Flying Traffic--is 152 time good time?

[legaleagle]

I just got my commercial and have an opportunity to fly traffic while I am still in grad school. Happen to have night classes this semester. Is 152 traffic watch time good for time building, or can it be passed on with no real loss? If you had 800 of this time with the prereq multi, is that acceptable vs inx.. I know there are die hard inx advocates here, and I am getting my CFI too.

Still am in the decision phase of whether or not the airlines are my goal, or a job in the business of aviation, with the ability to fly for business and pleasure in a plane that I would acquire. I am 29 right now with 6 months of law school left.

Can some seasoned pilots that want to add both positive and negative viewpoints respond? Just save the flaming for someone who has the time.. I sincerely like this forum, the site, and the participants, and really need some constructive viewpoints.

Thanks,

 

[EatSleepFly]

Total time is total time at this point in your career. Just get as much as you can. If you don't have your CFI yet, this might really be the only way you can get paid to build hours at this point. I'd say go for it. I've always thought it looked like fun.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Quote by LegalEagle
Is 152 traffic watch time good for time building, or can it be passed on with no real loss?

1. What other options would you have if you passed on the C152 time? Do you have other choices?

2. If you take the job, at the end of the day - you can say that your job is tied to an airplane! A lot of folks can't!

3. In the end, depending on the type of GOAL job that you want, you will need TOTAL time as well as "specific time". By specific I mean turbine, jet, multi, 135, etc. You will need to "meet" those job specific minimum requirements before applying anywhere "specifically".

Having said that, get all of the flying time that you can and make the most of it while you have it. I had about 800 total when I got the job that I have now - and most of my time was puddle jumping, instructing, etc. Heck, I am STILL trying to build that other quality time (turbine, jet, etc)! Flying opportunities are not all that abundant.

Have FUN at this point...

 

[wil]

As long as your being paid I say go for it! I am not sure what your other question is about 800 hours and inx? Do you mean insurance?
I was 29 and getting ready to go to Law School when I switched hats and pursued aviation. Best decision I could have made for me but I got lucky with the hiring cycle. Good luck with your career whichever way you go- Wil

 

[avbug]

What's a die hard inx advocate?

 

[legaleagle]

Guys,

I appreciate the replies. It seems as if the main goal is time. Obviously I can't build turbine or 135 until later, or multi, practically, without an MEI. Don't want to blow money for the hell of it right now.

To be honest with everyone reading this post, I have wanted to pursue an aviation career more and more seriously as I have progressed. But, having a girlfriend and a family that I would call responsible, I have this nagging thing telling me that Aviation, as much as I love it, could be a very bad financial decision vs.a sales/marketing job, investment banking, or law and flying for business and pleasure.

If I worked my way up, and with the way things are changing to a more regional fleet, ERJ's, CRJ's, etc. can a person expect to make 80-100k in a five year range with captain upgrades?....I think given the lifestyle that I want to lead, that international routes or the long route big iron, as much as it sounds awesome, might not be feasible if I want to have a family as I desire...

I'm sure these have been answered before, but, even though I LOVE TO FLY, I don't want to be poor, and I want a family at some point. Wasn't there a site with salary ranges for various types and tenures...?

Thanks again!

 

[legaleagle]

The die hard inx advocate is he who feels that building time after the commercial with anything other than instruction is next to worthless. Trust me after reading the posts for a over a year now, there a lot of guys who think CFI'ing, is the only way to build time honestly...that has some merit, but most of those posts come from career CFIs, 2500--4000 hr CFI's...Anyway, that's their route, and it's hard work. I commend them for choosing that route. But, it just seems that when trying to give objective advice, they are a little myopic, and should say "I chose this route, but some advantages to the other are...."

 

[newmei]

I'd do traffic watch, as even if you got your CFI you have not much experience to offer at 300 hours. The traffic will help in giving you some experience. At 800 hours though, multi time is'nt gonna do you much. You can't do 135 or get hired at a airline (mostly likely) with less than 1200 for part 135. I did'nt feel comfortable instructing till I had about 1000-1100 hours.

