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

Status
Not open for further replies.
How bout this?
Good ####ing luck.


Know what I'm tired of? Providing advice to people with wet commercials and then being told that advice isn't what they wanted.

You'll find very few people who will want to give you advice if you don't listen more then you talk.
 
mikecweb said:
How bout this?
Good ####ing luck.


Know what I'm tired of? Providing advice to people with wet commercials and then being told that advice isn't what they wanted.

You'll find very few people who will want to give you advice if you don't listen more then you talk.
Click to expand...

Did you say somethin Mike? :-P
 
or...you gave him advice that he specifically did not ask for.

How about this:

He mentioned the CFI thing in the FIRST POST. So that means he's read the other 5,000 threads where people act like jerks about this topic, and has made his decision.

I did too. And guess what? I changed my mind back and forth about 100 times, so give him a chance. Maybe he'll choose "the way" later.

He's a fellow human being, and on top of that, a fellow pilot. That does not equate to dog poop on your shoe.
 
Where there's a will, there's a way.

While I have a mind to someday get my CFII and perhaps my MEI, I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to give primary instruction, so I understand where you're coming from.

Aerial mapping flying is also an option (and the one I chose), but it entails being away from home for months on end and is thus better suited for single guys, or ones with VERY supportive and independent spouses/SOs. It pays equal to or slightly better than 1st yr regional pay, and will sharpen your stick & rudder skills far more than a CFI gig will, as you're doing 100% of the flying yourself.

The company that owns the technology contracts with 5 different vendors for aircraft and pilots, so it doesn't really matter which vendor you work for; the job is the same on a daily basis. The 5 vendors include: Rochester Aerial Mapping Service, Landcare, Desert Wind Air Service, Northern States Aviation and Air America. Together, they employ a total of about 50 pilots every fall. Each has slightly different hiring mins depending on their insurance requirements; most are either 250 or 350 TT, commercial+instrument.

The work is seasonal from Oct - May, so if you can manage to get your hours up to 250-350 by this fall, the likelihood of being able to land a job is quite good.

If there is one thing I have to say in favor of CFIing over other forms of timebuilding, it's that CFIs continually reinforce their aeronautical knowledge by teaching it over and over to students and are thus probably sharper on stuff they'll be asked in a technical interview. After 600+ hrs of aerial mapping flying, I can guarantee my stick & rudder skills are sharper than most CFIs, but I've had to study the AIM and other materials regularly to keep my aeronautical knowledge anywhere close to theirs.
 
aloft said:
The company that owns the technology contracts with 5 different vendors for aircraft and pilots, so it doesn't really matter which vendor you work for; the job is the same on a daily basis. The 5 vendors include: Rochester Aerial Mapping Service, Landcare, Desert Wind Air Service, Northern States Aviation and Air America.
Click to expand...

WOOOT!

0784011508.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
 
Volunteer for the CAP. They won't pay you for it, but I built lots of free flight time that way before I joined the military. I also did part time CFIing on the side; primary instruction got old quickly, but as a CAP pilot I could go looking for ELTs, give cadet orientation flights, move airplanes to and from training events, not to mention taking the plane out for "proficiency" flying whenever I want. (you do actually have to pay for the fuel and a small maintenance surcharge when you "rent" the plane just to go buzzing around).
 
Ehhh....not the best advice ever. I wholeheartedly endorse volunteering one's time/talents to CAP--I've contributed 22 years' worth, myself--but free flight time isn't as free-flowing as you suggest and I discourage those seeking out CAP membership solely for the free flying opportunities as they're likely to be disappointed.

<--Spaatz #901/Lt Col, CAP
 
well through the bickering and anti/pro CFI argument, i am slowing getting around to the info i was originally soliciting.

yes, i will have my CFII in 2 more semesters when i actually NEED to sign a job.

yes, i will have the option to CFI, but no, its not my first choice. just trying to use JC as i envision it is supposed to be utilized.... as a way to network and find maybe the "less advertised" jobs out there....

i understand the pros and cons of CFI'ing... but please dont fault me for trying to find work that I personally feel would be more enjoyable :-D
 
Per your original question - The trouble with non-CFI jobs is you have to know someone to get on. I have know several other instructors and students who did banner tow, flew for individuals they met or flew 135 SIC with less than 250hrs. If you want this type of thing now, put yourself out there and start meeting people. Visit places you might want to work and try to win them with your personality.

Good luck with the hunt! It's a tough road and I hope you succeed!

Per the CFI conversation - the funny thing is that all of the contacts that I have in aviation I met while teaching. I now have 3 retired airline captains (30K+hrs each) who will write me a recommendation any time I ask. I have 2 UPS captains who have told me to toss them my resume when I get the min hours so they can walk it in. Also, as mentioned earlier, my aviation knowledge is sharp from continually being in the books. All this said, if you don't want to teach or don't think you'll make a good CFI, please don't! There's nothing worse than a disinterested instructor who's just there to build time.

