HIRED: My First Airline Job!

Recap of Past Few Months

It's been a while since I've shared about my flight hour progress toward becoming eligible to work for an airline... but I'm happy to say that over the past couple months it's happened:

• Reached the minimum hour requirement to be an airline pilot
• Interviewed with SkyWest
• Accepted an offer to become a First Officer
• Completed an official Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP)
• Passed the written ATP knowledge exam
• Leave tomorrow for 6-8 weeks of ground school in Salt Lake City. Whew!

Reflections on Flight Instructing

There's so much to be grateful for as I reflect on my experience as a flight instructor at Westwind School of Aeronautics.  It's been a wonderful way for me to transition into aviation, as a former school teacher.  The relationships I've built with my co-workers and students have been so rewarding and fun.  Here is a short video about two of my students from South Korea, Seoung Hee and Donghyeok.  They are married and it was a blast to train them both.  Watch this 60 second video about them becoming Private Pilots, from first solo to check ride:

First Full Motion Simulator Experience

I currently have just under 1300 flight hours logged (needed 1250 for the airlines).  The past month has been full of travel to and from Salt Lake City for CTP training in which I was able to log 10 hours in a full motion E175 simulator.  My brother in law Dave (who reviews videogames and technology for Forbes), referred to it as "the most expensive video game ever." Ha! You could even feel bumps on the taxiway. 

Me in the E175 Full Motion Sim

Me and my Sim Partner

What's Next?

So the next phase is ground school.  I just completed my last day of work at Westwind and tomorrow I depart for SLC for training with SkyWest.  SkyWest is a regional airline contracted by major airlines such as Delta, United, American and Alaska.  Here's what's next:

• Complete ground school & sim training over the next 6-8 weeks
• Pass a check ride in the aircraft I was hired to fly (CRJ)
• Complete my Initial Operating Experience (IOE)
• Be placed on reserve: filling in for First Officers who can't make their scheduled flight
• Fly the Line...aka be a real pilot!

So when I do begin to fly, my aircraft could look something like this:

Type of Aircraft I will fly: CRJ 200

I am looking forward to being a student again and in a time and place to focus my energies on learning.  In all of my initial flight training, I was always multi-tasking... working as a Phy Ed teacher and Residence Life Coordinator at a University.  So I'm looking forward to being able to focus solely on jet training.

One of the hardest parts about this all will be saying goodbye to my family for 6-8 weeks.  Sara and Isaac will be staying in Phoenix while I complete the ground school.  We are hopeful to see each other on Christmas weekend, but it will depend on whether or not I can fly standby and make it back to training on Monday.  Please pray it works out! Our 6th wedding anniversary also falls in that time frame--so it will be our first one a part.  We are grateful for the local friends who are reaching out to Sara during my time away, and friends and family from Minnesota who plan to visit.

We snuck in one last date this week and enjoyed some ice cream together.  So grateful for my family.

Thanks for following, and I hope to update more as I process what I learn in training over the next 6-8 weeks.  For now I must say goodbye as I need to re-learn how to dress and pack for winter weather in Salt Lake. 

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Multi Engine Family Flight

Time for an update! In order to reach the minimum hour requirement for multi-engine flight time, I have been renting a Seminole over the past several weeks with my friend and fellow instructor, John.  Today he let my family join us!  We took Isaac and Sara on a scenic flight to Sedona and then on towards the Grand Canyon.  Big Thanks to John for letting them tag along.



To quote Sara as we flew over the Grand Canyon: "This is probably one of the coolest experiences in my life!" It reminded me not to take for granted the opportunity to see God's creation from a different perspective almost every day.  And to top it off, at the end of the flight I met my minimum multi-engine flight time requirement... so that is a relief as it means we are finally done paying for flight hours!  I am still plugging away to meet my overall minimum hour requirements.  Hope you enjoy some of these photos and make sure to watch the video!  It's only 3 minutes.

Sara, Isaac, and Me at Deer Valley

Flying over Lake Pleasant

Friend, John, Flying Under the Hood

Isaac and a Rock in Sedona

Family

The Seminole has 2 engines, the toy has 2 engines, and I think Isaac has 2 engines too!

