Part 135 IFR currency
09-06-2018, 10:16 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
Part 135 IFR currency
Hello, I am in the process of a career change and would like to work for a part 135 VFR company. I have an instrument rating that is not current and I’m trying to decide if I should get current before I apply for that type of position. It is going to be a large expense to get current again and the way I interpret the FAR’s I don’t have enough hours to be PIC under IFR anyway. Could I get hired not current and get recurrent with that company once I’m employed and save the cost of flight training I may not need at this point?
09-06-2018, 11:58 AM
#2
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,017
I always strongly recommend showing up for an interview current. I've been asked about currency at nearly every interview I've ever attended, including VFR interviews.
That said, I've arrived at two 121 interviews without IFR currency, and been hired following a successful interview and sim check.
One of the reasons that employers will ask about your currency is to test your commitment to staying current, especially if they know you're not flying IFR or haven't been...in other words, does this applicant take the opportunity seriously enough to get current and stay current?
Yes, it's expensive, and I've gone periods when not current because I'm doing other kinds of flying that require commitment around the clock.
If you're not in a position to get current, then apply, go interview, see how it goes. The job market right now is good; hiring and movement throughout the industry is happening, and employers are inclined to be far less concerned about your currency than they might be in lean times.
That said, I've arrived at two 121 interviews without IFR currency, and been hired following a successful interview and sim check.
One of the reasons that employers will ask about your currency is to test your commitment to staying current, especially if they know you're not flying IFR or haven't been...in other words, does this applicant take the opportunity seriously enough to get current and stay current?
Yes, it's expensive, and I've gone periods when not current because I'm doing other kinds of flying that require commitment around the clock.
If you're not in a position to get current, then apply, go interview, see how it goes. The job market right now is good; hiring and movement throughout the industry is happening, and employers are inclined to be far less concerned about your currency than they might be in lean times.
09-06-2018, 06:24 PM
#3
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
Interesting perspective
John, thank you for your reply. The point you made about demonstrating a commitment to currency for a potential employer makes sense and I can see how it would be viewed as an indication of professionalism. Also the more I thought about it I came to the conclusion that the whole reason the regulation stipulates an instrument rating is so you can use it if weather conditions deteriorate. I think I’ll go ahead and get current for the sake of operating safely IFR in the event the weather doesn’t cooperate. It’ll be worth the money then.
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