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Flight #41: What’s the Best Path for Young Pilots: Commercial, Cargo, Military, Fractional?

Pilot Money Guys:

Flight #41: What’s the Best Path for Young Pilots: Commercial, Cargo, Military, Fractional?

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15 Lessons Aviation Can Teach You About Life:
1. You are responsible.
2. Attention is life. Inattention will be at least minimally harmful if not deadly.
3. There is always a curriculum. Preparation is advised.
4. A well-lived life, like flying, requires constant adjustments.
5. Think before you speak or key the mic.
…. Listen for more.

Q&A: Most common client questions lately:

  • Headlines – Beware!
    ▪ See housing market headline from Redfin
  • Headlines are meant to make you fearful. They have about three seconds to grab your attention in the world of fast-paced news. You will often see over-the-top headlines that are not even related to the article itself.
  • For example, “Redfin predicts sharpest turn in housing market since 2008 crash”
    ▪ If you actually read the article here is an example of the content: “…for the first time since 2021, the average home is selling for
    less than its list price…” OR “While home prices are still higher than a year ago, with the average home now selling for just under $370,000, inflation and high interest rates are slowing down the market.”

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What’s the best path for young aspiring pilots? Cargo, Passenger, Fractional, Military?

Common questions and points-to-ponder when deciding which path is right for you.

  • Do you enjoy long-haul flights that may last six to twelve hours?
  • How long are you comfortable being away from home? Oftentimes, cargo pilots are gone for longer periods of time but they may also get large chunks of time off. For example, ten days on and ten days off. Fractional carriers like NetJets typically work seven on and seven off. Southwest Airlines’ typical schedule would be three days on and four days off.
  • What are the differences in pay? You’ll probably make more at the cargo carries since most of the flying is wide-
    body, international. You’ll probably make less than average at fractionals but you may enjoy the type of flying more. For example, it is much more dynamic and less rote from day-to- day. Many people that have a passion for general aviation love the type of flying at a fractional carrier.
  • What type of commute should you expect? For example, if you fly for FedEx or UPS, your bases will be very limited. So you’ll probably be a commuter. NetJets will fly you on a commercial carrier from your home to wherever your trip begins. Either way, the panel of pilots agrees, living where you are based can greatly increase your quality of life and increase your income.

    Tune in for more details and differences in the types of commercial aviation.