What I do for work (fun)...
I see no one has posted in here for some time, so here's a bump!
I am currently in my mid 20's, I have been in Naval Aviation for almost 6 years (A long time right?) lol
I started out with an enlistment contract as an ATC'er, then in Boot decided I wanted to backseat in some of the Navy's platforms, since only Officers are pilots. Anyways, I ended up volunteering for another 2 years while in Aircrew Candidate and Water Survival school in Pens, FL and got my contract amended again (plus a $2k bonus!) to try my whits at Flight Engineer School, where the going drop out rate was near 3 out of 5. I went anyways, I was already a pilot and I had an AA degree, what could go wrong?
I ended up making it thru the school (2nd in my class
) and got orders to the Mad Foxes in Jacksonville FL.
I deployed twice over 3 years flying this
[/URL][/IMG]
Sitting like this
[/URL][/IMG]
And occasionally getting some stick time
[/URL][/IMG]
Taking old fashioned pictures like this (Im second from left)
[/URL][/IMG]
Flying with my friend and his wife while we weren't delayed (my flying is not what scared him, he lost cell reception... No FaceSpace updates...)
[/URL][/IMG]
Now, Im deployed again flying this guy in super duper secret places
[/URL][/IMG]
I love what I do, a lot! I instruct, test, deploy, teach, and more. I am not rich, but I love what I do and the Navy is a great place to work, good travel benefits as well!
I have been around the World 3 times. 16 Countries. Every Continent, minus the cold one on bottom... Maybe I'll fly an RV there someday? (I read about a guy flying his 172 there!)
Anyways, Its great fun and sometimes you even get to see some cool stuff and land with a tube full of smoke
(see- lots of electronics aboard)
I get to listen to Danger Zone and pretend I'm a Top Gun
(at Mach 0.45 usually)
I have met a few RV builders in the Navy and I hope to start my build soon!
Im coming up on my reenlistment, but it will be short lived- Im about a year and a bit away from finishing my BS in Aeronautics with ERAU and already have a few weighted letters of rec for Officer Candidate School. Airlines are tough, so lets see if the Navy will let me actually fly! After over 2,000 hours and over 5 years of sitting Center Seat you'd think I have a good chance... All they care about is a silly degree...
On my spare time I fly rickety old spam cans (and one really nice Cardinal owned by another avid RV enthusiast)
I like to drive my Z06, but I will most likely sell to finance an engine and prop someday!
I will most likely be a 6+ year builder, since I will build as money becomes available.
I'd like my RV-8 to look like this when Im all done
[/URL][/IMG]
So there you have it,
all the above is what I do to pay the bills (and save for my -8) and I love every day of it.