Noobino Incoming

[ScratchedRecord]

Thanks.
I haven't come around to it yet. But I'll be sure to do so

Oooo Snazzy

[NerdyAliCat]

Snazzy is my word!

I've been meaning to get into the Homestuck fandom for ages now...

[ScratchedRecord]

Out of curiosity, is anyone here into aviation? I was daydreaming and it crossed my mind.

[galled]

I am! CFII and most FAA flight and instruction certificates and ratings (I'll spare you the list).

[ScratchedRecord]

That's so cool! I myself want to go into the aviation industry. So do you work as an instructor or something?

[galled]

That's an obtainable goal. I'm hoping the latest space exploration excitement will re-invigorate aviation again!:)

I hold a Commercial Pilot License and I instructed in real life, virtually/online, and through books in a former life so to speak. My certificates and licenses are current, and I'm an FAA-appointed Aviation Safety Counselor for the San Jose Flight Standards District Office.

Do you have a specific direction you're interested in?

[ScratchedRecord]

I'm hoping to go into Air Traffic Control. I'm currently working towards my PPL and I wouldn't mind being an instructor for a bit. I might possibly join the RFDS as a pilot.

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Air traffic control over here in the US is a very well paying job - just stressful! But there are other aviation related fields to go into.

[ScratchedRecord]

I'm aware it well paying and stressful. But, personally, I think it's the most rewarding. Without ATC an airport will have great difficulties functioning. I was tossing up between different fields but I ended up settling on this one.

[Lemon Cheesecake]

If you can do it then I think that is amazing! You could probably go anywhere in the world with that experience I would think!

[galled]

I don't know anything about how ATC employment works in Oz. In the US there are ATC "trade schools" and a "lottery" the FAA rolls out every few years. If you get selected, they'll train you and give you room and board and pay you while you learn. You're also guaranteed a job too if you graduate. If you go to school, you have to bid on job openings and they want people with experience. So it's a catch 22 for that route. (Basically a scam for those schools unless there's a severe shortage of controllers. They want trainee/apprentices for a number of years before you can get a full ATC rating--works like pilot certificates.)

That said, the next best way to get there is to join the military as an ATC specialist. You then only need to take the certification exam and then bid for jobs.

I don't know how it works in Oz, but I imagine it's similar to here--becoming a CFI will take some work and dedication. Becoming a ground instructor is just a matter of passing the written tests. (I have Ground Instructor, Instrument Ground Instructor, and Advance Ground Instructor certificates.)

Lemon, while ATC is standardized around the world, certification to work in a country may vary greatly. There may also be barriers such as citizenship involved too. (Government work.)

[NerdyAliCat]

Wow Galled..
I had no idea you knew about all this stuff!

[galled]

LOL, like I said, all done in former life but I never really left it. I was in movies before that and I'm in IT now! Yay Windlyn!!

[ScratchedRecord]

I did a whole research task on ATC for one of my classes last year. There is a "trade school" like system but it might be slightly different from what I remember. Chances are the system'll change and whatnot. So I'll just have to keep up on how the training works

[galled]

Your best bet is to talk to a current controller and pick their brain on what they'd do today if they were in your shoes. Getting answers from the government would be an exercise in futility I'd imagine if it's any thing like here.

Good luck pursuing you dreams! We're rootin' for ya!