Flight Training - August 2011 - 17

your ability to fly safely. If you fail the ride, then a part of you should feel grateful in knowing that a wise designated examiner spotted a deficiency in your flying skill. Correct that flaw and you can then have confidence that a representative of the FAA believes you have the skill to fly safely. Dear Rod: I’m a 50-year-old private pilot who has just retired from a 25-year career as a police officer. One of my early ambitions was to be an airline pilot, but I got married, had children and, well, I had to lay that dream aside. With retirement I want to pursue my dream of flying for a living. I have a private pilot certificate, no instrument rating, 510 hours, and am in good health. What is your honest assessment of my actually being hired to fly with an air carrier? P.H. Greetings P.H.: As I see it, the chances of your acquiring the necessary experience to fly for a living and then being hired to fly a large commercial airliner are just a bit less than you and Justin Bieber singing a duet at Carnegie Hall. The major airlines typically look for younger, more experienced pilots, who will offer the company many years of return on the training investment they make in a pilot. But don’t fret. I did say, “major airlines.” Your chances of being hired with a regional airline are much greater. Why? Because regional airlines expect their pilots to have less time, which is why this is the usual route for gaining experience as a steppingstone to employment with a major air carrier. In fact, your interest in staying with a regional carrier might prove to be a major selling point. Finally, I wouldn’t discount your potential to fly for a corporation or charter company. These are worthy and satisfying occupations, and you’re more likely to be employed in one of them.
Rod Machado is a flight instructor, author, educator, and speaker. Machado has been a pilot since 1970 and a CFI since 1973. Visit his blog (www.rodmachado.com).

ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
The annual meeting of the members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will be held at 12 noon on Friday, September 9, 2011, at the headquarters of AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, located on the FredNOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS erick Municipal Airport (FDK), for the purpose of receiving reports and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including the election of trustees. —John S. Yodice, secretary

Pass Your FAA Knowledge & Practical Tests—Guaranteed!
You’ll Benefit from KING’s Unique Learning System...
Many folks ask us what makes our courses different and why our students tend to score so highly on their tests. The short answer is that we take complex information, and make it clear, simple and fun to learn.

From Sport Pilot, Private Pilot & Instrument all the way through ATP!
Knowledge Test Courses $279 Because your KING Knowledge Test Course harnesses the power of your computer, you’ll be fully engaged—you’ll learn faster and remember better. And when you’re ready, you’ll get your FAA written test signoff and graduation certificate instantly online. • Learn by watching full-screen, bite-sized video segments • Receive instant feedback on your answers • Retake missed questions on the spot • Review FAA questions by subject area, FAA Learning Statement Codes, questions missed, questions not yet answered, or in any combination • Take unlimited random interactive practice exams Clear explanations

Practical Test (Oral Exam & Flight Test) Courses $119

Relax! Pass your oral exam & flight test the first time with one of the unparalleled KING Practical Test Courses. No other course does for you what our practical test courses do. We take you along on a simulated test with a real FAA examiner for both the oral exam and the flight test. • You’ll see a model performance with loads of in-flight footage that puts you in the cockpit • See stunning in-flight footage and cockpit demonstrations shot from three different camera angles for complete understanding • When you go in for your own practical test, you’ll be Exciting in-flight video confident because you will have been there before

Over 90 Courses—For Beginner To Pro! 1-800-854-1001 www.kingschools.com/kcs
For a course demo go to www.kingschools.com/coursedemo

AUGUST 2011 FLIGHT TRAINING

/ 17

KING_FT_forAug11.indd 1

6/8/2011 9:56:40 AM

http://www.kingschools.com/kcs http://www.kingschools.com/coursedemo http://www.rodmachado.com

Flight Training - August 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - August 2011