Flying Traffic--is 152 time good time?

[Timebuilder]

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...

Oh, no. You haven't been paying attention.

For most aspiring professional pilots it is the BEST way to build experience (not time) as opposed to the PFT schemes that lower our profession and depress wages.

You could fly traffic, VFR air taxi, ag work, air tours, etc.

I have about 500 dual given, and I am far from a career instructor category. I DO however, recommend teaching as the BEST way to learn aviation thoroghly. Many employers EXPECT to see CFI experience, because they know how valuable it is to teach avaition as a part of developing a full understanding of the process.

Sure, fly traffice, but DON'T buy a seat and PFT.

PFT rant over. For now.

 

[legaleagle]

I agree with the PFT issue. Flying in a Metroliner, 1900, etc. sounds really cool because the idea of flying a turbine excites me. But, buying that time so that you can sit in the right seat and change frequencies, does not build experience. I only have 280 hours, but I see that clearly. If it's a pure ab initio program that takes you through all the Instructor certificates, than hires you as a CFI, that sounds worth it. Or, if they were to hire you onto the line, and pay you, because you passed their SIC checkride and it's a plane that requires two to fly. (135 IFR w/o autopilot) or in the co. manuals...

 

[Timebuilder]

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

In Philly, the traffic company is Metro Traffic. I don't have their contact number here, but the biggest user is KYW Newsradio 1060. If you ask them, they will have the office number. They sub out the flying to an operator at PNE. It used to be Hortman, but I understand they use someone else now. A few calls will find it for you.

Is your gf a Penn Law grad?

I don't think you can find an ab initio program in Philly. Sorry.

 

[bssthound]

Do it. Aviation is like everything else; it's who you know and not what you know. This gig will have you at the airport, where you'll meet people. If you have good people skills and make a good impression you'll go far.

That being said, I'm not advocating blowing off aviation skills. As was said earlier, you'll get used to dealing with approach control and special use airspace. Very valuable, as it will become second nature and not a big deal when you transition to bigger equipment and more demanding operations. Avbug, one of the best sources of common sense on this board, said it best. Build experience. This is a perfect chance to do that right out of the gate. Build a good experience base and shake a lot of hands. You'll get where you want to be.

Best of fortune,

John

 

[legaleagle]

Timebuilder, no, gf is not a Penn Law grad, just Penn underdgrad. She is heading back for MBA next Fall. Metro contracts with this BVY company too for the Boston market. Seems Metro has all of the major markets.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I think I am going to head up Monday and try to get on for the week. Schedule conflicts on the weekend.

Ciao!