Q: I am a low-time private pilot planning to get my certificates through CFII later this year. I am 30 and not necessarily interested in flying for the airlines, although I would like a chance to fly different types of aircraft with different missions in addition to CFI work if possible. At 200 hours, I ground-looped a Cessna 140. Will this have serious negative consequences on my future possibilities?—T.J.
A: Some employers have a zero-tolerance policy: no accidents or FAR violations of any sort in an employee’s history. However, most employers understand humans make mistakes and have accidents (see "Explaining Accidents," page 45). In your case, a ground loop in a tricky airplane with no injuries would probably earn a “pass” by most employers, particularly if there was no FAA enforcement action. I suspect the FAA response was a simple reexamination under 49 USC Section 44709. Such a reexamination reassures the FAA that you are qualified to fly and is not an enforcement action. I would wager that most aviation employers will understand, ask what you learned about the experience, and move on.
Now, about your suggestion that you want to fly “different types of aircraft with different missions.” Just what does that mean?
Not having a career plan with a clear objective is like taking off on a cross-country flight without a destination. Without a defined point “B,” just how will you know which way to go when launching from point “A”?
Let’s think about the possibilities. You could be flying medical transportation in fixed-wing Cessna Citations. You might consider law enforcement in EC-155 helicopters. Flying King Air 300s for a large charter company might be a real possibility. How about flying banners in Super Cubs?
Once you settle on a particular career destination, then you can do the due diligence. Talk to pilots who work for Air Methods air medical transport to see what the company position is on previous accidents or FAR violations. Research your local state police to determine what the requirements are for flying law enforcement and whether a previous accident is a deal breaker. Visit area charter companies to learn of employment criteria. Start your own banner-towing company and set your own hiring standards.
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