Aviation
ASVAB Score – Understanding Your AFQT Score
Posted on February 13, 2012 |
Considering how important your ASVAB score is to your future in the military it’s surprising that more people don’t know how it affects their chance of qualifying for their target service branch and military job.
First, what most people call their “ASVAB Score” is actually their “AFQT Score”. The AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score is made up of four of the nine ASVAB subtests:
* Word Knowledge (WK)
* Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
* Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
* Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
which are combined using the formula 2(WK + PC) + AR + MK to get your AFQT score.
It’s actually a little more complicated than that but, in the end, you’ll end up with a single score that measures your performance on these four subtests as compared with every other person who took the ASVAB test.
So, your ASVAB score of 70 simply means that, on the subtests that make up the AFQT score, you scored better than 70% of the other applicants who took the test. There’s no “passing” or “failing” the ASVAB there’s just the score you achieved on the nine subtests and how those scores qualify you for enlistment in the military.
Speaking of enlistment, that’s the primary function of the AFQT score – to determine if you meet the minimum qualification for enlistment in the military. That minimum qualification is different depending on your service branch (Army is the lowest at 31 and Coast Guard is the highest at 40), whether you have a high school diploma or GED (GED applicants need a 50 and often some college credits), and if you’re enlisting as an active duty soldier or in the reserves (reserves have higher ASVAB score requirements).
Your AFQT score is also used to determine if you qualify for an enlistment bonus, college loan repayment, college plans, and other enlistment bonuses. These typically require a minimum ASVAB score of 50.
The subtests that make up the AFQT score are also used to calculate some of your “line scores” which are used to measure your knowledge and aptitude in various occupational areas and qualify you for particular jobs within the armed services. Your AFQT score gets you in and your line scores get you the job you want.
Aviation Firefighters Jobs
Posted on January 24, 2012 |
With an airport as busy as it is, all the planes and people coming and going, who do they call when there is a dangerous incident that involves chemicals or fire? They call the fire department, that’s who, but since the fire department couldn’t respond very quickly to an airport incident, the airport has their own separate mini fire department. These firefighters are called aviation firefighters. When we take a close look at these firefighters we get a little more understanding of their jobs and how different they really are. Although they get the same level of first aid training, there are some major differences that are very noticeable if you ever get to see some of these aviation firefighters in action.
Since a large number of plane accidents occur over water, the aviation firefighters must have the ability to aid in the situation, quickly by use of mobile vehicles as well as watercraft. While aiding in the evacuation of people under life threatening conditions, they must have the ability to remain calm, while making immediate decisions in the best interest of each situation. They have knowledge and skills of first aid that are far above basic, and are required to maintain proper certification during the length of their jobs. Most of the equipment they use is equal to standard firefighting equipment, but they also use some tools and chemicals designed for more advanced fires and situations. They have an understanding of and an ability to use a wide variety of advanced equipment along with the usual hoses, foam sprayers, and machines. They must also know how to maintain and care for all fire vehicles and working equipment.
These aviation firefighters must keep in mind the necessity of protecting the environment as well people. They are well versed in what course of actions would best suit the current conditions in case of an emergency. During the normal hustle and bustle of the airports daily activities, these firefighters are manning the Fire Control Center at each respective airport. They are the ones that make sure safety rules and regulations are being followed while also being ready to respond in an emergency. They observe the arrivals and departures of all incoming and outgoing aircraft, to make sure safety is being kept in mind. Another job performed by them is the inspections concerning fire safety and inspections of all fire alarms within the airport. These firefighters usually have their hands full with all the buzzing airport activity. They are also responsible for educating the airport employees on any new changes that are made to fire safety routines or practices, and must conduct drills systematically to ensure everyone’s safety in the event of an emergency.
Not only are these firefighters required to be physically fit, they must be able to swim and dive with an underwater breathing apparatus. The physical requirements are quite intense, due to the nature of the job and the type of crises that they have to respond to. To know the aviation firefighters is to appreciate them.
Navy Vs. Marine Aviation
Posted on January 24, 2012 |
The primary difference is in the “life-style” of a Marine and a Sailor. Marines all consider themselves combat riflemen first, and whatever job they have second. Generally, Marines have to meet a higher physical fitness and disciplinary standard than any of the other services.
