Should I get my MEI?
 

Hello everyone,

I've been contemplating getting my MEI lately. Right now I have 1000 hours and only 29 multi. Problem is I am not sure I will be able to teach at my current flight school if I get it. Insurance claims I need 100 multi and 25 in type to instruct multi students. There may be some sort of premium to pay or waiver if I get more hours in type etc.

My main goal is to get to a regional or 135 carrier or anything that would be a good next step up. I have applied everywhere and only heard back from GLA, but did not go to their interview and probably couldn't survive on the pay.

Do I have a chance of getting picked up with only 29 multi at somewhere like Mesaba, express jet or anywhere. Also I am nearing 135 mins but don't have nearly enough cross country time. I only have 250.

If anyone has any advice or recommendations, I am all ears. Money is very tight like all flight instructors so I want to make a good decision.

Thanks

Hmm that's kinda tough. 100 multi to instruct is crazy - plus, the more desirable regionals will probably be interested in you by the time you've accumulated those hours. Any way you can just rent a multi and fly cross country with someone who is in a similar situation?
Is your 250 XC time adjusted for 135 (point to point)? That makes a big difference...I got an extra 80ish hours XC time.

Oh I forgot about point to point. We do our touch and goes at an airport 10 miles away. Would that count towards my XC time for part 135?

Thanks for the advice. That was exactly what I was thinking by the time I get 100 multi it would be time to move on, not instruct.

Only the flight time to and from the airport would count. The time spent in the pattern doing t&gs would not.

Reference this thread:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/fl...rt-135-xc.html

Ok got it. Thanks for the thread. I know I've seen it before. Time to go over my logbook again and tweak it. Thats a relief

If I were you I would defiantly get the MEI. I cant speak for the other regionals, but a buddy of mine just interviewed at expressjet, he has 50 multi and he was told he needs to get more multi time.

Ok thanks this is great info. I guess I'll have to take the plunge and just get it.

I would get the MEI. I had about 150 hours multi when I go the MEI, which allowed me to get another 140 over the next 9 months. It made a big difference in what I was doing then and moving on afterward, plus made the airline interview easier.

You should look around for other twins to teach out of, maybe even freelance instruction. You'd be surprised at how fast the regionals are making the multi instructors disappear. You might luck out and be able to teach with an MEI on your days off at another small school. Lots of regional pilots are getting their ATP's, good way to build hours teaching them.

I can attest to this as well. My numbers weren't/aren't as high, but it definitely opens more doors of opportunity. It's a shame however, to hear about the requirement for 100 multi before you instruct there. If you have other MEIs at the school you're flying out of, they'll likely be snatched up by the regionals soon (if that's what they're interested in), allowing you to slide right in and hopefully pick up their former students. If nothing else, it's definitely a good thing for you resume and will help with interviews.