Flight Training - December 2011 - 52

CAREER PILOT»

upon reaching cruise altitude, allowing the airplane to accelerate to cruise speed. Except for a turboprop or high-powered piston twin at low altitude, airplanes I had flown never got close to the airspeed redline. In the jet, its excess power can easily propel the airplane through redline in most phases of flight. To descend, instead of slightly reducing power or leaving the engine(s) at cruise power to take advantage of gravity to gain a little speed, the jet descends most efficiently at idle power. The low drag of the swept-wing jet allows it to descend at a high speed at a rate of about 2,000 to 3,000 feet

per minute, depending on airspeed. But even at idle power, it’s still possible to exceed the airspeed redline in a jet. Speed brakes are installed to give the pilot a tool to control descent speeds. Initially, it can be difficult to remember to slow down to 250 knots or less below 10,000 feet, since many of us never got close to that speed in piston airplanes. Another speed limit that isn't a factor in the piston world is the airspeed limit of 200 KIAS below Class B airspace and within four miles of the primary airport in Class C and D airspace. On departure, some jets can’t stay below 200 KIAS without drastically

reducing power or leaving out some flaps. In small airplanes, there’s typically only one or two numbers to remember regarding flaps; VFE is the max speed at which you can lower the flaps to a specific setting. In a jet, there are maximum and minimum speeds for each flap setting. In modern jets, these speeds are automatically bugged on your airspeed tape and are dependent on aircraft weight. You can’t simply raise the flaps after takeoff without accelerating to the next appropriate flap maneuvering speed. Swept-wing jets also bring unique handling characteristics to the table. This is most noticed

CAREER ADVISOR

Which path opens more doors?
» By Wayne Phillips

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?
»Q. I am currently finishing up my MBA

and am working on my private pilot certificate. I plan to continue on with commercial/multiengine and ultimately CFI certificates. Does it matter if I attend a community college or university? Will one open more doors than the other? »A. Earning a master’s degree in business administration is a superb strategy for weathering the industry’s inevitable ups and downs. Having the kind of business savvy that comes with an MBA should serve you well in management positions inside or outside the industry. Having an MBA should prove beneficial in an interview. It will make you an “added value” candidate. If competing for a rare flying position, given two candidates with equal skills, personality, and experience, the one with higher education is apt to be the first choice. If all you desire is the flight time, experience, and FAA credentials, you may wish to immerse yourself into a nonstop flight program. You already have the educational background. Some flight

academies have “direct track” relationships with regional airlines or corporate operators so they are worth exploring. If you still opt for an aviation degree, you can always get one online while you practice your career. However, if you aim to add an aviation degree along with a wallet full of FAA

On the other hand, expediency and cost do favor the community colleges. Some of the fine small colleges such as Aims in Greeley, Colorado; Northwest Michigan College in Traverse City; Miami-Dade; Hesston College in Kansas; Big Bend in Oregon; and Cochise College in Arizona have great programs at about

IF COMPETING FOR A RARE FLYING POSITION, THE CANDIDATE WITH HIGHER EDUCATION IS APT TO BE THE FIRST CHOICE.
ratings in a traditional manner, a community college is a great way to go. Although earning those ratings and a four-year degree at a “name brand” university may work for those with time and money, a two-year degree along with a compressed flight schedule to acquire those ratings in two years has many pluses. There is a network of professionals who hire pilots that favor alumni. If an interviewing captain who attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is looking at an ERAU grad, there is something to be said for that bond. half the cost of those “name brand” institutions. You will be finished in two years, earning an associate's degree in aviation in most instances, and can get on with your career rather than spending two more years at a four-year college. And guess what? The FAA certificates and ratings are all the same.
Wayne Phillips, an airline transport pilot with Boeing 737 and Falcon 20 type ratings, is a B-737 instructor and operates the Airline Training Orientation Program. Send your Career Pilot questions to careers@aopa.org and we’ll answer them here.

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Flight Training - December 2011

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