The flying training program is much the same. In fact, Marine and Navy pilots go through the same flying training program (for the most part).
The Active Duty Service Commitment is real. It costs almost a million dollars to train a military pilot or navigator, and the military services want to make sure they get their money’s worth (and are not just training someone for an airline pilot’s job).
The active duty service commitment (A.D.S.C.) for Navy and Marine Corps pilots is 8 years (following graduation from flight training). The A.D.S.C. for Navy and Marine Corps NFOs (following training) is 6 years (following completion of training and designation as an N.F.O.).
The ADSC for Air Force pilots is 10 years, following completion of flight training, and 8 years for navigators (following training).
The Navy and Marine Corps does not have a “Palace Chase” program, and — just for info, the Air Force rarely (if ever) allows pilots and navigators, who are on their initial active duty service obligation to participate in “Palace Chase”.
As I said, flight training is expensive, and the services want to get their money’s worth. I spent several years as the first sergeant of various Air Force flying squadrons, and I never (not once, not a single time) saw a pilot or navigator on their initial active duty service obligation approved for a “Palace Chase” or “Palace Front” active duty separation. Not once. Not even close (unless they were disqualified from flying for such reasons as medical).
In an F-18 (or any other Navy aircraft), the pilot is called “a Navy Pilot.” In a two-seat aircraft, the other officer (who navigates and operates the weapon systems) is called an “N.F.O.” (Navy Flight Officer). As a group, they are both referred to as “aircrew.”
Any military member, aboard the aircraft (of whatever type) who is flying on the aircraft, with a job to perform aboard that aircraft, as part of the aircraft crew is an “aircrew member.” That means, on two-seat aircraft, such as the F/A-18, both the pilot and the NFO is referred to as “aircrew.”
On other types of aircraft, there would be more than two “aircrew members.” For example, the EC3 “Hawkeye” carries a crew of five. All of them (pilot, co-pilot, NFO, enlisted techs) are “aircrew” on the aircraft.
With the Marine Corps when you join them they will give you a chose of 3 MOS that you can pick from, but you can only pick one of the three no matter if you don’t like any of them. I’m afraid that’s the way the Marine Corps does enlisted job choices. If can always of to there web site or call someone from that branch and ask them questions.
But, quite simply, you’re not going to become a Marine Corps pilot unless you (1) get a college degree (2) get commissioned (OCS or PLC), and (3) pass the flight aptitude tests and flight physical. About one candidate out of every five makes it through the selection process.
Trucking, Fort Rucker and Einstein
Posted on October 31, 2011 |
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”
-Albert Einstein
The beginning of the ninth week of my trucking career sent me to Swansea, South Carolina. Jesse James is said to have attended a church service at Sharon Crossroads Methodist Church near Swansea. Witnesses have attested that Jesse wore his sidearm in church and sat with his back to the wall during the service, fearing some type of ambush.
Like Jesse, I also felt backed into a corner when I got a first look at the load I’d be picking up. It was a massive array of steel girders, piled to the sky. The girders, being of different lengths and widths, made it appear that this “top-heavy” load might suffer some stability issues. To alleviate my concerns somewhat, I secured it using every single strap that I had on board. We spent the night at an abandoned store in Ulmer, South Carolina and then set out at 1am the next morning. This load was headed to the military base at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Fort Rucker is the primary flight-training base for Army Aviation and is home to the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center and the U.S. Army Aviation Museum. Fort Rucker is often referred to as “Mother Rucker”, both as an insulting pseudo-homonym, and in deference to the birth of an Army Aviator’s career and his or her constant return to the post for continued training. It is common knowledge in an Army Aviation career that “Everyone returns to Mother Rucker”. My first visit here would certainly prove to be a “Mother Rucker” for me!
Upon arrival, the gate guard instructed me to “Keep straight and you can’t miss it”. There were two things wrong with these instructions: First, I didn’t know what the heck “it” was. I assumed that the steel would be going to a hangar, but there were hangars all over the place! Second, he should have said, “Veer right”, because when I “kept straight”, I dead-ended into a road with no place to turn around.
I was sitting directly across from the Flight School building so, since I had no clue as to where to go, I got out and started walking toward the school to ask someone for directions. Before I got to the door, a white pickup truck stopped alongside me and a hyperactive little old man, who looked to be at least 70, jumped out and raced toward me with his arms flailing wildly and expletives spewing from his mouth like a geyser.
