Low Hour Military Pilot Transitioning Out
 

Hey all, I've got a unique situation and was wondering if anyone had advice for me. I'm currently a fixed wing, multi-engine pilot in the military with roughly 600 total hours. 50 from small GA aircraft, 250 from the military training program, and 300 from the current airframe I'm in. Unfortunately it looks like my military career may be coming to an end. I won't go into the details about it and it has nothing to do with medical or anything like that. But I wanted to know what you all think my best option would be. I'm obviously under the ATP requirements, but haven't done much research into civilian flying. Are regionals what I should be aiming for? And am I even competitive to be hired by them yet?

Thanks all for the help.

Pick one that allows you to fly from home, if possible. Yes they'll hire you right now with your current hours, with the expectation of finishing the other 150 and meeting individual time requirements for the R-ATP.

in today’s world, where AD is sending pilots to ANG units. They’re pretty short, I don’t get it.

Assuming you are not getting formally removed from flight status, you'll be ATP eligible at 750 hours... any hours, regardless of where you get them. So you could do any GA job to get there, or get a CFI and do that for a while, and the off to the regionals.

You'll *probably* be in better shape for getting to the majors than the average civilian/regional pilot, but that does depend on the circumstances of your leaving the mil early.

I know a guy (wink) that has a similar situation. Feel free to PM if you want to learn a little more and don’t want to share details in a public space. Whether you are R-ATP eligible is a little bit complicated and will depend on what’s taking you out of the cockpit. And even then you may still fall into a grey area.

I saw someone in my former unit get medically DQ by AF, got FAA class 1. After being medically retired they got a job at a regional. Said person was still a FP when they were DQ


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Does it make sense to apply first? Or should I reach 750 before doing anything else?

I would apply now to all regionals. Fly for pay doing something, aerial survey, part 135 cargo, pay to get your CFI. Keep your apps up to date and I’m sure you’ll get a call once you reach 750


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You can apply early to regionals, many will interview you and give you a CJO conditional on getting your hours. They might even give you a class date if you can project when you'll be R-ATP eligible.

I'd prioritize your top preferred regional employer(s), apply to them first and see what happens. Then go from there.

Primary considerations for a regional are geography and upgrade opportunity. If you are free to move anywhere, go for upgrade opportunity and QOL/pay.

Under the circumstances of a presumably adverse departure from the mil, you should plan on staying for a while at a regional, upgrading and acquiring some 121 PIC. If your mil situation is so adverse that you're at risk of not getting a major job, might want to consider longer-term factors in selecting a regional (size, stability, culture, etc). But there's also fractionals and ACMI, you'll have options as long as the majors are hiring, worst case that opens things up down the food chain.

I would recommend against getting your CFI.
Its a lot of work to get, easy to get a fail on your Initial and equally important.....it’s something you really need to want to do...teach.
You’re not doing anybody any favors sitting there not enjoying what you’re doing.
Least of all your students who shouldn’t fall victim to your circumstances.
600-750 hrs should get you in the door with plane sense which would be waaaaay more useful to you then pounding the tarmac in a Cherokee.