more about it before I got into it. The navigation, the meteorology, aerodynamics, air laws, hpl instruments etc. great advice
Can’t agree more. I like the accoutrements you mentioned, but I love the airplane itself the and how and why it does what it does! And because of this, I always think of safety and proper operation of the aircraft. Safe travels brother! ✈️👍😎
I agree, good pay, travel and everything else are good perks, I want to do it because it is the most enjoyable thing I have ever done, I’m still a student but I love every second of it!
I think my biggest reason is I feel intimate connections with the machines I operate. Cars, planes, boats...idk when I'm in them, they feel alive. It makes me listen to them, feel them.
Just curious. What plane is that?
Cessna conquest
You got a point. People who do not really love mechanics or physics, they still can learn to fly perfectly safe. Flight instructors can deal with those pilots. But the thing is, pilots who love mechanics, they got an advantage, it is passion.
The mechanics of aviation is what keeps you interested. It has to be about the journey instead of the destination. It’s a beautiful view and freedom to leave the ground.
I actually ask myself a different question. I would love to become a pilot someday but my biggest reason for not jumping into it, is by nature I tend to be a nervous person, and I feel like in an emergency situation I will just spiral into a panic and not be able to properly focus to get out of the situation. I feel that in order to become a well trained pilot, you need to have a cool head first and foremost.
Is t this the same for a lot of industries and careers, gotta truly love what you do to be successful at it.
definitely. i’ve met so many that didn’t get selected by aviation colleges due to the medical, and when i start an aviation related convo they don’t seem to know anything or show the excitement and passion an avgeek usually displays, which got me questioning why they wanted to be a pilot. kid you not almost every single one answered with something along the words of “it looks so cool being able to fly a plane”. yes, yes it does, but nobody can be impressed by themselves over being a pilot forever, that “it’s so cool” drive isn’t even enough to push one through ppl i don’t think😂
Well I loved it initially for the fascination and passion but as I grew up past childhood I was able to travel with my family. Now I love it for the travel as a bonus.
He is 100% correct. I am currently a student and this is one of these careers where you need to be passionate about it. Otherwise you’re going to have a very difficult time getting through school let alone becoming a CFI.
It’s much easier to become a pilot now, but you still need to learn everything that doesn’t pertain to how the airlines fly. You also have to learn and remember everything from chapter 1, all the way up to chapter whatever. You have to go through a verbal exam and check rides and you’re expected to know the questions they ask. They want to make sure you’re safe and you know how to fly an airplane so you don’t kill yourself or somebody else. This career is not a joke. Don’t join it if you’re just in for the money.
I agree 100%. I am not a pilot, but a technician. I am thoroughly intrigued by how machines work, therefore I am considering training for a personal pilot license.
For me personally, i cant pinpoint it. One of the reasons being that its my lifes dream to be a commercial airline pilot. So i want to work towards it any chance i get. Another reason is smth i cant describe. Eversince i set foot on a plane when i was 12. Its all i wanted to do, at age 13 i had gotten a sim and did nothing but watch videos abt planes, how planes work, cockpit views. I just wont be happy in life until im in there, and the lights are illuminating the cockpit on a dark morning and im sipping a coffee ready to take people for what may even be their first flight just hoping theres a kid back there like me. Im 20 rn. Its super expensive and work is tough. But i will make ends meet eventually and i soon hope to be up there. I know ill love it.
I’m still going strong after a 31 year career in aviation and I’ve never worked a day in my life. They pay me to be away from home and I fly for free.
Since the beginning of my career in the early 1990’s, I realized that there are 2 kinds of pilots:
1: pilots who love to fly
2: pilots who love to be called a pilot.
If you belong to the 2nd group, don’t start. You will become a mediocre pilot at best, who will hate his or her job.
My whole career, before a flight, I turn towards the runways and watch airplanes take off. I’ve know pilots who have no interest in that at all. They won’t watch. They won’t know that an A340 has 4 engines or that an L1011 had 3 engines. I’ve met pilots that honestly don’t know these things.
Don’t be one of those.
I love flying but I realized I don’t know much about different aircraft’s. I spend more time researching cars.
Yes! I am obsessed with identifying different airliners from each other. I miss L1011s, 727s, 747s, 737-100s/200s. There used to be a greater variety of airliner aesthetic back in the 90s and early 2000s. Now it’s mostly 2-engine wide body across the board aside from some remaining 747s along with A380s. A340s are not as common in the states anymore more either. I’m always rolling my eyes whenever I’m watching a movie that has an airliner and there isn’t any consistency, even showing a completely different plane in another shot. The comedy Airplane! is a great movie that touches on this by showing an exterior shot of a 707 flying through the clouds but you hear roaring propellers instead of jet engines 😅
Absolutely agreed . Which aircraft is that bdw?
It's like a excavator operator. The good ones know that machine inside out. It's about the skill, and the mechanics first.
Those first three are really nice but omg plane go vroom and its insanely cool and thats why im a pilot, because flying is amazing
This is really helpful for me to think about. I'm 28 now (almost 29) and have always had the idea of becoming a pilot in the back of my mind.. I still haven't yet taken a flying lesson, but when I do I will definitely keep this in mind. I do think I probably am unfortunately more drawn to the travel/lifestyle/feeling of flight/status/etc... But I also really love working on vintage steel bikes so maybe theres some overlap there. TBD. Either way, thank you for this.
❤❤❤great advice.
I have been really appreciative of the mechanics.
have you spoken to Garrett Ray before
Amen, I’m a pilot and my daughter is in training. We honestly have to look at every aircraft that flies over. It’s in our blood.
So question I don’t like long flights but love the mechanics love it all but the time actually is it still a safe choice or no?
I think becoming a pilot, it is the things to improve myself, moreover studying about mechanics of the aircraft or physics of the airplane. You have to learn about safety, planning, problem solving in emergency situations, communication to be clear and sharp, situation awareness and discipline. they are all the things that I believe to be a professional person.
I love taking off from 1 area (say, hometown) and landing in a totally different area - somewhere totally different than I've never been before. It's awesome.