My Goals in Aviation

As the semester wraps up and I happen to have more downtime without school looming over my shoulders, I have had more time to reflect on my goals as a pilot.

Now, the typical route of airline pilot certainly comes to mind when you think of the word "pilot". And yes, I have considered that route and it seems to be the most realistic option for a 1500 hour pilot. What I can hope to gain at a regional airline, my first major pilot job after flight instructor, is expereince.

It is unfortunate to say that flying as a flight instructor can only help you build so much expereince. While yes, it is a fantastic way to build hours and become subject matter experts on information required of a private pilot to flight instructor. You are practically checkride ready at any moment due to your constant exposure to the material. However, the experience I lack pertains to mainly IFR (departures and arrivals) and high altitude operations since our flight school planes only go so high.

It is easy to get wrapped up in what I don't know, or what I haven't experienced. As I write this article, I think back to a previous submission on my page titled "Rain Check". There I expand upon the same subject and getting stuck in one mindset where my life revolves around aviation. But, I wanted to take the time to acknowledge my goals in aviation aimed at pure enjoyment, rather than academic or career advancement.

Firstly, I would love to get my seaplane rating! I don't think I even have to explain this one. To me, getting your seaplane is probably the coolest thing you can do in aviation.

Next, I aim to get my tailwheel endorsement! I have heard many great things about the tailwheel endorsement. Mainly, it opens you up to a whole new set of planes you are capable of flying. Secondly, it opens up new terrain for you to land on - more than a grass strip, but a gravel bar off the side of a river (insurance permitting I assume). Third, I have heard about the great stick and rudder skills you gain from taxi to takeoff and landing. This inexpensive endorsement, in the grand scheme of aviation expenses, would be a great tool to add to my repertoire.

Finally, as a career goal, I think I would love to fly corporate. Whether this is in a King Air, Citation, Gulfstream, Learjet, etc. The smaller jets have always intruiged me, rather than bigger planes, such as the Queen of the Skies: the 747.

Too often, I get wrapped up in what the most realistic route is for me, and I forget the endless possibilites that I can chase, and the things that brought me to aviation in the first place. One day I will be able to call myself a seaplane pilot, or someone who prefers the conventional tailwheels over tricycle gear. I think in those moments, I will be extremley satisfied, because I chased after a true goal that has no career motivation behind it, but instead stems from the pure love of flying.