Phantom Flyer

Please don't take this the wrong way. Having just consulted with an operator (part 121) who hired a class of 6 pilots last fall, I'll offer my opinion.

Given the fact that you have 3,800 hrs of fixed wing time and have not flown a fixed wing A/C in over 10 years, you're not very competitive with those on this forum who are furloughed or the thousands of others looking for work in today's environment.

Your Hawker and Lear time is an asset, as is your Masters degree and ground instructing experience. Given the aviation employment situation we are facing, I would recommend trying for any corporate position or possibly a Part 135 flying position. With what you've stated, you aren't going to walk into a Part 121 flying position given today's employment situation. With the increase to age 65 under FAR 121, your age isn't a significant issue although the younger guys will have a leg up on you.

I also don't know whether I'd recommend buying as Airbus type rating. With no experience flying the aircraft, HR or a recruiter is not going to put much stock in a type rating with no flight experience in type. One of the applicants last fall, had purchased an Airbus 319/20 type rating but had no experience in the aircraft. Guess what, his application, which was weak to start with, didn't get much consideration.

I am only trying to be realistic and please don't take my comments as anything but constructive suggestions. You have some strong credentials to draw upon but I wouldn't limit myself to trying to "fly jets in a Part 121 operation or may consider contract work on corporate jets".

G'Luck Mate