toeman9

As some of you may already know, I am having issues with my current CFI and FBO. I am hoping to finish up my PPC by January or February and am searching for a new flight school to attend.

There are four flight schools at the airport I’m flying out of and ATP is one of them. ATP is starting to look good with their flat rate and twin piper. I can’t quite put my finger on ATP because I get such mixed reviews in this forum (plus my FBO doesn’t speak too highly of ATP. Then again, they are the competition).

But if I want to make it to the regionals like SkyWest, I’ll need to have at least 100 Multi and I really don’t know how else I would get that flight time in unless I was a CMEI. Then as an instructor, how long would it take to get students who would be working on their ME. I guess approximating by 141 standards it would take me about 7 ME students to build to 100 hours. At the same time I don't want to be one of those lame wad instructors who just use their students for time building.

So can anyone tell me another alternative to building Multi hours asides from ATP and being a CMEI? Or are these my only options? What are the pros and cons?

HSLD

Finish your PPL first, then work on your Commercial and Instrument ratings in a single engine aircraft.

You've mentioned that budget is a concern, so I wouldn't even think about training in a twin until you've just about finished up Comm/Inst ratings.

Also, tell your CFI you'll pay him for Hobbs time and a reasonable brief. Charging you to watch you fuel the AC should be a deal breaker.

CTPILOT

anyone know any good places that have a good block program, primarily in FL, and New England area? Thanks

waflyboy

You can get a lot of multi engine experience as an MEI at the right school. It's probably the best way to get ME time without paying a whole lot for it. What other schools are you considering? Before I started my flight training I visited 4 different schools around the country, so I might be able to provide some additional info.

cubanfiredawg

Hey guys. I'm currently @ ATP in the Career Pilot Program. The multi-time I'm getting is great, and the living conditions are not that bad. I too looked @ four different flight schools and found that ATP fit what I was looking for. I'm not saying it's perfect, but I love it so far. And not to mention they just made a deal to perchance 20 Diamond Jets. I believe that in 2009 they are going to offer jet PIC time for the Career Pilot program. When I finish here in the next few months I'll have a little over 250 hrs 150+ will be multi-time. I then plan to instruct @ ATP to build my 500 hrs. to go into the regional. If you have any more questions feel free to email me @ [email protected] Good Luck!

KiloAlpha

You are such a tool

ToiletDuck

Get everything single first. Your multi is just learning to fly with a hella lot of rudder because your other engine will be failed the rest of the time lol. If and after you get your other ratings you still want it then go for it. I threw down a visa and hit up my CFII like that. Wouldn't ahve my current job without it.

Remember if you get your multi before commercial you'll just be a private multi and not a com multi and you'll have to redo it.

PS as for multi time I dont' have much but what I do have is twin turbo prop in a Merlin IIIB. Fun plane to scoot around in. Worry about your TT and stuff first. Get a cfi job at a local FBO and not a flight school. Flight schools sometimes get you hours a little quicker. However at a FBO you meet people. I don't have an MEI but I still get to fly in the Merlin because the ower met me and grew to like me. He pops in from time to time to talk IFR and religion jokes(he's a minister as well as a good businessman) and anytime the merlin is going somewhere I have the option to fly it. You should have seen the FAA's eyes when they ramp checked us and he told them I was the PIC with only about 3.5hrs in the thing lol. Anywho go to a FBO. Do your CFI stuff there. Greet everyone with a smile and firm handshake. You'll find things opening up to you. I still don't know how but I even got 5hrs in the local 421 air ambulance lol.

POPA

Between the cost of flying a jet and the cost of getting typed, that's going to be ridiculous expensive.

SkyHigh

Welcome to the future. In 5 years every regional pilot will come from pilot mills like ATP. Forget about working your way through as a CFI. Every company will be hiring exclusively from expensive direct hire / cadet and college programs. From zero to hero in 9 months and 150K.

SkyHigh

ToiletDuck

As long as pilots are working the hiring boards that will never happen.