Me & I

Admiring the Red Rocks

Navigating

Flying from the Backseat

Colorado River

South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Camping & The Grand Canyon

Arizona Bucket List:

Cards (vs Vikes) Game

Go swimming outdoors in February

Mountain Biking

Hike Camelback

Road trip to Mexico

Road trip to San Diego

Road trip to LA

Staycation

Snowboarding in Flagstaff

See the Grand Canyon

Ok so seeing the Grand Canyon was more than just a thing to check off the list... but it was a thing to check off the list!  We spent one night camping in Sedona and the next at the Grand Canyon.  Sara and I are not expert campers by any means, but we do have a handful of experiences under our belt, and too much camping gear that we really should go more often than we do!

It was a fun getaway and chance to slow down and as my niece reminded us before leaving: "do you know there is no internet there?"  My good friend Jordan will be leaving Phoenix soon to head to his airline training, so I'm glad he got to come along.  I've enjoyed working alongside him at Westwind and get out mountain biking with him.  I've been grateful for a friend to navigate the beginnings of a career in aviation with. 

The camping itself went well.  Sara had to tell herself that she was the "boss of the bugs" otherwise she generally has minor panic attacks when seeing a spider (kidding...not kidding).  Isaac handled sleeping in a tent as well as any toddler probably could--with a few wake ups, scream cries, and final announcement our last morning at 5:00am: "All done camping!"  Although Isaac was disappointed in the Grand Canyon because he thought it was a zoo (literally) and kept asking where the toucans were, I think he still had a great time! 

SkyWest Cadet: Reflections on my Trip to Salt Lake

The past couple days I spent traveling to and from Salt Lake City to participate in an orientation for the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program.  As I approach 1000 hours of flight time, I am getting closer to the application and interview process for my first airline job (I need 1250 hours to be qualified, so applications will start soon).  I said goodbye to Sara and Isaac Saturday night, and got up early Sunday to catch a 0600 flight (thanks to my friend Jordan for the ride to the airport).

Isaac & Daddy

The SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program seems to be a one of a kind recruitment tool that is being used to help fill the demand for new pilots.  Being from the Midwest and having completed my training in Minnesota, I have been most familiar with Compass and Endeavor regional airlines.  Through my studies at Academy College and connections made through Thunderbird Aviation, I know at least a few people who work in some capacity for Compass and Endeavor. As such, I have been most familiar with those airlines and have had my expectations set for working for either Compass or Endeavor.

Move to Phoenix. Different connections, different network.   Enter: SkyWest.

Many of the friends I instruct with at Westwind have gone on to train and work for SkyWest. Hearing about their positive experiences, I applied to be a part of the Pilot Pathway Program.  The benefits of being a cadet can be read here.  What I think is so great about it is that it gives someone like me an opportunity to envision what my job will be like as pilot flying jets.

One of the most common ways to reach the minimum hour requirement to be an airline pilot is to be an instructor, like me--in small planes.  I basically get paid to teach other students how to fly but also get credit for the flight time.  I really have no need to look for a different job before heading to the airlines, because it's not required.  Positive and negative aspects to that reality.

But because of my lack of jet experience, I'm anticipating training to be like drinking from a fire hose. Overwhelming. Hard. But exciting and I'm up for the challenge, and eager to grow in my knowledge and skills as a pilot.

Checking out the slopes flying from Denver.

So as a part of this program, SkyWest flies cadets to their facilities in SLC.  Provided with lodging, I was able to connect with other pilots like me, gain insight into what an airline interview is like, and am guaranteed a final interview for a first officer position at SkyWest.  Nothing to lose!

I am a total rookie when it comes to traveling alone.  I'm sure some day it will be funny to look back at this experience and how nervous I was to go through security, or miss a flight.  Usually I travel with my wife, who is the keeper of the itinerary and I just do what she tells me!  Well I wish I could say all went well but I left my wallet at security and didn't even realize it.  Thankfully I was paged just in time to retrieve it before boarding my flight.  And thankfully I made it to my hotel where I caught some of the Olympics and grabbed dinner with a fellow cadet.

The following day we shuttled to SkyWest's facilities where I learned a lot more about what its like to work as an airline pilot.  And of course got all the info I needed to answer Sara's questions about flight benefits and how that all works.

E175 (Embraer)  One type of jet I might fly as a regional pilot.
My buddy Caleb flies one of these around the skies!

I didn't want to get too excited because I've been most interested in Compass or Endeavor.  But after reflecting on the experience, I'm so grateful that SkyWest provided me with this opportunity.  When else would I have been able to see the aircraft I could potentially fly, gain interview insight from the pilots who conduct the interviews, and experience what its like to travel for free?  I liked it!

