How to Proceed

[SammyG]

I'm about to graduate college in December with a BA in History. So about this time next year I should have completed all the major ratings, CFIIMEI. I'm trying to think of how I should proceed afterwards in order to start buliding hours. My goal is a U.S. Major, of course. Besides being an instructor at a flight school, I'm trying to think of other ways to proceed, but I'm not sure exactly what there is available for a guy with the little time built that I will have when I finish all those ratings.

So what else is out there besides instructing? I've heard flying night freight is a good way to go, but what are the time minmums to qualify for that? Other options? Are there any options where I could start building up those precious 1000 PIC turbine hours?

Thanks.

 

[na265]

Sammy, there is no "easy way." Get the CFI ratings and start instructing, as much as you can. Talk to every one you can. Networking is perhaps the best way to your next job. Don't give up when it doesn't seem to fall in place as fast as you think it should. Of all the pilots I have known through the years, the ones who stuck with it have good jobs today. The ones who quit, well, they aren't flying anymore. As a retired Delta pilot once told me, "If it was easy, everyone would do it." Good luck. 265.

 

[SammyG]

Im not trying to find an easy way, simply trying to find "any" way, trying to find what options there are.

 

[bafanguy]

SammyG,


Do yourself a favor...after college, go in the military and fly. Try the Guard/ Reserve units. They're all over the place but the competition is tough. Or, sign up for a full tour in one of the services. The employment people will smile upon you when you hit the airline market.

 

[SammyG]

Well Im gonna be 25 when I graduate, and I hear that at that age, starting from scratch in the service, the chances of getting a flying gig in the service is slim.

 

[bafanguy]

SammyG,


I'd check into the details of that. Someone on here will have the facts for you, but I think you'll still be under the wire if you start working on the processing now. It's a little time consuming I hear. The military is your best all-around bet.

 

[bobbysamd]

Post-flight school time building

Besides being an instructor at a flight school, I'm trying to think of other ways to proceed, but I'm not sure exactly what there is available for a guy with the little time built that I will have when I finish all those ratings.

Every new pilots faces the same problem. To get the job you need the experience; to get the experience you need the hours. Unfortunately, there are few entry-level jobs available for new pilots besides flight instructing.

So what else is out there besides instructing?

Not many for 250-hour pilots, which is what you will be when you finish training. Some people try get hired by banner-tow operations, but many of these operations are sleazy and take advantage of low-time pilots desparate to work. Many of these "operations" charge trainees for their training and never deliver on jobs. While it's not impossible to find a non-instructing job at 250 hours fresh out of training, as a practical matter, it is impossible.

Flight instructing still is the easiest entry-level job to obtain. There are any number of schools, big and small, which hire their own graduates. Not to mention the experience and learning you will obtain, what can be a better deal than to get a job at a place with which you are familiar?

I can never understand why so many new pilots work so desparately to avoid flight instructing. Could it be that for a time they won't get to fly the airplane, which is fun, and to sit with students and actually work? Contrary to popular belief, flight instructors who do their jobs properly still get stick time, takeoffs and landings, night currency and instrument time.

I've heard flying night freight is a good way to go, but what are the time minmums to qualify for that?

You probably need at least 500 hours and perhaps more. Insurance drives those minimums. Freight is generally the next step after flight instructing for those who choose it. There is also corporate, for those who choose it.

Are there any options where I could start building up those precious 1000 PIC turbine hours?

First things first. Finish college, get trained, and build enough hours to interest someone who flies turbine equipment. Whatever you do, don't succumb to the pitches from outfits from which you can purchase turbine time or those outfits which will sell you right-seat time flying night freight. Don't look for the "easy" way. There is no so-called "easy" way to build experience. There are smart and practical ways.

Finally, check further into military flight training. After you finish your ratings, you might be able to get into a Guard unit. Or, out of college, you might qualify for OCS and UPT.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[350DRIVER]

The problem with the military is the long training period(s), long periods of time away from home, deployments, and most of all, the long commitment that is required. I looked into this and even had the nomination but it was absolutely a no brainer for me when I realized how much time/years that would be required of me to go this route. After looking into this from every different angle and perspective there was just no way I could justify going this route.

Is the training and experience superior in comparison to coming up the ranks the civilian way? In most cases yes but the bottom line is either way will get you to X airline.

Would the A-10 have been fun to fly? Surely, was I willing to "sign up" for that long of a time to fly it? No way....

This has more to do with personal preference and what you want to do with your life...

choose wisely..

3 5 0

 

[na265]

Sammy, Didn't mean to insult you with the "easy way" statement. I wanted the mil route myself. My eyesight kept me from that one. I worked at a number of FBO's and flight schools in the begining of my career. I was always looking for the next step up the ladder. Being a CFI and teaching allowed me to be out there looking.

One day at my last CFI job a new company moved a Sabreliner into our hanger. From the first day they were here, I intored myself and kept at them. I was hired Part-time for about a year and a half. When a FT position opened, I was hired. My time was a little low to move right into a jet operation, 1700tt and 100multi. I had zero turbine.

Good luck, it beats having a real job. 265