Typical minimums for flying freight???

[UnAnswerd]

It has to be lower than the airlines. How much total time/multi-time is typically required to fly freight??? Call me crazy, but I think it would actually be fun to fly freight. Also, what do you typically fly? Piston twins? Turbine???

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[groundpointsix]

Typically it's not much less than the regionals and in many cases it's more. Usually your typical light freight operator is going to require part 135 minimums, which is 1200 hours. Some multi may be required depending on whether the company operates twins (A lot of these companies operate Cherokee 6's and the like, so no real need for multi time, though many also operate twins of various kinds, so multi time will usually be required for upgrade.) Exceptions may be made for companies that operate with SIC's (not uncommon) or operate VFR (very rare)

If you want to get into the jet cargo operators, you're looking at the same sorts of times you would need to get hired on at the comperable passenger airlines.

 

[UnAnswerd]

Typically it's not much less than the regionals and in many cases it's more. Usually your typical light freight operator is going to require part 135 minimums, which is 1200 hours. Some multi may be required depending on whether the company operates twins (A lot of these companies operate Cherokee 6's and the like, so no real need for multi time, though many also operate twins of various kinds, so multi time will usually be required for upgrade.) Exceptions may be made for companies that operate with SIC's (not uncommon) or operate VFR (very rare)

If you want to get into the jet cargo operators, you're looking at the same sorts of times you would need to get hired on at the comperable passenger airlines.

Thank you

 

[kingairyahoo]

yes, more than the regionals. ya gotta keep in mind youre gonna be all alone out there; probably overloaded, flying the crappiest bucket of bolts youve ever seen, multi colored from all the patchwork, in all the rain/snow/sleet that mother nature can throw at you with a boss back in his lazy boy that has no regard for your safety, only that the boxes get there in time...with no captain to ask questions of

those were the days...

 

[Kaman]

Not to sound sarcastic, because I am being honest...If you have 135 mins, a pulse, and minimum ME time you have a good shot at it. If you are in the mid-Atlantic...Give Package Express a call in Concord, NC. I worked there for a few months and enjoyed my time there. Small company, but has nice people. Airplanes aren't too bad and you will really mature as a pilot.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[Big Dog]

Mins...

This Question comes up at least once a week here. Anybody looking at flying Part 135 needs to know this reg. FAR 135.243(c). There are no exceptions for single pilot ops. If someone really likes you they might let you right seat to get the time, but that is very few and far between in aircraft that require less than two pilots, and its not PIC & usually low paid/unpaid/PFT.
Multi/Turbine upgrades vary widely between operators. Some start from day 1 in multi/turbine, some it might take months or years. Two basics categories are out there, those based on senority and those based on the run/company needs, usually some combination of both. The key to both is to be flexible and be able to relocate at the drop of a hat. Being young and single without ties anywhere helps, as you might imagine.
​

 

[1973Arrow]

If you are in the mid-Atlantic...Give Package Express a call in Concord, NC.

...bought/sold out...

 

[Clyde]

It has to be lower than the airlines. How much total time/multi-time is typically required to fly freight??? Call me crazy, but I think it would actually be fun to fly freight. Also, what do you typically fly? Piston twins? Turbine???

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I will call you crazy, but I will also agree with you. Freight is fun to fly. I've never hauled a passenger (for hire) since I began flying and thence have never heard anyone in the back complain. I had to load and unload cargo, but never had to handle anyone's suitcases.

Most 135 outfits stay off your back. They give you an assignment and just want you to get it there, at least that's how my old outfit was. The lifestyle can be less-than-desireable at times, but overall I liked it. Not sure if I would reccomend it to someone who is married and has a family, because the schedule can be very trying, but if you're single and looking to build time I would go for it.

When I got hired at my last outfit to fly Lears and Falcons, you needed 1500TT and 500ME as a minimum. That was 7 years ago and it might have changed by now.

 

[aeronautic1]

http://archives.californiaaviation.org/ganews/msg11346.html

This is what happens when you are dispatched with so much cargo that you have just enough fuel to almost make it to your destination.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20050215X00188&ntsbno=ATL05LA049&akey=1

Or dispatch in an aircraft with unapproved parts.

 

[clt72pilot]

I'm currently flying right seat on a freighter 727. Best job in aviation. Pay is great, lots of time off, no passengers to deal with. The only job better was when I was left seat in the DC-3...If only they could've paid me what I'm makin now....PS..I'm flying 10 days a month, 5 on 9 off makin 6 figures. Stick with it, flyin aint what it used to be but it beats workin.

 

[Pilot877]

6 figures to fly right seat on a 727? Is that FedEx or UPS? Sounds nice.

 

[clt72pilot]

Astar...Formerly DHL and yes we are hiring.

 

[SkyRat]

Astar...Formerly DHL and yes we are hiring.

What kind of mins. are you looking for...I'd like to stay in freight throughout my career but this 135 on-demand is deadly on the family life.

 

[cforst513]

jeez, 6 figures in a 727? i have 53 hours TT, do i qualify for the mins!?!!?

 

[jobear]

Typical minimums for flying freight???

One bottle of Glenlivet

 

[flyinlow67]

I got hired with right at 135 mins and about 10 multi. The company I got hired to fly for was about to lose the run I took over, so I kinda got lucky.
Or not, since I wound up flying a bucket..........

 

[DogBoy]

I love flying freight. When I tell people what I do, all that they ask me is if I would like to fly commercially someday-I just tell them that I think that it's funner just to volunter my time and fly for free

 

[jimcav]

The fondest memories of my career were flying freight. Do it and you will stand out among your whole generation of fellow civ pilots. ( when I was coming up it was hard to get a job if you didn't have some 135 time. Now it's pretty much cfi to right seat of a shiny new rj ) Being in charge even in a light twin in that environment at such an early stage of your career will build a lot of character. Go for it dude. Best of luck and be safe. Fly that s$$t and you will automatically gain respect as you forge ahead in your career. And rightfully so.

 

[Big Duke Six]

The fondest memories of my career were flying freight. Do it and you will stand out among your whole generation of fellow civ pilots. ( when I was coming up it was hard to get a job if you didn't have some 135 time. Now it's pretty much cfi to right seat of a shiny new rj ) Being in charge even in a light twin in that environment at such an early stage of your career will build a lot of character. Go for it dude. Best of luck and be safe. Fly that s$t and you will automatically gain respect as you forge ahead in your career. And rightfully so.

True enough Jimcav! It is a character builder and definitely matures you as a pilot in fairly short order. Like you, I have also found it to be a very highly respected part of my experience. When relating past experience with a Captain I've not previously flown with, I of course always tell everything, which includes military flying. Invariably, the first thing out of their mouth is then "D@mn, you flew those Metros by yourself!?". It stands out even above my AF flying in most people's minds.

I say "Do it!". It was mostly fun too, except for the days when you were out on the ramp with your buds, making ice sculptures that resembled Metroliners. Then loading them up to the gills, taking them out and seeing whose would fly.