Hi all, I am hoping that I might be able to get some insight from some of the professional pilots that find themselves reading this thread. As mentioned in a previous post, I am commercially rated multi/single w/ instrument ticket. My times are 400TT/50multi. All of this experience is between 15 and 20 years old. 20 years ago I wanted to be a CFI because it was the most logical and cost effective route to the airlines, which was my goal. Today, I know that picking up my CFI is still a very logical route to this goal. However as I see it, the goal of being a regional FO is much more attainable today than it was 20 years ago. Here is the issue that I am struggling with. I would by no means be able to simply go out, spend a few grand and pick up my CFI. I would effectively be starting from scratch. I would have to relearn everything, just to pass a check ride let alone to help educate a new aviator. This would take considerable effort and time. Oh by the way, for the record, I am 43 years old, married with two daughters. My family and I understand that this is going to be a huge sacrifice and are willing to endure this, however we also understand that with my past experience, there may be more than one way to skin this cat. The question that has been presented to me is whether or not I really need my CFI. Is it really necessary to know that all the symptoms of Hypoxia? As I understand it, at FL300, I wont have a lot of time to check my fingernails, because I will have been properly trained to put my mask on in a handful of seconds and save the day. Why should I need to know and recite the difference between a float type and pressure type carburetor. I learned all of this a long time ago. My point being is that it would seem a lot of wasted time and effort when so much that I would be relearning would not apply to my end goal as much as it once had. I have been pouring over these forums for the last few weeks and see a marked frustration level among the seasoned professionals out there. If my dream would have come to fruition 20 years ago, I could see where I might be resentful of who I were sharing the cockpit with. That be what it may, I have seen all of the negative threads pertaining to the inexperienced pilots sitting in the right seat. I really dont need to read all of that again, but what I am interested in is this. In the face of todays aviation industry, pertaining to hiring, and for someone in my position with my tickets and ratings (which as I understand, never expire) why not a quick paced program that teaches some of the real skills that I would need to be an FO, and increase my chances with an airline to be interviewed. Where, I would hope that with my age and lifes experience, would benefit me?. I expect the expected. In addition to becoming current in all realms, I will also need to put some time under my belt so that I have more than 15 hours of current flight time. This is a given. But from there, why not?
Well, your one up on me by a long shot. After 40 years of reading and studying I know 400 TT hours isnt all lost and you forgot everything. You still have your ratings and endorsements, you still know how to fly, your just rusty. All you need is some dual time to get your biannual flight review out of the way, and your back in the left seat. Dont believe me? I would call your attention to FAR 61.56; Flight review. You need a minimum of one hour of ground and one hour of dual with a signed endorsement by a CFI. Yeah, its gonna take you more than an hour to requalify, so what? Bet it wont take you 10 hours to get signed off. I would suggest get yourself a medical before you do anything else, so you at least know if you can fly, then you hit the books really really hard to relearn all the current flight information. Pour yourself into it, get your pilot hat back on. Then go schedule some flight instruction in something as advanced as your comfortable with and get your flight review behind you. Your a pilot man, blow the dust off that logbook and bring it up to date.
I am standing in your shoes, a few steps ahead of you. I too am in my 40's, I have all my tickets, last spring I went and got a medical and then this past summer passed my biannual in 3.2 hours of flight time. I flew my flight sim 2000 on my computer a few times to get the feel of the instrument panel and control imputs. The sound of the engine/related to throttle imput helped. The control I had on altitude in the pattern and speed control for not having flown for 11 years or so I think blew my instructor away. He was ready to sign me off the next flight except there was a problem. He and I could not get together on a time so I went up with another instructor and he saw enough in 2 hours to sign me off. This all came about because of a trip I was on last year. As a second job I was driving motorcoach for a company and I took a group to one of the local ski resorts. One of my passengers struck up a conversation with me about what I would be doing for the rest of the day. When I got done telling him, he made the comment "oh, sort of like a corporate pilot." I told him my tale of woe about finishing school and losing the desire to flight instruct and having an opportunity fall apart to gain valuable flight time that would position me for a commuter job. Turns out he flies for USAir and was putting together a 135 opp at one of the local airports and asked me if I wanted to fly right seat in a 421. I said sure. Well to make a long story short, he has his maint facility up and running but still does not have his flight opp running and I am running out of patience in pursuit of my plan. I don't know what to do. 9.11 changed the whole paradigm of the aviation industry, there is a big hole there for low time pilots to slip through. I have even gone as far quitting my full time job that I had grown increasingly disgusted with that was just a job, not a career. I drive motorcoach full time now and my hours are compressed, I work 3-4 days a week and have ample time to pursue a new direction. I have been watching the jobs forums and see an opportunity to fly on the international side under contract for a few years. That money is tax free, housing provided. I have already done a 2 year work contract in the Middle East, I know of what I speak. My plan is to get flying somehow, get overseas again and rake in enough loot to retire by age 65. Oh, I forgot to mention, single no kids. Funny thing, I like the transportation biz, I am probably making as much or more than a low time FO at a commuter. But I have no room to upgrade to in the bus biz. I do and see alot of things for free and the tips are good, but I have a dream, I just am unsure of my next move. I am thinking of studying and taking the ATP written (no sign off required) with the hopes that the 421 situation will materialize(wish in one hand, poo in the other, what hand fills up first). Option #2 is take the ATP written and talk to a person I know that owns a 135 operation to see if I can gain some experince there (this was my first failed opportunity when I finished flight school 11 years ago, he encouraged me to complete and come fly, I did finish and the opp dried up). Option#3 is, gag, Flight Instructor. My Flight Instructor advised me to get my resume togther and start applying right away. My thoughts are you got to be kidding me, I would get blown out of an interview so fast my head would spin and then have to wait 6 months to apply with that company again. Another problem as I understand it is 500 hours. That seems to be the minimum hours you need to be insurable for a 135 operation, but I need to read up further on that magic #. I don't know why but I am also thinking that 500 hours is required before you can legally log SIC time. You can see that I need to review FARs alot more. I have read the gouges concerning interviews and it seems that alot of the interview tests and questions are straight out of the ATP test guide. I'm open to suggestions, it just eats at me knowing I spent probably $40k in getting those ratings and what have I done with them to date? For me, this is not a hobby nor is it a passion. It's just something I want to do.
My goal since I was eight years old was to be a professional pilot. I didn't care how or what I flew. In 1990 I bought a Cessna 182, a J model with laughable panel, but strong engine and low hours. I took out the two back seats, and started the world's smallest air freight outfit. I flew to S.F. and environs from O17 (Grass Valley) Cal. three times a week, loaded up with fresh fish, and flew back to my home field and delivered it to chefs at local restaurants. At three a.m. I was kicking tires, checking weather and looking forward to a great flight downhill to my fish broker. I'd launch about 5 a.m. and climb, check in IFF and feel the sun rise in my back windscreen. I can't explain how important it was to do all that, then. "Flying Fish" is no more, but the memories keep me smiling. I've had friends build time as CFI and go on to four stripe in a jumbo for United, and others who never made it past CFI. I urge any one who loves to fly to FLY. Time doesn't go backwards. Do it now. Best wishes to you all.
