Occupations Of Fellow AeroModelers???

[putt_13]

Hello,
I am just curious of what everyone on EZONE does for a job. Most are quite knowledgable about flying and the scientific aspect of flying, so I was just curious as to what everyone does for a job. Thanx Patrick

Ps- I am also really interested in flying and combat weapons. Does anyone know of a job that has to do with this kinda stuff.

[putt_13]

Hey,
I will start off. I am a Sophmore High School Student.

[Tim Jonas]

retired Marine, now a consultant for DoD.

I'll bet this gets moved to OTD!

[Viper Pilot]

High School Administrator

[putt_13]

Whats DoD?

Yes- I didnt even see that OFF TOPIC DISSCUSSION one, they should move it. -Patrick

[Tim Jonas]

Department of Defense. I work for the Ass't Sec Def for Command, Control, Communications and Interoperability.....yes, there really is such a thing.

[Ryan Nau]

I am in 11th grade in high school and have a part time job at an Amusement Park (Hershey ParK)

[tekochip]

EE, mostly firmware.

[JohnC]

I am a self employed video editor/DVD producer/film to video one man band.

[die fliedermaus]

Fighting Machinist

[Ron]

I'm a Machine technician. I keep c n c machinery up and operational. You break it......I fix it.

[Dave Campbell]

Tool and Die maker. Well not really, I got laid off again last week.

Dave

[Darryl Miller]

Airline pilot, or hopless kid playing with my toys,(wifes description:D )

[David Hogue]

I do mainframe ops/first level tech support for IBM, Global Services division.


Later,
David

[KillerAir]

I am a Creative Director for a marketing/advertising agency. I play all day.

Killer

[bozmonster]

I train end users on various software and do tech support

Chris

[mefly2]

I design boats...please keep in mind that has nothing to do with wether they float or not.

Bob

[mario alvarez]

Retired architect. Real estate developer, coffee farmer, miller and exporter.

[S3NFO]

Retired Navy Officer, You used to pay me to fly jets off Aircraft Carriers. Now I'm a Combat Systems Engineer, I teach guns, missiles, radars, etc to talk to each other.

Jerry N

[RCAddict]

As little as possible! ;-)

But generally my Boss makes me supervise the PC network at a large home security company.

[Tim Jonas]

Originally posted by S3NFO
Retired Navy Officer, You used to pay me to fly jets off Aircraft Carriers. Now I'm a Combat Systems Engineer, I teach guns, missiles, radars, etc to talk to each other.

Jerry N

That wouldn't be things like Link 16, or CEC or anything like that, would it? That is what I do. SPAWARS guy?

[BillBowne]

Retired US Air Force weather officer. I used to tell the fighter, bomber, and transport pilots where to go ;-).

Tried a few routes after retiring the first time, now working
as the Chief Technician* for a small school district's computer network whilst awaiting the chance to retire the second (and last!) time.

Bill B

*There are only three of us in the shop: My boss, me, and a part-time software applications teacher...;-)

[Viper Pilot]

Originally posted by S3NFO
. . . . You used to pay me to fly jets off Aircraft Carriers. . . .

Two things I've heard about jet pilots (from a previous e-zone post) :

1. Will Rodgers never met one , and

2. The difference between jet pilots and jet engines is that the engines quit whining after they
stop working.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :p :p :D :D ;) ;)

VP

[The Other Dave]

EE - I design chipsets for big expensive computers.

I used to design DC motor controllers so E-flight
seemed natural to me.

[cactus]

Career 1: Aircraft Mechanic/Aircrewman in the USCG - Miami.
Career 2 (Presently): Web Developer/Software Engineer for a
Land Use Project Planning Firm.

As far as number 3... I'm thinking something like NOT working at all :p

[putt_13]

Hey
I am really interested in flying machines, and engineering. I was going to become an aerospace engineer, but I dont know now. Mechanical engineering looks really exciting too. Does anyone know anything about aerospace engineering? Thanx Patrick

PS- Also, what kinda job has to do with flying and like combat weapons. I was thinking some type of engineer in the army. Well there is just so much stuff to look at. Thanx for the help in advance.

