[dfreemanfso]

Ok, where to start.

I'm in the Army and have 8 years until I retire...I'll be a retired Officer with a degree, and combat leadership experience. My goal is to be hireable when I retire, if the opportunity presents its self. I don't know what kind of flying job I want, I just know I love flying and am tired of paying for it. I'd like to fly turbines at some point.

I have my commerical, multi, and instrument, I might get my CFI, II, and MEI, we'll see if I have time with all the deployments. I want to build between 800 and 1000 total time, but am not sure how much multi to try and build. I could go for 200 and not have the money to spend on total time. Or I could cut it down to 100hrs multi PIC and have more money to spend on total time. I know the Instructor ratings would be a bonus either way, but I can't assume that I'll have the time.

I know the market is difficult to predict 8 years down the road, but do those of you with experience think 100hrs multi PIC is enough. Another way to look at it is, would you rather hire someone with...

800 TT with 200 multi PIC
1000 TT with 100 PIC

Thanks,

Dave

[igbyjet]

Dave,
There is really no good answer to your question. Minimum qualification for employment vary widely between all carriers. From what i have learned the minimum requirements for the bigger airlines (part 121) is 1000 hours PIC in turbine aircraft. Of course that is minimum, competitive hours will be much higher. At the other end of the airline spectrum is the regional carriers and they will hire with very little total time/multi time depending on the market (expect very low pay). Then there are the flight instructor jobs that require little time. There is also part 135, in order to fly part 135 (unscheduled charter) you have to have a minimum of 1200 hours pic, 500 hours cross country along with other requirements. (those numbers may be off a little). 135 jobs can vary from flying small aircraft carrying freight to large turbines carrying freight or passengers.

Before you get out of the service try and rack up as much multi time as you can. check out your local FBO and chat up the guys who own light twins and ask if you can go with them. I got at least 20 hours of free multi time that way. Look for posts from other pilots who need time and ask what they are doing.

At this very moment there are very few jobs out there, but everyone is hoping that turns around very soon.

hope i gave some good advice,
Josh

[Sobchakk]

Don't spend another dime on single-engine time. Just get your CFI and get the rest of the TT that way. I know how active duty can be, I've been there. But I still think even if you instruct very very casually over the next 8 years you will pass the 1000 hour mark. Any money that you would have spent on building single time should be applied to building multi time. Knowing everything I know now, that would be my strategy.

[lady_pilot]

Get your CFI and CFII and start instructing. You will build instructor time, PIC, and TT on someone else's dime and get paid doing it. Use that money to build your ME time. Set a goal to log at least 100 hours a year between now and when you retire. 1000 hours is usually a minimum. PIC and CFI/CFII demonstrates airmanship and an understanding of the rules. Your military experience will be a plus when you apply later. Thanks for serving!

[Aviation Interview Prep]

Multi time is the way to go. You will definitely get looked at quicker the more multi time you have. I would never pass up the opportunity to pick up Multi time