Hi,

Figured i would ask you guys at regionals a questions regarding flight time. I am currently a soph. at university. I am debating on buying an airplane, a twin. I am looking at spending 45-70K (70 is the MAX), on a twin. I will only keep it for about 150-300hrs. It probably will not happen untill next year or so. So here are my questions to you guys,

1. What type of a twin would you recomend
2. Is is a bad thing if i do not have many hours on being a cfi (i am not cfi yet, just finishing instrument)
3. If i do get a twin, i will have about 600tt, with 300multi, would it be pretty easy to get a job couple month after finishing school.

I just want to finish school and start working as soon as possible for an airline. Any imput would be great.

Thank you

edik

there are programs where you can buy time for a whole lot less than that. Or you could always get payed to get those hours......

I know i can get paid if i get my multi, but there is no garantee of students (unless you for for like UND, ATP, ERAU, or some other busy flight school). Also i would have to get my MEI after i graduate, and i am hoping to be applying for jobs when i graduate. Also i will sell the plane, so i will not lose much money, if not make little.

edik

EDIK,
I thought about doing the same thing you are at about the same point in my career at UND. The conclusion I reached was that even splitting it 3-4 ways with friends, the costs were still way more than it would cost to buy some block time in a twin or get your MEI. Insurance is the biggest problem you are going to find with very low total time and multi-experience. Maintenance is another large expense. If you decide to do it, try and find a partner who is an A&P.

1 Where can you find a twin at 70k? Junkyard..maybe
2 Get your ratings - cfi for a while
3 Plan on instructing or something to get experience, still why not shoot resumes around - never hurts. But get experience.

Just a thought that comes to my mind...(no offense)

Guy with a lot of money little/no experience flying crappy twin (or any twin) = statistic!

Also - Buying/owning a twin or any airplane isnt cheap your better off with something more realistic and probably safer like getting your cfi time and experience and then buying craploads of time at a legitimate twin rental place and splitting the cost.

Also i dont think you are looking at the whole situation correctly about getting an airline job there are many pilots out there with much more experience and time that are looking as well. I would like to have graduated and got a FO job flying jets right out of college too - its not realistic.

Almost any place you go will hire you with an MEI because MEIs are so hard to hold onto. I was almost offered a job on the spot when a guy misunderstood when I told him I had my multi-engine rating and he thought I meant MEI. I would say relax, enjoy the ride. I was just like you but I started instructing at UND at the start of my senior year and have enjoyed every minute of it (plus it makes you a hell of a lot smarter and a lot better pilot). Now, here I am less than a year after graduating and I start training at XJT in 2 weeks. Just relax.

Punkpilot48,
You didn't just interview with ExpressJet, did you? I thought I remembered your tag saying you were a CFI at Riddle.

My dad is an A&P, so that will help me out. I also have a guy that is is really intersted in buying one with me. He is also from CA so we can fly home together and log some time. Tickets cost about 400-600 bucks GFK-SNA, so it will be little more money but i would be logging time. I doubt it if i want to stay and teach at UND, thats if i get hired. The only thing that seems would be hard to get over is lack of experience or lack of teaching time.


edik

Thats good that your dad can do most of the maintenace. Is he an IA too? That would save you heaps of money. I'm sure a lot of guys are interested in buying a plane with you. I would be curious to see how interested he still is when it comes time to plunk down $35-40K. Also, you are going to need a fairly high-end twin to make it through the mountains safely. When you start 325, you'll learn all about single-engine service cielings. The first thing I would do if I were you (which I was about 18 months ago) is shop around for insurance with your experience level. I think you'll find it incredibly expensive if not impossible to get. Also, with 100LL going for about $3/gal depending on the twin its going to cost you $60-100/hr to fly the thing. That is money you DON'T get back when you sell it. Make sure you crunch the number before you jump into this.

Then teach somewhere else! There are TONS of other places that need instructors. Go freelance and then you can keep more of what you charge. UND isn't the only place to flight instruct. I instructed back in California too and had a blast. That being said, I make fairly decent money at UND for being a flight instructor. In fact, I will be taking a paycut when I head off to a regional.