PSS- Keep THe Occupations Comin In, its really interesting to see what everyone does for a job.

PSSS- Are there any jobs that have to do with R/C Flying?

[Dick Huang]

Retired Aerospace Director.
Dick Huang:)

[Barrett]

Im a technician supervisor at a theme park. The people that work under me control all of the lighting and sound for shows and events. Right now im spending my days building a haunted house.

[spinnetti]

Just kidding.

ebusiness PM for Toyota, hobby racer/engine builder, and soon builder of a real airplane.

[Brian Allen]

I was a heat exchanger/vessels engineer for 15 year after I graduated from college. Since 92 I have been a housewife, taking care of the house/kids/pets etc while the wife goes out and earns the daily bread. Nice work if you can get it, as it leaves plenty of time for building/flying etc.

Lately the kids have been refering to me as the food dispenser/laundromat/chauffer which is probably closer to reality :-)

Brian Allen

[dmiller]

I am a Systems Analyst working mostly on Open VMS, Digital Unix, and AIX.

[leccyflyer]

I move the threads into the correct forums - see Mr Mootsie is always right ;)

In real life I'm a freelance geologist, chiefly rock-based rather than software-based.

Brian

[tim hooper]

Originally posted by Ron
I'm a Machine technician. I keep c n c machinery up and operational. You break it......I fix it.

Ron,

I'm a CNC setter/operator.

You fix it .......I break it again!:p

Isn't symbiosis wonderful?

tim

[MD80]

I am a commercial pilot.. Guess what i fly :-)

[Don Sims]

I was a retired old far+ retailer, now I'm an old far+ student who wants to teach Junior High kids. Last summer I was a freshman in education, now I'm a senior and should (Knock on wood) student teach next semester.

[Mark Wood]

I'm a Maintenance Electrician (civilian) for the Ship's Maintenance Facility at NAS North Island, Coronado, San Diego.
Yup. You break it, I fix it. If it's a nuclear issue, I play there too. :)

mw

[California Condor]

1. Cattle rancher (Colorado)
2. Cartographer/photogrametric engineer. (compiled topographic maps. U.S. Geological Survey)
3. Aeronautical/Rocket engineer (not scientest) Aerojet General.
4. Designer of fullsize homebuilt airplanes (Air Skimmer, Navy x-28A, Tileston Drag'N'Fly. Tileston Drake)
5. Retired model airplane designer/builder/flyer.

[JWC]

I drive small boats for the USCG.

Jeff

[mrebman]

I'm in Inside Sales for an Industrial Supply Company. We sell all the expensive goodies that go on Industrial Piping Systems (We don't sell any pipe though).
Mostly people call me & tell me their problem & I try to sell them stuff that will solve their problem & then I try to get a Credit Card Number out of them:D
-Mike-

[gradbert]

I just move the bits around, I used to move telephone data around. but now i move credit card authorizations around.

On the other hand, my two Labrador Retrievers think my job is to throw tennis balls

[S3NFO]

Originally posted by MrMootsie


That wouldn't be things like Link 16, or CEC or anything like that, would it? That is what I do. SPAWARS guy?

SSDS Mk2/CEC right now(48E, 49, Ram, NSSMS & Rearch, SPQ-9B, etc. Some work on MFR/VSR, Sly-2, AEGIS BL7(OA). A little Sim stuff on WASP, OBT, etc.). Have done some Link 16 network design, but that was a couple years ago.

Jerry N

[FlyByMike]

1. Dad
2. Embedded Software Engineer -medical devices
3. now doing V&V on other people's embedded code -still medical devices

[U2Steve]

First, I was a studio photographer. Then, I used to be a software trainer. Then I was a programmer. Now, I'm a network engineer, and I keep computers (and their users!) happy (or quiet, same thing!:D )

[dave_lilley]

- Family man
- Web/database/application software developer for a defense contractor
- E-Zone/LiftZone editor
- Part-time student
- Model plane crasher

[AndyKunz]

What a variety!

By day I'm a Firmware Engr for a DC Power Supply Company. We make the power that runs the Internet. And sometimes we make a mistake, like the Bank of Japan fiasco (but that was another division).

