When you don't have to ask the question...Then you will be ready.

NO.

Get some experience first.

1. Instruct if you want. Not everyone will make a good instructor, but getting your CFI stuff and teaching will make you a better pilot. I did 1500 hours as CFI, CFII, MEI.

2. Fly traffic watch, banners, pipeline, etc. Get a time building job. I did traffic watch for 1500 hours in a C172. (1200 per year).

3. Fly corporate. Single or multi, left or right seat. I got my first "job" right seat in a Cheyenne 400LS, which is a single pilot airplane, but I learned a lot. Plus, they trained me and I did a Part 135 Charter SIC checkride with the FAA. I wasn't just sitting there in the right seat. I also have flown the following aircraft for various companies as PIC: Cheyenne II, C182, Bonanza A36/B36TC, Mooneys, and Saratoga. I got hundreds of hours in singles and twins.

4. Get on with a freight carrier. Fly piston singles and twins, then turboprops.

5. Then try a regional airline. I know times have changed, but I had almost 4000 hours when I got to a regional. Then I did 1000 hours SIC turboprop, 1000 hours PIC turboprop, and 5000 hours PIC jet. It's not easy getting out of the regionals to a major!

6. Get on with a major. Fly what you want. Upgrade when you want. Fly until you're 60-65ish and retire.


Good luck.

What I want to know is how you can be First Officer on an aircraft that only requires one pilot.

Get some experience. Flight instruct, banner tow, throw skydivers out the back, whatever it takes. Your captains will thank you.

Damn, times have changed. I guess it's good for upcoming FO's, but it's definitely not good for public safety.
Just over 3 years ago, in late 2004, I was having trouble getting called by the regionals with almost 1300 TT, 100ME, CFI/CFII, and a BS degree. I finally got three calls, but it took a few months after I applied.
I remember passing the 1000 hour mark while I was flying traffic watch and thinking I need more experience before flying a jet.

I think I had almost the same amount of hours you did when I applied for my first CFI job, except I had a more ME. Oh well, it looks like 2007 was an anomaly for airline hiring. The economy is already slowing down, and so is the hiring. Looks like it will slow to a crawl by March.

SkyCaptian beat me to the punch.

If youre asking yourself the question, then the answer is no.

Either you are ready or you are not. We can not dictate youre actions.

SkyCaptain and Outlaw are very much right. We really don't know you. Some guys here will say you need a million hours of dual-given before flying a Jet. Some will say you're ready if you can pass training. We're all just blowing smoke here, because we're all individuals, and what is good for me is not necessarily good for you. Only you can say if you're ready - at one million hours, or 390...

My advice? Do tons of homework...and take any advice you get on here with a grain of salt. We all have our own agenda's. Don't let yourself be talked into (or out of) something just because of some strongly-worded opinions.

Best of luck.

It was Part 135 Charter and insurance and/or the company chartering the aircraft can/will require more than one pilot. The aircraft is certified to be operated with only one pilot, but you can operate it with two. I was an approved SIC and took an actual FAA checkride in the plane to be the SIC. The PIC was former airline and we did operate the aircraft as a two pilot cockpit like the airlines. On interviews, I explained this and carried the copy of the Part 135 FAA checkride in it to prove it true.

I know people buy time in the right seat of a Cessna twin, but this was different.

Ottopilot is right.

If a 135 operator does not have autopilot in lieu of SIC authorization in it's op specs, then it is required by the FAA for IFR ops---Even in a Baron or a 310. Pilots must also be approved to use the autopilot instead of having an SIC.

Second, many insurance companies require two pilots in aircraft like a King Air 200 for 135 ops.

Third, auditors like ARG/US like two pilot crews. Some customers will not fly with a single pilot crew.

Also, a C-525 (citation jet, cj1,2,3 etc.) may be a single pilot airplane, but if the pilot has a CE-525 type, and not a CE-525S type, then he/she needs an SIC.

Perhaps this could be a way to get some time.

If you send your resume and they call you, go!!! If they hire you work hard and pass the training!!! The training will be very tough at your level. If you don't get hired you will learn alot just by going to the interviews.
Good Luck, try to stay positive!! There are alot of people who will try to bring you down, becuase they will be unhappy no matter what happens to you or anyone else.

NO...Get some more time