directbears

I'd like to chime in here regarding what type of flying would be the best experience builder....if I may.

I think being a CFI, CFII, MEI, etc...is a good place to start for honing in on aviation knowledge and "book" smarts (i.e. the rules and regs, better understanding of aerodynamics, etc...) and it builds time. Let's face it though, flying around the patch, teaching IFR procedures in VFR conditions, and the occasional actual IFR instruction just does not build "real" experience that is needed when taking on that 121 upgrade.

Part 135 (specifically cargo type flying) on the other hand, I believe is a great way to gain "quality" flying experience. Most 135 cargo flying is on a tight schedule, LOTS of flying, and its done under more demanding regs and under IFR (rules and IMC). This is the type of experience that will make you a more "proficient" pilot, IMHO.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying instructing is a waste of time. It definitely makes you understand more about the rules and regs and how airplanes work. It’s a good experience, but to gain practical flying experience, I'd go with the 135 stuff. I've done both instructing and 135 cargo, and I got something out of both. However, I feel the 135 flying made me a more proficient pilot and gave me much needed practical experience flying in and out of busy airports, operating under true IFR, running on a tight schedule, and dealing with weather.

Just my 2 cents.

ryane946

Sounds like good advice. I have not looked into 135 flying that much, but can you tell me a little about it. What min's do the companies hire with? Average upgrade times? Pay (Relative to CFII) and how much "work" you need to do? What are the quality companies?
Thanks for the recommendation directbears.

rickair7777

135 cargo mins are usually similar to or slightly less than regional airline mins, but at various times the two can diverge. Insurance and FARs will never let the 135 mins go much below 1200/100, but when airline mins go up to 2000, then 135 could be a good stepping stone.

Airlines will usually prefer a 2000 CFI/135 guy as oppsed to just a 2000 CFI.

I had some friend go that route, but I avoided it for these reasons...

1) Crappy bases (I could CFI 5 minutes from home)
2) Minimal travel benies (MUCH harder to commute than an airline gig)
3) Low pay (probably worse than regionals).
4) The training is probably every bit as b@ll-busting as regional training, but you're only going to be there for 6-12 months, then have to do it all over again at the regional...
5) Usually start out in SE (Wasn't going to leave mt MEI job for that).
6) Single-pilot, single-engine, night, mountains, weather, icing...sound like a fun combo? I have a family...I'm not bagging anyone else's experiences or decisions, but 135 cargo has a SIGNIFICANT fatality rate. You'll gain valuable experience, but I gained much of the same experience in an RJ during a new-england winter. But I had two turbine engines, reliable anti-ice, and a mentor along for the ride.
7) Some of those companies don't have any tolerance for go/no-go decisions that don't result in a "go".

Just my thoughts. But if you're a 1500/200 CFI and not getting calls for whatever reason, then 135 might boost your resume.

NE_Pilot

This is looking to be a very informative thread. Even though I didn't post this, I would like to thank you guys for responding, because I know I am gathering lots of insight into what to expect.

As for the Go/No Go Desicion, I remember that an AirNow pilot is currently suing AirNow because he refused to go, and the mechanic even told him it would be a bad idea to go. It was on AvWeb maybe a month or so ago.

XtremeF150

Yeah,
The civil air patrol was what I was refering to but really didn't mean it as a job. I know a lot of gigs you won't get payed for, or at least initially you might not but they can be fun and VERY helpful to a career. I know you can also take an internship at cessna and you will get to ride along as sic on some test flights as they have to fly every citation before it leaves the plant in ICT. I know this because they actually came to our school looking for istructors that were interested. This was also a non paying gig at first but turned into a paying deal if you stayed. However if a CFI or even 135 guy was looking for something interesting there are many routes out there.

All the young guys out there really out to think about getting there feet wet a little bit and having some fun before they lock in their careers. Because remeber that is probably why you started flying in the first place right?

XtremeF150

rickair7777

CAP, missionary, and humanitarian work is fine. But for any other non-paying "job" you need to make sure that you are not doing revenue work sitting in a required seat. If you do that and don't get paid, some professional pilot out there is out of work. And the professional pilots who interview you for some airline job down the road won't appreciate that... I wouldn't, and you wouldn't find it "Helpful" to your career.

The Cessna deal might be marginal if the aircraft is certified for two pilot operations and you are a required (but free) crewmember. I mean really,they could at least pay you $20/hour or something.