In a past life I wrote the databases that were used to do configuration management on AEGIS, did some chemical warfare simulation software (I know what ships to stay out of!), and my favorite - wrote databases that shuffled money through black projects so the lefties in Congress couldn't see where we really spent it. ;)

By night I run a business which makes ESCs for model boats (they own ALL the NAMBA brushed records!) and am starting up another kitting Mark Rittinger's Python as a first project.

Sometimes I even get to fly!

Andy

[SchiessCo]

I run marketing and customer service for a small-cargo airline. I was in operations for many years, but moved over to marketing so I could get more free meals!

[butter_fingers]

Webmaster/Web Developer doing web-design, and creation of database driven web applications. Currently working for a DSL eqpt manufacturer. Thinking of moving to San Diego....anybody needs me over there?..heh

:D

[member73]

Aerospace Program Manager for a small company. But if you ask my customers, professional punching bag. Sorry rough day. ;)

[mimai]

Software Engineer

I am working on ip telephones in my current incarnation. I have worked on a variety of small software projects over the past 20 years. My background is engineering physics and ee, so electric flight is a natural.

mike i.

[carbeaux]

There really seems to be a lot of techies here. I'm gonna buck the trend a little. I'm a mortgage banker. I get to sell you the money to buy your bigger house when you fill your current one full of planes!:D

Chris

[gregg f]

I drive one of these..........

[Richard]

retired mechanical engineer. worked for u.s. navy.
Richard

[Ken Lapointe]

Civilian DoD type working for the U.S. Navy Submarine Force

First 6 years: Fluid Mechanics Research Engineer
Next 4 years: Submarine Launcher System Test Engineer
Next 4 years: Missile concept development
Current 4 years: Undersea Warfare Analyst

Change keeps me from getting bored.

Ken

[JCastle]

I Manage a Wholesale Nursery here in Oregon.
http://www.broadmeadnursery.com

[RonAV8R]

1. Retired US Navy Officer..........FLY NAVY!!!
2. Husband, father, grandfather
3. Domestic Satellite Sys NASA facility.
4. ??????(Will I EVER really retire?)

[boomerace]

Lets see:
Civil Engineer
what I did:
machinest(Nights while attending school on GI Bill)
Asst City Engineer South Saint Paul.MN
Asst. County Engineer Aikin County, MN
Survey Party Chief
Chief of Parties
Airport Design (Keflevic, Iceland)
Construction Management Engineer at District level for 9th and 11th naval Districts (GS13) Great Lakes Training center, Glenview Naval Air Station, Bunker Hill Airforce Base (SAC), North Island Naval Air Station, Naval Weapons Center China Lake to name a few.
Construction Manager for Powerhouse, Dam and Penstock at Kenai Lake, Alaska
Instructor of CPM and Pert at Midwest Research
Development Director for Kansas City International Airport
15 years with Bechtel as Construction Manager and Project Manager on Major Airports in Saudi Arabia, Las Vegas and West Palm Beach, Florida to name a few.
And the greatest of all RETIRED! I finally have time to get totally into my hobbies (Electric Flight and Photography)
(I have more miles on me than the Queen Mary!!):D
boomer

[Tarpon Shawn]

Mechanical Engineer/General Contractor working in a Civil Eng. world. We design and install drilled shaft and micro pile foundations for cellular towers, power lines, large TV towers, buildings, etc....
Basically, we dig big holes and fill them up with concrete. I get to play in the dirt with large equipment.

Shawn

[ICTHRMLS]

S**T Pipe System Designer / CAD Operator

We're #1 in the #2 business!!

[Buzz]

I own my own commercial wholesale/retail web site. Come watch our movies... www.buzzboats.com.

Actually, I retired early and started this as a hobby, which has now turned into a full time job. I think that means I'm not retired anymore.

Before retirement, worked with delinquent kids and did a lot of upper mgmnt group stuff. Mental Health Counselor type. I ran 3 different halfway houses and at each one... we had a component for the kids to get into model building. Take a kid off the street and give him an airplane to build. Works great! Too bad those kids never had any direction at home.

