aerospacepilot

I am finishing my instrument and will have about 125 hours. I am part 61 so I need 250 hours to get my commercial. While regional airlines have all been lowering their minimums, almost all of them still require 100 multi. So how did you get your multi time?

I could go out and get a 100hr block rate (about $9000) when split with someone else? Get 50 hours simulated instrument and 50 hours safety pilot time. But I hear some regionals do not accept safety pilot time. What regionals do not accept this time?

I could go to ATP and instruct for a month (and only make $1,000 ), then quit. While I plan on getting my MEI, there just aren't that many multi engine instructor jobs around. ATP seems like the only for sure way to build multi time.

I could instruct until I have maybe 600 hours and then hire on with a sub par regional, work there for a few months, then quit when I have accumulated the 100 multi and have a job offer with a good regional. I don't like this idea, but it is an option.

Other multi time building ideas?

I am leaning towards buying the block multi time and doing the safety pilot thing. I am going to need to build 100 hours anyway before I start working on my commercial. I could do that in a single engine for $75/hr, or spend the extra $1,500 and build the 100 hours (50 of which will be actual PIC multi and 50 safety pilot) for an average of about $90/hr. Would you recommend this?
Thank you!!

Fartknocker

If you don't have a multiengine rating, get one. Once you have that, do whatever it takes to get rides in any twin you can.

It's called network, network, network. That's the secret.

Find the airports around you that have twins and find the owners. Get to know them. Offer to wash their plane, help out with the radios on a trip with them, watch out for traffic, anything to get rides.

The more you are at the airport, the more people you meet, and the more rides you get. Eventually you'll meet someone who owns an airplane, and doesn't even fly it much! Offer to fly with them or for them.

It takes persistence and dedication, but it works. That's how I did it. I flew several nice Barons and C-310s over the years to build time.

Good luck.

p1ayn

Good advice from Fart. I would NOT recommend block hours...tempting but not necessary. Be patient, learn the ropes and network. Take friends up for that 100.00 burger an have them contribute to your gas expense. Multi time is great but doesnt mean anything if you dont have the knowledge/experience. Patience, learn and dedication and of course...have fun.

FlyingGuide

Taught Chinese students and flew on my days off in a seminole. Got 2 of my friends their MEI's in Senecas.
I would do the safety pilot thing as a last resort. You learn so much instructing instead of being a "seat warmer."

Foxcow

I got my MEI and taught for a while

Slice

After my PPL, I did some SEL X/C flying then did my IFR in a twin...had 60-70 MEL by the time I finished my MEI. After that, it was all networking.

Bri85

I got my multi after I received my PPL. Did my Multi IFR, and
networked around which is not easy especially when you live in florida, and 1 out 3 people are pilots, also share cost with friends and Instructors just to go for a 100 buck burger.

UNDGUY

Sounds like you need to slow down and relax. I'll work here, then quit is not the way to go. If you stick around and flight instruct for a few months there are lots of places that will let you teach multi. Flight Safety, ATP, International Airline Training Academy. Theres one in bakersfield, CA, can't remember the name of that one. If you owned a flight school, you wouldn't want the new guy with zero time flight instructing jumping right into your multis either. Do your time as a flight instructor. Enjoy the experience man. Flight instructing is fun and very rewarding. Lot's of guys will tell you that once you get to an airline it is more like work than play. Just my 2 cents.

flynavyj

i agree with the other posters, don't plan on doing the get on subpar, bail, get on somewhere else thing, especially where you are right now in yoru career, by the time you've got your instructor ratings and a little more flight time, who knows what the industry is going to be doing.

I had a few friends who did their commercial x-countries in twins, which if you can afford it is definately not a bad idea. Especially when you consider you'll have to go a little bit further to get the same amount of time, which will allow you to get some realistic (storm dodging) weather in, probably some IFR, all of which will only help you when you get to the regionals. It's nice to plan ahead bud, but you've got plenty of time, so don't get ahead of yourself.

crewdawg52

Had 13 hrs in a C-150 (paid by the government), and went to USAF flight school (also paid by the government). Total out of pocket expenses for ATP MEL, CSE was less than $3500.