Taking on what CaribPilot is saying, reminds of something someone once told me.

If you're going to say you have a 500 hours, 1000 hours, 10,000 hours you gotta act like it and fly like it. Anybody can write hours in a logbook, experience is very hard to measure, so as for a bottom line, if you have the confidence to write how many hours you've written in a logbook, better be prepared to exude that confidence in your flying to include your decision making abilities.

CaribPilot is correct by saying that it is not necessarily a given that a 10,000 hours pilot will always make a better decision than a 500 hours wonder boy/girl.

In my opinion, one is ready when one is able to exude the confidence required to perform his/her duties, and accept the responsibilities that come along with the better the decisions and the more poor ones. All the while being humble to a certain point.

Going back to the original poster's question. If you have to ask, maybe you should hang in there for a lil longer.... when you are ready make sure you act the part. [watch Chicago if you wanna get a good idea of how ppl in this world act their part... ;-)]

 

"not necessarily a given that a 10,000 hours pilot will always make a better decision than a 500 hours wonder boy/girl"

I think it's much more likely that the 10000 hour pilot will make better decisions most of the time. You have rare examples on each side of the spectrum that go both ways. In the end, there is no substitute for experience in making a more experienced pilot.

 

Very good point!!!!

 

Come on guys, he's got the radio telephone operator permit!

He's good to go!

 

Story time...

A TALE OF TWO NEWHIRES

Our characters:

Skippy, a 450 TT, 150 as CFI (which he didn't think was good experience for flying an airliner)

Capt. Jack, a grizzled, oldtimer with several thousand hours and a paper (before holograms) ATP certificate

Skippy and Jack were sim partners.

The first sim session, Jack handled the aircraft well, and his knowledge of the istrument enviornment impressed the instructor. On the other hand, Skippy was all over the sky: he was so far behind the aircraft, he couldn't enter a hold.

Over the next half dozen sim sessions, Jack's flying changed little as it was already ATP level, but he still learned much having never flown 121. Skippy, however, showed huge improvement... even to the point Jack had to admit the kid could handle the plane better than the old veteran.

At the end of the week of sims, both passed the checkride. And lived happily ever after.

The End

True story.... (I was Capt. Jack). When all was said and done, my partner flew as well or better than I did.
BUT, since he had never flown in all four seasons, or in different parts of the country, or any of the other "intangeables", he missed things like operating de/anti icing equipment, entering holds, choosing one procedure turn over another, adjusting speed/altitude/time to make crossing restrictions.... the stuff that I never had to think about. That is what one gets with experience.

 

The other thing people don't talk about much is not only the little (but important!) things like flyJSH (Capt. Jack) mentions is the ability or inability to communicate will with ATC. We operate in the NYC area alot and it is busy busy busy! Some of the new folks do have a learning curve when it comes to that stuff. If you just got your CFI at Joe's FBO out in the country it'll take a little while to get up to speed.

Anyway, everyone's been a newby at one point.

 

I love how people say "rant over" after their posts. Very poetic

 

I would recommend for you to get your CFI build some time then apply. It's up to you though and don't let anyone bring you down!

 

Are you ready for regional? My point of view is NO.

Can you go to a regional? Yes, you could.

Be careful, when making your choices. Good luck..

 

is it really that hard to fly for the regionals?