Don’t despair Harblar

There is another alternative which can be expensive, but it has proven pretty successful for a lot of pilots.

Sim Center of Miami has a program where you will receive a turbojet flight engineer certificate. You will then fly as a Flight Engineer on a 727 for a cargo carrier for about six months to seven months as a contract employee, and receive a pay check to boot. I think the hourly pay is about $40.00. After the six to seven month period you will return to Sim Center for first officer upgrade training. You will fly as a F/O as a contract employee on the 727 and still get a pay check. You could recover your tuition within a year’s time. They can set you up with financing too. Pilots have started with as little as 300 hours of total time including about 5 hours of multi engine time. It’s very comprehensive and can be very rewarding too. Some first officers decided to stay on as contract employees and some are even offered full time employment. Some of these individuals went on to the commuters flying RJs and Jungle Jets too with success. It’s a lot of work and studying on your behalf, but it can also be very rewarding. You can look up Sim Center on the internet for more information.

Good luck and good flying!

 

One of my old students is thinking about doing that 727 program. Have you heard any positive and negative things about that place?
Thanks

 

Do I smell some PFT and SJS in this thread?

IMO, corporate it the easiest way to get your career going. Most places have good expense accounts and the change of destinations is very nice. Good Luck!

 

You’ll hear both positives and negatives. Let’s set aside the money issue, for that has to be dealt with no matter what.

Positive you’ll hear

300 hour pilots who enter the program with the right attitude do great, and get a lot from the program. Eventually they move on to regional carriers with about one and half year’s experience. Usually this is the best route for a pilot in their 20s takes. The reality is now days, the majors aren’t going 1500 hour pilots to fly their A320 or B737. A new pilot with pure turbine experience will fare better for a job with a regional than his counterparts. Remember such an investment, involves a lot of studying and dedication. Check airmen are not there to train you how to fly basic instruments, shoot approaches, read a map, or talk on the radio. They are there to help you become accustomed to operating a large transport category aircraft in a Part 121 airline environment. That rest is up to you.

Negative you’ll hear

“The check airmen didn’t give me the time of day on the line.” These individuals feel they are entitled since they paid $33,000 for their training. Not a prayer! After training in the school house, they are treated as if they were employed by the airline itself. If they don’t cut it, then they are cut from the program… and that it… plain and simple!

All of this IS explained to the individual before committing to the program. Not all applicants are accepted into the program.

Yes $33,000 is a lot of money to commit to… however individuals recover their investments pretty quickly and move on to bigger and better too. Funny however, the guys who go to the regional carriers will take a pay cut.

 

I didn't see anybody bring up a 135 cargo gig. You're almost at the 135 mins, why not try and get a job flying a baron or something similiar for a year or so. You'll build plenty of multi time and do some really, really challenging flying.

 

These operations start you off in their single engine aircraft. Also good experience.