Hi guys,

I will be finishing UPT in May and then return to my guard base to get acquainted on my plane afterwards and then probably do a deployment shortly after. The deployments currently for my unit are max 60 days. When I return I will be about 150 hours short of the hours required to apply to a regional airline (ultimate goal is to go commercial route). Do you all have any suggestions for my best course of action to get those hours? Should I just try and do another deployment as soon as I can to knock the rest of those hours out? Would it be worth while to get my instructors license? Thanks so much in advance.

Another deployment would probably be the most economical way to get the hours.

I always recommend getting a CFI and instructing for a bit. Instructing teaches YOU a great deal about basic airmanship. A CFII is also a good idea. The questions that a student asks will force you to understand things better.

Another way to build hours is to bug the scheduler. I don't know how your place works, but frequently flights pop up unexpectedly, and if you are around, with your flight suit and a bag packed you will be the first guy that the scheduler sees. This worked for me when I was active duty. I bugged the schedulers enough that they sent me flying to get rid of me.

Joe

No one in your unit...bros, supervisors, etc. has any advice on this for you?

Or are you asking here because most likely they’ll tell you your current priorities sound like they’re AFU. You don’t even have a set of wings on your chest yet, never mind the fact you’re not even a mission ready pilot in your unit and you’re already worried about getting an RJ job?

Just a suggestion, but you may want to focus on the job that unit hired you to do and getting some seasoning under your belt before you put any more on your plate. My guess is the hours will come at a rate your unit leaders feel is appropriate based on your progress and attitude.

What kind of aircraft does your unit fly?

Not sure where you live but Piedmont Airlines has a Military Transition Program that has been used for “fixed wing top off” to get low hours military fixed wing pilots upto R-ATP mins. Company pays upto $23k to get you the hours you need.

I’ve got a Navy hornet buddy who needed 200hrs or so and that got taken care of by the company. He just showed up and flew about 8hrs a day at the Partner school. Your 150 shouldn’t be a problem.

PM me Id you’d like and I can see if I can get you in touch with him if you’d like a first hand account of the process.

thanks so much for the advice, i really appreciate it!!

Read this about four times. What Otterbox recommends is for rated guys, who are on the back side of their commitment... not for guys fresh out of UPT who haven’t even seasoned yet.

If you’re smart you’ll fish for a year or two of active orders after your deployment. Get smart on your platform, gets quals, upgrade, and generally just try and stay ahead of the curve. If you think you’re going to do that on regional FO pay showing up a few days a month as a new 2P... you’re in for a rude awakening. You’re also setting yourself up for colossal failure.

+1

If you can't ask your trusted Squadron mates whom you will be risking your life with and for ....... who can you trust