Airline Pilot Forums

Well it looks like I will not have the opportuntiy to fly manned aircraft in the AF again. The AF just offered drones to me and, in addition, was told I would not likely fly manned acft after. As a result I will be retiring in 2015.

During the last 3 years I have been flying a desk, so couple that with the next 3 years, I will not have flown any AF aircraft or incurred any military flying time in the previous 6 years before applying to an airline, although I have been flying civilian on and off. My total times are as follows: 2,387; Pilot-in-Command 1,484; Second-in-Command 903; Multi-Engine 2,077; Instructor Pilot 147; Turboprop 401; Tubojet 1,663; Actual Instruments 132; Actual Night 316; Combat 180

With this being said, does anyone know the minimum recency hours the majors are looking for hiring? I know if may vary, but just looking for any gouge.

I have heard some application software programs for airlines ask questions, such as "have you flown at least 100 hrs in last year" and "have you flown at least 250 hours in the last two years"

Any help, advice would be apprecitated. Thank you.

With this being said, does anyone know the minimum recency hours the majors are looking for hiring? I know if may vary, but just looking for any gouge.

All the online apps ask about currency and I've seen posts on other threads that highly recommend having at least 100 hrs/yr. How much of a stickler airlines are on this will depend on your competition at the time you're looking to get hired.

The way I see it you've got 3 options from most to least expensive.

1) fly light civil aircraft on your own dime to get & maintain 100 hrs.

2) fly light civil as CFI/banner tow/pipeline etc.

3) try and get on with a regional or other small operator until you get a call from a major.

Use your Form 8s as an IP and get the mil-comp CFI. At least then you could do the CFI thing, and while maybe not flying a lot, would at least be flying. I'll send a PM.

Use your Form 8s as an IP and get the mil-comp CFI.

Just a reminder that the Mil Comp CFI only applies to the Category and Class that you were a Military Instructor in. So if you were an IP only in multiengine military aircraft then you will get an MEI, but not an SEI.

§61.195 says

(b) Aircraft Ratings. A flight instructor may not conduct flight training in any aircraft for which the flight instructor does not hold:
(1) A pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate with the applicable category and class rating; and
(2) If appropriate, a type rating.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=3d55b0015cb4e32729bfbe14b54df625&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.2&idno=14#14:2.0.1.1.2.8.1.8)

Also, if you have a center-line thrust restriction, you will get neither an MEI or SEI on your FAA instructor ticket. You'll have CFI and CFII, but you won't be able to meet the requirements of the above cited para for any civilian airplane.

See the Sheppard Air (http://www.sheppardair.com/) website for more info and suggestions.

Use the GI Bill to pay for your single engine/multi engine CFI. That will also get you some recent multi time at less cost to you.

Look at FAR 61.73 which deals with special rules for ratings for military/former military pilots. The flight instructor rating special rules are in 61.73 (g).
I retired after two non-flying staff jobs at the end of my career. I used the GI Bill for an MEI rating which renewed my lapsed CFI/CFII. Good luck!

Not the answer you wanted, but have you considered a TDY to the MC-12 program before you punch? No ADSC; add an extra type to your ticket before you leave, in a newer civilian-ish airframe.

have you considered a TDY to the MC-12 program

The current plan is for the MC-12 program to stop using TDY manning after 1 Jan 2013 Technically, it means no one will get tagged for an MC-12 AEF tasking with training starting after 1 Jan. So, it won't be around as an option for the OP in 2015 when he gets out.

Of course, that's subject to change at the whim of Big Blue.

Get your Mil Comp CFI certificates as a start. Any flying CAP units where you are at? You could always buy a $15-$20K C-150 and fly it pretty cheap and sell when you are done with it. Just a few other options.

The current plan is for the MC-12 program to stop using TDY manning after 1 Jan 2013.

To clarify, since I can't seem to be able to edit my previous post. The MC-12's are not going away. AFPC is putting enough permanent party on assignment at Beale so that Beale can fill all the AEF taskings. What's going away is the use of TDY manning of the program. People will still go fly MC-12's, but it will be as a regular assignment, not as a one-off AEF deployment tasking.

Sorry if that caused confusion.

I imagine you will be at Creech. I was at Nellis doing an ALO tour for 3 years. I am a CFI and planned on instructing while I was there. There are quite a few flight schools at North Las Vegas. I ended up getting a job with Air Combat USA and continue to fly with them. If you have fighter experience, it may be an option. My advice to you is keep your ass in the air, try and find some kind of part 91 operation you can start flying with. Preferably something with a turbine engine. Good luck. I think your story is why theres a lot of guys that are getting out of Active Duty. It just isn't what it use to be.