Bridging the gap?

BravoHotel

BravoHotel

Well-Known Member
I'm getting to point of time where I need to think about transitioning from active duty back to the civilian world. I am sitting around 1100 TT in GA aircraft and when my tour is complete I'll have about 300 in the C-5 as an Engineer. Which I can only use a 3:1 ratio to count towards civilian time bring up to about 1200TT.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the research I have concluded to qualify for your RATP you must have completed your flight training at the same place where you completed your education. I graduated from ERAU, and completed my ratings from ATP. So the R-ATP is off the table.

What I am looking for are suggestions that might cover 300 hour gap I have. I heard there are Caravan operators now that have 135 mins where as they used to be almost 2000 hours. I could do a year or six months flying a Van. I'm also thinking Ameriflight. I am in dialog with a 135 company that flies King Airs for a potential SIC position, but I've been told to be cautious with that by other pilots. I could also do that to close the gap. What I don't want to do, but would if I had to would be going back to flying jumpers.

Edit: Does anyone know about WestAir?

I am trying (if possible) is to stay west coast based, I live in Sacramento.

Thank you for your input.
 
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If the 135 stuff doesn't work out, you could always head over to the Phoenix area and knock out your hours at one of the pilot mills over there. Plenty of people here that can weigh in on the best places to work.
 
Apparently, start putting the word out and I get almost instant feedback. The jump school I used to work for, even though it would be only part time, wants me to fly for them. While i am on AD I can swing that and not worry about the pay which I can use to pay down a credit card or something, but it is hours I don't have to pay for to close that gap.
 
Hawks said:
I'm getting to point of time where I need to think about transitioning from active duty back to the civilian world. I am sitting around 1100 TT in GA aircraft and when my tour is complete I'll have about 300 in the C-5 as an Engineer. Which I can only use a 3:1 ratio to count towards civilian time bring up to about 1200TT.

Thank you for your input.
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Explain the 3:1 time ratio you speak of. I have never heard that before.

Thanks
 
Finny said:
Nice! Do you have all your other auxiliary mins met as well?
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I'm kinda light on XC, about 200, most of my flight time is hauling jumpers up and down.

Vector said:
Explain the 3:1 time ratio you speak of. I have never heard that before.

Thanks
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FAR 61.159 3 i-iii Applying Flight Engineer hours toward your ATP. I'll paraphrase but it states you can use up to 500 FE hours toward your ATP, at ratio of 3:1. So I would have to have 1500 hours of FE time to get the full 500 hour credit towards my ATP.
 
Hawks said:
FAR 61:159 Applying Flight Engineer hours toward your ATP. I'll paraphrase but it states you can use up to 500 FE hours toward your ATP, at ratio of 3:1. So I would have to have 1500 hours of FE time to get the full 500 hour credit towards my ATP.
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Thanks. There is always something new to learn in the FAR. After reading this, I wonder if Air Force NAV's and Navy NFO's can apply such FAR liberally.
 
Go do a summer in AK. It'll be the best flying you'll ever do. Right now is a good time to get hired as well, and several outfits can be two weeks on, two off with some JS privileges.
 
Not every employer will honor the FE time. Even though it is legal time, some places don't count it. Similar to helicopter time.

Ask @Adler.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Blackhawk said:
What are you trying to do?
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That Sir is a good question. One thing I know is stay in the Reserves. I am not entirely married to the idea, but flying cargo or passenger service seems where most of the money, QOL and your schedule seem to be down the line. Unless of course THE one "niche" job comes.
 
So you're taking about 121 plus staying in the reserves? Trying to figure out your long term goals. Tough to figure out the road to take when you don't know the destination.
 
Did you take your ATP written before Aug 2014? If so, just find the quickest way to ATP/rATP mins and take the ride, unless you definitely want to go 121. otherwise, do whatever you want, seems like most 121 shops have started CTP courses/will pay for it
 
ozziecat35 said:
@srn121 dont you guys fly survey in twins off the west coast?
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We may be hiring iin the very near future, but if he's loooking to build time quick there's a busy drop zone north of sacramento flying a 182 which was flying non-stop this summer. Lodi also has a Twin Otter and I think a few other planes.
 
I would add that you should try to get cheap quality time. Is there a TW nearby where you can maybe get a TW endorsement and fly it? There's a J-3 near me for $70/hour.
Glider rating?
 
Blackhawk said:
Is there a TW nearby where you can maybe get a TW endorsement and fly it? There's a J-3 near me for $70/hour.
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I've had trouble over the years finding places to rent tailwheel airplanes at a decent rate because of insurance. Most places that I have gone to over the years either had 200+ tailwheel time mins to rent, or you had to always rent it with an instructor even if you all ready had the endorsement.

So, if that's true -- $70 all up, and all you need is the endorsement -- that is a good deal.
 
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