A different approach towards 500 and 100
 

I read about so many companies requiring 1000 and 100 or 500 and 100. How can those other 400 or 900 hours can be made up of exactly what kind of flying? Now, I understand that more multi and IFR/single time is better than just doing laps around the field but what about gliders? If I had 100 hours or so of glider time, how would the hiring department look at that? I'm done with SEL/MEL Commerical and finishing up CFI and CFII this semester with my MEI next semester so I can gain hours at school this way, but there is a glider field just down the road and I think it would be fun.

did a search, found nothing

Illini

There are no real shortcuts to get 1,000tt, 100 multi, etc. Instruct, take students on good, long IFR cross countries, get yourself a little left seat time to stay current and keep chugging away. You can pick up 80-100 hours per month instructing if you REALLY want it. I'd focus my energy on making sure I'm getting at least 80 hours a month in an airplane, then if you have time for a glider... go for it.

I've never heard anyone ask on an airline interview, "What kind of glider did you fly?" "Tell me about a time when you had to take control of a glider." Etc. I'm sure you see my point... it seems fun---and it probably is. However, if you're looking to go to a regional... focus on getting some time in an AIRPLANE and as much of it as you can without burning yourself out.

I have some slightly different thoughts:

Glider time can be/is valuable flight time. Monticello (2KO) is a cool place. Most places just ask for total time and this absolutly counts. Some places however will specify airplane time and for those it will not count. Unless you see it specified, it should count. In fact, if you go gliding a lot, maybe consider becoming a glider instructor! There is plenty to learn from this type of flying.... Airspeed management, coordination, etc.

Flight instructing is not the ONLY thing out there, it is just the most common. There are also jumper flying opportunities occaisionally up in paxton. Keep your options open and enjoy the type of flying you choose to do.

For other advice or tips as graduation approaches PM me. I just left CMI 1 year ago and have been quite lucky.... Even below 1000/100.

Good luck.

I think I will head over to 2KO and see if I can add on my Commerical Glider and maybe my CFI-G

add it to your total time and dont tell em that its glider time on your resume unless they have an aircraft breakdown on your application form, just getting that interview is the important thing, theyll prob look past it once your there and they like you

There really are a ton of other ways to build up that TT, especially the single engine part of it. Right now im working for a survey company, flying 80 hours in a bad month 100+ if the weather cooperates. I was flying the local traffic reporter around in Buffalo, have a friend doing it in DC, they do that all over the place if you live in or near a decent sized city. I instructed for about 250 hours and while it was definitely some quality time its a grind every day, and you barely fly. If you look around you will find there are tons of ways to build time.

No airline is that stupid. A glider is not an "airplane", it is a glider...they are clearly in seperate certification categories.

Airlines specify airplane time in their minimums. A few will accept some helicopter time, but they explain this in detail so there's no gray area. I don't know of any airline that accepts glider time towards their minimums.

I think gliders are cool, and most pilots agree with me. Having some glider time in your logbook could reflect well on you at an interview, and maybe serve as a conversation piece.

Have seen some airlines that take glider time, they normally write it in a clause stating that it'll count for a very small fraction of the actual flight, which honestly isn't even worthwhile if you're trying to use that to get to the magic 500/100.....

rickair why are you so bitter about glider time? If it SAYS total time, then it MEANS total time. Glider time isn't as good as IFR or multi time of course, but it still is respected among most people. Bottom line is, total time is total time. Get over it.

I hear most airlines now will count up to 50 hours of Microsoft flight sim time towards total time, because it is so realistic. Also if you are a CFII then you can endorse your own log book for the time. Just don’t put anything questionable, like sic time on a crj when you were actually pic. Also if you use a table mounted yoke then you can multiply your total Microsoft sim time by 1.25 for added realism. Ya know just use common sense.