[BEC]

My degree is in mechanical engineering. I'm currently in one of the preliminary design groups at Boeing Commercial Airplanes - one of the few places here where we can think about whole airplanes rather than bits or specific systems. Had a hand in the "electronic mockup" work on the 777 - great fun, but terrible commute.

Also Dad to five kids and erstwhile liturgical musician (recorders of various sizes, mostly).

[Megowcoupe]

Of fiction. Of course my boss thinks I'm doing business analysis....

Previously- chemist in academe. Transitioned to the above due to a dearth of science jobs amidst much gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair.

Anybody need an ex-scientist with good problem solving skills, writing skills, and fair model airplane building skills? I've been job hunting forever- seems like it's my second job (still currently employed).

Sam

[Wayner]

I work for the telephone company here as a cable maintenance dispatcher. Before this I looked after a digital packet switching system for the company..soon to be semi-retired...

[mudfarmer_mike]

Professional Engineer - Mechanical

[duanecowgill]

Former upholstery shop tack sweeper
Former aviation life support equipment Project Engineer
Former Sr. Programmer Analyst, Mattel
Former Software Product Manager, defunct computer company
Former IT manager, webmaster, minor chip house
Former Sr. Product Manager, another defunct computer company
Currently looking for work

[AirVenture]

High School Senior...soon to enrole into the University of Dubuque as a Flight Operations Major and Aviation Management Minor.

-Brett :)

[Dsegal]

Retired city planner.

Dave Segal

[Ric Duley]

Husband/Dad of 2 Daughters - 19 & 22 years old

Electron Beam Lithography Engineer - First 23 years

Contract/Consultant Technical Writer - Last 3 years

Moderator - Electric Sailplane & Thermal Forums

[Scott C]

I am a former commuter airline captain now flying for a local airline as a first officer.

[Fly]

I'm an EE/software engineer:
embedded avionics for 6 years (Sperry: inertial navigation, flight control, GPS)
artificial intelligence for 17 years (Motorola: logic programming, expert systems, legal reasoning, natural language processing)
embedded assembly for 1 year (General Dynamics: shh, can't tell)

For those that don't know, AI and assembly are the opposite end of the software engineering spectrum. I love them both and avoid the middle!

-

[William A]

Refrigeration......when the icecream starts to melt, everybodys my friend.

[putt_13]

Hello,
I hear people talking about EE. What is it. THanx patrick

[Acer]

Went to college for 2 years then ran out of money. Was studying Aeronautical Engineering, ARMY ROTC... Two years to go until I got my Lieutenant Bar. Would have been assigned to fly Rotory Wing Aircraft for the Army (3 of my buddys are rotory wing pilots now).

Right now I'm a sandblaster. Will be going back to college after I move out west next year. So, 3 years from now I'll get my bar and become a Rotary Wing Pilot :D !!

-- Acer
http://speedwing.net

[GIFLYRC]

RETIRED XEROX CUSTOMER SERVICE REP [FOUR YEARS OF FREEDOM AND COUNTING] PAID ME A WHOLE YEARS SALARY TO NOT WORK FOR THEM ANYMORE--GUESS THEY COULD'NT AFFORD THE PARTS BUDGET!!---HA--HA

NOW I WON'T WORK FOR ANYTHING!

[Gman2]

I make the negative of whatever and design the mechanism to allow undercuts to exit. I allow the throwaway culture to exist. I make things cheap enough to make repair ridiculous. I make medical and dental stuff cheap enough to leave all profits to docs. I am the last of the renaissance men. I am at last a metal sculpture and a mechanical engineer. No we dont get our deserved respect. In this country.

[dave_lilley]

Originally posted by carbeaux
There really seems to be a lot of techies here. I'm gonna buck the trend a little. I'm a mortgage banker. I get to sell you the money to buy your bigger house when you fill your current one full of planes!:D

Chris

Boo hiss (JUST KIDDING)

I am building and buying a house right now, and it has been very stressful, and the mortgage lenders haven't made it any easier. The only good thing so far is that since I'm a Texas vet, with our Green Builder" home, and since I finally got my VA disability, my current rate is 4.95%, and Monday it is supposed to drop to 4.75%. Now if I can only get locked in.

