jarretk

Just like everyone else I am in need of some advice, and hoping I am not turning my wheels and not getting anywhere. I am 28 years old with roughly 1200 hours and got one of luckiest breaks of my life I think. I somehow landed a job sitting right seat in a Lear 31A and have accumulated roughly 150 hours in it. I got SIC typed so I told them I would stay for another year, negative fact is we only fly roughly 200 hours per year. I want to avoid the regionals but someday make it to a major or cargo carrier to fly international. I am still flight instructing and hope that by November of next year I can have 1500 total. My question is whether or not it is realistic to get on with another charter or corporate gig with only 1500 but around 300 in the Lear 31A. I know there has to be a way to avoid the regionals but I don’t know anyone doing it so I feel I am in uncharted waters. My thought and hope is that I can meet some good people or my boss can help point me in a good direction to a more full time jet job. I am worried that with my low time the only thing I will be able to find is a regional job. It wouldn’t be a total waste of 2 years because I will have gained valuable experience but a bit disheartening to say the least. Any advice would be extremely helpful.

Thanks in advance.

JamesNoBrakes

So you are logging turbine time, that's good. Any chance of moving to Captain of the lear?

If you were about to get fired, I'd say move to a regional. If not, keep doing what you are doing. If you ever do move to Captain in the lear, that would be gold. Turbine PIC helps a lot, then maybe you can move up to a bigger charter or cargo. Make contacts in the corporate world. You might meet someone looking for a lear FO where you'll get more hours or have that ability to move up. Stability is probably a good idea these days, and you can justify your decisions well during an interview ("why didn't you fly with a regional?"). I know quite a few people that have "leapfrogged up" in the corporate world, in fact, these have been the most successful pilots I know (out of all of them, regional drivers, etc).

You do realize how few pilots actually fly international cargo in 777s and 747s right? It might not be a good idea to set your sights quite like that. Maybe a better goal is just an airplane as big as or bigger than a 757, at which point you'll have the experience they'd likely be looking for at FedEx/Ups or anyone else that flies the biggest aircraft.

RunnerMark

I agree with James. Congrats on getting the Lear gig, it's definitely a cool job for low time. But as you said, 200 hours/year is not going to work for you long term if that's your goal.

Some questions.... Are you happy where you are at now? Is the pay/QOL/domicile good? Is there a reason besides time building you want to leave?

It is reasonable to get on with another charter or corporate job... but that's on you. In your current line of aviation, everything is networking as I'm sure your figuring out (and might be how you got your current job). Is there any chance you can get a PIC type in the a/c? In my opinion the SIC type isn't worth too much.

Best advice... network network network. Talk to people at every FBO, every ramp, hang out your own ramp/FBO and talk around. Keep an open mind. Try to find air ambulance gigs etc. However, keep in mind the longer you stay out of the 121 (commercial airline) world, the harder it will be to break in.

Good luck.

rickair7777

That's a great entry-level gig. It's better that most any piston job at your level.

It will certainly give you a leg up getting hired by a regional but it will not replace the regionals stepping stone if your goal is airlines.

What it could do for you is allow you to break into the corporate track if you decide to go that route. At your level, you would need to focus on corporate TPIC opportunities....get your 1000 and maybe a type or two and then you're off to the races. Of course you'll network at every opportunity.

But even success in the corporate track will not guarantee success with major airlines...some of them hire a few corporate folks but you'll be competing with about 10,000 RJ captains with more relevant experience and more TPIC.

Major airlines (especially the better ones) prefer TPIC 121 glass turbojet experience in roughly that order. If all you have is 91 SIC in a lear, that's not going to cut it. Even if you can move to PIC in that gig, at 200 hours/year you would need 5-8 years to even get competitive TPIC numbers, and even then airlines would B-list you because you don't have 121 experience.

You need to decide which track you want to pursue. If you're all about QOL and you like your current pay and QOL you could stay in your lear gig until it runs dry. If you want to progress in the corporate world you need to look for TPIC and type opportunities. If you really want airlines, the region are probably the best bet, although it is possible to switch tracks from corp to 121.

jarretk

I wish there was a way to get a PIC type out of the deal but The captain took an early retirement from Delta, low 50's so he's not going anywhere anytime soon. Besides that I know that I don't have anywhere near the experience needed to take command of airplane like a Lear. I am in the process of trying to find another jet gig but its hard with my low time. I stay at the job because it is great experience and the pay is fantastic, but I know that its not long term due to the low flight time each year. I wish I was like most people and knew what track to take in life but I just don't know, leaning to airlines just not regionals. Thanks for yall's input and advice. I will network my butt off, try to get another gig and chase the turbine PIC time.

RunnerMark

If the pay i fantastic and you are enjoying yourself, then stay!! Not many aviators can say both of those things. It may not be a "time-building" job, but it sounds like a job lots of guys with time look for.

If you're desperate for more time right now, work your butt off for more flight instructing jobs or any other single engine job you can get on the side.

Good luck.

Red Forman

Why not just make corporate your goal? Network to try and get a gig flying a large business jet. The airlines aren't everything you think they are. If you are happy and have a decent gig then stay put. Most people in the corporate world understand that you won't be flying 1000 hours a year, so as long as you are staying current and getting 200-300 a year you should be in good shape.

JethroFDX

Having been around the corporate world, CFI, regionals and majors everyone is giving you very sound advice. But I think the best one is to stay where you are, build more time on the side and build contacts. I would have loved to be in your position flying a Lear.

Just be in a position to move on, on good terms, if something good and STABLE comes along.

I have one question for you though, is the Delta retiree offering any advice?

Good luck.

jarretk

From what everyone is telling me I would agree that I am in a really good position, and I thank my lucky stars everyday that the owner liked me enough to send me to SIC and keep me vs getting rid of me to bring in a much more qualified person. My captain was with Delta for 30 years or so and said that he would still recommend going the airline route but he knows nothing about the regionals. Our airplane is kept at an FBO that operates aircraft from CJ's to a CRJ 200 so my plan is to apply even with low time just to show Im interested. Dream plan is to stay corporate till 4,000 hours or so then try to move to 121 but thats just a dream as of now I guess. Sometime flying 1.5 hours to Colorado to stay the weekend then fly home followed by nothing for a week or 2 makes me stir crazy, plus Im one of those young guys with low time that wants to go fly 5 hours everyday.

Airbum

While you make your decision I think it is telling the choices your Captain has made. He retired from Delta in his early 50's after 30 years. It appears that he had the job you are dreaming about yet didn't think it was good enough to stay.