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Originally Posted by mlsmith25
Any advice or tips?
"The best way"? Wow! There are many ways and the best is.......depends!
Are you looking for fast, quality or cheap? My guess is, the airlines will be looking for "qualified" candidates with a pulse in the near future. "Qualified" in today's terms means, you have the minimums to get hired but not necessarily the ability or experience to perform the job.
Some have suggested the Air National Guard. Obviously, an excellent option combining quality and the government paying you to learn to fly...among other things. Is it fast? Compared to an active duty commitment - absolutely!
If the civilian pathway is an option, my advice is to:
1. Obtain a private pilot single engine land.
2. An instrument rating.
3. A private pilot multi-engine land to obtain the complex, high performance sign off and 10 hours complex for your future commercial ride.
4. A commercial single engine land in the cheapest airplane available (doesn't have to be complex). Note: 10 hours complex satisfied from the private multi. Up to 50 hours in a FAA approved simulator may also count.
5. A CFI single engine land.
6. Instruct immediately for a flight school that will support your efforts to obtain the Instrument instructor, multi commercial and MEI while working.
7. At 1200 hours consider a 135 captain job or continue flight instructing. if able to get a 135 SIC job with lower hours go for it and continue instructing within FAA duty limits to the 1500 hour mark.
Point is, map out a plan and make your first 1500 hours of experience count for future ratings, jobs, etc. Read the requirements for each rating, read the FAR 135 and 121 regs for
PIC and SIC flight time requirements including night, instrument, x-country, etc. When a position presents itself, you will be the "qualified" applicant. In any case, the CFI is a great pathway to get started!
If instructing doesn't appeal to you, consider buying a gas sipping single engine aircraft and fly the crap out of it! Potential disadvantages and pitfalls to this pathway as well!