[Trizza]

University Student..... studying Mechatronic Engineering.

Hoping to switch you Aerospace Engineering when it becomes available (couple of years now)

[NewbieX]

I always like these threads. Makes me acutely aware of how we all work together to make things work and how careers are sometimes a very curvy road.

Right now I have a few jobs. I'm a waiter/bartender at a business club (I could write a few pages on this gem). I also do some sound engineer/roadie stuff...setting up and recording live bands. I do some marketing and technical writing...mostly sweat equity for some small tech firms at this point.

I used to do Research, Writing, Technical Marketing, Support and Training for tech companies. Needless to say, I've seen a few startups meltown firsthand. Nasdaq go boom and Graham go get the bisque for table 21.

Oh and my tie-in with the military (almost a requirement for model planes it seems) is that I'm a Navy Brat and I used to help sell software to military contractors and gov't agencies.

[McGrrr]

Basically a computer jack of all trades/master of none. Servers(hardware), Desktop Support, Network(hardware), LAN Services(SQL, Exchange, Notes, File, Backup, etc.) Basically I'm the guy that makes people happy, or mad when I work "too slow".

I want to get into the Engineering/Design side of things, but they say I'm to valueable where I'm at. A load of BS if you ask me.

[putt_13]

It seems everyone here, is somehow related to the armed forces. Maybe I will be too someday, becuase I hope to become an Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer. Thanx Dave For The Info. -Patrick

[Tony Oliver]

I spent 31 years working for the government . Latter years investigating people attempting to defraud the system, taking them to court, and saving the taxpayer - including me - a lot of money. I enjoyed it, but got good at it so was promoted to a managerial job (boring and little satisfaction), so I retired.
Been a full time modeller since then, for myself. Work doesn't get in the way of my life anymore.
It's not as well paid, but there's no way I'd go back to work. After all, if work was that good, the aristocracy (or it's equivalent in the US) would have hogged the lot years ago.

When asked by people 'what do you do', I've always answered 'I'm an modeller' - the follow up is 'No, I mean what do you do for a living' - not the same thing at all, unless you're extremely fortunate.

Tony

[Sal C]

EE (Electrical Engineer)

Currently a Project Manager for a building automation company.

Daddy to a 4 year old daughter and 2.5 year old twin boys. I pay and pay and pay...

[putt_13]

Hello,
I am thinking of going into the National Guard, because they pay for college, and I can go out of state then, because my parents will only pay for in state. So does anyone know any good colleges for Mechanical and Aerospace engineering. I heard Univeristy of Arizona, but are there any good ones closer to Wisconsin. Thanx Patrick

[Gman2]

Take your parents up on in state. It will drag out your edu if you go nat guard. If you are not driven to war service, you certainly will not enjoy bouts of standing in harms way.

[Acer]

As long as you are a student, the National Guard can't give you a tour of duty, even if your unit becomes active. But, once you graduate, you can be given active duty status.

-- Acer
http://speedwing.net

[wsilvio]

I'm a college music teacher, and performer(saxophone).

[Sparky Paul]

Originally posted by putt_13
Hello,
I am thinking of going into the National Guard, because they pay for college, and I can go out of state then, because my parents will only pay for in state. So does anyone know any good colleges for Mechanical and Aerospace engineering. I heard Univeristy of Arizona, but are there any good ones closer to Wisconsin. Thanx Patrick
Try these guys....might be local... :D
And they have their heads in the right place..

[putt_13]

Hello,
Is that just a college aerospace group participating in a contest. THanx Patrick

[Sparky Paul]

The U of WI has had teams at the last 3 Society of Automotive Engineer Aero Design West
competitions.. obviously a school looking in the proper direction..
http://www.sae.org/students/aerowest.htm
And the sparky version..
http://amber.aae.uiuc.edu/~aiaadbf/index.html
And Sparky's version!!!! :D
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/aerostuff/sae2000n1.htm
.
For an aviation nut/model airplane guy.. this is heaven!
.
Sparky Paul
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/aerostuff
PJB's Seriously Aeronautical Stuff
http://home.earthlink.net/~pjburke1/aindex.html

[KLH]

Retired Civil Engineer. Do a minor amount of consulting for a couple of engineering/construction firms, a local County Planning Agency and help my wife (a little) with her Craft business. These days spend a lot of time designing/building models and a little flying and fishing. Wish I could have afforded to live like this when I was younger.

