ways to go from CPL to 1000TT w/o CFI'ing?

[Cheechako]

I did about 220 hours dual given right out of flight school and enjoyed about 219.9 of those hours. It was not my cup of tea.

I came out of flight school with about 300 hours, then suffered the 220 hours as CFI, then completed my first 1000 hours flying VFR 135 in Alaska. After that, I went to the right seat of a turbine twin Beech dropping sterile fruit flies over Los Angeles (got that job through friends in college).

There are ways to build time without going the CFI route, but you're in for a challenge. But if you're in the right place the right time. . . no worries!

Good luck!

 

[mikecweb]

come on really, enough with the lectures. i am just asking for tips on other jobs besides CFI.

I'm just saying that you might want to direct your career toward single pilot flying as you don't want to be a teacher. If that's a lecture then I'd hate to have been your CFI.

 

[mhcasey]

If you are in Austin I might have a few contacts for you for Skydiving and Traffic Watch.

- Mike

 

[SJM]

I'm completely with the OP on this one...why can't more people just address his question? I fully understand not wanting to be a CFI...IMO not everyone who wants to fly professionally must be, or has what it takes to be, a CFI.

 

[taseal]

I would like to do something like this too.

I don't think I have any money left after getting my comm for CFI

 

[BajtheJino]

As far as what I've seen out in the world of flying with 175TT you have almost no hopes of getting a job. Sure you could get lucky and put the gear up and down for someone on some sort of twin but I'd rather Sudoku myself to death. Even though you've said you don't want to get the CFI if nothing else than bettering yourself with the knowledge and some pilot skill and when you hit 500TT go for the VFR 135. But hey, thats just me.

 

[TXaviator]

well im glad to see im NOT the only one who has interests other than CFI'ing... that being said, in the next 2 semesters ill have my CFI and CFII anyway as part of the degree program here.

 

[taseal]

well im glad to see im NOT the only one who has interests other than CFI'ing... that being said, in the next 2 semesters ill have my CFI and CFII anyway as part of the degree program here.

I wouldn't mind CFIng, but I just don'thave have any money left after comm and all that stuff....

 

[Dan208B]

I know it's already been said, but being a CFI teaches you how to teach. Even if you don't want to do it, it's a very good rating to have, opens a lot of doors and looks good on a resume for sure. Think about getting it and if you still have no interest in doing it after you get the rating, that's great, but if you do, thats even better. And you'll be one step closer to that 1000 hrs when you're done...

 

[Avalon781ML]

You can do some pipeline work down here in Midland with me..... you can work as much as you like.... I would say avg 160 hrs a month.... but you have to like waking up early in the morning.... hit me up on FCbook mang.

:rawk:

B

 

[Screaming_Emu]

while yes, i understand flying isnt one-man-on-an-island, i dont think i should be belittled or berated for asking about jobs that are not CFI'ing.

not everyone in the world wants to be a teacher. im SURE not every pilot in the world has been jumping at the chance to be a CFI.

I dont think he was belittling you or berating you at all...just sayin the truth. I strongly agree that "I wouldn't make a good CFI" is just a cop out.

 

[Screaming_Emu]

I know it's already been said, but being a CFI teaches you how to teach.

I think the best thing that CFIng taught me is good communication skills. That was in addition to the many technical skills that I learned and developed while having people scare me. I actually miss instructing.

 

[ElyJs]

I didn't want to be a CFI. I had about 300 hours and I was trying to figure out how to get on with an airline. I was occasionally flying skydivers and paying gas on other peoples planes. I tried to avoid getting the CFI. Then I realized I could make a little cash and at least fly with some of my student pilot friends.

It was the best decision I ever made. Being a CFI teaches you how to fly in a crew environment. Really saying that you never want to be a CFI is like saying I never want to be a Captain. I mean as an FO you get to fly just the same, only difference is as a captain you are the one actually making the decisions. It will make you a better pilot, you might not realize it till you have some dual given.

I am not saying you have to give 800 hours of dual given, but you should get it to give 100 or 200 hours of dual. Teach your parents or best friend to fly. Believe me you WILL feel differently about it.

Flying skydivers isn't all that great. You fly the elevator, its boring, and for the most part its just time in a logbook. The hours are useless, don't learn much. Good luck!

 

[PGT]

I'm completely with the OP on this one...why can't more people just address his question? .

That's JC as of late. It's getting repetitive and VERY annoying.


People need to stop post #######, seriously.

 

[bdhill1979]

I'm completely with the OP on this one...why can't more people just address his question?

Unfortunately I think most of the responses to the original question have been addressing the question, though the message is getting lost in translation.

The point is that jobs for a wet commercial certificate holder are few and far between. believe me I looked a year ago when I was there. Most if not all will require you to know somebody to have an in. This is mostly an insurance thing for commercial operations. Notice a recent post to the jobs available section for banner tow in San Diego had a 500 hour minimum.

I think the reason most people who get an Instructor certificate is because they recognize that it is one qualification that can get you a job almost anywhere at whatever hours you have, and it will generally build hours quickly.

I'm not going to tell you that CFI is the only way, it isn't. But the fact is with 250 hours you are only half way to what most insurance companies will require. You will have to look really hard, probably be willing to move, and probably have to accept pay that equates to below minimum wage when you consider all factors.

But to answer your question more specifically, people I know have done the following with a wet commercial certificate and no CFI:

Banner tow
Glider tow
Scenic tours
Traffic Watch
Pipeline Patrol
Fire spotting
Back Country work

In each case they knew somebody that got them the job though.

 

[slushie]

What I've found is that advertised minimums mean nothing.
I got on skydiving at like 350 hours, the competitor's pilot got on with 290.
Traffic watch gig repeatedly placed ads for 750tt. I had 550tt when I started.

Your time COULD get you on with a skydive place that doesn't insure their planes (apparently this is common?) The place I flew did mostly tandems, carried no insurance, and just made that very clear in the "sign-your-life-away" papers.

 

[bdhill1979]

Your time COULD get you on with a skydive place that doesn't insure their planes (apparently this is common?) The place I flew did mostly tandems, carried no insurance, and just made that very clear in the "sign-your-life-away" papers.

That too

 

[slushie]

Flying skydivers isn't all that great. You fly the elevator, its boring, and for the most part its just time in a logbook. The hours are useless, don't learn much. Good luck!

Bull. Don't degrade me! lol

how about 5 REAL emergencies, radio work with ultra busy airspace, applying aerodynamics knowledge, dealing with crazy passengers, etc, etc, etc.

 

[slushie]

That too

Just so happens the pilot signs one too!

 

[slushie]

to the OP:

Apply anyways. Even if they say 500 minmum. Send them something. Call. Something.