UAV pilot considering move to airlines
 

Hello,

I'm eligible to retire from the AF in just under 2 years and looking for some advice. I have just over 3500 manned flight hours in the C-5 and T-6, but I have been flying UAVs the past 7 years. I will still be in UAVs my last year and a half of service. My last USAF manned flight was in 2010. I have my ATP already.

My question is with that large break in manned flying, how competitive am I for a job at a major airline? I have started doing some private flying on my own in small single-engine planes just to regain some recency. Will this be beneficial at all? Will I likely need to fly for a regional for a couple of years before I am competitive? I'm not above flying for a regional by any means, but being hired by a major immediately after I retire would obviously be ideal if possible.

Any advice for a newbie here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

You’re not competitive at the moment due to such a massive gap in flying employment.

Private flying won’t really help for a major since it’s not an employed flying position. It will at least allow you to be instrument current and fligh current for regionals et al.

You’ll likely need some sort of flying employment (regional would probably be best given the gap) but only for about 100-200hrs before you start being competitive, Depending on your military hours.

Copy all. Thanks for the info

You're in the same boat as folks who've been on staff for X number of years. There are several threads about that on APC, but general consensus is a regional for a year or two, maybe even less.

Your military F/W time is “golden” and even though you have not flown in a while, If I were in your shoes, I would apply to every Legacy airline and LCC out there. I have personally heard of several recently “hired” folks with similar quals. Don’t let one poster’s opinion deter you from applying. Let the selection process play out. There has never been a better time to put your name in the hat.

First of all, you are not a "UAV pilot" you are an Air Force pilot approaching retirement that has 3500 total time an ATP, flew heavy C-5's and finished a career/assignment flying UAV's. That's freaking outstanding! I've flown with retired military pilots that flew a desk the last four years of their career and they got hired! Don't be discouraged! Keep flying whatever, wherever and you will get an interview. If you have to go to a regional for a year, its not a curse! Good luck!

Better that than to flunk out of training at a legacy because you're way not-current.

Many regionals have programs designed to spoon-feed a type rating to piston ASEL CFI's.

Most majors have grown-up oriented programs which assume you're current and already know some things about 121.

This gentleman flew C-5's not C-150's. I don't think he'll have a problem getting through training, the challenge as for everyone is getting interviews! Apparently, the Regionals are looking more for "qualified" applicants and not necessarily recency of experience. Whereas the majors are looking for the whole package but that will probably change soon as well. I sat as a flight engineer for many years and it all came back quick. It's not rocket science!

That's a different conversation.

Many regionals today go above and beyond the FAA minimum training footprint to get people through. In the past they had the luxury of hiring only people with enough experience and natural aptitude to get by on the minimums.

Many of those folks are fine pilots once they overcome their inexperience or slow learning. Some probably are not.

I appreciate all of the information guys. It’s very helpful. Thanks