Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/7/2009

Question
Dear Mr Newmyer,

I'm 28 years old an I'm from Holland. I did an integrated F-ATPL with a dutch flight academy and for cv building and experience I did a Jet Orientation Course on the B737NG sim. From May 2007 to September 2008 I worked as First-Officer B737 300-900 with a major German airliner. I was stupid and arrogant enough to leave that position because I was unhappy with living in Germany and the overall working and living conditions, unaware of the terrible state the economy would soon go into. I have been unable to find an airline job since due to the crisis and high minimum requirements for FO's, and I'm willing to work anywhere and on anything(aeroplanes that is)...I have 580hrs on the 737 and ca 800hrs 'total time' .  I decided to start a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, with Aviation Management as major in august this year. Although I find the course very interesting, I'd rather fly a jet...do you think it is a wise career-move? Will this make me more attractive to future employers? Or would it be better to invest in a 'Line Flying Package' to build my hours on the 737? I'm basically quite insecure as to what to do next on my career-path as airline pilot... Please your expert opinion.

Sorry if the question is a bit long...

Thank you very much for your help,

Roger  

Answer
Hi, Roger:

Thank you for your question and I will try to assist!

I understand your dilemma and I also can say that there are many out there who wish that they had not made a drastic career change right before the economy began to take such a negative track.  It is a very tough economy out there right now and it is also very tough to find a job in aviation in general, much less a job flying jets!

One other thing that I can say is that an economic downturn is always a good time to be in school improving your skills so that you can be ready (and more competitive in the job market!) for the next economic upturn.  The question is:  When will the next economic upturn occur?  My guess is that this economic downturn has the feel of the one that occurred in the early 1980s, which last from mid-1980 to about 1984.  In the 1980s downturn, it was a basic or fundamental change in the economy that forced airlines to change how they did business and forced all who worked in aviation to a higher standard of productivity and skill level.   That said, I would say that the economy here in the US is already showing preliminary signs of improvement.  Even so, it will probably be something like two to three years before we begin to see the extensive airline hiring that we saw in 2005-2007.

Therefore, I would make the following observations:

1.  Obtaining a degree is a very good idea for you to remain competitive in the aviation job market.  An aeronautical engineering/aviation management degree should be a good degree for you to use in the aviation industry (although I know nothing about the institution that you are taking it from or the degree curriculum of the program you are taking).  Just make sure that you can finish the degree work in the next two or three years to be ready for the next job boom!

Another thought about earning the aero eng/aviation management degree is that it will give you a "fall-back" position in aviation as far as looking for non-flying jobs in aviation, both now and in the future.  My experience is that roughly 10-15% of the jobs in aviation here in the USA are professional pilot positions and the rest of those working in aviation are doing something other than flying for their full-time job.  I realize that you want to fly; however, in this sort of circumstance (with the economy the way it is), you can not always get the flying job that you want.

2.  As far as investing in a "Line Flying Package" to build your hours in the 737, I would say that you need to check into the cost vs. benefits of doing so.  Also, check out the company providing the service with the local/national regulator of such companies to find out if they are doing everything according to regulations.  In addition, ask the company if they have any job placement plans or programs for those completing the Line Flying Package.  A key questions for you is:  "Will the number of hours that you receive be enough to take you over 500 hours of PIC (Pilot in Command) flight time and 1000 hours total time?"  If so, that might be useful to you in a competitive environment.  Some airlines specifically look for a minimum of 500 hours PIC in a jet in their pilot candidates.


3.In general, however, I am not always a fan of investing money in building flight time---what you need is AIRLINE flying EXPERIENCE in a real-life airline environment, no matter what the size of airline.  That operational experience is very valuable to the building of your "aeronautical decision making" experience (making Go and No-Go decisions; flying approaches to the Decision Height and so forth).

4. You might also do some world-wide review of airline employers of all sizes and whether or not hiring is taking place in the 737 or any similar jet anywhere else in the world.  I hear that there might still be some expatriate hiring in some Asian nations; again, you might or might not meet requirements for such jobs depending on the competition (since everyone seems to be looking for a job right now).  You might also look at airlines and charter companies flying turboprop airliners, since that equipment can also be quite sophisticated and the experience you get flying those aircraft into smaller airports and into (rather than over) the weather can lead to some very valuable skills.

I hope that this answer assists you with your situation.  If you think of more questions to ask me, please send me a follow-up via AllExperts and I will be happy to try to assist once more.

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu