Hi All,

First time posting here, so I hope you'll go easy on me. I'm a Navy captain and former FA-18 pilot looking forward to retiring this summer after 26 years of service. I actually had planned to do the airline thing at 20, but then 9/11 hit and we all got a little busy. Not to mention the furloughs. One thing led to another and here I am five years later ready to hang up my spurs finally.

Since the airlines are all about seniority, I used to think that going commercial after a 26-year retirement didn't make a lot of sense - not enough time to get off the reserve/right seat/Christmas Eve flight schedule to make it work. But with the age limit going up to 65, it occurs to me that I might just have gotten five years back and frankly the beltway bandit/consultant alternative doesn't look all that appealing. That's work and flying is, well: Fun.

I've been out of the military cockpit since 2001, but have recently started flying Vargas part time (weekends) for a local tour outfit here in San Diego. Basically, I've been bit by the flying bug in a big way.

I've got ~4400 hours TT, most of it in FA-18s with a sprinkling of other jets (A-4's, T-2's, F-16N, F-5E) and a very little turboprop time. I've got an ATP MEL and SEL.

So having just come to the conclusion that there might be more flying for me in the future, I'm considering a fractional like NetJets due to the route, compensation and basing options, the questions are basically these: Does any of this even make sense? And, how "current" is current?

Because the last time I looked it took ~100 hours in the last year to be considered current. Between my part-time gig and paying for some bug smasher time I could probably make that happen at a stretch. But if it's a dumb idea, the money would be better spent in my girls' college funds.

Thoughts?

 

If ACMI is not off the table as an option for you, consider Gemini. It's not the best, and not the worst, but the DO is a former F-18 O-6 who would probably be glad to hear from you, irrespective of currency. Might be worth a shot anyway.

 

If you don't ask the question, the answer will always be NO. Go for it. Apply everywhere and see what shakes out. Beltway bandit will still be there later if you can't find something else you really want to do.

 

I see your QOL dilemna...SD vs. DC

Another option for you might be a regional airline, assuming your finances can handle it. Your seniority will progress MUCH faster at a regional so you won't be siitting hot reserve at 0400 on Dec 25th on the other side of the country. I know of a couple of 30 year-retirees who do that. If there's a decent regional in a town where you want to live it might be worth looking into. (You'd probably feel like babysitter at times). My personal threshold of pain for starting over at a major airline is about age 45.

There's also charter, 91, and fractionals. Currency and who you know are larger factors there, but 4000 hours in a hornet could open up some doors. There several operators at CRQ, and if you ask around MYF you might dig something up.

 

Not much of a problem. I was in a similar situation to you a few years ago and it worked out for me (I was in the AF). I couldn't stand the thought of being a bandit although I was already "hired" by a couple of old bosses I'd worked with.

Currency is important to most companies. But you can get current with all of your tickets. And unless you've been a complete mean boss, there won't be guys out there preventing you from getting hired with their company.

Regionals are hiring many guys with close to no time--- and you can go that route if you can't get current other ways. I flew charter citations for a while to get my currency up --- actually before I retired.

If you want to fly in the future, you can.

 

Magnum,
You blew his cover.<g> He can write and fly (and still fly the Varga's for grins)
NepLex, go find a flying job. I know a few fellow 0-6's who have gone the flying route and enjoy it. (World--Gemini) The 65 issue gives you plenty of time.
I trained one new hire retired USAF 0-6 who had not flown in 9 years.
With your current flying, should be OK. Apps in gives you an answer.
Best