General aviation vs Commercial flying – aspiring pilots may be unsure of which avenue to take. As you stand on the precipice of a potential aviation career, you may find yourself pondering between the types of flying you would like to pursue. Each offers its own set of rewards and challenges. Allow me, as an experienced advisor, to guide you through both avenues so you can make an informed choice.
General Aviation (GA) Flying
General Aviation includes may different aircraft types
General Overview: General aviation encompasses a broad range of flying activities, excluding scheduled airline flights and military aviation. This could mean private piloting, flight training, aerial photography, crop dusting, and more.
Pros:
- Flexibility: In GA, there’s a wider range of aircraft to fly, from small piston singles to sophisticated turboprops.
- Diverse Experience: Every day can bring a new challenge or destination. It’s less regimented than airline flying.
- Hands-on Flying: Some aviators find GA more ‘pure’ because you’re often hand-flying the aircraft without relying heavily on automation.
- Closer Communities: GA is renowned for its tight-knit community. You’ll forge strong bonds with fellow aviators.
- Potential for Entrepreneurship: Many GA pilots eventually venture into establishing their own aviation-related businesses.
Cons:
- Earnings: Initially, GA pilots might not earn as much as their commercial counterparts.
- Job Stability: Certain GA jobs can be seasonal, like crop dusting or banner towing.
- Investment: Getting additional certifications and endorsements for various GA activities can be expensive.
- Less Structured Path: Unlike the airline route, there isn’t a clear, linear progression in many GA careers.
Commercial Flying
Commercial Flying involves transporting large numbers of passengers or freight
General Overview: This usually means flying for a scheduled airline, transporting passengers or cargo over regular routes on specific schedules.
Pros:
- Stable Earnings: Once you secure a position, especially with major airlines, the financial rewards can be substantial.
- Clear Career Progression: Start as a First Officer (co-pilot) and eventually upgrade to Captain. With seniority, you can bid for preferred routes or schedules.
- Benefits: Many airlines offer health benefits, retirement plans, and travel perks.
- Automation and Systems: If you love cutting-edge technology, modern commercial airliners are packed with advanced systems.
- Global Travel: Experience diverse cultures and see the world.
Cons:
- Demanding Start: Building the requisite hours for airline hiring, especially in the early stages, can be challenging and expensive.
- Routine: Many pilots find airline flying to become repetitive over time. Same planes, same routes.
- Away from Home: You’ll spend a significant amount of time away from family, especially in the initial years.
- Stress and Responsibility: Transporting hundreds of passengers comes with immense responsibility.
- Regulations and Procedures: Commercial aviation is heavily regulated, and pilots must continuously stay updated with rules, regulations, and procedures.
Concluding Thoughts:
For most pilots, the sky is home
Your decision should factor in personal goals, lifestyle preferences, financial considerations, and passion.
- If you cherish diversity, hands-on flying, potential entrepreneurship, and a close-knit community, GA might be your calling.
- If you’re drawn towards a structured career, seeing the world, flying large sophisticated jets, and you’re ready to navigate the responsibilities and routine, commercial flying could be your destiny.
Remember some pilots, both male and female, start in GA to build hours and experience and then transition to commercial flying. Others remain dedicated to GA throughout their careers. Some airline pilots even engage in GA activities as a hobby. There’s also no harm in dipping your toes into both worlds to see which one resonates more with your heart.
Whatever path you choose, never forget why you began flying: the sheer love for the skies. Fly safe and fly passionately!
