Returning to aviation

Retired in SAN

Retired in SAN

Time to return to the saddle..
Hello all,
First, I apologize for requesting similar advise in another area of the forum but was unaware of this ATP sponsored area at the time of my posting. New guy here. I'll get up to speed:)

After 20 years flying helicopters commercially, I took three years off to do other things. I really have no interest returning to helicopters again. Pretty much been there done that and would like to pursue the fixed wing side of aviation. Unfortunately, out of 9500+ hours pic, only 1800 is fixed wing. My other concern is I am 50 years old. I do realize that flying for the majors is a missed window but thinking the regionals or corporate may seem realistic. Will ATP assist in helping one achieve a right seat with the RJ course even if they hadn't gone through the complete flying course from the beginning? Not meaning to throw around my ego at all but I have an ATP-SEL,MEL, Helicopter with a CE500 type rating and all the CFIs for both categories so I don't think I would need to repeat them other than getting back on the sti, getting current and doing an ICC. Again, I have been dormant for a better part of three years having flown not more 30 hours since being layed off.

Any genuine advise as to whether to come back and if so, how to go about it the most expeditious route, would be most appreciated.

Safe flights!
 
You have the time. You need to do something to get current. You'd be better off buying some multi time and logging hood time doing some IFR refresher. How much fixed wing multi do you have? You're almost overqualified for a lowly regional FO job but I think you'd get some interviews if you were current. Have you looked into 135 freight? You'd make as much or more than first year F/O at a regional and once you hit 1000 PIC turbine (two years), I'd think you'd be in a better position for a good corporate job than still being an RJ F/O making 30K. Especially with your rotor background, find a corporate job where they are looking for dual qualified. You'd have some niche quals but I'm not sure there is much demand for it.
 
Great info DE, thank you. I have been staying current by flying local flying club planes but only basic VFR stuff. I only have about 130 hours multi but a good part was in a Cheyenne III 20 years ago. I also bought a CE500 type years back when I had money for the ME-ATP thinking maybe someday it would turn into a wise investment. The down side is I'm a 3 hour jet pilot who has been away from the game with no connections. That's why I am enjoying the heck out of these forms!

Thanks again for your ideas!


Kyle
 
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