Kern

[ETrain]

2nd year med student

[AirVenture]

I live ten miles away from the University of Wisconsin Platteville. It's a great program up there, just too bad they don't offer aeronautical engineering! My sister goes there now, and I'm a frequent visitor to the campus. Almost half of my senior class sounds like they are going there! Not too hard to get into as far as state colleges go. Let me know if you need any info.

-Brett :)

[putt_13]

Does Platteville have mechanical engineering? Also is aeroNAUTICAL engineering the same as aeroSPACE engineering. Thanx Patrick

[AirVenture]

Yes, they do. I have a few friends enroled in that program.

Check out http://www.uwplatt.edu/ for more info.

Both aeronautical and aerospace engineering are usually the same thing, however aerospace may focus more on spacecraft then aernautical does.

-Brett :)

[Terry Lyttle]

...now I understand why I get pounded flat every time I think I am smarter that I really am! I AM impressed!

Me? High school dropout, mechanic wannabe, equipment designer, innovator (handicap stuff), retailer (hate people, love dogs), builder (saws, trucks, rvs, compressors, houses, etc etc). Flighty career to say the least.

Model builder since 7, and this hobby has paid off for me all my life, in spades if not money. It is always fun to tell an engineer that I have a better solution to a problem, and steal the solution straight from model building experience.

At 64, I am now looking for a career in municipal politics; it is time to put my money where my mouth has been for 40 years!

[AndyKunz]

Originally posted by JCastle
I Manage a Wholesale Nursery here in Oregon.
http://www.broadmeadnursery.com

You ought to take up model boats (another hobby of mine) with a pond like that available!

Andy

[AndyKunz]

Originally posted by Sparky Paul

Try these guys....might be local... :D
And they have their heads in the right place..

But Sparky, that's a SLIMER on the front of that plane!

Andy

[putt_13]

YES, I noticed that too. I once had a slimer engine. It was a Cox .049 Babe Bee. I still have it, because it came with a plane that my dentist gave me. They just seem to much fuss to use. Electric ALL THE WAY!!!!! -Patrick

[DanC]

embedded system engineer, hardware ( mainly digital and a little analogue sensor stuff , hate SMPS) and software (C, machine code)

In the past jobs its allways been industrial control machine tools (CNC,WEDM etc) etc but on monday I start a new job doing my thing on Tv set top boxes company is owned by echostar.

most challanging job was a textile machine, easiest, a laser marker for food packaging ( eg sell by dates) the new one ( set top boxes ) I percieve to be like PC programming - can be done by monkeys :p)

Talk about a crazy world, I wanted a pay rise, I thought about this, then set about beating all targets and milestones I had set, basically shone like a little star then (result - no recognition ) so got another job offer and handed in my notice, don't go I was told
if its money we will give you a rise ,I needed at least 10% to beat the new job wage, which the old company said it couldn't match.

Along comes my replacement ( it was like mentoring a new gradurate during handover - never laid out a PCB or driven a cad package, never set up software projects from scratch ) and during a casual conversation he asked if I had been on more than his start wage ( which was 15% more than I had been on while there :( ). I would never have even thought about leaving, if they had recognised my achievements)

Funny thing is the old company has given me an open inviation to go back any time eg just phone up and your old job is yours again if things don't work out in the new place.

Its a crazy crazy world but well done to my replacement for thinking on his feet and getting the great new wage.

[Gman2]

I got a good piece of advice once, if you dont get it going in the door, youre not gonna get it. All my real advances were in job changing. Its their own fault that they bring down the peter principle as only duffusses stay.

[Phil G]

I'm a Mechanical Engineer by profession.

As far as what my job is, that's a question that I can't answer today (reading the ads as I type)...

;)