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Regionals or ISR pilot

Old 07-03-2017, 08:26 AM
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Default Regionals or ISR pilot

I am a 54 yr old pilot with 4450 TT, 4000 Helo, 450 FW, and 160 ME. Given the current hiring environment and opportunities for new pilots should I apply for a job with the regionals or finish out my career flying ISR missions in some distant land? The ISR work would allow a 60 on/ 60 off work schedule and very good pay.
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Old 07-03-2017, 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Joshua19 View Post
I am a 54 yr old pilot with 4450 TT, 4000 Helo, 450 FW, and 160 ME. Given the current hiring environment and opportunities for new pilots should I apply for a job with the regionals or finish out my career flying ISR missions in some distant land? The ISR work would allow a 60 on/ 60 off work schedule and very good pay.
Over the next 10 years you'll make more $ at an ISR company than a regional but you'll be spending 5-6 of those years in $hit locations.

Depending on your hours breakdown, types of aircraft flown and currency, ISR directly from your present situation may not be possible (you're low on fixed wing and multi hours for what they're looking for PICs, but they may hire you as an SIC if you've got a clearance or they want to get you one) but Any regional would. Your best bet would probably go to a regional in the near term, get through training and then decide what direction you want to go and start applying.
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Old 07-03-2017, 11:12 AM
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Thanks for the advice. The ISR company would hire based upon total time at a reduced salary until qualified. I have already done 6 yrs between Iraq and Afghanistan. If I did go ISR would I be giving up a great opportunity with regionals right now with 2-3 yr upgrades and potential maybe, to go to the majors?
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Old 07-04-2017, 03:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Joshua19 View Post
Thanks for the advice. The ISR company would hire based upon total time at a reduced salary until qualified. I have already done 6 yrs between Iraq and Afghanistan. If I did go ISR would I be giving up a great opportunity with regionals right now with 2-3 yr upgrades and potential maybe, to go to the majors?
There are two ISR companies that offer SIC Programs- L3 and Avenge.

FYSA, Avenge only pays 2/3 of what L3 does and last time I checked expected double the commitment.

At PIC pay you'll make more $$$ at the ISR contractors, however at SIC pay it becomes more of a wash financially the first several years between going ISR and going to a regional with a 12 month upgrade to Captain and making yourself competitive for the majors ASAP after you're hired on.

I WOULD NOT recommend you go to Avenge.

Most ISR pilots last a year to 18 months before they move on to do something else. If you decide you want to give an airline pilot a shot, your best bet is to sign on to one of AAs wholly owned regionals with a fast upgrade to line holding captain (Piedmont, PSA and Envoy in that order) and flow (Piedmont, Envoy and PSA in order of current quickness), now. That way you can beef up your resume and apply to all of the majors within the first year (places like JetBlue and Hawaiian will accept helicopter time). Worse case you flow to American Airlines.
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Old 07-04-2017, 06:33 AM
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There's an additional risk with the ISR companies--the contracts might dry up for Iraq and Afghanistan. Probably not in the next few years, but if you're planning on this as your ~10 year career leading into retirement it may be more of a factor.

If you do go that way, make sure to keep in touch with the people you work with that flow into other defense industry jobs. Getting the good jobs tends to involve knowing someone who can recommend you during the hiring process. Also be prepared to accept a job flying RPAs; they may or may not be the future of pax/cargo aviation, but they are absolutely the future of ISR.
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Old 07-04-2017, 02:39 PM
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Default What's the issue with Avenge?

Avenge will let me start with them through a Helo transition program; I don't have enough time to meet the SIC program, I'm short by 150 ME hrs.

I can see the real advantage with starting with the Regionals. But if I can jump the herd by getting PIC in the 350 it may be worth it. I don't mind going to Afcrack. If I'm not able to upgrade in a reasonable time and make the PIC rate then I it would be time to move on and a time wasted.

Thanks for your input?
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Old 07-31-2020, 04:23 PM
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Are ISR gigs 2 pilot or single pilot operations?
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Old 07-31-2020, 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Slop View Post
Are ISR gigs 2 pilot or single pilot operations?
3 year thread revive

2 pilot or as dictated by the contract and org you are supporting
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:34 PM
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