500 hours
 

Can anyone give some insight? I have been away from flying for 10 years and now with the pilot shortage, I am looking to reenter the industry professionally. I have a little over 500 hours and plenty of multi time, but I haven't been flying. I am pretty confident in the ground school portion of things since I've been reviewing for about 2 months, but now need to get back in the cockpit. I realize I will have to spend some money to get current again, but am looking for advice as what may be the best way to proceed. Like many others, I don't necessarily want to instruct. I know that there are part 135 operators that hire with as little as 500 hours but since I've been out of flying I am assuming they will want to know how much I have done in the past year and the competition will be tough. Any suggestions? Please, no comments about getting back into flying. The decision was hard enough already.

I’d personally start with Synthetic Training Device / FTD / Simulator.
Get your IFR skills back up to speed.

Where are you located? There are a lot of pilots around looking to split time and get flying, that would be the best way in my opinion, especially if they happen to be a CFI. But assuming your medical and BFR are good, hop in with somebody who has been actively flying, one of you toss on a hood and both log PIC once your both comfortable with each other. Get a few good flights in, get your mojo back, some recent time in the logbook and go from there.

Chicago, and thanks for the input.

I have a good friend with a Cherokee in Chicago and a small flying club, he may have a good option, think its $55-60/hr dry, let me know if you want his info and I'll send it your way.

Yes please send the info. Looking for any and all possible opportunities. I appreciate it.

Getting back into it!!
 

I'm basically in the same boat as yourself and while somewhat reluctant, eventually decided to finish my CFI. Focusing on currency right now with a lot of ifr simulator work. Really helps!!

How can you have plenty of multi time with just 500 hours? How much is "plenty?"

What are the requirements for PIC under Part 135?

Your 135 PIC target at this experience level won't be IFR operations, but VFR, or a SIC position with an operator doing IFR.

..1st, get your currency and competency back..Especially multiengine IFR..You need to spend some time and money here, because your future employer wants to see some motivation and proficiency..Next, go out there and look for an entry level job, better pay and quality will come later..Good luck..!!

Fly safe,
B757

Theres no shortage of low time pilots, and almost nobody will hire you for a 135 PIC at 500. Your best bet is find some local 91 gigs, get your hours up and get on SIC with 135. But beware of the contracts, if you plan on going to the airlines you will be stuck at a 135 for longer than your ATP mins.

Or just CFI, won't have to relocate and fly your ass off.

150+ hours of multi time. So in comparison to total time, the multi time is there. The total time is not. How long do you think I would have to do 135 SIC before PIC? How would it count towards the ultimate goal of getting to the airlines?

You're making this big decision and haven't research regulatory requirements for Part 135, haven't researched typical minimums for jobs you're looking to get?

Do yourself a favor and check this stuff out. Read the regs. Check the numerous job sites to see the minimums for the types of operations you're interested in.

On another note, the regionals don't care about your experience as long as you meet the regulatory minimums and interview well.

If it's a job that isn't VFR-only, then you need 1,200 hours.

Again, I asked you about the requirements for PIC under 135 because it's evident that you didn't know.

The percentage of your multi time is irrelevant. 150 hours is nothing...but it's a start. Don't focus on that at all. Get current, get a job (any job), and get more experience. Go get a CFI and start instructing. Go start towing banners. Get some experience. At your experience level, beggars cannot be too choosey. Take what you can find.

Exactly. American Aviation in Page, AZ will hire you at 135 VFR mins. Go there.

Couple of jobs in south florida to get PIC part 135 position vfr. I forgot the name of the company but they flew commanders twins from south florida to the bahamas i believe.

Westwind Air Service in Phoenix (Deer Valley) is hiring at VFR 135 minimums for cargo work in Cessna Caravans.

VFR mins gets you in their 207. Caravans need more time. They are very selective though.

I currently work at Westwind Air Service and if I were a betting man, I’d say before the year is out there’s gonna be another training class since there are around 4-5 guys leaving the company for the regionals in August/September. PM me if interested in learning more about the company.

Kind of off topic, but Westwind must have one of the nicest websites I've ever seen for a 135 operator, wow. Not that designing your site on squarespace is all that hard, but I'm pretty impressed.

Yeah their website was seriously antiquated not even 3-4 months ago. Around the time I started instructing over in the flight school side, they were rebranding and updating everything. Now our website has a lot of flair, and I saw Air Service’s website and it was slick.

Aero Mech to Westwind
 

Does anyone remember Scottsdale Aero Mech? I got all of my ratings there in 1993 shortly before they couldn't hold altitude and ultimately landed gear up in the dirt. Westwind was in ground effect at the time and I'm impressed they turned the place into a solid company. Well done guys, I wish I had jumped ship.

A few years ago, the Director of Operations of Westwind nearly ran the company into the ground. After he was gone, the company spent a tireless amount of time trying to rebuild itself back on its feet again, and now it's back in the full swing of things. Nick Beaird, the HR guy, was the one that crafted the website, and I know he'd be delighted to hear the positive feedback. Currently, they've just rebranded the logo of Westwind and are looking to keep expanding the operations. It's a great company to work for, and no I'm not just saying that. No hiring contract. Nothing is binding you to the company. It prides itself to provide pilots with a good lifestyle and hour building that you'll stay and not just flake out after a couple months. They fully recognize that they're a stepping stone in the pilot's career and they feel that hiring contracts are a waste of ink. Also, Westwind Air Service mostly does passenger air tours, but we do have 1 208 that we use for cargo as we contract with Ameriflight to do some of their flights they don't have the pilot or plane (or both) to do themselves. Regarding the upgrade to the 208, it's around 5 - 6 weeks after being initially hired. Unique flying that you won't get once at the airlines/corporate.