Expert: David A. NewMyer - 12/3/2005

Question
Thank you very much for the info.  When you do begin with a regional and are working typical 20 to 22 days a month about how much down time do you have where you could do work on the computer for another job.  WHat is the general schedule of actual flight time during a shift?  I appreciate your time.  
-Corey


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Followup To
Question -
TO David Newmyer,
My name is Corey and I need some advice on a college degree.  My original plan was to get an aeronautical science degree but, all the airline pilots I have talked to that obtained this degree say that is is useless.  Everything is so automated now that your understanding of the actual mechanics of how the airplane works is worthless.  Lately I have been attending various business seminars and have become interested in business.  Basically I want to understand how money works and know how to use that knowledge to my advantage.  Since an airline pilot is a part-time job I want another job that will be something that is good to fall back on and will compensate for the lower pay scale.  I have also become very interested in the stock market and want to have the knowledge needed to understand what is going on. I was looking at Embry Riddle's Business aviation program and wanted an outside opinion on it.  Aviation Consulting seems very appealing to me.  What are some of the other opportunities in addition to being an airline pilot that I could use my business degree for part-time in the aviation field.  And do you think this degree will give me a universal knowledge about business in the world.  Are there any websites that could help me on my endeavors?  I appreciate your time and think it is great you are willing to share your knowledge with aspiring aviation students.  The world needs more people like you, thanks.
-Corey Morris
Answer -
Hi, Corey:

Thanks for your question, I will try to assist.

First of all, I have to respond to something you stated mid-way through your question:  "Since an airline pilot is a part-time job...."  Since when?  My sense is that you might be talking to VERY senior airline pilots who fly for legacy airlines.  Such pilots have very senior schedules and can pick and choose when they fly.  Therefore, it makes it SEEM as if they have part-time jobs because they prefer to fly a minimum full time schedule where they work 10 to 15 days a month instead of the typical 20 to 22 days a month.  But, do not let that fool you:  It is still a full time job, particularly when you are beginning the career and fly for the regional airlines....even with legacy airlines when you fly "reserves" or on lousy schedules (when you are junior in seniority, you do not have the privilege of picking your schedules!).  In any case, I thought you should realize that being an airline pilot is, in itself, a full time job and a full time profession.

However, you also used the term "something to fall back on" and, in that, I fully agree.  An airline pilot is subject to at least annual physical examinations and it is quite possible for one to become physically ineligible to fly for the airlines before your mandatory retirement age of 60.  Therefore, it is a great idea to have something "to fall back on" as a pilot just in case you lose your medical.

In response to your question about Embry Riddle's programs in general:  They are good.  Embry Riddle has been involved in delivering aviation education and degrees longer than any other post secondary institution with the possible exception of Parks College of St. Louis University.

No matter where you go to school, I believe that, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FLYING FOR A LIVING AS YOUR #1 CHOICE, then, you do need to combine learning to fly with whatever you take in college.  For example, the institution where I work offers students a "two degrees in four years option" that includes an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Flight together with a B. S. Degree in Aviation Management.  This combination addresses three important points:

1.  Pilots do more than just fly....they are managers of key assets (aircraft and people), especially once a flight has departed for a destination.  Airline pilots in particular have a lot to do and say about the success or failure of an airline just based on the daily decisions that they make as they fly to destinations.

2.  Pilots many times become managers in the flight training or flight operations departments of their airline.  This includes jobs like line check airman, instructor pilot, ground instructor, assistant fleet manager, fleet manager, director of flight operations, vice president of flight operations.  One needs more than just a flight degree to do those sorts of jobs.

3.  The point you made about "fall back position" is that, if a pilot loses a medical, then that pilot needs something else to do.  A degree in Aviation business, aviation management or aviation administration allows a pilot to have that fall back degree to use to get a job in an aviation-related field.

By the way, you mention aviation consulting as a possible area of employment.  I have worked as an airport planner as a consultant and can say that it is very rewarding work.  In addition to consulting, you might want to consider working as a ground instructor in the airline flight training academy of the airline for which you are working or for a company like Flight Safety International, which trains all kinds of pilots (airline, corporate, business, charter, etc) all over the world.

As far as a resource to help you in your college degree choice, check out the University Aviation Association at http://www.uaa.aero and search for their publication entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.  This publication includes a listing of college and university aviation degree programs.  The cost is around $25.  Their phone number is 334-844-2434 if you wish to order by phone.

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.  Please contact me if you need anything further.

Best wishes,

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

Answer
HI,

The actual "hard flying" is limited to 120 hours a month, which, if you divide by 20 days, is about 6 hours a day.  Of  course, not many fly the maximum hours a month, but, even so, there are other things to consider in that work time.  For example, you have to build in your flight planning time and all of the other time that it takes to "process" a flight on the ground.  There will be little, if any, time on the 20 to 22 work days to do much else.

FYI,

David A. NewMyer