young pilot needs career advice

[13579ms]

I don't know what to do and have three options ahead of me.
1. Should I instruct full time and maybe do a little part 135 co-pilot stuff on the side (mutli and or turbine)?
2. Do the 135 thing full time and try to instruct part 61 on a part time basis?
3. Be a full time Dispatcher and instruct part time?

As an instructor I would probably get five times more hours per month then if I were to do the 135 co-pilot deal. I don't know what the best option is right know. But I know that I would like to fly heavy metal one day. I have college loans to pay very soon and money will be of a big concern soon. I've been told to instruct and also told to do the 135 because every instructor is trying to get there? Thanks for all of your advise and help.

 

[Tetauy]

Instruct and do the 135 co-pilot thing on the side if you can. The main goal you should have right now is to build time as quick as possible. This is actually a great time for low time people (like us) to catch up to the higher time people if we can find a job. Remember, everyone that instructed knew a decent amount when they went into instructing and came out knowing a lot more. Then you go into 135 thinking you know everything but realize your flying probably isn't as good as it was when you had 200 hours. Then once you start flying 135 pretty often you combine both your instructing knowledge and your refound flying skills and are sharp as a tack. That is at least what I think happens. When I was instructing I did not do a lot of flying on my own so my scan deteriorated a lot more than I thought. But now I combine everything and am a better pilot than I would have been if I had gotten into 135 right off the bat. Besides, you have to have 1200 total to do the 135 gig all the time anyway. Hope this helps. I seemed to ramble a bit.

 

[captjim]

How much flying and what kinda flying is the pure 135 job?

 

[13579ms]

I'd fly about 25 hours a month (navajo, King air, 402) not much but it's multi-pic and I would only log the 91 legs.

 

[B737G]

I would forget about flying and go to law school! Considering the direction our society has taken(McDonalds lawsuit) there will never be too many attorneys. Good luck to you.

 

[bobbysamd]

Option #1

As a paralegal, I appreciate B737G's comment, above, but don't go to law school. At least not before you give flying your best shot.


I would do as much as instructing as you can, so that you fly as much as you can, and fly 135 on the side. You need to build PIC hours. Despite what many people say and believe, flight instructing is excellent experience and presents great opportunities for you to learn. The 135 time would be icing on the cake and could work into something more steady when you are ready.

If you fly Part 135, be sure you get a formal 135 SIC ride and 135 letter so the time you log is completely legit. If the employer isn't willing to do that, I would reassess that option.

Good luck with your plans.