Military Retirement and Next Step Advice
 

Long time lurker here, thought I’d join and ask some advice/insight for my next move.

Retiring from the military (non-aviation) this year at 43. Long term goal is to make it to a legacy. I currently have ~650TT with my CFI/CFII/MEI. I've taught part-time in the past but trying to keep a stable part-time CFI job while deploying to sea for months at a time hasn’t quite worked out.

With terminal leave 6 months away and speaking with mentors, I’ve been given advice which falls into two general camps. 135 SIC or teaching.

I understand the argument that teaching full-time will get me to ATP the fastest, and I’ve no problem doing that. However, is there value in working for a decent 135 operator, despite it taking longer to get to ATP minimums?

I’m not looking solely for the fastest way to the 121 world, rather also interested in what might make me a better pilot overall. Appreciate any advice or insight folks might have.

Thanks!

Both GA CFI and part 135 turbine experience will make you a better pilot, in different ways. So the answer is both. You already have some CFI time.

The regionals will not care in the slightest where you got your time, but 135 turbine experience will give you slight leg up in 121 training (complexity, procedures).

If you're intending that airlines will be your career and primary source of income, I'll give you some advice... seek the fastest path that you can tolerate to your major airline job. Especially if you're going to need the income. Seniority is everything.

I’d go with a part 135 operator. More directly translatable experience to 121 compared to CFI.

If the 135 gig is multiengine turbine time, even better.

If the 135 Gig can't guarantee you more than 500 hours per year find a good CFI gig that can. You do not need to spend the next two years fretting to ATP mins in a 300 hour a year job. Legacy retirements really start to go up in two years. You do not want to be stuck BEHIND the wave in a career where seniority is as important as it is in 121 flying. Especially when you would be entering at age 45.

Go to a big, formal, school and be a CFI. Then transition to a regional airline.
In the long term you’ll be better served getting used to a flying organization with a defined oversight structure vs a mom and pop flight school.

Very good point. Won't be our primary source of income, but the more I think about this, the more I think I'm not giving seniority the importance I should be. Might not seem like much when starting out, but fast forward 15 years, the 1-2 year delay could be major.

I did enjoy teaching.

Thanks!

If the 135 gig had the same number of hours as a CFI job, then that would be a no brainer for me. My concern is the opportunity cost (121 seniority) of going the 135 route, and at what point is the cost too much.

Thanks!

This was about what I was thinking, though I was using 600 hours/year. You did give me something to think about with regards to seniority, and the ultimate objective is seniority at a legacy, and timing with retirements and age.

Appreciate the advice!

Yup. Did all but my instructor ratings at reputable 141 schools. I thrived in the more structured environment, and even my part time teaching was 141, which I enjoyed.

A 1-2 week delay can be major. Ask me how I know.