Path To A Regional
 

it seems that when times are tough and hiring slows down like it is now...you need more than just instructing time to get to a regional. i remember back in the 90's when hiring was slow, most pilots needed to fly some sort of 135 gig to be qualified for a regional. i am not a cfi yet but will be next summer. i plan on instructing for a few years because times are tough and i enjoy teaching. so it seems like it would be a natural fit. but i do not want to do the 135 freighter or charter step. mostly because i would feel uncomfortable doing single pilot night IFR. am i crazy? do i need to get outta the business if i am too scared to do single pilot night IFR? i am a pretty good pilot and aced my instrument checkride (the examiner said i was one of the best he has seen). not to sound cocky or anything...but i know i could handle it. i just dont find it enjoyable to be flying single engine over mountains or water at night with big nasty cells in the area. i feel like i should hang up the headset and call it quits cause what kind of pilot is scared of a little adventure? well...this one is :(

any advice??????

By the time next summer comes around, things may change around here. I would worry about next summer, next summer.

Get into the plane with safety pilot or CFI and fly IFR at night, a lot. Just do it.

The game has changed no one really knows whats going to come of the industry but this is not a slow down this is a hault. Fuel prices are not going to go down period. Any hiring is going to be done on attrition only. This is not the 90's or the period of time after 911 when mins where up. This is different this is new this is bad. I'm on my way out back to school like rodeny dangerfield see ya.

There is nothing wrong with the way you feel. I personally don't like doing night IFR single pilot flights especially over the mountains in single engine aircraft. I've been flying for 20 years. My best advice to you is to do some flight instructing, gain more confidence, always challenge yourself but never go too far out of your comfort factor. Hope this helps. Fly safe.

If you think that those flying single pilot night cargo never get scared then you're crazy. But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Also think about all those night cargo crashes you hear about............not many are there...............and they're just as nerves are you are. It’s not that hard and it will make you a better pilot. My advice is to instruct until you have the mins for 135 then head off to get the experience. In the end you’ll probably end up getting your ATP, several hundred hours of multi and probably Multi-TPIC. This is the best way to make yourself marketable in the future.

BTW, 135 cargo is THE best way to build time.

Yeah it may suck and be dangerous. This pilot never had to do it, but I would've if I had too. That said, I always told myself I would by a Garmin hand held such as a 430. I would have enjoyed the challenge, but situational awareness is key, and as long as you have that, you can make most jobs safe. Take the cargo job if you have to, but invest in a $1,500 GPS, because it could save your life. As the previous poster said, the experience would be invaluable and add a ton to your resume.

Your body's health is your future, so preserve it at reasonable costs.

Best path to a regional --------> Get furloughed from a Major

good advice guys. i think it is a confidence thing. right now i only have 150 hrs. and i just cant picture myself doing that kind of flying...but i could be a very different pilot after a few years of instructing. alot more confident

You will be trust me.

Get out of this industry before invest any more money into it. Get a real job and fly a Cub on the weekends, it's much more fun than jets.