“I’ve got to talk to that [expletive] guard”, he exclaimed.
“You’re the second truck this morning to come down here, and there’s no place for you to turn this [expletive] around”.
‘Tell me something I don’t know’, I thought.
He was the project manager for the new hangar that was under construction, and I couldn’t help but to be a bit amused by his Einsteinian hairstyle, his twig-like frame, and his seemingly caffeine-induced demeanor, but I was not amused at taking another dive into the all-too-familiar “pickle-barrel” again.
“How are you at backing?” he shouted.
“Well”, I said, “I’m not the best, but I always get the job done”.
His ears, apparently, shut down after he’d heard “I’m not the best…” because from that point on, he began instructing me on how to drive my truck. He was shouting instructions in zealous blasts, and my initial amusement with this hyperactive Einstein look-alike had reverted to a desire to plant an E=MC square-toed boot up his rear end! To this point, however, I had humored him and held my tongue.
Finally, when I could endure no more of his verbal assaults, I politely asked him to get off of my truck, and I’d get it where it needed to go.
“You’ll never get it through that gate with your trailer way over there”, he submitted.
“You weren’t listening to me!”
“I appreciate your trying to help”, I answered, “but I think I can get it in there if you’ll step out of the way”.
“Well, I hope so!” he puffed, as he raised his hands in disgust.
It was a very tight turn, but when my trailer cleared the gate by a full three inches, I could not subdue a satisfied grin as I watched Little Einstein’s hyperactivity wind down to a sour frown. He now bore the distinct look of a man who had just bitten into an oil rag.
Eventually, the old guy reassembled the broken pieces of his megalomania and climbed up to my window.
“Well, you got some experience today!” he shouted.
“Yeah”, I said. ‘And not just in truck driving’, I thought to myself. After that, I didn’t see the skinny little SOB again.
It took over 4 hours to be unloaded because the steel had been fashioned in such a helter-skelter manner; it had to be taken off one piece at a time. One of the workers broke three of his fingers during the ordeal.
I called my driver manager to let him know of the delay and told him that I might have to quit if I were ever sent back to Fort Rucker. He laughed as if I were joking-I’m not sure that I was.
After the debacle at Fort Rucker, I was glad to be leaving to go anywhere but here. We would be going back to Cottonton, Alabama to pick up more lumber. I would be out of hours by the time I got there, but I knew that there was ample parking space there to shut down for the night.
After we arrived, I took a brief jaunt into the woods and, as I returned, I observed my truck silhouetted against a beautiful sunset. I stopped to enjoy this poetic moment and, for an instant, I was perfectly at peace with my new job and with the decisions that I had made. For the first time since I’d been doing this, I felt a wave of serenity wash over me as if God were telling me, “It’ll be okay”.
Today had offered my first look at the range of wild emotions offered by life on the road: from blood pressure raising stress and aggravation to, literally, feeling at one with the universe. If one has the stomach to endure the ride, it is often difficult not to jump in line for a second turn.
Private Pilot Requirements – Aeronautical Requierments
Posted on October 30, 2011 |
In this Article I am going to go over the Aeronautical Knowledge part of your flight training. Remember there are two parts of your training in order to get your pilot certificate.
1: Aeronautical Knowledge: The Knowledge required for your FAA Written Test
2: Aeronautical Experience: This is all of your flying
There is a written test for the Aeronautical Knowledge Portion of your Training.
There are many different subject areas that you will need to cover in order to pass this test. There are also many different ways to get the study materials for this. The Regulation for the Subject areas required is listed below:
(a) General. A person who is applying for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b) Aeronautical knowledge areas.
(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Use of the applicable portions of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;
(4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
(5) Radio communication procedures;
(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
(8) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
(9) Weight and balance computations;
(10) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
(11) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings;
(12) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
(13) Preflight action that includes-
(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.
In most cases the flight schools you are looking at will have what is called a “Private Pilot Kit ” This will include most of the things you need depending on which kits are offered by the flight school. I have listed the best kits in the free report.
In most cases the private pilot kits will cost between $150 – $200. For some people this is the easiest way to go.
