million dollar question

[C425Driver]

Avbug,

You are correct, time and experience are not all the same thing. However, they can go hand-in-hand if the pilot makes the most of each hour. When I was a CFI and a charter pilot I was building time, but I was also trying to absorb as much as I could along the way and that knowledge is still helping me today. To me, the bigger numbers in the logbook were the reward for that experience.

I think you're trying to say that time building means nothing unless you make the most of each hour. I agree. In looking at the original post, I see nothing that makes me believe that he is only trying to fill in the columns in his logbook and definitely nothing to deserve the response that he got from you. Actually, he says he wants a "unique opportunity" which leads me to believe that he's not just looking for hours, but experience.

Lighten up, Francis!

C425Driver

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Total Time gets your foot in the door. Total experience gets you the job.

SS

 

[down2mins]

Well, that was something fun to come home from work and read.
Thank you to those who did not take my post in the wrong manner. For clarification, I would like to elaborate on where I am coming from. I am a relatively young CFI, alum of a 141 collegiate program, and now working elsewhere Part 61 on my MEI. I work as a CFI in two flight schools. If you get off by picking on any of the above information, have at it, but that is not why I came to this forum. I am here in hopes of some professional news / networking / advice. I may be young to the industry but certainly take a mature approach to my career pursuits.

To address the replies...
I was assigned to a couple instructors during my primary training who were only instructing to get a Regional's mins and move on. Others were there for the sole enjoyment of flying and teaching well. But most, I experienced, were there for both and there is nothing wrong with that. I love teaching and told myself before I ever got my CFI that I would not be one of those instructors who is just there to log time and half falls asleep in the right seat. I have made it a point to really be there for my students, even if it means doing some extra research about a topic (only natural) or putting in a little extra time "off the clock" to make sure they truly understand a concept. No cutting corners there - that's not my philosophy.

I originally posted that I am happy to "pay my dues" because I did not want to be seen as one of those pilots who is a disgruntled instructor and does not understand why he/she doesn't have that jet job right away. I understand it takes time to get to that point and meant that I am not blindfolded to the reality of the career path that lies ahead. I have quite a few mentors and friends in the industry - from low time freight guys to newly hired regional FO's to checkairmen at various majors - who tell me about their paths and reality of the industry. I know it will take a while for me to get where I need to be for a more advanced job, and I'm fine with that.

In regards to experience vs. time. I want both. For someone such as myself - looking to one day get on with a regional/cargo/eventually major - I won't get anywhere unless I have the combination. And, yes, I am looking for some "unique opportunities". I don't necessarily look to build time by turning on the autopilot and going GPS direct. I am always looking to hone my skills, I like the challenge and it seems only natural to want to continually better yourself. It's self satisfying as well as an asset that will make me more valuable to a future employer. Back to "unique opportunities"... I'm interested in just about anything. But I'm not stupid - I know my limits and am not willing to jeopardize anything by going to some shady little "fly no matter what" operation just because they dangle quick time in front of me. What I really want is something to give me real experience on the side of instructing (not that I'm saying instructing isn't experience...let's not go there) - I want something outside of the flight schools where there is opportunity to fly when it's not VFR and I don't have to do stalls all day. I want some solid IFR, XC, multi experience. Seems that this experience will not only build my TT but give me an easier transition from the flight school to a Regional. Seems impractical to expect to be responsible (well, SIC) for 50 people in the back when all you've done for the last 5 years is VFR work with students in the practice area.

So, to summarize and hopefully not create too much controversy... I want the time as a result of some genuine experiences. I want to get that experience through a variety of means - be it seaplane training, formal aerobatics training, finishing my CFII, and/or some solid IFR,multi, in busy airpace, XC time. I'm certainly up for the challenge!

 

[C425Driver]

Down2mins,

I went to work for a Part 135 company that had a wide variety of aircraft types. I was PIC in Barons, Navajos and a Cessna Conquest and SIC in a B200 - even worked myself into an instructor/check airman position for them. At the same company I also flew Part 91 in Bonanzas, Aztecs, Cherokee 6's and 182's. They also had several seaplanes and I got a little time in them, too. I wasn't there long enough to fly any of the jets but I truly enjoyed the variety that I had. We flew to a wide variety of locations - JFK to grass strips and everything in between. If there is a company near you with a broad spectrum of aircraft types, I suggest applying there. I built my time/experience at a 141 school doing both single and multiengine training and I moved on when I had my 135 IFR mins.

I left the 135 gig to go to the regionals and flew Brasilias and CRJs (I also had to bail from the 135 company because they were going out of business fast!). I left the regionals to get out of aviation completely - I dreaded going to work every day. I loved the airplanes and most of the people I worked with but the lifestyle and b.s. that goes along with the airlines wasn't worth it to me. After three months away from aviation I went back to flying for a company that only goes to FBO's and I am much happier now. I have no regrets about flying for the regionals as I got some great experience there but it's not for me.

Hope that helps you a little. Good luck!

C425Driver

 

[NoPax]

Experience....Central Air Southwest flies out of YIP and GRR in MI. That's some good experience for you, but you'll have to meet 135 minimums first.

Aero Commanders with TKS (anti-ice), and no autopilots. GPS is installed for reference and to aid in situational awareness. You can go there to hone your skills (which if you are a good instructor will be probably lacking by the time you reach 1200 hours)

AirNet would also be another possibility, as they have a lot going on in the OH, PA area, but same thing with the TT. They hire into a paid SIC at around 1000 hours - a former student of mine is working there and is having a blast. Do a year or so at AirNet and you may be able to move into the Lear Jet.

Air Cargo Carriers, I believe is out of MI or OH. They hire 500 hour SICs in their beautiful square airplanes.

There are a lot of opportunities, and I understand where you are coming from. Maybe give Aerial Survey work a shot. You'll get to fly all over the country - my instructor - the one that signed off on all my ratings - is happy doing that now, and making an honest living.

 

[cforst513]

in the process of buying multi time, wouldn't he, i dunno, gain experience as well? or am i just confused...????

 

[avbug]

You are correct, time and experience are not all the same thing. However, they can go hand-in-hand if the pilot makes the most of each hour.

BINGO!!

 

[Dash8301]

Apply at Eastern Cincinnati Aviation (Sporty's). The people are great over there.

 

[down2mins]

Thank you all for the suggestions. If you ever need a copilot...

 

[paulsalem]

Avbug,

Do you think down2mins can go flying with you sometime?