HectorD:
Different airlines have different requirements and minimums. You can usually find out what they are by visiting their website.
The airline I fly for posts the following requirements for interviews:
To be considered for a Pilot position, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Commercial Multi-Engine License with Instrument Privileges
- Current First Class Medical (which will be verified at the interview)
- Must be a United States citizen or show proof of right to work in the US
- FCC Radio License
- English Proficiency Endorsement (EPE)
- Current U.S. Passport
- If currently with another carrier, must be willing to rescind seniority with that carrier
The following are the minimums in order to be considered:
1,000 hours Total Time Fixed-Wing (preferred)
100 hours Multi-Engine
100 hours Instrument (Only 20 hours simulator or flight training device (FTD) will be accepted).
Use
FAR 61.51 as your guide.
FAR 61.51 states:
(g) Logging instrument flight time. (1) A person may log instrument time only for that flight time when the person operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated (i.e., using IFR goggles or hood) instrument flight conditions.
When Counting Helicopter or Glider Time we recognizes the skills common to helicopter and glider flying. We will accept up to
one hour of flight time for every
two hours helo time, not to exceed 250 hours. (Note: they didn't mention glider again but I think they count it the same as helo time, they just don't say so.)
Example:
750 hours fixed-wing
500 hours helo
Recognized: 500 hours/2 = 250 recognized helo time applicable to total time.
750 (fixed) + 250 (helo) = 1000 hours total time
Remember though, these are
MINIMUMS. To be competitive during the interview, you should have more than ALL the above. Any time flying actual IFR is a real bonus.
These are a few of the things the my airline is looking for. I hope this answers your questions about instrument time.
To Your Flying Success...
Jeff