Listening to - Matt Nathanson - Car Crash
I get a few pilot magazines: Flying, AOPA, and Plane & Pilot. Out of all of them I tend to read Flying all the way through cover to cover. This week I got my latest Plane & Pilot and was happily surprised with this months articles.
The first one that caught my eye was Telling The Truth On Your Medical: What You Need To Know. The articled talked about the risks you run by making a false statement on your medical, flying while on certain medications, and how to handle changes in your medical history. This article first popped out to me because of a post I read on an aviation message board regarding the FAA finding something in his AF medical records. Our medical is something that all of us pilots worry about because it is the basis on which we are allowed to fly.
The next article that really caught my attention was 5 Reasons To Become A Pilot NOW. This isn't the exact article from the magazine but it makes the same points as the print article. With the current state of the economy it's hard to say "Yes! Let's do this!" because all you hear are the horror stories. It's interesting to see this perspective on becoming a career pilot at this point in time.
Lastly I really liked looking at the article titled Google Earth: The Ultimate Preflight Tool. It was funny because while at the brewery last night we all laughed when we noticed that a few years ago when we called someone up to get directions they couldn't say "Oh just Google it!" Our lives have been shaped so much by this company that it's hard to imagine a day without one of Google's tools. This article brings flight planning to the next level with overlays of sectional charts combined with 3D terrain features to "fly" your flight before flying it. And yes - everyone who didn't know me at the brewery last night looked at me like I had ten heads when I started telling them about this article. Then I remembered to tell them I'm a pilot ;-)
So I just thought I'd share those articles with my fellow pilots. I'm going to go out and enjoy myself and this perfect weather.
Day 12 and 13
3 months ago
3 comments:
Matt-
Thanks for the great article. I also read the article on current hiring trends, and with so many being furloughed (just read the blogs of the people doing the job) I am suspicious, to say the least. Is that going to stop me from trying? Heck No!
I also read some older posts, and I saw that you have WPAFB on the list of places to visit. If I may make a suggestion, plan your trip around the Dayton Air Show. You'll get more bang for your buck, and it will be well worth it. I am from the area (The C-5s from Wright-Patterson fly over my house, and I fly at the aero club on base) so if you need any advice, just ask!
Jason,
It's crazy to read some blogs on here and see what's happening to some people. Then I see others whom have upgraded and are doing really well for themselves. I guess it all depends on who hires you.
Definitely keep at it if it's what you want. You can only get what you truly work for and desire.
Thanks for the tip on the air show. When do they usually hold it? For some reason I seem to remember my friends from Virginia Tech going up there around March??? Not sure if they saw the show too.
Also I saw in your profile that you're a FF/EMT - I'm looking to get my EMT-B once I get back from "The Academy" and settle down back home.
- Matt
The Dayton Air show is in July. For 2009 it will be held 18-19 July. Go here for information:
http://consumer.discoverohio.com/searchdetails.aspx?detail=54586
As for getting your EMT-B, it can only help. I am sure that ATC Controllers have a little more job security than pilots (or a lot more!) but I am going to keep my Paramedic card up until the day I die or retire just to have a back up for furloughs and whatever else the industry may bring.
Post a Comment