Build Multi Time??

[starvingcfi]

ok. i'm sure i'll get a lot of $hit for this question, but how am i supposed to build multi time? i don't have my mei b/c it's useless at my school. can't get on the insurance. there are a few multi's on the field, but no one that gives rides. i can't afford to buy it on a cfi paycheck. so what gives? how did you guys do it? what should i look into? i've been sending out resumes to local companies just to ride in the right seat. no one answers. i know times are tough, but chri$t. what am i supposed to do? my total time is finally getting up there, but what good does that do? just frustrating. could use a little advice. anything is appreciated. thanks.

 

[bobbysamd]

Since you asked . . .

Maybe you can get a loan for your MEI. Maybe you can work a deal with a bud who is an MEI to train you to cut costs. I think that in your case, since you are working as a CFI, it might be tax-deductable. Then, find a different school where you'll get your time.

I was in the same boat as you many years ago. In fact, I had virtually your hours but only multi that I paid for in training and currency. I was trying the same route as you and got nowhere. I am sure that getting my MEI on my own and telling my Riddle interviews that I did helped me get my first job.

Really, getting the MEI is essential. It'll repay you in the long run.

Good luck with your efforts.

 

[Sniper Bob]

One way I have heard it, and is probably the way I'll go, is once you reach IFR 135 mins, get on with a company that operates singles and twins. Do your 6-9 months(or longer) in the single to really boost your instrument skills and then when they have an opening in a twin, they will put you in that with minimal twin time. At which time you may begin building multi to your little hearts content. Anyhoo, that looks like the way I'm going to go. Unless I can convence one of my business owning students that his company needs a light twin and I need to be their pilot. *as I wake up from that reoccurring daydream* But I digress.

Until then, see ya in the pattern.

 

[avbug]

First, get away from the idea of building time. If you want to build time, I suggest the Pilot G-2: you can get several thousand hours from a single pen, and they come 2 or four to a pack. If you value each hour at 150.00, then the pen is easily worth 15,000 to 30,000, and you can get it for a couple of bucks at Walmart. Probably the greatest deal to be found in this century, or the last.

Instead, build experience. But how do I do that, you ask? How do I get experience, and isn't it really hours that counts? No, it's not, and you get experience by making each hour count. Follow me.

Two folks take off for an hour of flight. One rides around the pattern repeatedly, perhaps goes for a lazy stroll about the valley, checks out the dead fall leaves.

The second departs and immediately pulls an engine, and proceeds to do engine-out partial panel work for the next hour, or short field single engine work for the next hour...work that taxes the pilot and makes him her think.

At the end of that hour, one has an hour of logged time, while the other has many times that, worth of experience (but only one hour of logged time). One pilot has built an hour, but the other has gained experience.

When I got hired for my first multi engine job, I had fifteen hours total time in multi engine airplanes. A friend, employed at the same location, bought into a twin, and "built" hours. He got a Twin Bonanza, and flew it until he was in debt to his eyeballs and beyond. We interviewed at the same place, and were both offered a job. He had no advantage with his built-up time; we were judged by an interview, and a sim check. We both passed, we were both hired.

You cannot be hired without the proper basic credentials. That much is certain. You're showing 900 hours on your screen bio, indicating that you still have a way to go. Don't get impatient. 900 hours is just starting out. You can't even make the basic 135 IFR minimums yet, so be still, and concentrate on the fact that in a time when many are out of work, you are being paid to fly. That is no small thing.

You'll need to get your multi engine land rating when able; you have to have it. You have time, however. You can always hire on with a firm flying singles, and progress to the multi equipmet as opportunities may arise. Bide your time, be patient, and opportunities will arise. So long as you remember that you're just starting out, and have a great distance yet to go, the stress of thinking you have to be somewhere right now won't bother you. Don't let it. You don't need to be anywhere but where you are. Live within your means, don't mortgage your soul, and be happy that you've got a flying job. Get your training when you can, and when an opportunity arises to fly for a firm that utilizes both singles and multi's, then do so.

Good luck!

 

[COOPERVANE]

As usual, AWESOME POST AVBUG!!!

I too am in a similar boat as starvingcfi. Sometimes I get frustrated and antsy to "move on" to bigger and better things. 2 years ago some regionals were hiring 600 hour wonders, and my career planning was loosly based on that fact. But then I think about the aviators before me who flew thousands of hours before landing the "dream regional job"(Sic). Also I seem to tell myself that the grass is always greener at the next level. Here is a typical pattern.