There are other options also. You can buy all of the materials individually . I will list them again here for you. The things you will need to get started are listed below:
Fuel Tester
Fuel Tank Gauge
Aircraft Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) This is for the make and model of the plane you use for training.
Pilot Logbook
Maps: Sectional Chart and Terminal Chart if applicable.
Flight Planning Sheets
Course Plotter
E6B Flight Computer
Private Pilot Practical Test Standards
Text book: You will also need a text book with all the aeronautical knowledge areas in it. There are many books out there that cover this. The top companies that produce these books are ASA, GLEIM and JEPPESON. They are all pretty much called “Private Pilot Manuals”. In most cases they come as part of a Private Pilot Kit.
These Textbooks cover all the material covered by the FAA books. Most of the aeronautical knowledge is taken from four books.
The Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
The Airplane Flying Handbook
Aviation Weather
Aviation Weather Services
Some People like the Full Textbooks that have all the information in one spot.
The Written Test: The FAA written test is the last thing you will need to do. Some people may decide to take this test before they even start flying. Others will wait until the week of their flight test. It is a good review for the oral portion of your flight test if you wait until closer to your flight test. I would advise that you purchase a written test preparation guide. They will usually run about $15. I have links to those in your free report.
There are also many weekend seminars out there that will prepare you for the written test in one weekend or a few nights during the week.
It is really up to you how you want to handle this. You just can’t take your flight test without it being done. I recommend to my students that they have it done by the time you are in the cross country phase of your training. Your instructor will cover all of these areas through out your training also.
Hope To See You In the Sky
Airfreddy
Getting Started With Aircraft Equipment Leasing
Posted on October 30, 2011 |
Since aircraft have been invented, we have become fascinated with flying. Not only that, it is now an everyday part of our lives. A lot of people fly for their work and almost everybody has flown in some way at some time in their lives. With the invention of high speed airplanes, you can go a long way in such a short period of time. For example, one can fly from London to Germany in under 2 hours, with some people commuting this way in a day for their jobs. This kind of air travel was once never dreamed of. Aircraft also have many other uses such as emergency helicopters and 4 seater light airplanes that can be owned simply for personal use.
There is a really wide variety of aircraft out there now. From helicopters, 6 or 4 seater light airplanes, all different sizes of jets, giro copters, ultralights and old style airplanes. The air force in most countries, have a wide range of different machines now as well. They have large helicopters, smaller helicopters and fighter jets. With such a large variety, it is very common for people not being able to afford the cost of running them.
The high costs involved with the aircraft sector are diverse. We all know how expensive fuel has become in recent years for our cars and vehicles on the road. Aviation fuel is as expensive, if not more expensive, because it needs to be really clean and good quality to meet safety standards and for obvious risk reducing factors. Other costs involve servicing a flying machine. Light planes generally require the least amount of maintenance but when it comes to helicopters or jets it becomes expensive. The safety regulations requiring short periodic service often add up to quite a lot.
Due to these factors, leasing aircraft is becoming much more popular and it also makes sense. Whether you are a company or individual, leasing flying machines is a good option to take. If you need an aeroplane only for a certain period of time it is much cheaper to lease one that renting or buying one. For companies needing many aircraft, you have to lease them because you simply can’t afford the costs of buying all of them. The advantage of leasing them is you don’t have the affects of asset depreciation when the aircraft drops in value as with a car or motorbike. Leasing also reduces the costs of major repairs due to warranties and also general service costs.
Leasing is definitely very effective when it comes to aircraft. It has the great financial advantages along with tax advantages in most countries. For aircraft such as helicopters, which are worth a lot of money and require a lot or maintenance, leasing is a top option. For people and businesses looking to get started or continue possessing aircraft, leasing is greatly advantageous.
Increase Height Tips For Short Heighted People to Follow on a Regular Basis
Posted on October 29, 2011 |
Short height has been a problem with those who are concerned about their public image. Height is an important criterion for jobs, mainly in army, defense and aviation. These are the areas where there is no place for short heighted people. These sectors require candidates who are not only physically strong and fit but also fit. For joining defense, army or aviation you have to be both mentally and physically strong. These departments check the candidates with reference to their eye-sight, health, and physique. That is why, short height happens to be a chief cause of concern for them. So what should a short heighted person do to grow taller or gain his or her desired height? There are increase height tips and height increase foods.
