cheapest way to getting ratings and hours?
 

I just soloed last week and am eager to become a pilot. Airline pilot eventually, but for now my intermediate goal is flying a twin engine hauling night freight or flying for a commuter.

I'm paying a lot for my training (a big company with the initials A.F.) and know other people across the field paying much less. What's a cost effective way to get to 250 hours and my instrument, multiengine, and CFI?

I know many of you have likely done what I'm about to, so please help a newbie in need of good info! Thanks!

Congrats! If you just soloed, then you ARE a pilot. You can find different small ads in the flight magazines which allow you to split time with another pilot in 50 or 100 hour blocks.(twin engine) I have not seen better deals than these. They will also get you ratings for you if you want. Just keep asking around and reading up. You will find what you are looking for. As for night "freight", keep an eye on AirNet. They are low-time friendly. Good luck.

Don't count out instructing to get to those part 135 requirements. The pay may not always be the best but there are jobs available and it will make you a better pilot.

Congrads on the solo. It's one of those moments you'll never forget and you can now officially say you are a pilot!

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Go Twin Young Man, Go Twin
 

If you are looking for 135 fr8 @ night you need to meet the minimums for that (which you probably knew).

Don't know if you got your degree or not!? If you havn't getting it with your flight training is a good idea, I didn't and regret it (still don't have it and now it's getting harder by the moment). You can go to the "big" schools. Too price'y for my taste, but I guess it's good for networking. I say do both but seperate. It will drive the cost down and besides it's never to late to network, maybe just a little harder.

Flight instructing is a great way to build time! It gives you a chance to tailor to your flight time to what you need. Ask your students if they would like more night time flying! (VFR or IFR) Be creative and there is not doubt that your students will benefit from it. Remember that the X-country time is ONLY from one airport to another (under 135). Start logging it under a different column from your 50 n.m x-country time.

First it's important to get the total time up. Start looking for a good and busy flightschool (make sure they have a twin) before you get the CFI. Once that is in the box, get your CFII. I'm not saying that the MEI isn't important, it's a good thing to have, but you have time. I got hired at airnet with 72 hrs of ME time and since i waited a little it was all recent expirence when I applied! Right now AirNet is asking us (employees) to please recommend someone because there isn't enough qualified (135 mins) applicants. We even have an SIC program that is brought back to life when we hurting for pilots.

And...... If you want to be 135 fr8dog, call the company you want to work for and talk to them. Some even allow you to put in an online application with only a private. Even FedEx promotes this on their website. Don't be a pest, but let them know how your are coming along with your training.

Good luck :cool:

IFLY

You guys ever hire into the LEAR?

I need Jet Time!

AirNet is really two companies these days!

The freightside is not hiring into the jet! You have hire into the props and wait until your senority number comes up. Takes about 7-12 months these days.

JetRide (passenger) is hiring off the street! They bid them out internaly first and if there are no takers they grab the best applicants from the outside. I have to admitt I don't too much about JetRide, but check out Airnet.com and give Craig Washka (Director of Pilot Recruitment/Development) a call. He loves to talk to prospectives and is nice guy.

I copied these of the website.

JetRide

QUALIFICATION

PIC JET

ATP
First Class
Total time 3500 (2000 PIC)
ME time 1500 (500 PIC)
Turbine 500
Actual Instrument300

SIC JET
ATP
First Class
Total time 2500 (500 PIC)
ME time 500(100 PIC)
Turbine 100
Atual Instrument 150

Hopes this helps,

Good luck!

Thanks for the info on Jet-Ride

Is the jet ride all Lear?

clearification on x-country time
 

Remember that the X-country time is ONLY from one airport to another (under 135). Start logging it under a different column from your 50 n.m x-country time.


- Could you please clearify for the novice what you mean? as a ppl i log flights from airport a to airport b as x-country if the airports are 50 nm or more in distance. i appreciate the help....

thanks,

Cajun fan...