Let me start by requesting that all flaming aimed in my direction be kept a minimum if possible. I know I was on an ego trip in another post and I apologize, however if you must air your grievances... well then that's what you have to do

Anyway, I have been thinking about the effect my low yearly accumulation of flight time will have in my future endeavors. I am flying around 15-25 hours per month in my current part 91 gig. I know this is an undesirable trait in a pilot applicant at any 121 operator (probably 135 also). I am wondering how badly this situation is going to hurt me in the future. I am doing my best to try and pick up some students but the stream of said individuals has all but dried up recently. I have actually considered working the graveyard shift for FedEx as a package handler to try and get some extra cash to spend on flight time.

I know someone will tell me to leave my current job now, but I can not do so; for both legal and financial reasons. I signed an employment contract for 2 years . As a wide eyes piston pilot, I was initially unconcerned with the contract, but now it is quite the nuisance. I am unsure what will happen if I break the agreement. Within the document it does not state any financial repercussions, but I think it somehow stipulates that I cannot work for anyone else... how is that enforceable?

Are you currently going to school as well? Any flight time is good flight time no matter how little. I certainly dont think the fact that you are not flying as much as you would like to be will hurt you too much...though some employers look for a certain amount of hours in the past 3mo...6mo....etc. If you are going to school or anything they will look past that. KingAir time is valuable...just try to make the most out of your contract...learn as much as possible. Is that your only job?

I'll sometimes go close to 90 days without flying at all and have to go to the sim to stay current.

A contract means nothing in aviation but loyalty.

I will graduate with a Bachelors Degree next weekend 18 December. I also work as a flight instructor at a local FBO, but students are few and far between. Plus, I think the FBO has kinda blacklisted me (not giving me any students) since I started my new job .

The only good thing is that I do have free unlimited access to their PCATD, which I have been using to try to keep my scan somewhat sharp.

Also, I should note that I do not dislike my current job. My boss is very nice, the pilot I fly with is great, the pay is descent for my experience level, and the aircraft is well maintained. Currently, I am saving a couple hundred dollars per month to supplement my income when I am a poor(er) regional pilot for the first 2 years or so. The major downside is the low annual flight time.

Ask your FBO boss why they aren't sending you any students and why...One of two things - they have blacklisted you or you are wrong and the other CFIs don't have many students either...You wont know until you ask...

Stay at your current job and build the hours and save money - its a good plan...

-LA

Generally speaking, the flight school has seen an average of 1-2 student lessons per day for the past 2 months; pretty low for a school that has 5 instructors and 6 aircraft. So that is definitely part of the problem, 2 lessons per day with a staff of 5 instructors wanting students.

Good thing their charter operation is continuing to grow, or else they would definitely be out of business... 2 King Air 200's, Navajo Chieftain, and looking to add another 200 or citation V.

Also, an instructor interviewed at Air Wiskey (and was not hired) about a month ago and his student base has all but shriveled to zero. Kinda sad, since he was the busiest instructor prior to his interview.

Its normal for a part 61 FBO flight school to slow down this time of year. The money is being spent on the holidays. Most everyone's budget gets tight and taking flight lessons is not the priority. The other thing is the weather- depending where you are- people ussually don't want to fly in the cold and ice.

I don't think the flight school blacklisted you. Its just hard to commit you to their customers when your availability changes. And "out of sight out of mind." The fbo schools don't have the revolving door the 141 pilot factories have.

I find it odd that they had you sign a 2 year training contract for that type of gig. Did they send you to SIMCOM or formal training? If so, thats not really expensive enough to warrant a 2 year contract. How much do you own them if you leave?

I agree. If you are still in school (and not going anywhere until you graduate) stay where you are at. The part where you said that you can not work anywhere else sounds fishy to me. I am not a lawyer by any stretch however it is my understanding that they have to have some sort of buy out option or something. They can not impeed on your ability to make a living. All in all if you get some sort of offer you can not pass up talk to a lawyer and they could probably get you out of it. On the flip side I also agree with a previouse comment about being loyal

I went to Simcom in Orlando, I think it was $6840 + travel expenses for the program. In the contract it does not state that I owe them anything. No where within the contract is there stipulation that I have to pay them back for my training if the contract is broken. Portions of the contract follow:

Section 5: Employee to devote full time to company.
The employee will devote full time, attention, and energies to the business of the Company, and, during this employment, will not engage in any other business activity, regardless of whether such activity is pursued for profit, gain, or other pecuniary advantage. Employee is not prohibited from making personal investments in any other businesses provided those investments do not require active involvement in the operation of said companies.

Section 15: Severability.
If, for any reason, any provision of this agreement is held invalid, all other provisions of this agreement shall remain in effect. If this agreement is held invalid or cannot be enforced, then to the full extend permitted by law any prior agreement between the Company and the Employee shall be deemed reinstated as if this agreement had not been executed.