There exist a number of height increase tips provided you follow them habitually. The first and foremost thing which has to be given importance is our dieting habits. We find junk foods far and wide. But to avoid them is tough for many. If we wish to attain our most desired height then the following increase height tips should be kept in mind.
Underwritten are some useful increase height tips and some ideas of height increase foods:
Make sure that you take nutritional foods in your diet which will help you to grow taller. These are known as height increase foods. You should drink ample amount of water to strike balance among the functions of your body. You should eat such foods which are rich in minerals and vitamins, essential for your body. Avoid consuming the foods that are rich in fats and cholesterol. Another very important tip among various Increase height tips, “exercise” is widely followed. We all know that doing exercise keeps our body healthy and helps us in stretching the body. Exercises like aerobics and physical ones everyday will help in increasing the height to 2-3 inches taller. Getting the right amount of sleep helps improve the production of growth hormones in your body, so be sure to get at least six to eight hours of sleep every night. Apart from eating a proper diet, you must also eat smart. Natural sources of amino acids which help in the hormonal growth of the body are nuts, brown rice, chocolates, raisins, sunflower seeds, cereals and whole wheat products. Different body postures while sleeping, working, studying, etc also affect the growth of human body. So make sure you sleep with a proper posture.
Job Prospects With The Aviation Industry
Posted on October 29, 2011 |
Today, aviation industry is one of the best booming sectors serving people worldwide. A person can make up a successful future in the sector and most importantly being the better moneymaking business hitting the market. Business prospects with the aviation industry are rising with every successive year that provides hottest aviation jobs to everyone so that they can make their future in this industry. You can also start with the management studies in aviation management that prepares a student with the basic understanding of all the procedures of hospitality, operations that can help a student to take up any job in this field.
A degree of masters will definitely help a student to avail airport jobs with a prospect of getting handsome salary package. Many colleges and universities are providing bachelors and master’s courses in aviation courses, which will help you in building a better future with correct degree in your hands. Many institutions provide these courses but there is a need to ensure that the certification provided by the institute is valid.
It is always recommended that take help from an expert before taking up admission in any of the college and university. Large number of companies is focusing on the airport jobs for those who fit best for the course with all the skills that make the high margins in employment for getting hottest aviation jobs. Aspirants who are interested in shaping their career in aviation industry can get it by hard work and intellect with an ability to beat any type of opposition with skills and strategies.
The aviation industry is expanding every year that is involving more number of fresh talents on the regular basis with high demand of qualified experts that can undertake any necessary work with the continuation of industry’s expansion. A major increase has been seen since the growth in the aviation industry and people from different backgrounds with acquired skills are coming up and taking up many jobs.
Those, who want to change their vocation, can easily join the aerospace industry that can make a better choice. Aerospace jobs can provide specific roles to those who want to change completely their lines and are ready to experience the change. Many positions are available in aerospace jobs and one who has done engineering can become aerospace pilot, a great career opportunity. Working within the aviation jobs can bring about many opportunities for those who want to excel in their life with focus on the career aspects. Be a part of this industry and enjoy lucrative career opportunities.
Svedino’s Automobile and Aviation Museum
Posted on October 28, 2011 |
Svedino’s Automobile and Aviation Museum is located in Sweden and features one of Europe’s most extensive collections of vintage automobiles and aeroplanes. When it officially opened in 1961, it was the first automobile museum in Scandinavia. The museum contains 140 cars and thirty aeroplanes together with a variety of engines, household gadgets and miscellany. Yet the entire museum was largely the work of one man, Lennart Svedfelt. Svedfelt, in addition to being a car collector was also an actor whose stage name was Svedino, the origin of the name of the museum. Svedino supported the museum by playing roles of a ‘pickpocket’ and conjuror at circuses, on stage and on TV. He joked about his performances as a “pickpocket” saying “I began to “steal” my way toward getting my museum. Svedfelt, who was born in 1924, built model airplanes as a young boy in school and had an exhibition in the Stockholm Library when he was seventeen. He started his first business in October of 1942 manufacturing model airplanes kits that were sold throughout Sweden.
