Learning to fly with a crazy and unpredictable work schedule?

N918KT

N918KT

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KT
Hey everyone. I was wondering if anyone of you guys ever did flight training on a crazy and unpredictable work schedule that is not a traditional 9 to 5 M-F work week or a work schedule that is constantly fixed? Namely, I am talking about learning to fly if you do a job that involves shift work (like for example midnight shifts and a work schedule that changes often) and being called into work on a day off on short notice.

How did you handle it and were you able to complete flight training with that kind of work schedule?
 
Astronomers have the crappiest schedule around, though I didn't have too much trouble myself. Night shifts tend to be ALL night (even in winter, when they get long), and are episodic.

Watch fatigue. Use the military guidelines for duty days if that works. Max 12 hours in one day, at least 8 hours rest between. Count your real job and your commutes as "flight duty" for this purpose. You're not going to learn much when you're wiped out.

Finding flexible instructors isn't that difficult. They are used to dealing with weather and working around students' work schedules.
 
Another consideration is to take time off and do an intensive training program. That could be more cost effective with time constraints.
 
Find a flexible instructor. Where are you located in NJ? I know a CFI available 24/7.

MAKG1 said:
Finding flexible instructors isn't that difficult. They are used to dealing with weather and working around students' work schedules.
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MAKG1 said:
Astronomers have the crappiest schedule around, though I didn't have too much trouble myself. Night shifts tend to be ALL night (even in winter, when they get long), and are episodic.
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I don't mean to hijack but is there a day shift for astronomers? What do you stare at during the day? :rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
OP,
You need to find a school or an instructor who is very flexible. And make sure you make that point clear ahead of time so there's no misunderstandings as far as cancellation fees, etc.
 
orange said:
I don't mean to hijack but is there a day shift for astronomers? What do you stare at during the day? :rofl::rofl::rofl:
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We aren't constantly at the telescope. You gotta write software, digest data, interact with others, write papers. Those at universities have to teach. Most of the stuff is not done at night.

Many astronomers also have to deal with hypoxia -- 14,000 foot altitudes are not that rare. You don't want to do anything requiring thinking under such conditions. Save that for the day shift at low altitude.

Some observing can be done during the day. Such as orbiting telescopes, solar observation, or radio astronomy. But visible and IR doesn't work well in the daytime, unless you're observing something incredibly bright.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I am not interested in learning to fly yet but will return to it some day. To be honest my schedule isn't that unpredictable but does change a little bit often. However, if I want to move on up to a bigger facility, it will almost always involve working undesirable shifts, especially when starting out.
 
Well, when you are ready, shoot me a PM. I know a lot of CFI's around the Jersey Shore area.

If you are anywhere close by, a few of them have very flexible schedules.
 
i took two weeks off and did an accelerated program. Only way I was gonna get it done with my life.
 
I had three jobs back when I did my Private. Had a CFI who's scheduling system pretty much was, "got time to go flying?" via a phone call anytime. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't. Usually if it didn't he'd say, "How does your Tuesday afternoon look?" and we'd play 20 questions until we both found a hole in our calendars.

Also helps if your instructor isn't afraid of the dark and seems to be able to handle his day job okay after flying until 1AM . Right Jesse? Heh.

(Actually all of my instructors have been more than willing to fly at night as long as I was okay with it. And I'm a night owl anyway so I was fine with it.)
 
NHWannabe said:
Where did you do your accelerated program?
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Tailwheels in Lakeland, FL.

I had a ton of air, hotel and rental car points so it did not cost me anything to go travel and do it. Traveling away from home was the best decision for me as you need 100% focus to complete it in under two weeks. Would do it again in a heartbeat at the same place if I had to do it over again.
 
You just need to find a crazy and unpredictable instructor :D
 
I had this very situation. And I found learning to fly was the perfect antidote to a crazy stressful, unpredictable work life. I found a very flexible CFI who would take me flying anytime the weather, my schedule, my money, and his time, all came together. It was wonderful to get an unexpected free day, call the CFI and go fly for two hours. I didn't even think of it as training, just a break to go have fun. It took 11 months and I passed the checkride. I went back and did the Instrument rating the same way. 12 months just whenever I could get a free couple of hours.

Don't let the flying add stress to your life. Use it as the stress reliever. Fly as often as you can and you'll be surprised, one day you'll be finished with the CFI and get kicked out of the nest.
 
I found an instructor I like and we have a standing Friday AM schedule planned indefinitely. Right now, I'm focused on getting an instrument rating, but if we need to cancel due to weather or one of our schedules (his schedule can get complicated as well) then we already have the next one booked.

Once the IR is in the logbook, then off to the next rating...
 
I was an active duty marine on shift work when I got a ppl and inst rating. Your CFi propably also works "shiftwork" unless it's a very busy school.

Your CFI will probably work with your schedule. Mine will fly anytime with me.... Anytime.
 
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