So, we'll see where God leads and how it all pans out.  We extended our lease in Phoenix until mid May 2017.  We had hoped to get back to the Twin Cities before my airline training begins, in December or January... but after considering moving from an extremely hot summer in Phoenix to an extremely cold winter in Minneapolis... we changed our minds.  We'll be here at least through my training and probably first couple months of being on reserve for whatever airline I end up with.  God willing, we will move back to Minneapolis in May to be closer to our families and God willing I can be based there as well.  The process of life continues: prayer, plan, work, repeat.  Trying to walk by faith and grateful that I know the One who goes before me.

Photo by SkyWest. Can you spot me?

Storms

I am interrupting my "How to Become a Pilot" series to share some awesome photos of weather conditions we've seen around the Valley lately. Awesome to see from a far... extremely hazardous to fly through for any type of aircraft.

This first one is a rain storm/microburst.  Microbursts are dangerous and cannot always be seen with your eyes.  They are basically a strong downdraft in a thunderstorm. When a plane flies through a microburst, a central space will literally push the plane downwards...almost like someone punches it down from up above. The danger doesn't stop there.  When the air is pushed downwards like that it sort of spills out...the way water does when you turn your kitchen sink on. This spillover causes damaging winds on or near the ground.

Rain Storm/Microburst on July 18, 2016 near South Mountain in Phoenix

Unfortunately, before we had the technology to better detect microbursts in 1985, Delta Flight 191 flew into a microburst just before landing.  You can watch the story here (NOT for those who have a fear of flying!).  The plane was already too low to recover from the downdraft forces, and the microburst outflow and inflow forces caused the plane to crash before the pilots could recover.  As a result, 137 people were killed and 27 survived.  As is with every crash in aviation, new regulations and technology are created to avoid similar scenarios in the future.  That's why flying today is so safe. After the tragedy of Delta Flight 191, technology advancements were made and now aircraft are equipped with doppler technology to better detect these conditions and avoid them.

Learning from these tragedies is something I so admire about the aviation industry.  Whether a crash involves a human factor or not, flight crews study these historical occurrences to learn from them. Even the medical world has learned from the way aviation approaches its operations to help decrease the number of deaths...by implementing the use of checklists and team approaches.  The area they could probably grow in is when a preventable death does occur, allowing it to be made known for other MDs to learn from...instead of keeping it silent through all those non-disclosure agreements.

As for me, this storm was obviously easy to spot and we kept our distance!

Dust Storm on July 19, 2016 near San Tan Valley

How to Become a Pilot: Learn to Fly in the Clouds & Personal Update

After you become a Private Pilot, it's time to learn how to fly in the clouds!  Getting your Instrument Rating is the next step.  Even if you're flying for pleasure the instrument rating is great to have, but it definitely comes at an additional cost.  If you've decided you'd like to make aviation into a career, this is a must have!

Instrument Flight

Isn't it amazing that we have the technology to fly without seeing outside?  Instrument flight is when pilots fly by reference to their instruments.  To simulate this, students go "under the hood" so they cannot use outside visual references.  When nearing an airport, pilots use an approach procedure (as pictured) to safely descend out of the clouds to make a visual landing.

The training to become instrument rated includes further training on:

• Air Traffic Control Clearances & Procedures
• Flight by Reference to Instruments (obviously)
• Navigation Systems
• Instrument Approach Procedures (pictured)
• Emergency Operations

The Six Pack

In an airplane, you have six basic instruments... aka the "six pack." They include: 

1. Airspeed Indicator (PS)
2. Attitude Indicator (G)
3. Altimeter (PS) 
4. Vertical Speed Indicator (PS)
5. Heading Indicator (G)
6. Turn Coordinator (G)

Three instruments are a part of the Pitot (not a typo, pronounced: pee-toh) Static Pressure System (PS) and three are Gyro (G) Instruments.

After you initially learn how to fly using only these instruments...enter: emergency scenarios.  This is when an instructor simulates the failure of flight instruments and you have to compensate and continue to fly the aircraft safely, on the correct heading and altitude with a partial instrument panel.  So much of training is simulating emergencies and learning how to recover or maintain safe flight!