In 1949, he bought a 1919 Model T Ford and soon after he began to appreciate the historical value of vintage automobiles. By 1953 he had collected five cars that were the subject of an article in the local newspaper. As a result of this article, people started contacting him telling him where he could find old cars and his collection increased. However, he now had a problem finding a place to store the vehicles. In 1957, he rented his collection that now amounted to twenty cars, to an open-air museum. Then film companies started to rent them. In 1958 he moved his collection to a circus tent.
Finally in 1960, after exhibiting the cars at Expo North, Svedfelt acquired a plot of land in Halland country where he could now erect a building. The museum finally opened in 1961 on June 20th. At that time it received considerable interest from the local press as it was Scandinavia’s first automobile museum. Thirty-five cars were displayed in an area of 550 square meters. A Swedish 1905 Tidaholm was the oldest car in the collection. It had a chain-drive, wooden wheels with huge tires and could be driven at a top speed of 15 miles per hour. There was also a 1928 Volvo. The most luxurious car on display was a 1918 American Pierce-Arrow that, at the time it was built was the equivalent of an English Rolls-Royce.
In 1964 Svedfelt was able to increase his display area from 550 square meters to 800 square meters. He now had fifty cars and added the first airplanes, a 1925 German Heinkel and a 1926 English De Havilland Moth.
Then in 1970, the museum was again enlarged to 2000 square meters and the cars and airplanes that had been stored in barns due to lack of space could now be displayed. The collection now comprised ninety cars and fourteen airplanes together with old bicycles, motorcycles and some horse drawn carriages.
Another extension of 1000 square meters was done in 1980 more displays were added. In 1986 the collection then included 140 cars, 31 airplanes plus motorcycles and carriages.
Aviation Internships – How to Pursue an Aviation Career
Posted on October 28, 2011 |
An internship with an airline is a great way to get some practical experience in your chosen field. Not only will you have the opportunity to see for yourself how the company is run on a daily basis, but the internship may open some doors for you when it comes to being considered for a permanent position. An interesting bonus to being an intern with an airline is that during your internship, you may be able to fly for free!
To find an internship with an airline, visit the web site of the company you are interested in working with. You will find information posted there about the types of internship opportunities available, along with when and how to apply for them. Not all airline internships are for aspiring pilots; internships are also available for people interested in engineering, finance, marketing, and travel management areas as well.
Southwest Airlines offers paid internships to approximately 40 individuals each year. Depending on the time of year, the internship period lasts either three or four months. Prospective interns may be hired in corporate safety and maintenance, flight operations, marketing, public relations, dispatch, or engineering departments.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to be considered for one of these opportunities, and the company accepts resumes on an ongoing basis.
Flight operations interns at Northwest Airlines are recruited for the company’s Operations Training Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. These unpaid internships are open to students enrolled in an aviation or aeronautical science program, who will earn a college credit for their participation. For every 30 days of service, the interns earn one ticket on the airline (subject to space availability).
Choosing to intern at America West airlines also means free airline travel. If you are chosen as one of the 5-10 interns the company hires each year, you will be given two discount travel passes. Opportunities exist in safety engineering, marketing, and finance areas of the company.
Another option for finding an internship with an airline is through the school you are attending. For example, students attending the University of Illinois’ Institute of Aviation can apply for internships at TWA, United Airlines, and American Airlines. These one-semester flight officer internships are competitive and the applicant’s grade point average is an important factor when choosing interns.
Over the 16-18 weeks of the internship, the student has the opportunity to spend time in flight simulators and travel in the jump seat of the cockpit of the airline’s flights. United Airlines guarantees that its interns will receive a job interview for a pilot position at a future time, but they do not promise that a company intern will receive a job offer on graduation.
Students attending Rocky Mountain College can be placed for internship opportunities with regional and national carriers. The school regularly works with Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Skywest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and other carriers. Rocky Mountain College will work with students and airlines to customize an internship program to meet the students’ needs. Preference is given to airlines where students have a good chance of being considered for available positions after graduation.
You may also find listings for internship positions on Internet job boards, such as Monster and Careerbuilder. No matter what strategy you use to find an internship with an airline company, be sure to read the instructions for applying and follow them carefully. Failure to do so may result in your application being discarded without being read. You will want to impress on the company that you are able to take direction well; this trait will help you, no matter where you work after graduation.