THESE STATEMENTS ALL FOLLOWED BY "THEN I'LL BE HAPPY"

Student pilot="I can't wait 'till I get my CFI and 800 hours"
CFI w/800hours="I can't wait 'till I can fly cargo(no steep turns)
Freightdog="can't wait 'till I get on with a ASA" (no sleeping in AC)
ASA FO="Just can't wait 'till I upgrade"(Clear right, gear down)
1900 Capt="I really want the jet"(want crappy line again)
RJ FO="here we go again"
RJ Capt="man it'd be great to work for Delta"
Delta FO="I'd have it made if I were captain
FURLOUGHED!!!!!

8000 HOUR DELTA PILOT=FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR OR HOME DEPOT

I feel your pain. I constantly remind myself that as a CFII, I have a job I love, and at 36, I am happier than I was making 4-5 times as much working in an office. At every level we think the next one will be paradise, so enjoy where you are at, because we have a long way to go.

COOPERVANE

 

[bobbysamd]

Patience

I like Coopervane's comments, above. I was about the same age when I went to work full-time as a flight instructor. It never felt like work, because I had always associated flying and instructing with my life outside of work. I took a pay cut, but within a year-year-and-a-half, I was making more than I had made during 19 years of radio.

You have to be patient. As the old adage goes, "All Things Cometh to He Who Waiteth (while he worketh like hell while he waiteth)." I remember when I first started looking for jobs and read about the 300-hour (United et al) wonders in Piloting Careers. I saw where such places as Scenic and Aloha Island Air required only 50 hours of multi, and wondered why I wasn't being called (I updated with Scenic for six years and never got a call). It was obvious that these low-time wonders must have had dads who were friends with the Chief Pilot or something. In any event, I was patient and eventually got into the multis at Riddle. At that point, I had multi students coming out of my ears!

Enjoy what you're doing. You'll get your chance, you'll get into the multis, and you'll recall what a rush it was during the first days of being paid to fly airplanes.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Hey starvinCFI, what town do you live in. Probably not near me but i fly a B58 baron about 30 hours a week or so. If you live near me you can fly with me whenever you want, i usually get so bored I want to shoot myself.

 

[Chunk]

Holy Cow!

Lrjt captain,

What town do you live in and what brand of beer do you drink?!?!?!? Starvincfi, I'd jump all over this if I were you and you guys are close....I guess that goes without saying.

Chunk

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

I'm based out of Omaha, Nebraska and I drink Corona. I fly a 1994 B58/G. Good airplane... fly's great, just getting bored

 

[Chunk]

'94, eh? Sweet!

If you ever move to Florida....

Chunk <---can't bring myself to move to Nebraska!

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

i lived in floriduh for 3.5 years. did that stupid idiotic thing they call Embry-Riddle there. Anways, don't ever care to head back to that state....

 

[huskerfan]

Hey LRJT
How you liking Omaha? I just moved from there in July. I'm currently a CFI down in Texas. Its warmer down here but my girlfriends up there. If you're looking for someone to ride along with let me know. I would so love to move back to Omaha. I keep trying to get on as a CFI up there but it seems like no one is hiring
huskerfan

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

I shouldn't be responding huskerfan, i hate the huskers. I actually live in CB. Go Hawks!!!! If your ever in town your more then welcome to ride along. Usually have day trips, out and back. Nothing too exciting, minus the fact i haven't shot a visual in a few weeks. WX has sucked.

 

[Geigo]

Hey Lrjt Cpt,

If you want some extra ballast I'm a couple hours drive away and would love to fly with you. I'm going into the time of year where I don't fly much and would be able to get away.

By the way, you were talking about the Jayhawks weren't you?
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

If you want some company PM me and I'll give you my schedule.

Geigo

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

not the jayhawks, the hawkeyes. Go IOWA!!!!!!!!! I like have people riding along. I did CRM courses when i was at Embry-Riddle. PNF duties and everything. Im looking for a cigerette lighter adapter for my laptop so i can watch movies while i fly. Thats my new project. Anyone know where to get one. Im sure compaq has the one i need, im just to lazy to call.

 

[Geigo]

power adapter

I assume that you could get an adapter from a Best Buy type store, but something to ask.... Most are designed for a 12 volt car setup. I'm betting your Baron has 24 volt. Will that fry your computer? Given my luck with computers it would! Maybe some computer guru's will come to the rescue.

Geigo

 

[TurboS7]

I have been there and done that, except fighting fires havn't done that but I would like to. Personally I think that the downturn in aviation will be the greatest thing for aviation in our country. I was getting worried I was seeing a lot of young captains in the left seat of big airlines without that depth of experience. I would land a night after having delt with some major issue that only my past experience pulled me through in one piece. How other guys did or do it without a real strong background I will never know. So get the experience and enjoy it, no one will ever be able to take it from you.