Bridging the gap
08-30-2006, 11:08 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
Bridging the gap
Hello,
I'm new here but have lurked for a while around the forums.
I have a few questions about filling in the gap between a Commercial Multi ticket with ~300 hours and a Job with Corporate/135/Fractional.
That gap is quite a large one, including some rather exotic equipment requirements (1500-3000 TT, +100 Turbine, +500 Multi) for me anyways. This kind of time I certainly haven't the money to buy, and work experience is part of what makes that time valuable. But how can that be done?
I have currently been flying for 7 1/2 years (I'm 27), two of which now have been in difficult pursuit of CFI. I'm at the point now where I can parrot what my Instructor wants, and produce a lesson plan biased on a pre-made outline, but I just don't feel like a CFI. I remember things funny (more sort of pictures than words) and don't have that drop of the hat confidence on supplying the subject matter to a student for PTS knowledge (you know, that perfect textbook rote that I've always gotten from all of my Instructors.) I just don't seem to think like a teacher.
If I do manage to finish my CFI I may be able to get a job as an instructor at KSU where I'm studying now. If I do that where does the Turbine time come from? Kent sure doesn't have one, and it seems like the only way to get a job with turbine time is to already have a lot of turbine time. And I'm not interested in Kent's Budy-Budy Express Jet agreement.
If I can't manage to get CFI what else is out there? To my perspective Cleveland seems like a wasteland for jobs, there's almost no banner, or parachute, or crop duster operations in the area, and really none of that gives you Turbine and Multi anyways (except in rare instances which don't seem to apply here in NE Ohio.) In the current environment is there even an alternative to CFI for establishing a jet career?
Thanks for any help in advance.
I'm new here but have lurked for a while around the forums.
I have a few questions about filling in the gap between a Commercial Multi ticket with ~300 hours and a Job with Corporate/135/Fractional.
That gap is quite a large one, including some rather exotic equipment requirements (1500-3000 TT, +100 Turbine, +500 Multi) for me anyways. This kind of time I certainly haven't the money to buy, and work experience is part of what makes that time valuable. But how can that be done?
I have currently been flying for 7 1/2 years (I'm 27), two of which now have been in difficult pursuit of CFI. I'm at the point now where I can parrot what my Instructor wants, and produce a lesson plan biased on a pre-made outline, but I just don't feel like a CFI. I remember things funny (more sort of pictures than words) and don't have that drop of the hat confidence on supplying the subject matter to a student for PTS knowledge (you know, that perfect textbook rote that I've always gotten from all of my Instructors.) I just don't seem to think like a teacher.
If I do manage to finish my CFI I may be able to get a job as an instructor at KSU where I'm studying now. If I do that where does the Turbine time come from? Kent sure doesn't have one, and it seems like the only way to get a job with turbine time is to already have a lot of turbine time. And I'm not interested in Kent's Budy-Budy Express Jet agreement.
If I can't manage to get CFI what else is out there? To my perspective Cleveland seems like a wasteland for jobs, there's almost no banner, or parachute, or crop duster operations in the area, and really none of that gives you Turbine and Multi anyways (except in rare instances which don't seem to apply here in NE Ohio.) In the current environment is there even an alternative to CFI for establishing a jet career?
Thanks for any help in advance.
08-30-2006, 02:29 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Bug Smasher Captain, CFI
Posts: 220
mazaite,
I am sure that you will get many responses from the folks here on this subject and most of them will tell you not to borrow money to get over the experience hump. I am in a simillar situation (about to complete the CFI) and I am actually looking forward to teaching. Perhaps you could use your unique perspectives on the subject matter to better explain the material to students. Lately, I have been learning (the hard way) that what I say to my instructor and what I might say to a student are two completely different things. The instructor is teaching you how to pass the check-ride. They couldnt possibly prepare you for everything that you might see as an instructor.
I have a friend that is an Airbus Captain at FedEx and he never did the CFI thing. He networked like crazy, flew auto parts and other sorts of freight around in the middle of the night in a Beech 18, and generally did what it took to get hooked up to corporate flying gigs. He's also pretty good at networking. They never teach networking at the flight schools, but it seems to be one of the important skills that a pilot needs. So, get out there and introduce yourself to folks!
Hang in there and work hard!
I am sure that you will get many responses from the folks here on this subject and most of them will tell you not to borrow money to get over the experience hump. I am in a simillar situation (about to complete the CFI) and I am actually looking forward to teaching. Perhaps you could use your unique perspectives on the subject matter to better explain the material to students. Lately, I have been learning (the hard way) that what I say to my instructor and what I might say to a student are two completely different things. The instructor is teaching you how to pass the check-ride. They couldnt possibly prepare you for everything that you might see as an instructor.
I have a friend that is an Airbus Captain at FedEx and he never did the CFI thing. He networked like crazy, flew auto parts and other sorts of freight around in the middle of the night in a Beech 18, and generally did what it took to get hooked up to corporate flying gigs. He's also pretty good at networking. They never teach networking at the flight schools, but it seems to be one of the important skills that a pilot needs. So, get out there and introduce yourself to folks!
Hang in there and work hard!
08-30-2006, 03:34 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 2,575
Get the CFI stuff if you can.
Move to wear the jobs are: California, Texas, & Florida all have lots of general avaition flying to do.
Fly banners, traffic watch, anything with wings.
Work non-flying jobs at busy GA airports to make contacts.
Network!!!
I got my CFI stuff while working at a FBO and learned of a traffic watch job from a helicopter pilot while I was refueling him. I flew 1200 hours that year in a C172. I also got a CFI job during that time at the same airport. I refueled their planes hundreds of times and talked to the instructors. Then I put up a business card everywhere to get students. A corporate pilot saw it on a bulletin board and called me and offered me a right-seat job over the phone! That lead to a left seat job (turbo-prop) from another guy I met flying in the right seat. It "snow balls". Eventually you have too much time and experience. I went to a regional and now at a major. I can upgrade next year in the 737 (unless I go to the 777 or 787 as FO).
Go anywhere, fly anything. Have fun doing it.
Move to wear the jobs are: California, Texas, & Florida all have lots of general avaition flying to do.
Fly banners, traffic watch, anything with wings.
Work non-flying jobs at busy GA airports to make contacts.
Network!!!
I got my CFI stuff while working at a FBO and learned of a traffic watch job from a helicopter pilot while I was refueling him. I flew 1200 hours that year in a C172. I also got a CFI job during that time at the same airport. I refueled their planes hundreds of times and talked to the instructors. Then I put up a business card everywhere to get students. A corporate pilot saw it on a bulletin board and called me and offered me a right-seat job over the phone! That lead to a left seat job (turbo-prop) from another guy I met flying in the right seat. It "snow balls". Eventually you have too much time and experience. I went to a regional and now at a major. I can upgrade next year in the 737 (unless I go to the 777 or 787 as FO).
Go anywhere, fly anything. Have fun doing it.