Like Private Pilot training, once you complete your training, written exam, and are endorsed to take your check ride, you will complete a flight and oral exam with an examiner (new standards here).  The next post in this series about How to Become a Pilot will overview the other common licenses and ratings you need before you are employable and can start earning money with your skills.

Personal Update...Promoted!

An exciting piece of news to share on my journey is that I was recently promoted to Check Airman.  It is definitely an honor and something I feel proud about as all the other Check Airmen are well respected and great pilots! I will continue in my role as an instructor, responsible for X number of students, but now I will also assist in assessing students at major checkpoints--called "progress checks."  In the short time I have been assessing, I have been able to recognize more about how I can grow as an instructor.  Here's some recent pictures from work:

One of my students passed his Private Pilot check ride! = 1 Bar.

Promoted! Exchanging the 3 bar epaulettes for the 4 Bars with friend Chad.

Arizona sunshine early morning.

How To Become a Pilot: Your First License

A common question from friends and family about my aviation career is: how does someone become a pilot?  What is the typical path?  How much does it

Artwork by Sara Pimental aka Wifey

cost?  Where do you train? What qualifies you to fly passengers?  When can you fly for a commercial airline?  These are a lot of the same questions I had when considering the career.  This is the first post of a new blog series in which I will aim to answer some of these questions.

For many people, the lure of flying starts in childhood.  But that doesn't have to be your story!  I never even considered flying a small plane for profession or pleasure until I was well into my education career.

5 Steps to Private Pilot

Think of it this way: your driver's license is to driving, as your private pilot's license is to flying. Whether you want to fly for pleasure or professionally, this is where you should start.

Let's start with the basics:  Are you at least 16 years old? Are you fluent in English?  Will your background check be free of drug or alcohol related crimes?  If so, you're on track!

1.  Get Your Medical Certificate

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to make sure you're fit to fly.  You need to schedule a physical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your area.  This will alert you to any conditions that might disqualify you from being a private pilot before you pay for any lessons (some disqualifying conditions: certain heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, personality disorder, any indication of substance abuse, etc.)  This really isn't just a suggestion, you have to have your official Medical Certificate with you when flying.  So get it now!  *You could do this AFTER a demo flight*

2. Schedule a Demo Flight

Now it starts to get fun.  If you've never been in a small plane, you'll want to see if General Aviation (GA) is right for you.  The aircraft are small and loud... but so much fun to operate!  Some of the training you'll do will induce that feeling you get when riding on a roller coaster.  

Where?  Most Fixed-Base Operators (FBO) offer this type of experience.  Do a Google search for: Learn to Fly in (your city).  You'll find some good information that way.  Here are my recommendations if you live in one of the following areas:

• Twin Cities: Schedule an Intro Flight at Thunderbird Aviation.  They have two locations: Eden Prairie and Crystal, MN.  This is where I did all my flight training, in partnership with Academy College.
• Phoenix: Inquire about an Intro Flight at Westwind School of Aeronautics.  This is where I currently work as an instructor.

Pick a beautiful day, invite some family or friends (up to two) to come and sit in the back seat, have them bring a camera, and if you decide it's not for you...at least you got a scenic tour out of it!

3. Choose Your Own Adventure

(Remember those books?)  Assuming you are as excited as I was and want to learn to fly, you need to decide how.  Training as a civilian typically happens one of two ways: via Part 61 or Part 141 guidelines.  The main difference? Part 141 schools have more FAA oversight and rigid schedules.  Part 61 is considered more of a self-paced and flexible option.  Either route trains you to pass the same practical and written exams.  Do some homework and make the choice that's right for you.

4. Study, Fly, Repeat!

The great thing about training is that the curriculum for learning to fly--Part 61 or 141--is so concrete!  You'll start your training with ground and flight lessons from your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).  This is usually a 1:1 student:teacher ratio!  The best thing about your first license is that there is so much new and "basic" information to learn about flying.  It truly is fun. Some things you'll learn about include:

• Areas of Operation 
• Preflight Procedures 
• Takeoffs, Landings & Go-Arounds 
• Performance Maneuvers
• Ground Reference Maneuvers
• Navigation 
• Slow Flight & Stalls
• Basic Maneuvers
• Emergency Ops
• Night Operation (see video below)

If you are able to fly 2-3 times per week, it should only take you about 4 months to get to the check ride (and approximately $7-10K).  Although I took the Part 141 route, I was only able to train part-time or on the weekends.  It took me about 5 months to complete my Private Pilot's License and 58.2 flight hours (To see my cost breakdowns, visit my Training Costs page).  I trained while maintaining three other jobs...so you can do it too!

