Ex-Navy pilot - how be comp for Regionals?
 

Hi all - I'm a former Navy pilot, but haven't flown in many years outside of some recreational flying. I have ~1200 hours fixed wing multi-engine turbine time, and 270 PIC hours. I live in the DFW area and am welcome suggestions on the best path to currency in order to apply to the Regionals. I'm in the dark about what it would take to be "current" and be competitive for a Regional hire. I figure I don't need a full program, but prob some refresher hours. Questions are mostly around instrument currency or some other sort of "rating" or cert. It's been over ten years since I flew consistently and don't know much about private flying and what's needed to get back in the saddle.

- Do I need to get instrument currency? Something else?
- Is it a matter of getting 20 or 30 hours of refresher time and then work towards an instrument proficiency or designation?
- Any suggested instructors or schools in the DFW area? I'm talking to Aviator Air in GP tomorrow.
- I'm sure I'm not thinking of other topics...

Thank you for any and all guidance...

Do you have 1200 Total or 1470?
Yes get instrument current, if your not at 1470 you'll need 300 hours for any airline to hire you under part 121.
Some good recent info here, consider springing for the full ATP then majors.
https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/u...ng-mins-3.html

You can get a restricted ATP with your military time.
Maybe get up to speed with instrument flying and maybe a type to get used to the training environment again.
To become a 121 PIC, you will need 1,000 hours of 121 time.

Disregard the 1500 I quoted since you're military, yes just get current. The regionals are slowing hiring of F/O's so apply everywhere.

What did you fly in the Navy?

First thing I would do is check in with any ex-squadron buddies you have that are flying commercially and see how they're doing. Having some friends out in the real world is priceless.
Second, some flights in a 172 or other piston trainer are certainly valuable, but I would find some place in the DFW area with a Redbird box and get some career CFI to get your instrument currency and get your mind thinking in ways you haven't before.

If you're strongly considering the regionals and live in DFW reach out to Envoy recruiting and start a conversation. Given your background you're not too early to start this process. I would also suggest Spirit, but they've recently put the brakes on hiring.

500 military AMEL or Powered lift PIC time can go into the 1000 hour 121 equation for PIC in 121.

All good suggestions here, so far. Search around for a flight school to gain some recency and help get back in the air. If 121 carriers don't call, you can give Ameriflight (DFW) or Berry Aviation (DTO) a try as that would get you into the 135 environment and a new type. Both would help get you back into the swing of things, professionally speaking, and with your military time you could likely go straight to a major and bypass the regionals.

Thank you
 

I flew E-2C Hawkeyes in the Navy - total time (including PIC) is 1160. The 0.3 adjustment puts me at 1506 hours for airline purposes. I spent time at a flight school last week, and the suggestion was to get some Tech Advanced (G1000) cockpit flight time and to work towards and Instrument Proficiency Check...so that's what I'm doing. I plan on flying for a few months while I get everything (Class 1, elogbook, and Foreflight familarity) in alignment. I figured I'd get 20-30 hours under me, and then apply to Skywest and others.

Thank you for all your comments and suggestions - I welcome anything else that comes to mind after providing the above context.

Get current and apply to a major

Don’t waste your time with a regional

This. Apply to a major.

I got hired with 800 in the Hummer.