135 piston PIC vs RJ SIC for getting in the frax?
 

Hello everyone,

I'd like to end up at one of the fractionals some day, then either stay there or move on to some other GA. (I'm 75% sure 121 isn't for me)

Anyway, I just made 135 IFR mins and the flight school I've been working for is putting me in the left seat of their Navajo. It's not a bad deal; I get the whole plane to myself and I'm home every night (and I'm married). Of course it has the usual cons of a 135 outfit, including very few days off, low pay, dealing with the customers, etc.

I also have very good connections at a regional airline, and after a few months in the Navajo I should have enough multi for their minimums (I'm about 150 hours short right now).

Job for job, I'd rather stick with the Navajo mainly for the nights at home and b/c I'd rather be the PIC than read checklists. The pay would probably be better than my first year at the regional too.

The main thing is the turbine time that the frax seem to want. I'll probably get 2500T/500M in about the same amount of time either way, so am I wasting time in the Navajo since there's no Jet A involved? If that's the case I'm sure I wouldn't mind flying right seat of an RJ for a couple years; that has its good points too. (plus then I'd know for sure if I like 121 or not)

I always figured the Navajo would look really good on my resume. Part 135 single pilot isn't Mickey Mouse flying, and most jet pilots I've met in FBOs have flown one at some point in their career. I would think a frax would care more that I know how to treat pax right and think on my feet than if I can program an FMS, but maybe I'm wrong?

So, I guess the short version of this post is, do I absolutely need that turbine time?

Go fly 135. Trust me. Even if you someday want to go to the airlines, flying 135 will make you a better pilot and person in the end. It is humbling. I think that the passengers of your jet would be at ease to know that you flew through hell and back and managed to survive before you got into that nice shiney jet to fly them around. IMHO, it should be a FAR that you must fly at least one year of 135, before going 121. You will look back on that 135 flying someday and be very proud of yourself.

Piston
 

I would fly the Navajo for a few months, but don't get stuck there. Part 135 piston time is near worthless anymore. It is sad since that is where the fun and skill is. In the long haul your best bet is to move on to turbine or jet time as soon as possible. I have over 2500 hours of part 135 PIC time. A lot of it is in piston twins and I might as well throw those log books away since it really doesnt mean anything in today's market.

SkyHigh

Keep your eyes to the sky !!

It has intrinsic value. It will be something that he will look back at with good memories. And it does make you a better stick, and person. But yes, you are right in saying that one cannot do it for too long.

Thanks for the info. I would rather do the 135 to be honest. I'm already married to a woman; I don't need to marry an airline as well.

I guess what I'm asking is, if I just do the Navajo for a couple years and end up with say 3000TT/1500 multi, but no turbine, will the fractionals not even want to look at me? I've been reading on the forums and I know a lot depends on who you know and what you are like, so I'm asking in general.

When I left 135, I had about 3500tt/1700 multi/over 1000pic turbine/4 year degree, A&P and they wouldn't give me a wink. That could, however, be circumstantial. I would keep trying for them....the regionals blow donkey ba11s. good luck dude