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Career advice needed please

Old 12-03-2005, 08:06 AM
  #1  
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Default Career advice needed please

Sorry for the long post.

I am 30 years young and have been flying since '96.

I started out as a CFI/CFII in late 96 and by late 2000 (after a brief gig flying an Aztec part 135 cargo) I owned 2 reasonably successfull flight schools of my own and employed over 15 CFI's and some support personel and was in the advanced planning stages of starting up a 135 operation. We also did some brokering of airplanes.

Then 9-11 happened. It shut me down for nearly 12 weeks as both my flight schools were located very close to a nuclear (sp?) power-plant. Once we got the go-ahead to resume operations, I had gone through the company's money as well as my own personal savings/retirement funds trying to keep employees employed while shut down and leases/insurance/rent/utilities etc paid up. Not a good business decision, but I cared for and about my guy's and girls and did not want them to go without a paycheck.

I struggled till sometime in late 2002 before I was forced to pull the plug on all operations and close down both schools. The after effects of 9-11 and the fer of flying as well as the economic recession just did not do well for us.

I haven't flown since as nobody was hiring at that time. Bills were piling up etc and I was forced to get any job and settled for a non-flying job as flying jobs were unavailable.

Money problems prevented me from renting an airplane somewhere to keep current.

I'm financially much better off now and am married as well (former student of mine Both of us are ready for me to start flying again. Her income can support us while I'm making squat.

I recently completed my ATPL written and Flight Engineer written exams and scored well on both.

I also completed a BFR a few weeks ago.

In addition I have kept my CFI/II valid over the years.

I purchased a Sporty's Instrument DVD course, Jepessen ME course, 06 FAR/AIM, Instrument Flying Handbook, several Interview and resume guides, Turbine Flight Manual, Jepessen approach plates as well as a Jepessen DVD regarding approach procedures and a PC based flight sim (On Top by ASA) trying to study and get current.

I have 2600 TT, 313 Multi, 1700 dual given, etc. Also have a CPL with ASEL, AMEL and IR ratings. A CFI and CFII as well as a Advanced and Instrument ground instructors license. In addition the above mentioned ATP and FEX written exams and a current First Class Med.

I haven't logged much time at all the last few years. Let alone a paid flying gig. I am about to enroll into All ATP's ATP course to obtain my ATPL certificate. It won't allow me to log much time, but will show that I'm motivated, am able to pass the FAA ATPL practical.

I have moved and now live in western North Carolina, about 3 hrs from Charlotte, NC and also 3 hours from Atlanta, GA.

Willing to move again if necessary.

I want to get back into the game but am out of touch with my network and need help or suggestions.
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Old 12-03-2005, 08:49 AM
  #2  
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Default welcome...

Welcome to the board...I believe you'll find plenty of insights from more experienced pilots...If I'm not mistaken you'll need to have hours flown within the past 6 months - most companies require you to have been actively flying...Complete the ATP course and look for any flying job - CFI / freight dog would be ideal and in 6 months to 1 year start sending out resumes...Your biggest roadblock will be current hours flown...You have a good aviation background - no one can fault your commitment to your employees...You sound like a class act , just based on how you looked out for them...

V/r,
LA
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Old 12-04-2005, 08:48 AM
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Default

LA,

Thanks for welcoming me to the board. Glad to be here and be part of it.

Do you know of anybody hiring FE's? For example, Falcon Air Express? It would imerse me back in aviation and gives me time to get current on my own dime while flying as a Flight Engineer.

Or do you think this would be a bad move?

Anybody else care to chime in here?

Thanks,

Alex
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Old 12-04-2005, 01:28 PM
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Default Regional

Why don't you just jump in to the fire. There are plenty of people out there who claim to be getting hired as regional FO's in the RJ with only a few hundred hours of total time. Try Pinnacle.

SkyHigh
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Old 12-04-2005, 01:52 PM
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I wouldn't sit sidesaddle if I were you, you need to get stick time. Were I you, I'd find a cfi gig somewhere very close to an active charter/corporate department, and network, network, network.

good luck,
bolt
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Old 12-04-2005, 02:20 PM
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Don't waste time being a FE...Get a CFI job and start sending out your resume to regionals once you get the recency they are looking for...

IF you don't want to CFI - sent resumes to airnet, ram air freight, etc...

Bottom line: start flying ASAP...

-LA
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