I'm at 760TT and 22Multi. I have been instructing since 2006 and I have an A.A.S degree in Professional Aviation.
I started flying in 2003... It seems like building flight time takes forever! I'm shocked when I see peoples log books that have 4,000hrs or 10,000hrs! How do these people get so many hours! I'm dying to fly that much!

I was recently laid off from a regional airline (worked in SOC). I'm in good standing with that airline. They moved to another state and I was invited to help with the transition. I helped out while the company moved and even stayed on to make sure the new office was settled in before I left.

Since I have been laid off I recently picked up the ATP-121 written test study material. I have been studying it for about 7 days and I feel like I could be ready within the next 10-14 days. I just decided to take this test for fun and to keep me sharp.
I also went in and updated my medical to a 1st class last month. I figured I'll try and see if I could get in with a regional airline before the new FAA requirements go into place next May.

The last few months it seems like the regional airlines have lifted their mins from 700hrs to 1200 and some have even gone up to the 1500hr mark... I think I missed the boat.

I'm contemplating going back to college for something completely different but it's tough to walk away from something I have been doing for the last 9 years and something I have invested so much money into. But at the rate I'm going (100 flight hrs per year) I won't be eligible for a regional airline for another 10 years.

I'm wondering if anyone has been able to build flight time really fast prior to going to the regional airlines?
I just want to make 1 last good run at this dream before next fall?

Also I'm not willing to pay for SIC time... I would rather leave the industry than ruin it.

Anyone else in a similar boat out there also?
What are your plans?

 

You are doing the right thing by picking up the ATP book. Also going back to school is a great idea while you look for another job. Get that 4 year degree in something and you will see a lot more doors open. Find a flying job that is conducive to finishing college like skydiving or flight instructing where you can control your schedule. I left a G550 FO job to finish my degree, I flew as a contract pilot and finished school as fast as I could. The challenge and hardship was well worth it.

 

Thanks for the post, Libertypilot!
What degree did you go back to college for? I would jump on the chance to fly a G550! That must have been a really tough decision.

 

I don't really have any specific advice, but 100 hours a year is REALLY slow! Are you at a small flight school or part time or something? As a flight instructor I was doing more like 50-70 hours a month, and some people do more than that. Sorry I can't give you any specific leads or anything, but you should really think about taking some steps to increase that rate of time-building. With that said though, the time you have is not bad. With 700 hours you should be able to break the 1000 hour mark within a year if you find a good flight school or something. Good luck!

 

Hi Magcheck,
The flight school was pretty small and I worked full time for the regional airline in the SOC. I worked a few nights a week as an instructor.
Flight schools get very slow in the winter months here. I should probably move somewhere warmer like Arizona or Texas.

 

I wanted to get a degree in something other than aviation but in the end Southern Illinois University had a good satellite program that I attended every other weekend in SoCal. I got my degree in Aviation Management. Yes the G550 is a great airplane to fly, you will get there. You should look into flight safety or simuflite with regards to their right seat program where you get paid to fly in the sim when a client needs a pairing. You could network the corporate world easily, get a biz jet type, get paid and finish school.

 

Libertypilot,
That sounds like good idea! I will look into those options. I really like simulators so I would probably get a kick out of a job like that also.

 

Libertypilot,
I do qualify for some jobs at fight safety! Thanks for the idea! I'm going to send in a resume.

 

Step 1: Collect Underpants
Step 2: ........
Step 3: Hours!

Seriously though, change flight schools/states. I agree with Magcheck that is really slow. I build about 100 hours a month and multi.

 

Arizona has a few huge international flight schools where you can build a lot of time quickly. If you're willing to instruct Chinese guys and work crazy hours you can build about 800 hours a year at Transpac in Phoenix. I've also heard of guys flying over 1,000 hours in a year at FIT in Florida.