Minimum Hours?

[weekendwarrior]

Anyone know what the likelyhood of getting a job with 650 TT and 20 ME? Is cargo the best way to get the time building going?

If I've lost my mind thinking I can get a job with this kind of time, what should I expect for minimums? 135 mins?

 

[cloudsurfer227]

goog luck dude

 

[fr8r]

weekendwarrior,
First, open your FAR/AIM to the 135 section and you will find the published IFR mins. Second, if you fly in the Military, keep up the good work. If not... get your CFI and start busting it out. This is the best advice I can give you for now.

 

[SheGaveMeClap]

Nobody in the 135 world will touch a 650 hour pilot. Go get your CFI and go to work. If you fly hard, you'll instruct for less than a year and then go fly 135.

 

[210FR8DOG]

tough road

WW,

with 650, your options are very limited, but not impossible. Flight instructing is typical path. Also, there are traffic watch positions, some VFR freight ops mostly in the southwest where it is VFR 95% of the time. There is also photo-flying and possibly ferry flying but you have to be very ambitious and flexible to get around to some of these jobs.

Here is the real question: Do you really want to stay on the career flying path?

I love flying as much as anyone and I am basically an optimist, but it is a VERY tough market we have right now. I am flying Mon-Fri in a Baron 135 IFR and I have sent resumes to ASA, Comair, MESA, Commutair, Pinnacle, Skywest, COEX, TSA, PSA, Shuttle America.....you get the picture, and no calls at all yet. There are literally thousands of pilots with significant jet time looking for jobs right now.

My advice: Keep flying in your sights but work on another career right now. Fly on weekends renting or instructing if you get the instructor cert. Just don't throw all of your energy and time into nothing but flying. Fly for fun, enjoy some $100 hamburger trips, and hopefully things will be better in a few years. I'm just trying to keep it real. Cosider all factors like are you single, kids, rich parents, able to move/live anywhere? Just my opinion.

Jeff

 

[labbats]

I think the biggest flame bait on these boards is either "Mesa" or "Minimums Hours to Get a Job".
Start sending out resumes and keep sending them out when you get another rating/milestone. You can't get a job without some effort. It's unlikely, but people DO win the lottery too.

Keep your chin up

 

[fr8r]

hey weekendwarrior,
I didn't mean to come down hard on you if it came across that way, but I think the idea of flying traffice watch and things like that is a great idea. I lived in salt lake, utah for a while and some of my friends flew traffic watch and were flying between 3-6 hours a day. they usuallly flew in the morings and afternoons when the traffic was high, so it didn't really interfere with their day jobs. of course, they did it for free, but they wanted to stay away from instructing, they say, to protect their hard earned certificates. I guess i don't blame them, but if you tell your students the bottom line, they usually understand. or, if you don't trust the student, don't instruct him... it is your choice. and never let them make you feel guilty. this can happen. there is also the "teach advanced students only" route. get your CFII/MEI and do that to help remove any risk.

well, I hope this helps...

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Weekendwarrior,

Don't take all the negativity too seriously. You don't have the hours to fly single pilot Pt 135 IFR. You could try for a VFR 135 position somewhere like Vegas doing Grand Canyon flying. I got a 135 VFR gig when I had around 700 hours and that was in 93 when things were pretty bad in the industry. You can get a list of 135 operators from the FAA. You could try for an SIC postion also. Knock on doors and network all you can. Good luck, we're all counting on you;-)

 

[weekendwarrior]

After spending the money on my Comm/Multi/Inst last year, I'm not going to give up. The problem I have is that I am not really flexible with my family and National Guard commitment. I am getting rotor hours, but will only have about 250 when I'm done here next year and then it's back home to hit the pavement I guess.

I really don't want to do the CFI thing. I will at a last resort, but I'd rather make the same or less flying bank checks at night before I flight instruct.

Heck, I'd take a helo job if I could. The Grand Canyon operators want 1000 hours helo before they'll take you, so that's out.

I realize it's flame bait asking the question, but I've been away from the boards for a while, and really don't have an idea what the low time guys are doing right now. I am tailwheel endorsed and have over 100 hours tailwheel, so maybe banner towing or glider towing may be in my future.

Thanks for all the feedback, smarta** or not, I can take it all!

 

[Riddlebratt]

Hey weekendwarrior I have just been hired by a company in Montgomery Al flying fo on a Hawker 700. I will only be able to log the non-rev portion of the flight until I get SIC qualified. This is a excellent opportunity for me to log multi-turbine time. The downside is I only get $100.00 per day plus expenses when overnight is required. My friend got me the hook-up. when he started he only had 500tt &125 multi. Keep your head up and make some connections for yourself thru networking....You will make it.........