DoD SkillBridge and Career Skills Program
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Posts: 52
Does anyone else have any updates or success stories? Also, how long did it take to obtain your CFI, or other ratings, while working full time in the military? I have about two years left and recently got the flying bug. First step is obviously get my PPL and see how it goes, but this definitely seems like an interesting career choice.
#12
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2021
Posts: 2
Got a similar one,
Anyone know anything about using Skillsbridge and not looking for an CFI or CFII. Basically I just need 200 or so hours for my ATP. I've got a Cessna 162 so I'm looking for somewhere to let me fly for a few months before I punch out spring 24. (I know, pipe dream)
Anyone know anything about using Skillsbridge and not looking for an CFI or CFII. Basically I just need 200 or so hours for my ATP. I've got a Cessna 162 so I'm looking for somewhere to let me fly for a few months before I punch out spring 24. (I know, pipe dream)
#13
On Reserve
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 19
I am an active duty pilot at Randolph and started a 6 month Skillbridge with a flight school on Nov 1. I was able to curtail 109 days of my UPT ADSC based on a Director of Ops job offer from the school. To sweeten the deal for the AF (they probably wouldn't have let me go 6 months prior without this), I still fly as an IFF IP twice a week to stay current/proficient in the jet for my transition to the reserves. I was 200 hours short of 1500 (plan is airlines) when I decided to separate and get real hours at a flight school rather than .8 at a time in the T-38. High flyer at the school gets ~150 a month. I've never gotten even close to that in an entire year as a fighter pilot.
I have been learning 6 different airplanes, and it's quite a bit of information. Cirrus SR-20/22/22T, TBM 850, Seneca II (Which I just got R-ATP via MIL2ATP - HIGHLY recommend) and a DA-42. The longer you stay at the company, generally the more you can expect they'll invest in you. There's a few other skillbridge bros here but they are in/out = not getting trained in the TBM. The job offer is a fantastic backup if the majors don't call.
I could only get an MEI-I from my MCI, so sooner than later I will need to get a CFI topoff. Right now I get good flying just flying around fractional owners in the cirrus/tbm. I talked to a CFI bro who is an IP at Seymour, working part-time at mil2atp - the CFI topoff can be challanging depending on what maneuvers the DPE asks of you.
I have been learning 6 different airplanes, and it's quite a bit of information. Cirrus SR-20/22/22T, TBM 850, Seneca II (Which I just got R-ATP via MIL2ATP - HIGHLY recommend) and a DA-42. The longer you stay at the company, generally the more you can expect they'll invest in you. There's a few other skillbridge bros here but they are in/out = not getting trained in the TBM. The job offer is a fantastic backup if the majors don't call.
I could only get an MEI-I from my MCI, so sooner than later I will need to get a CFI topoff. Right now I get good flying just flying around fractional owners in the cirrus/tbm. I talked to a CFI bro who is an IP at Seymour, working part-time at mil2atp - the CFI topoff can be challanging depending on what maneuvers the DPE asks of you.
#14
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,636
I am an active duty pilot at Randolph and started a 6 month Skillbridge with a flight school on Nov 1. I was able to curtail 109 days of my UPT ADSC based on a Director of Ops job offer from the school. To sweeten the deal for the AF (they probably wouldn't have let me go 6 months prior without this), I still fly as an IFF IP twice a week to stay current/proficient in the jet for my transition to the reserves. I was 200 hours short of 1500 (plan is airlines) when I decided to separate and get real hours at a flight school rather than .8 at a time in the T-38. High flyer at the school gets ~150 a month. I've never gotten even close to that in an entire year as a fighter pilot.
I have been learning 6 different airplanes, and it's quite a bit of information. Cirrus SR-20/22/22T, TBM 850, Seneca II (Which I just got R-ATP via MIL2ATP - HIGHLY recommend) and a DA-42. The longer you stay at the company, generally the more you can expect they'll invest in you. There's a few other skillbridge bros here but they are in/out = not getting trained in the TBM. The job offer is a fantastic backup if the majors don't call.
I could only get an MEI-I from my MCI, so sooner than later I will need to get a CFI topoff. Right now I get good flying just flying around fractional owners in the cirrus/tbm. I talked to a CFI bro who is an IP at Seymour, working part-time at mil2atp - the CFI topoff can be challanging depending on what maneuvers the DPE asks of you.
I have been learning 6 different airplanes, and it's quite a bit of information. Cirrus SR-20/22/22T, TBM 850, Seneca II (Which I just got R-ATP via MIL2ATP - HIGHLY recommend) and a DA-42. The longer you stay at the company, generally the more you can expect they'll invest in you. There's a few other skillbridge bros here but they are in/out = not getting trained in the TBM. The job offer is a fantastic backup if the majors don't call.