Also, though my experience with captains is limited so far, the best captain I've flown with was never a CFI (5 time national aerobatic champ though) and the worst captain was a CFI (and IP and IOE instructor). While being a CFI will definitely make ME a better captain, it is not a given that being a CFI will make YOU a better captain.
 
mikecweb said:
How bout this?
Good ####ing luck.


Know what I'm tired of? Providing advice to people with wet commercials and then being told that advice isn't what they wanted.

You'll find very few people who will want to give you advice if you don't listen more then you talk.
Click to expand...

Cheers to that!

:rawk:
 
I think that if you are of the mind that you don't want to teach, then you shouldn't. Plain and simple. Don't screw-over a student and not teach them how to fly just so you can add some time to your logbook.

That being said, you might find that you enjoy teaching if you give it a shot. You're going to have your CFI/II anyway...

The guys that are saying to "CFI" are just trying to give you the best advice to reach your goal of being a line pilot the fastest. They know there are other jobs available, but that they are few and far between.
 
part 141 with sim time would get you a commercial with 175 TT, basic 141 calls for 190 hrs, of which some sim time can be included (don't remember how much). I think it may be possible for some schools to have at TCO that calls for less than 190 hrs.

part 61 with 50 sim hrs would get you a comm with 200 TT

3rd way military proficiency (not the case here)
 
Wing_96 said:
I think that if you are of the mind that you don't want to teach, then you shouldn't. Plain and simple. Don't screw-over a student and not teach them how to fly just so you can add some time to your logbook.
Click to expand...

See, I don't think its that hard to not screw over a student. Just have to decide that "ok...this is my job, I'm going to not suck at it". Its called work ethic. Unfortunately not many people have that anymore.
 
I don't care where you came from but after dealing with CFIs at a particular flight school I attended - if I were a brand new student I would REFUSE to fly with wet CFI certs. The best CFIs I had had 1500+ hours of total time. Oh and advising someone to CFI to "build time to get to the line" is asking for someone who is just going to sit there and count hours vs. teach. I've had plenty of friends who had their instructor leave once they got the time instead of manning up and finishing their student.
 
Screaming_Emu said:
See, I don't think its that hard to not screw over a student. Just have to decide that "ok...this is my job, I'm going to not suck at it".
Click to expand...

In principle, I agree with you, Emu. But I think the point is that he is trying to make is that he has identified aspects of his personality that don't gel with teaching. For some people it's very rewarding, for others, not so much. He also may be afraid of being "that guy." People can tell when someone they're working with doesn't want to be there, even if they're performing adequately. If he's really honest with himself and doesn't want to teach, then he'll figure something else out.

Its called work ethic. Unfortunately not many people have that anymore.
Click to expand...

Many people also fool themselves about what they are good at and what they're doing. A little self-honesty goes a long way, too.
 
cencal83406 said:
I don't care where you came from but after dealing with CFIs at a particular flight school I attended - if I were a brand new student I would REFUSE to fly with wet CFI certs. The best CFIs I had had 1500+ hours of total time. Oh and advising someone to CFI to "build time to get to the line" is asking for someone who is just going to sit there and count hours vs. teach. I've had plenty of friends who had their instructor leave once they got the time instead of manning up and finishing their student.
Click to expand...

Most CFIs that are new usually have above average knowledge and you can learn a lot from them. Don't limit yourself based on an arbitrary number. The 1500 hour CFI can be just as burnt out and useless as a 300 hour "timebuilding" CFI.
 
The guy made it pretty clear that he doesn't want responses that don't involve "Here's a job for a 175 hour pilot and it isn't CFIing, you're hired!". Now, I might *ahem* heartily share some of the opinions expressed regarding the feasability of this request. I might even *ahem* share some of the attitudes expressed regarding the tone of his responses to guys who have been there done that. But. Browbeating rarely convinces anyone and it's a waste of time to talk to someone who isn't ready to listen.

If I *were* to post a unsolicited opinion it would probably sound a lot like mike's "good luck". But I wouldn't do that ;) You'll figure it out in your own good time. And in all honesty, good luck.
 
mikecweb said:
How bout this?
Good ####ing luck.


Know what I'm tired of? Providing advice to people with wet commercials and then being told that advice isn't what they wanted.

You'll find very few people who will want to give you advice if you don't listen more then you talk.
Click to expand...

surreal1221 said:
Cheers to that!

:rawk:
Click to expand...

You guys are pathetic...

Mike... You should know better... more to the point you don't have to post ANY advice for anyone! Yes, you would be correct that it is smart to listen more than one speaks. Based on this comment you went from being someone I looked up and listened to with fervor category to the "uh maybe not anymore" category. Maybe you have had a bad day/week... but saying such things is not positive nor does it help anyone. If you don't like the results you get from the advice you give just refrain from responding to it.
This is just my opinion. If it rubs you the wrong way and you want to comment in a similar fashion PM me....

Surreal... just stop.... 'nuff said.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top