My name is Tim Homan, I am 21 years old and currently a Junior at Hillsdale College, MI. My ultimate goal is to be hired by a Major and to get there as soon as possible. I earned my private and have only 55 TT. I have been saving for a Piper Cherokee for a few years and i think I will finally be able to afford one this spring. I plan to fly as much as i can in the next year, earn my instrument and my commercial then sell the plane. After i achieve all this i will have graduated from College and need to find a way to gain some multi. I know of a part 135 who does charter and always has a need for pilots. I also might be able to buy a Cessna 310 or something similar to gain my twin time in. I don't know if I would be able to find someone or a few companies who would need the service of a plane. After a couple years of flying piston twins I hope to get hired by a regional or cargo where i can build my PIC turbine.

I would appreciate it if I could get some input on my plans with the twin and how else to go about reaching my ultimate goal of flying for a major.

Thanks,
Tim Homan

 

Get your ratings as quick as possible. Study hard. Get your CFI and CFII and instruct to build up plenty of time. You won't be able to fly 135 until you have 1200 hrs. I really dont think it is worth it buying your own plane if you already have your private. You'll have to do 10 hrs complex for your commercial (which the warrior is not) and your CFI checkride in a complex airplane as well. You'd be better off spending that money on buying a cheap twin. Good luck

 

The military is always looking for bright motivated college grads. They spend a grunch of money on your flight training and pay you (OK, it's not huge pay) at the same time. You get to fly some pretty fancy airplanes, fly in formation, drop bombs and shoot missiles ...

It's not for everyone but if you're up for it, it can be quite exciting.

Regards,


Mark

PS ... owning an airplane has MANY hidden expenses (purchase expenses, annual inspections, insurance, gas, maintenence, hanger rent). I'll bet you would be better off renting. Make sure to do your homework BEFORE you buy.

 

I thought I recently read an article that mentioned the Air Force is in serious workforce reduction mode, offering juicy packages to pilots opting for early retirement. Can remember where I saw it though....

 

Tim: Good job following your dream. Get all the ratings you can, PPL,COM, INT, and, MEL. When I went into the military I had all of these by working and flying during summers, spring break, Xmas and had 750 hours before going in. This is a big plus because you have that much more air sense than the person who has never had a lesson. Once in the military, whichever branch that might be there gonna teach you there way.

 

Like a previous post said, one of the best ways to get into the military without incurring the commitment of active duty is to do the AN Guard or AF Res. If you can get sponsored by a unit, they will send you to flight school and then you have a place to fly on your schedule. You can continue to fly outside and also build up time in the military.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I have considered the military. However my girlfriend and i will be getting married as soon as i graduate college so I was thinking more along the lines of the civilian approach. Maybe the military could still be an option for me though. I don't know how it would workout joining the military and being a newlywed.
Can't hurt to check it out.

Does anyone else have advice on the civilian path?

 

Hell, I graduated, got married and got commissioned all on the same day. Of course she was a practice wife, but that's for another post. I still think the military lets you be married.

 

You've got 40 years to fly, don't be in too much of a hurry. Flying 135 was the most fun. Now I fly a 747, but the company takes the fun out of it. Enjoy the ride- you can learn a lot along each step of the way.

 

Don't forget about possibly hitting up an ANG unit either.