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ecrane99 05-13-2006 06:46 AM

40yr old wants to fly for hire -need advice
 
Hi, I'm an 800 hr private pilot with 150hr intrument time flying a Mooney.
I have a great carreer in technology that gets me $100k per year which I don't take for granted. I really love to fly but I end up spending 20k-30k a year doing my own trips and angel flights. I would really love to have a part time gig that would allow me to fly a route in a single or twin on a regular basis, but still keep my day job. I am willing to invest in any training that would land me such a position. Pay is not a factor, the payoff would be doing what I love and not paying for it like i do now. Here are some details about me:

age 40 (married)
time 800 hr single eng
cross country time 450hr
instrument 140hr
pilots license since 1992 (no accidents)
2nd class medical (225lbs, 6'4", Glasses)
no college, but many tech schools and certs
Fantasy/Dream: Fly corp jets or netjets.

Your advice is greatly apprecitaed. Ed

rickair7777 05-13-2006 09:23 AM

You have a lot of relevant flight experience, but you will need the commercial obviously. Also, for smaller operators, assume that you will need a CFI also.

You'll need to get a commercial SE & ME, and a CFI, then acquire 100 hours multi. You could either buy 100, or get an MEI and teach. Buying it would probably be cheaper and easier for you.

At this point you have two options....

If your local field has a thriving corporate/135 community and you know or can meet someone, you might be able to get a part-time jet or prop job in the right seat. It's all about networking...if you don't know anyone, it will be tough.

Or, you could get a job at a regional airline (preferably flying the CRJ), get 1000 hours jet (1.5 - 2 years), and then start applying for corporate jobs. The 1000 hours jet time is key, and the CRJ is VERY similar to the Challenger biz jet. This would require a sabatical from your IT job if that can be arranged.

I'd get the commercials, CFI and MEI, and the 100 ME...by the time you have done that you should have a feel for the situation in your area.

Note: the fractionals tend to work 7 on, 7 off, so that would not really be part time...you're probably looking for a local 135 or private operator that wants to have a pilot (maybe a backup pilot) on call, but doesn't want to pay a huge salary. Actually I have friends who make $60K+ to be on call for private operators, and they only fly 2-3 times per month.

You'll probably want a first class medical; while technically not required, many professional pilots who have a second class have some medical problem that precludes the first class...you may not want an employer assuming incorrectly that you have medical issues.

HSLD 05-13-2006 09:42 AM

One of the things I look at when interviewing is recent flying experience.

From your information, 800 hours in 14 years, or 60 hours per year average isn't enough to become competitive. No matter how nice of a person you are or how well you interview, aircraft operators are guided in some part by insurance rates. These rates are determined by pilot experience among other things.

If you want to chase your dream, I say go for it but just be realistic. There are thousands of highly qualified pilots on furlough from major airlines that are more qualified to do "the paid part time gig" you're asking about. If you were a potential employer/underwriter, who would you want in the cockpit?

Again, if it's something you really want to do, these board are full advice on training and building hours. Just realize that flying airplanes for pay isn't a quick fix and nothing is guaranteed - even if you have the hours and experience.

Best of Luck

ecrane99 05-14-2006 12:03 PM

Thanks for the great advice. I have given some thought and plan to get started with the ratings. I'm so glad I found this board. Ed

atpwannabe 05-16-2006 05:58 AM

Words of Encouragement
 
Ed:

Don't feel like the lone ranger. I'm 44 years; no flight time; looking to start flight training this summer at a local FBO here in Naples, FL. Afterwards, my plans are to go thru ATP's 90 day ACPP (Airline Career Pilot Program) in either SUA, ATL or JAX.

Upon completion, hopefully get on with a regional (ASA, CHQ or COMAIR); at the 3yr and 5yr mark, I will re-evaluate where I am and where the industry and company are. Either I'll hang on for the ride to my career ends or I'll attempt to jump ship to the boxhaulers (FedEx, UPSco).

So don't give up my friend, there are quite of few of us who have had their dream deferred for one reason or another.

Hope to see you out there one day.


Best wishes & blue skies.


atp

SkyHigh 05-16-2006 07:07 AM

Hobby
 

Originally Posted by ecrane99
Hi, I'm an 800 hr private pilot with 150hr intrument time flying a Mooney.
I have a great carreer in technology that gets me $100k per year which I don't take for granted. I really love to fly but I end up spending 20k-30k a year doing my own trips and angel flights. I would really love to have a part time gig that would allow me to fly a route in a single or twin on a regular basis, but still keep my day job. I am willing to invest in any training that would land me such a position. Pay is not a factor, the payoff would be doing what I love and not paying for it like i do now. Here are some details about me:

age 40 (married)
time 800 hr single eng
cross country time 450hr
instrument 140hr
pilots license since 1992 (no accidents)
2nd class medical (225lbs, 6'4", Glasses)
no college, but many tech schools and certs
Fantasy/Dream: Fly corp jets or netjets.

Your advice is greatly apprecitaed. Ed


Stick with it as a hobby. The road is long and the price is punishingly high to your lifestyle. Not only will it take a huge hit to your income potential but to your home life as well. Consider continuing to build your time until you are past child raising and have enough money saved up to retire then jump in at 55 or so.

Resist the urge to give in to the mid-life crisis or else you could end up divorced, poor, earning 28K per year, living in a two bedroom apartment with four 20 somethings and wondering how you got there.

SkyHigh

RedOverWhite 05-18-2006 01:02 PM

Re: Hobby
 
I think that's why he mentioned "part-time" and "keeping his day job". Get the multi time that someone else mentioned along with a CFI. Find an FBO that has a 135 operation, and start instructing nights/weekends. Hang around long enough and you may be able to pick up some part time stuff on the 135 side, or at least get to ride right seat on some trips, which I know will ruffle some feathers from a logging standpoint, but if you're not going to go pro it doesn't matter. My instructor was teaching part time, and the chief pilot for the local quarry company dropped in one day, they started chatting, and now my instructor's flying their King Air part time. That's how it happens.

ecrane99 05-20-2006 05:35 AM

Right on. Part time is my goal. The day job pays the bills and training. I think it can work for me if i play my cards right and make some connections.

IronWalt 05-20-2006 08:10 AM

Ed,

Where do you live and how much multi time do you have. I would go get a Commericial ME license and then look for a King Air, Navahoe, multi anything operator to let you sit right seat. If you gain the confidence of your Captains, on empty legs then your opportunities will open up from there.

But I would NOT give up the technology gig. I left the major airlines after a second furlough and let me tell you, stability is EVERYTHING.

ecrane99 05-20-2006 06:03 PM

I live in Hartford, CT. Multi time is 0, but plan to get the rating and build the 100hrs. There is an outfit in Groton CT called Coastal Air that does ME training.


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