Originally Posted by USMCFLYR

He means 'regional' as in locale - not in airline terms - I'm pretty sure.

ML - You have a long ways to go before you have the experience to decide that you're a terrible teacher. You might be able to say right now that you don't WANT to teach. I was in those shoes myself at your point. Just build your time and concentrate on learning the fundamentals. Btw - did you say that you need 50 hours of X/C time before you can *start* your Instrument rating?

USMCFLYR

Originally Posted by Javok

This. Don't get too stressed out about whether to teach or not. I think too many people become fixated on building time fast, fast, fast. While you certainly don't want to drag along, enjoy the ride. I wish I would have done more of this during my PPL. Learn as much as you can about what you're doing now so that you can have a good solid foundation of WORKING knowledge.

Originally Posted by Timbo

When I was in the 'time building' mode (ie. between PPL and my CPL) I would rent a C172 on a Friday or Saturday, and fill it up with my college buddies and go on a cross country flight, split the cost 4 ways.

Now, it certainly helped that I had a girlfriend at an All Girl School, about an hour (flying time) away. My offer to my UNH buds was, "Hey, I'm flying up to Colby Sawyer this weekend, my girlfriend's room mate and her other friends want me to bring some guys for them! You in?"

I never had trouble filling the seats, and they never had trouble finding a bed to -sleep- in!

Be careful what you do though, 30 years later, I've got 3 daughters...

Karma's a Beoch!

My Mom just laughs and laughs, "Serves you Right!" she says.

Originally Posted by Cubdriver

The typical training progression:

• ASEL private pilot
• instrument rating
• ASEL commercial certificate
• multiengine rating
• certificated flight instructor
• instrument instructor
• multengine instructor

(ASEL= airplane single engine land)

It appears you just got your PPL (private pilot license) and are looking at adding an instrument rating. Rather than randomly building hours according to your reading of the FARs, start your instrument training with an instructor. They will tell you when to start building flight time doing simulated IFR approaches with a "safety pilot", who is usually another instrument student.

After you finish that effort you should get your commercial certificate most likely.

Originally Posted by SittingOnHands

I've known several people, who were fresh commercial pilots, that jumped into traffic watch and banner towing with out a CFI ticket. They average around 6-7 flight hours daily. Is this an easier road to take to gain hours? Probably. Is this job going to constantley push your knowledge of aerodynamics, weather theory, engine systems, etc.? Probably not. I never saw myself as a teacher in the beginning as well, mostly because I was inexperienced and lacked confidence. As you earn new certificates and ratings that knowledge and confidence in yourself will increase. Wait another 200 hours and make up your mind what road you want to take. Probably every CFI, CFII and MEI on this board can tell you they learned more while instructing then they did working on the acutal certificate.

Cross-country time question:
I am guessing you already have around 5 hours of cross-country PIC from your private? It wouldnt be a bad idea building cross-country time with a buddy to save money, but be aware of the 250 nm cross country with your instructor. I would suggest doing at least 6-8 hours of the cross-country time with an instructor for experience and knocking out the 250nm x-country.