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Rusty military pilot considering applying

Old 05-04-2017, 12:37 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Grumble View Post
I wouldn't necessarily follow this advice.
"2".

It is worth the couple hundred bucks it will cost to go get a Flight Review and an IPC to make sure you have your instrument brain and hands back before starting a 121 training program.

Plus, given the stuff mentioned earlier that has changed in instrument flying in the last decade (RNAV approaches, SID/STAR, ICAO phraseology, etc), you don't want to be the guy in your regional newhire class academics who is saying, "I've never done a GPS approach before -- how does it work?"

Fortunately, if you do a CTP program for your ATP written, you can use the classroom time to also get up to speed on some of this stuff before you actually start the formal training program at the airline, but having a little prep beforehand is very cheap insurance.

Could you make it work cold turkey? Perhaps. Is it worth the risk of a pink slip in your first 121 training program? Not by a long shot.
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Old 05-04-2017, 05:31 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by CTheisen View Post
Hello, sorry if these questions are dumb or if there's a better place to ask them but here goes. I've been reading about the hiring surge going on across the globe for pilots and figured I have some skills that it might be a good idea to put to use. I'm a retired AF officer, F-111 pilot, KC-10 Instructor, about 2,000 hours. I have my commercial license, although limited to centerline thrust (from UPT) and radio operator license. I don't have a current medical, but getting one should be no issue that I can think of.

I haven't flown in about 10 years so I know I would need to invest a bit in getting current and upgrading my license. I'm 48 years old.

Any suggestions for next steps? I'll be searching out all the info I can but I am hoping I can get a good vector here first. Thanks in advance.
My recommendation is to go get some GA time ASAP. You will be surprised how rusty you are and how fast it comes back.

If you were a KC-10 instructor you can get a mil-competency Commercial Pilot, CFI CFII MEI. All you need to do is take the written test and provide proof that you were a rated US military pilot/instructor to the FSDO. Sheppard Air is a good place for the test prep.

In addition to getting some basic GA proficiency, recommend doing some cross country flying over some longer distances and busy airspace. IFR or VFR with flight following. Its not the same as flying a jet and having less decision space, but you will get used to environment again. I have found this particularly useful as my mil experience is all UHF comm and VHF comm is much busier.

Before dropping an app I would definitely get an IPC and probably review IFR procedures, climbs, descents and learn Jeppesen plates. From what I have learned from this forum, regional airline training programs are designed to take 1500 hour piston CFI/CFII types and making them airline pilots. They are expected to have instrument procedures down but may have zero jet time.

Good luck.
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Old 05-04-2017, 08:41 PM
  #13  
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I'll triple dog hump this. I'm in a similar spot 4 years out of a jet, planning for a regional when I retire soon.

In addition to getting current in GA, look at all the EFB options for iPads and get comfortable with one- Foreflight is the most popular. If you want to really dork out, X-Plane is a great PC/Mac sim.

I did a full ATP-CTP and practical course under the new rules... I think it was worth it since I was out of the cockpit and also don't want to hit a training program cold turkey for all the reasons already stated. My sim partner was awesome, but had never seen RNAV or where the loc/gs shows up in anything but a fighter, so it pays to do a little homework.

Other than that, keep up with current events on Airline Pilot Memes, haha!
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Old 05-06-2017, 12:38 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by FlewNavy View Post

If you were a KC-10 instructor you can get a mil-competency Commercial Pilot, CFI CFII MEI. All you need to do is take the written test and provide proof that you were a rated US military pilot/instructor to the FSDO. Sheppard Air is a good place for the test prep.
This was my first thought to mention if no one else did. Hopefully you have a copy of your flight records or training certificates. Since it sounds like you already have your commercial multi with centerline restriction, you should be able to have it removed at the closest FSDO by showing them your KC-10 records. I helped a friend get the 707 type and CFII/MEI with his KC-135 records.

Add this to all the other good advice provided.
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Old 05-07-2017, 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by fiftyone View Post
This was my first thought to mention if no one else did. Hopefully you have a copy of your flight records or training certificates. Since it sounds like you already have your commercial multi with centerline restriction, you should be able to have it removed at the closest FSDO by showing them your KC-10 records. I helped a friend get the 707 type and CFII/MEI with his KC-135 records.



Add this to all the other good advice provided.


Just got my CFII MEI through the MCI exam a few weeks ago. Been out of the KC-10 4 plus years. Sheppard Air does not disappoint and I was lucky enough to find a FSDO where the guy was prior military himself so he made it even more painless. Incredibly easy if you kept your old form 8s and training records from going through an instructor program. Having this will let you "check more blocks" on the app.


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Old 05-09-2017, 06:52 AM
  #16  
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Thank you, your advice is well-received! So much good information here. You guys really went above and beyond. Sorry I didn't check back right away but we had a bit of a difficult family situation arise here and I had to focus on that for a few days. I appreciate the offer to PM as well. Great community!
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Old 05-09-2017, 12:15 PM
  #17  
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Default Similar situation here

I'm in a similar situation and found lots of great information here. I'm ex-Navy P-3C and have been out of the military cockpit even longer than you have.

I have tooled around in GA aircraft for the past 3-4 years, but plan to get instrument current and some multi time applying anywhere. The good thing is that stick and rudder rust shakes off pretty quickly.
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Old 05-09-2017, 06:32 PM
  #18  
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I just started reviewing last night using some great YouTube videos. Wow, amazing how much I've forgotten I used to know.
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Old 01-15-2018, 08:03 AM
  #19  
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Guys, quick update. I had to get my medical squared away which took a couple of months, but now Class 1 in hand, flight review done, a couple of months of study (and simming in X-plane) under my belt. Also, got my commercial with centerline restriction removed and DC-10 type rating added at the local FSDO, as recommended. IPC and night currencies will be done this week.

Thanks so much for the roadmap all of you laid out. It was instrumental in giving me a direction and set of goals to accomplish before applying. Knocking the rust off was both fun and challenging and I feel like a pilot again which is awesome.
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Old 01-15-2018, 08:34 AM
  #20  
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Thanks for the update. Sounds like you're on track.

I dont think it was mentioned previously, but investing in some interview prep isn't a bad idea. Usually at a minimum it's resume help/review, and coaching or discussion about interviewing. Some do practice videotaped interviews. There's also sim prep, everything from local stuff to full motion sims, depending on your needs and budget.

Various interview sites have gouge on each company, what's expected and asked, etc. willflyforfood, aviationinterviews.com, etc

A number of sites list jobs. A few are free, most have a subscription fee.
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