 

[avbug]

I still have no idea what an inx is. I think it's related to the apterx, a wingless bird with hairy feathers. Or possibly the gnu.

I'm a die-hard advocate of not building time at all. If that's what you want, then write it in your log books and be done with it. Falsify it. Fake it. Imagine it, conjure it, create it.

Build experience. Timebuilding is worthless, experience priceless. Build experience.

Sounds to me like you have a chance to build experience right in front of you.

 

[legaleagle]

I agree with both of you. I want experience, not just time. I guess I just need to figure out what I want. Ah, the dilemnas...

Thanks for he help.

 

[LearLove]

First off, who cares about building time, I've never stepped into a plane saying "I'll do this to built time", I do it because thats what I do and it also pays the bills.

Flying is flying weather its left seat on a 74, bouncing around at low level in a BUFF, or turning circles over a traffic accident in a 150. - any of the above or anything inbetween will kill you dead if you screw the pooch or are just unluckey that day, there is no diff.


Anyway Legal, get out and fly, traffic is a blast. The best job I ever had. You fly around and look at stuff, maybe I'm easily amused but to me it doesn't get any better. I hope have my own contract someday. If your gonna do it in the Philly area PM me, otherwise have a blast.

 

[bobbysamd]

Non-instructing time building

As long as it is honest work and you're getting paid for it, why not fly traffic?

I usually recommend that new Commercial pilots earn their CFIs. Flight instructing is usually the easiest entry-level job obtainable. If you can get something other than flight instructing, more power to you, but don't forego the experience.

Don't forego law, either, at least for the present. Good aviation attorneys are always needed, especially on our side of the street.

 

[A Squared]

Avbug,

I think Inx is supposed to mean instruction, I'd never heard it either...but it might be a flightless hairy bird too

 

[hydroflyer]

Just because it is a 152 shouldn't be a big deal. A 172, Warrior, Musketeer,... etc. isn't anymore complicated, just the 152 is more economical. You will be logging the important PIC and total time. Better yet, since you will be watching traffic, that usually means you will be in close proximity to busy airports such as class B or C. You will be gaining valuable experience with radio transmissions and airspace procedures that most CFI's won't have the ability to stay proficient on. Overall, it sounds like it would be a great experience, especially if it fits into your schedule.

 

[kybur]

I flew traffic watch for over a year in a 172. I highly recommend this job for low time pilots. You'll learn a lot and have a great time.

Cheers,

Kyle

 

[cvsfly]

Here is an idea! Do both! I don't think flying traffic is indentured servitude (although with alot of flying jobs you may think it is) where you can't do anything else. Do as much flying as you can at this point. If your current schedule allows it all the more better. Don't give up your day job! Etc - all the other standard sayings. Aviation usually is not a good economic decision. Have a back up - I wish I did. Any professional pilot will tell you they always keep an ear and eye open for the next opportunity, whether they are flying a C-152 or 747. Every career progression is not always a straight line. I stay in my current job flying just a turboprop because of the light schedule, steady employer, decent pay and benefits, but then I keep my sights open for the next opportunity to get jet time for the next job when my current job goes away (they almost always do). Don't agonize over your decision, just do it. Good luck.

 

[groundpointsix]

How does one go about finding a traffic watch job? Is there a listing of companies that do it somewhere or is it another one of those "who you know" things? I'm most interested in the CT and NYC areas if anyone knows something.

 

[LearLove]

ground . 6, try these guys:

www.directflight.us

 

[legaleagle]

I really appreciate everyones' advice. One of the big detractors for me was the fact that one of the only openings was for Sundays. And, I go out of town a lot on the weekends with the gf. Anyway, they also said that I could fill in for week slots, so I think I am going to head up there on Monday and put the resume.. Doesn't hurt that I went out with the scheduler... And fortunately, no animosity...

And Lear Love, there's a chance that I could end up in Philly in 6 months, the old gf went to Penn.


Thanks again all!

CB

 

[saabtrash]

I have around 6-700 hours in a 152 from doing traffic watch, no regrets...other than my boss was a complete psycho. I'd say do it, as long as it isn't the same guy...your not doing it around MSP ar you?

Having lots of total time will never hurt you.