QOL/Pay vs Hours Logged
09-16-2010 | 06:57 AM
#11
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Can you even log SIC in a King Air 200? As I recall most 135 King Airs are single pilot unless the Autopilot is MEL'd. You have to be a required crewmember to log, and that's required by regulation not by company policy or insurance. So that time may not even be truly loggable.
That said, I would stick with the king air for the reason that the most flexible/ better jobs tend to be corporate aviation not airlines. Once you go to the airlines you get the "airline stink" and many corporations won't touch you with a ten foot pole. Many more options for you not in the airlines.
As for your CFI lapsing,you can get a reinstatement ride from an FAA inspector for free, you only have to pay Designated Examiners.
That said, I would stick with the king air for the reason that the most flexible/ better jobs tend to be corporate aviation not airlines. Once you go to the airlines you get the "airline stink" and many corporations won't touch you with a ten foot pole. Many more options for you not in the airlines.
As for your CFI lapsing,you can get a reinstatement ride from an FAA inspector for free, you only have to pay Designated Examiners.
09-16-2010 | 09:05 AM
#13
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 152
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First- shame on you for letting it expire... 
Would paying for the checkride be less of a financial strain that regional pay rates? My guess would be yes.
As far as sitting around, you should be able to directly compete with those CFI's during your week off (again, is sitting around the airport on your week off to get flight time less of a strain than moving away from your family?). If you think outside the box, you should be able to gain some non-traditional clients (owners who'll need IPC's, flight reviews, instrument practice, etc), and if you offer a superior product with your real world expertise then your clients will be willing to work with you.
I work a 2 week on, 1 week off schedule, where I could be anywhere in the country for 2 weeks at a time, and I've maintained 2 private clients who own their own aircraft. I'm sure I could increase that if I worked harder on my week off.
Good luck... It won't be easy, but again, it may be the better option than moving away from your family.
Would paying for the checkride be less of a financial strain that regional pay rates? My guess would be yes.
As far as sitting around, you should be able to directly compete with those CFI's during your week off (again, is sitting around the airport on your week off to get flight time less of a strain than moving away from your family?). If you think outside the box, you should be able to gain some non-traditional clients (owners who'll need IPC's, flight reviews, instrument practice, etc), and if you offer a superior product with your real world expertise then your clients will be willing to work with you.
I work a 2 week on, 1 week off schedule, where I could be anywhere in the country for 2 weeks at a time, and I've maintained 2 private clients who own their own aircraft. I'm sure I could increase that if I worked harder on my week off.
Good luck... It won't be easy, but again, it may be the better option than moving away from your family.
09-16-2010 | 09:21 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 540
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From: Airline Captain
Can you even log SIC in a King Air 200? As I recall most 135 King Airs are single pilot unless the Autopilot is MEL'd. You have to be a required crewmember to log, and that's required by regulation not by company policy or insurance. So that time may not even be truly loggable.
That said, I would stick with the king air for the reason that the most flexible/ better jobs tend to be corporate aviation not airlines. Once you go to the airlines you get the "airline stink" and many corporations won't touch you with a ten foot pole. Many more options for you not in the airlines.
As for your CFI lapsing,you can get a reinstatement ride from an FAA inspector for free, you only have to pay Designated Examiners.
That said, I would stick with the king air for the reason that the most flexible/ better jobs tend to be corporate aviation not airlines. Once you go to the airlines you get the "airline stink" and many corporations won't touch you with a ten foot pole. Many more options for you not in the airlines.
As for your CFI lapsing,you can get a reinstatement ride from an FAA inspector for free, you only have to pay Designated Examiners.
Another case is logging PIC time. According to the FAA, the definition of PIC in Part 91 is "sole manipulator of the controls".. so if on a Part 91 leg (no patient on board)... and i am flying... that is PIC according to the FAA... however, 135 and 121 carriers disagree with that ruling saying that the entire flight is 135 til you return to base and the PIC who signed for the aircraft is teh only one who can log PIC...(cant have two PIC's)... but i dont buy the cant log to PIC theories because it is common practice to for a commercial student who is appropriately rated to log all flight training recieved as PIC at teh same tim eteh instructor does...
09-16-2010 | 09:22 AM
#15
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Airline Captain
My week off is spent babysitting my daughter. We cant afford a day care, so my mother watches her on my Day shifts, and i watch her my days off... if i go flight instructing... i would have to guarantee i make enough to cover day care...
09-16-2010 | 10:36 AM
#16
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Stay where you are and wait for a chance to move into the left seat of the King Air. QOL is better now than if you make the move to a regional, who cares about logging time right now, 250 hours a year is enough if the job is stable and you like it.
I fly part 135 air-ambulance and it's a great gig.
I fly part 135 air-ambulance and it's a great gig.
09-16-2010 | 10:53 AM
#17
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Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 540
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From: Airline Captain
Making left seat is better said than done. Four captains and three FO's with seniority on me. All I can hope for is to get my ATP before they open a new base. We are the only two pilot crew in the whole compNy thanks to hospital contracts.
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