Thinking about risking it all and flying for a career? Well now is the perfect time to start training and getting your ratings. The aviation industry is dead calm right now but like the stock market it will jump back. Airlines aren’t hiring, no one is traveling and the economy just plain stinks. It’s times like these where you have to take advantage of a downturn for the future.

A Delta captain I’ve been speaking with believes the airlines will start hiring again in 2011 and 2012. With flying it’s all about being in the right place at the right time to land that elusive dream job. The good news is that they do exist but it will take an unconventional effort on your part to achieve it. You have to take on the attitude of the poor artist mentality and volunteer your pilotage whenever you can to gain those valauble flight hours. “Just like the guitar player who’s trying to make it big time; the ones who made it were the guys who were just playing all the time, for everybody, for anybody, for nobody, for money and for free. Flying is the same… just fly - everything you can get your hands on.”

Make the connections and start networking. It’s really all about the people you know and meet along the way. Period. If you just sit around and wait for something to happen most likely nothing will. Hang out at airports, go to fly-ins, join EAA, do charity work, offer to sweep up hanger floors, anything. THe ones who aren’t proactive will be left in the dust while their neighbor lands a job in the left seat. When the hiring waves come ashore you have to be there right at the crest.

Avoid the $50,000 plus programs which “guarantee” jobs at the end. These outfits can be real misleading. Many people have been stuck when the affiliated airline(s) stopped hiring.  The aviation business is tough and airlines make promises with the best of intentions then are just unable to keep those promises later. A guy who spent nearly nothing could get the same job without the debt overhead and without all the risk. All airlines will interview you if you have the profile they’re looking for at the moment no matter how you get the training.

In addition, the fact that these schools need big chunks of money up front before you fly at all is just plain scary. Never never pay up front. Pay as you go. You’ll be broke as hell before you even fly 20 hours. The key as forementioned is to be creative and strategic on how you approach your training. Remember, no matter what path you choose, everyone has to pay their dues. Stick to your gameplan and you’ll eventually find yourself in the left seat working two weeks a month. Good luck and happy flying!

For more great advice on training I suggest Darren the CFI.