Getting back into flying after 2 years
03-11-2012, 12:34 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 1
Getting back into flying after 2 years
Hello all, looking for some career advice. A bit about me, I got out of the Air Force in July of 2010 and have not flown since (flew B-52s and T-38s). I have my commercial, mutli/single engine instrument airplane as well as my MEI/CFII. I have right at 2500 hours. Seeing how I have not flown in 2 years and the market is still saturated with a bunch of pilots with a lot more hours than me, do I have a legit chance of getting on with anyone? I am about to work on my ATP written, get my FCC license, etc, as well as start flying with CAP just to get back in the air without dropping too much $$. I have a decent paying non-flying corporate job but in all honesty to get back into flying I would go to a regional if I had to. I have checked all the local places around here for a corporate flying job, but have to wait for someone to die off before there will be any openings here. Open to suggestions and thanks!
03-11-2012, 01:17 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,293
Get your ATP, that will get your currency back.
Most or all employers will have a recency requirement and you will not find a lot of flexibility on that. This is typically something like 100/6 months, 200/12 months.
The good news is that with your background I suspect that all you need to do is go CFI to get your recency hours. You can probably do that while keeping your day job. Employers probably won't require recent turbine experience as long as you have been flying something.
I'd probably give that a shot first. Regionals will also want currency, and you will have to spend several months on partial pay just to get trained. Then you could very well get assigned a base far from home on reserve, where it could take many months to get the flight time you want. Also regionals will flat-out not hire military guys who they think will turn around and leave quickly (ie no recency, fighter guy with 1378 hours, etc) so you will need a good excuse as to WHY you want to work there and be able to convince them.
Most or all employers will have a recency requirement and you will not find a lot of flexibility on that. This is typically something like 100/6 months, 200/12 months.
The good news is that with your background I suspect that all you need to do is go CFI to get your recency hours. You can probably do that while keeping your day job. Employers probably won't require recent turbine experience as long as you have been flying something.
I'd probably give that a shot first. Regionals will also want currency, and you will have to spend several months on partial pay just to get trained. Then you could very well get assigned a base far from home on reserve, where it could take many months to get the flight time you want. Also regionals will flat-out not hire military guys who they think will turn around and leave quickly (ie no recency, fighter guy with 1378 hours, etc) so you will need a good excuse as to WHY you want to work there and be able to convince them.
11-04-2012, 10:42 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
Grande52, I'd love to hear your story. I am in a similar boat. Navy F18 Driver with 2,400 hours. TOPGUN Grad, Strike Lead, Inst Instructor, NATOPS Instructor, Advanced Tactics Instructor, Maintenance Check Pilot..........yet I've been out of the Hornet for 6 years. I do fly with a local club (Cessna 172) and also stay instrument current with a pretty slick full visual simulator they have. I'm retiring next May and am looking hard at my options. I have some great opportunities making six figures and being home every night for dinner with the family, but I do love flying, which is why I'm thinking about the airline option. I just can't see sacrificing time away from the family for $20k a year at a Regional with the lifestyle that I'm reading about in these forums. I'm not 20 years old, I'm 43 and want to watch my kids grow up. I'm an extremely chill, down to earth guy, but after 600+ traps, 80+ combat missions and countless months away from home I have to admit to being a bit selfish about what I want after the military. Did you get on right away with a Major? How did you do it after 10 years away from the cockpit? I have every single qual/written test done except my ATP Cert. I'm planning to do that in Jan/Feb. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I guess the bottom line is I absolutely respect the guys in these forums that sacrifice the time away to build time and opportunity to get into the left seat and then on to a Major. I don't want to start there. Should I save my money on the ATP cert?
11-04-2012, 11:47 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted by Houseofpain
Grande52, I'd love to hear your story. I am in a similar boat. Navy F18 Driver with 2,400 hours. TOPGUN Grad, Strike Lead, Inst Instructor, NATOPS Instructor, Advanced Tactics Instructor, Maintenance Check Pilot..........yet I've been out of the Hornet for 6 years. I do fly with a local club (Cessna 172) and also stay instrument current with a pretty slick full visual simulator they have. I'm retiring next May and am looking hard at my options. I have some great opportunities making six figures and being home every night for dinner with the family, but I do love flying, which is why I'm thinking about the airline option. I just can't see sacrificing time away from the family for $20k a year at a Regional with the lifestyle that I'm reading about in these forums. I'm not 20 years old, I'm 43 and want to watch my kids grow up. I'm an extremely chill, down to earth guy, but after 600+ traps, 80+ combat missions and countless months away from home I have to admit to being a bit selfish about what I want after the military. Did you get on right away with a Major? How did you do it after 10 years away from the cockpit? I have every single qual/written test done except my ATP Cert. I'm planning to do that in Jan/Feb. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I guess the bottom line is I absolutely respect the guys in these forums that sacrifice the time away to build time and opportunity to get into the left seat and then on to a Major. I don't want to start there. Should I save my money on the ATP cert?
Why does "love flying"="work as airline pilot"?
11-04-2012, 04:15 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted by Houseofpain
That is an excellent point!
So many ways to go too, one could get involved with WWII stuff, get piston or turbine type ratings for fun (and then see where they can take you after that), bush, floats, shares, etc...
11-04-2012, 05:17 PM
#8
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Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 332
Regionals will not care much about recency as long as you are current. They are hurting for pilots. Go to a regional, get another type rating, work a year or so and move on. Your military time is valuable and chances are good you could get scooped up rather quickly by a major.
11-04-2012, 06:51 PM
#9
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Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 744 CA
Posts: 4,772
Originally Posted by love2av8
Regionals will not care much about recency as long as you are current. They are hurting for pilots. Go to a regional, get another type rating, work a year or so and move on. Your military time is valuable and chances are good you could get scooped up rather quickly by a major.
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