5. Examination

Does it sound intimidating?  It is.  First, you have to pass a "written" test.  This is a computer based knowledge exam.  Here's an example of some of the questions you'd see:

Source: FAA Private Pilot Sample Exam

Once you pass your written, it's time to schedule the Check Ride.  The check ride consists of two parts: an oral exam and a practical (flight) exam; in total the exam could take up to ten hours!  The exam is one on one with an FAA Designated Examiner.  Bring water because cotton mouth is guaranteed.  You will be tested on the FAA's Private Pilot Practical Test Standards, which is what your training prepares you for.  But literally anything in the linked document above is fair game.  It's a lot! As it should be.

So, Congratulations!  Once you pass your check ride you are a Private Pilot!   Whether owning or renting an aircraft, you can now enjoy getting from point A to point B in a straight line with no car traffic, you can fly to other airports for a $100 Burger, fly up north to your lake home, enjoy scenic flights with friends, and so many other possibilities!

That's it: five steps. You should do one of the first two in the next month if you're really interested!  If you're fit to fly and enjoy a challenge--you will love learning to fly.  Subscribe to my blog by entering your e-mail to the right so you won't miss my next post in this "How To Become a Pilot" series!

A Normal Flight Until We Saw This

Saving lives?  Well at least some trees.  Today on an IFR cross country flight, after departing Winslow airport, 43 miles south of the Winslow VOR I reported this fire to Phoenix approach control. We were the first to report it, and I was able to share approximate size and location of the fire. 

Listening to NPR recently, I've learned that multiple municipal fire departments are in the negative on their budgets due to the high number of fires already this season.  I can hear an inner voice saying... only YOU can prevent wildfires!  

What's the most unusual thing you've seen from the sky?  Share by commenting below!

How to Stack Airplanes in the Sky

Sometimes it still blows my mind that we have the technology to fly without being able to see outside!  This is called instrument flight.  Check out my video to see how planes are "stacked" in the sky as they wait to land at the Casa Grande airport!

How I Became a Pilot: Video

I put together a 60 second video about how I became a pilot.  From starting off as a teacher and coach, to now working as a full-time flight instructor.  Check it out and be sure to subscribe to my blog for more updates!

New Logo

Thanks to Andy Wyss Design I have a new logo for the blog!

First 100 Degree Day in Phoenix

We just hit triple digits for the first time this year.  Usually they don't dispatch any planes if it's above 105, so guys start to work early at like 0500.  Time to change my sleep patterns I guess!  I usually start at 0700.

Frolfing

I spotted the Conocido disc golf course that Sara and I frequent from the sky today.  It actually has grass! We put Isaac in his stroller and walk the entire course.  Lately, we've let him get out near the last couple holes and kick the soccer ball around or throw the disc into the basket.  Last week we ran into some avid drone pilots.  They build their own drones and use a camera headset to fly them.  They can go up to 80-90 mph.  Yikes!  One pilot said his drone accidentally wound up in the disc golf basket one day.  Maybe a hobby I'll consider when I pay off the rest of my debt from learning to fly airplanes...

Glass Cockpit

One of the things I really like about being a CFI at Westwind in Phoenix is that they have their Cessnas equipped with the G1000.  So much prettier than the round gauges I learned on, as you can see.  Obviously round gauges were more difficult to learn on.  The G1000 just has so much information available.  You practically have to try to lose your situational awareness; whereas, you have to work really hard to know where you are at all times when flying under the hood.  I do appreciate that I learned without it though!

G1000

Round Gauges

USS Midway Museum

My wife, son and I are in San Diego rendezvousing with her parents who are here for work from Minneapolis.  We drove from Phoenix, which was unlike any other road trip we've taken in the midwest... sand dunes, mountains, and then...the ocean!

We got to go to the USS Midway Museum which is a retired aircraft carrier.  Here's a snapshot of me and Isaac in the cockpit of an F-8 Crusader.  I don't have any military connections or background, but am so grateful for those who choose to serve to protect our freedom.

Student's First Solo

One of my student's had his first solo flight today. Pushed another one out the nest as they say.  Fun to give him his "wings"!