rickair7777

That sounds like a sweet gig for an ex-JO just out of the nav. You will not come anywhere close to that kind of package in entry-level aviation. You had better want to fly real bad...

Yes.

Regional (or major), no part-time jobs. Although SkyWest is currently talking about doing that for pilots (we already do for FA's). Dollars to donuts it will only be made available to senior pilots (3-5+ years), and it will be bid out out even more senior than that.

There are a few odd jobs to be had out there...your military background will help, but your low FW time will not. You are not insurable at most operations. If you are still in SD look up the folks who fly Red Air lears in the SOCAL exercises.


If you are going to go FW, you will probably need to CFI in order to get your time up to 1000 hours. Your military background will make you competitive once you meet the typical 1000 hour minimum (varies between 300 and 2500 depending on supply and demand). A few regionals will give you partial credit for helo time, SKW is one of them.

Most regionals will be a large step down in the level of professionalism you are accustomed to. You will work for people who would have gotten discharged from the navy for "unsuitability", had they even been allowed to join in the first place. All regionals will be a big step down in compensation.

If you really want to do this, jump into the GA scene at your local airport, network with the GA crowd and your military buds and start building time. At your age, you need to spend all weekend and some weeknights doing aviation stuff. I hope you're not married...

The good news is that once you get 1000 hours FW TPIC you will be very competitive for major jobs.

jedinein

There are a ton of heli jobs out there, especially with your dual ratings. Spend some time on the career websites (www.indeed.com) to do some research. As far as building time part-time, once can be a CFI (dual quals are great!) part-time while building time for something else, if one wants to accept the below poverty wages of that something else.

AJC1290

Thank you for your responses and happy new year.

Yes, my current job is a pretty sweet gig...if you define sweet with money and flexible (and minimal hours a week). However, it is incredibly un-challenging, un-fulfilling, and boring. I was never bored or un-challenged when flying. With that being said, my job's flexibility would truly allow me to fly a morning and/or evening flight every day and not miss a beat at work. And weekend of course are always free....

This is why I asked about a part-time flying job. I've read a few posts by regional pilots saying they are not getting many monthly hours and are supplementing with other jobs. If I got hired by regionals making poverty wages, yet had my work-from-home job as well...I could live with that financially. Could a balance be struck? This is my goal; to get back in the cockpit professionally without going poor or destroying my marriage. My current job is lame, but has great money and tons of free time......I don't necessarily need to become a majors captain...but are there any regional type pilots or any other types that fly multi-engine fixed as a part-time job? Then perhaps one day with enough hours making a leap to full time pilot?

Happy New Year...Fly Safe

rickair7777

You can pretty much rule out the regionals if you need any control over your schedule. Schedules are done by seniority...there is no negotiating, ever. I would guess at most companies you could achieve iron-clad control of your schedule somewhere in the top 25-50% of the FO or CA seniority list...it could take a few years to get there in the current business climate.

Another option would be corporate flying..there are a vast variety of working arrangements to be had, basically anything which is mutually agreeable.

Single airplane owners might only require a pilot a few times per month, but be willing to pay a fat retainer ($30k+). Owners with a two pilot airplane will sometimes employ one full-time pilot and then use freelancers for the right seat. You could probably get into that eventually, assuming you live in a large metro area.

Some small 135 operators might be willing to employ you as a "reserve" pilot. They would provide the needed new-hire and recurrent training, but only pay you when you work.

The key to corporate/91/135 is going to be networking, networking, networking. You will almost certainly need 1000 FW hours (insurance) to even be considered. A Citation type rating would be helpful too...small operators are very wary of paying for type training for someone who might not stick around.

Also, have you looked into Customs/Border Protection flying? You are near the age limit, but the fact that you already have a clearance should help. That way you could use your RW experience AND do some FW flying...only job I can think of where you fly both RW and FW (they fly 60's, citations, P-3s, and a bunch of other stuff).

AJC1290

HercDriver,

Do have any posts that would elaborate on your experiences and where you are now?

thanks
AJC