I could only get an MEI-I from my MCI, so sooner than later I will need to get a CFI topoff. Right now I get good flying just flying around fractional owners in the cirrus/tbm. I talked to a CFI bro who is an IP at Seymour, working part-time at mil2atp - the CFI topoff can be challanging depending on what maneuvers the DPE asks of you.
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2017
Posts: 100
Anyone used skill bridge recently to just fly the line with an operator like Wheels Up? I see they are on the employers list.
I’ve already got a lot of BE40 hrs just kinda looking for an intro to pax ops before airlines
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I’ve already got a lot of BE40 hrs just kinda looking for an intro to pax ops before airlines
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#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2017
Position: RW instructor pilot and Maintenance test pilot
Posts: 177
Talk to Chris at mil2atp for something like that. But I can't see you getting to fly passengers for wheelsup, etc. You would be displacing a pilot from a paid position. I gotta imagine that's the type of thing that would destroy any airline group, especially if they have a union.
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#17
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2022
Posts: 4
Quick attempt at a thread revival.
I'll have about 1500TT (mostly AF helicopters) prior to separating. I have minimal fixed wing experience (T-6 only) so I'm considering forking over $35K to just time build to 250FW PIC. Does anyone know of a Skillbridge that would then pay for my CMEL and allow me to fly for them for a couple months to time build? I'm specifically thinking of a cargo operator that would just need an additional pilot. I'm not necessarily interested in CFI because I don't have the fixed wing experience, but I'd be open to that if that was the only opportunity to get flight hours.
In the same vein, should I pay for my own MEL to make myself more competitive?
Any advice you guys have would be great.
I'll have about 1500TT (mostly AF helicopters) prior to separating. I have minimal fixed wing experience (T-6 only) so I'm considering forking over $35K to just time build to 250FW PIC. Does anyone know of a Skillbridge that would then pay for my CMEL and allow me to fly for them for a couple months to time build? I'm specifically thinking of a cargo operator that would just need an additional pilot. I'm not necessarily interested in CFI because I don't have the fixed wing experience, but I'd be open to that if that was the only opportunity to get flight hours.
In the same vein, should I pay for my own MEL to make myself more competitive?
Any advice you guys have would be great.
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 198
Quick attempt at a thread revival.
I'll have about 1500TT (mostly AF helicopters) prior to separating. I have minimal fixed wing experience (T-6 only) so I'm considering forking over $35K to just time build to 250FW PIC. Does anyone know of a Skillbridge that would then pay for my CMEL and allow me to fly for them for a couple months to time build? I'm specifically thinking of a cargo operator that would just need an additional pilot. I'm not necessarily interested in CFI because I don't have the fixed wing experience, but I'd be open to that if that was the only opportunity to get flight hours.
In the same vein, should I pay for my own MEL to make myself more competitive?
Any advice you guys have would be great.
I'll have about 1500TT (mostly AF helicopters) prior to separating. I have minimal fixed wing experience (T-6 only) so I'm considering forking over $35K to just time build to 250FW PIC. Does anyone know of a Skillbridge that would then pay for my CMEL and allow me to fly for them for a couple months to time build? I'm specifically thinking of a cargo operator that would just need an additional pilot. I'm not necessarily interested in CFI because I don't have the fixed wing experience, but I'd be open to that if that was the only opportunity to get flight hours.
In the same vein, should I pay for my own MEL to make myself more competitive?
Any advice you guys have would be great.
#19
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,636
Quick attempt at a thread revival.
I'll have about 1500TT (mostly AF helicopters) prior to separating. I have minimal fixed wing experience (T-6 only) so I'm considering forking over $35K to just time build to 250FW PIC. Does anyone know of a Skillbridge that would then pay for my CMEL and allow me to fly for them for a couple months to time build? I'm specifically thinking of a cargo operator that would just need an additional pilot. I'm not necessarily interested in CFI because I don't have the fixed wing experience, but I'd be open to that if that was the only opportunity to get flight hours.
In the same vein, should I pay for my own MEL to make myself more competitive?
Any advice you guys have would be great.
I'll have about 1500TT (mostly AF helicopters) prior to separating. I have minimal fixed wing experience (T-6 only) so I'm considering forking over $35K to just time build to 250FW PIC. Does anyone know of a Skillbridge that would then pay for my CMEL and allow me to fly for them for a couple months to time build? I'm specifically thinking of a cargo operator that would just need an additional pilot. I'm not necessarily interested in CFI because I don't have the fixed wing experience, but I'd be open to that if that was the only opportunity to get flight hours.
In the same vein, should I pay for my own MEL to make myself more competitive?
Any advice you guys have would be great.
#20
I would not dismiss CFI as a time building route. It offers you the flexibility to work around your military obligations while building time. You should have far greater airmanship at this point than the average new CFI. RTAG can probably give you a very good idea of the best choices available.