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Part 91 and Low Time Jump pilots, crop dusting, and other Part 91 jobs

Paying for flight time.

Old 07-17-2016, 02:48 PM
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Default Paying for flight time.

Hey all,

I am looking to fly for a regional as a sunset career; I was stupid and didn't pursue this career when I was younger.

I have my CFI and I do a little instructing at my flying club when I can get business. I have about 40 hours of dual given so far. Most of my flying is cross country flying for work or trips with my wife. Will the regionals care of most of my time is purchased? The club 152 is only $70 wet so flying it isn't terribly expensive for us. Assuming I want to get another 1,000 hours in three years, I can afford to pay for the time. Mind you I am trying to instruct more, too.

Thanks!
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Old 07-17-2016, 03:16 PM
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Hmm, not these days.
I paid for a few hours of flight time for my log book back in the day, but not 1000 hours.
30-40 maybe to meet the next requirement, 500 for 135 VFR or some such thing.
Also paid $75 for a Bonanza introduction with 3 touch and goes.

These days a Pilot Shortage is brewing and every warm body without a fake ticket will be snapped up sooner or later..
Go full-time CFI and get 1000 hours in 10 months, with pay.
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Old 07-17-2016, 03:40 PM
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If you waste money buying that much flight time in this environment you are out of your mind.
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Old 07-17-2016, 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by calico View Post
Hey all,

I am looking to fly for a regional as a sunset career; I was stupid and didn't pursue this career when I was younger.

I have my CFI and I do a little instructing at my flying club when I can get business. I have about 40 hours of dual given so far. Most of my flying is cross country flying for work or trips with my wife. Will the regionals care of most of my time is purchased? The club 152 is only $70 wet so flying it isn't terribly expensive for us. Assuming I want to get another 1,000 hours in three years, I can afford to pay for the time. Mind you I am trying to instruct more, too.

Thanks!
You want to pay seventy grand to get a job that pays twenty grand?

You can purchase an airplane for half of that.
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Old 07-17-2016, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnBurke View Post
You want to pay seventy grand to get a job that pays twenty grand?

You can purchase an airplane for half of that.
As always, JohnBurke dropping little bombs of wisdom. I totally second his opinion. You will need to bite the bullet and instruct/fly divers/tow banners, etc.

I spent some $ getting some night time in a 152...but I worked at a 135 operator that simply did NOT operate at night.
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Old 07-18-2016, 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnBurke View Post
You want to pay seventy grand to get a job that pays twenty grand?

You can purchase an airplane for half of that.
It's better than the dumba$$es that spend almost a QUARTER MILLION $$$ going to Riddle to get a job that pays twenty grand.
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Old 07-18-2016, 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnBurke View Post
You want to pay seventy grand to get a job that pays twenty grand?

You can purchase an airplane for half of that.
I don't understand why everyone always is quick to assume if someone spends a large amount of money on building time, or attending a high cost full time training program/college that they are throwing money down the drain. I do get that most people do not have lots of money lying around for training and need to take loans out, which is why getting the absolute cheapest training down is helpful.

However, for people doing this as a second career, who very well may have high paying jobs currently - I don't see why not work another 3 years at a high paying job and pay as you go, rather than quit to become a full time CFI and loose the last few years of good income you will have for a long time considering regional pay. It may actually be financially better to pay higher training costs if you can keep your day job for an extra year or two, depending on personal situations. With that said - paying for most/all of 1,500 sounds a bit excessive.

Now, I don't claim to know how regional view this at all. As long as you have 1,500 hours I don't see why they should care, but that is just my opinion - no factual backing.
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Old 07-18-2016, 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by ML3415 View Post
I don't understand why everyone always is quick to assume if someone spends a large amount of money on building time, or attending a high cost full time training program/college that they are throwing money down the drain.
I didn't say that. Perhaps that's why you don't understand.

I asked a question and stated a fact.

No assumption involved. I don't do assumption. You shouldn't, either.
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Old 07-18-2016, 07:16 AM
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JohnBurke - I appologize if it seemed like I was replying to you specifically, I did not mean to reply to your specific response.

It is just something I have seen across different topics and within different threads. My response was not meant to discredit you or what you've posted at all....Just a general opinion that I have - directed at nobody in particular. Sorry for the mixup.
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Old 07-23-2016, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by calico View Post
Hey all,

I am looking to fly for a regional as a sunset career; I was stupid and didn't pursue this career when I was younger.

I have my CFI and I do a little instructing at my flying club when I can get business. I have about 40 hours of dual given so far. Most of my flying is cross country flying for work or trips with my wife. Will the regionals care of most of my time is purchased? The club 152 is only $70 wet so flying it isn't terribly expensive for us. Assuming I want to get another 1,000 hours in three years, I can afford to pay for the time. Mind you I am trying to instruct more, too.

Thanks!
If you are looking at that kind of hours you may consider buying an airplane that is in good shape (hopefully not going to give you any major issues, that is the gamble) I've been able to scoot around the country in a PA28-180 carrying all the gear I ever needed, and not have to worry about returning it for someone when the rental is up. It doesn't exactly make life more simple owning an airplane. There will be a small bit of paperwork, lots of new things to learn, and occasional or not so occasional small maintenance items. You will learn things that typical students/CFIs might not have the chance to learn. How to take the cowlings and fairings off, change the oil, clean the engine, all about the systems and the rhythm of the machine. That said, having the club take care of maintenance is a nice insurance policy. However, if gas stays reasonable you can certainly operate a more capable aircraft for less and absolutely fly your tits off. You could also have your own 150 and be on the cheap.

I did the math of renting a 150 around me for $72/hr and flying the lawn mower around the local area by myself vs owning an aircraft I could get more people and things into and go places in. It made financial and practical sense for me to get from 70 hrs to 250 hrs. I plan to hold onto it for a little while longer while I instruct, to build a few extra hours on day trips with friends. I regret nothing. I wouldn't trade my epic cross country experiences for anything. The risk is major maintenance showing up, but if you find a bird that has been respected that can be minimized somewhat.

Given your age and all, I'd personally jump into full time instructing to get on with it. You have a freakin' CFI man! That is hot right now. I've filled out some applications saying I'm going to have a CFI at the end of August and they are all over me. Even many part 61 schools will give you free or low cost training for coming to them right now. You could grab your MEL, CFII MEI. I haven't been in this aviation world for long but I know 3 years is a LONG time. Things might not be quite the same then. I'd say get on it. I've heard a few stories of people who waited one more month for their class, then boom things got bad. They had to wait years for another opportunity to get into the jets.
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