Zero time to Regional FO...How long for you pros?

maverick2

maverick2

Well-Known Member
I'm about to start training at AriBen and I have zero hours except for a discovery flight.I understand it takes a lot of hard work in studying, instructing, comprehending, making the right decisions, and a little luck to become a FO in 24 months from zero time, but I am so motivated for this challenge. I'm just curious how long it has taken you guys from zero time to landing a job at a regional as a FO.

Thanks in advance

Anthony
 
When you start, go to the Ari Ben forum here and start a thread and blog your training for us on a daily or weekly basis. I would be interested in hearing it.

And good luck!
 
Started flight training January 2002, completed last CFI rating February 2003, hired by regional March 2005. Trust me when I say this, don't rush. Enjoy building your flight time and learn from your experience. Once you get to an airline you will only hand-fly a small percentage of the time, so enjoy it while you can.
 
Started flying in August of 99, got a CFI job in 2002, got my current job in May of 05. I also had a May 2005 class date with Comair, however took this Charter job instead. Don't limit yourself to just the regionals. Get out there and find out about other types of flying (charter, corporate, ag, etc.).

Chris
 
Took a discovery flight November 2000. Completed training and started flight instructing July, 2003. Got hired by a regional June, 2005.

I second Rausda's opinion, enjoy yourself along the way and absorb as much as you can.

Later on, you'll be calling this "The good old days".
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When you start, go to the Ari Ben forum here and start a thread and blog your training for us on a daily or weekly basis. I would be interested in hearing it.

And good luck!

[/ QUOTE ]

More than likely I will write a blog when I'm at Ari. It just depends how busy I am studying and flying.

I noticed that you guys instructed for about two years before moving on. Ameriflight and Airnet doesn't sound too bad either. Yeah, I'll keep my options open. Right now, I'm just going to concentrate on getting my license and ratings, and have fun while training. Gotta enjoy the civilian life and being up in the air.
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Anthony
 
I took my private checkride in early December 2002, started flight school in Jan 2003, started instructing in Aug 2003, and was hired by ExpressJet in Dec 2004.

I agree that you should enjoy and absorb as much as you can on the way up. I had fun and still miss flying a Seminole every day, there's just something about hearing those props that stirs the soul. But the ERJ is awesome!
 
Private Checkride: 04/03 with 65 hours.
Advanced Ratings completed: 10/03 with 250 hours.
Started instructing: 11/03 with 250 hours.
Hired with ExpressJet: 11/04 with 900TT / 600 Multi

It's do-able... good luck man!
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Bob
 
Let's see...

Got my private in July 2001,
Started flight instructing in July of 2002
Started doing some part time charter in August of 2002
Got hired at a regional in November of 2004 with 1500TT

I typically say the "Highs" are higher and the lows are lower when flight instructing as compared to a regional job. Good instructing takes alot more out of you then flying around in the airline.
 
It took me a bit longer than most... but I took the scenic route.

Private: Summer of '87 (as a jr. in high school)
Completed CFI: Dec '93 (graduated college)
Hired at a regional with 2200TT, 1200 ME in Aug.99

...so, 12 years for me, zero time to regional!
 
aviator instructors are moving to regionals within 6-12 months after starting instructing. the training time there just depends on how motivated you are. you can really move along quick if you want. oh yes it also depends on the hurricanes
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aviator instructors are moving to regionals within 6-12 months after starting instructing. the training time there just depends on how motivated you are. you can really move along quick if you want. oh yes it also depends on the hurricanes
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Did you train at Aviator? Mr. Cohen at Ari said the same thing too about thier CFIs moving to regionals around that timeframe. I'm just worried that I wont be a good instructor and have to look for a job.

Baronman, how was the experience flying 135 and instructing at the same time? Was it hard?

I dont want to take 12yrs from zero to regionals. I wouldn't mind if I was ten years younger. I would say three years is max for me.

Captain Bob and pscraig did it in two years. Very inspirational...I'm gonna aim for 20 months now. Where did Captain Bob instruct at? I know pscraig instructed at ATP-Vegas.

Thanks guys.

Anthony
 
[ QUOTE ]
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aviator instructors are moving to regionals within 6-12 months after starting instructing. the training time there just depends on how motivated you are. you can really move along quick if you want. oh yes it also depends on the hurricanes
banghead.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Did you train at Aviator? Mr. Cohen at Ari said the same thing too about thier CFIs moving to regionals around that timeframe. I'm just worried that I wont be a good instructor and have to look for a job.

Baronman, how was the experience flying 135 and instructing at the same time? Was it hard?

I dont want to take 12yrs from zero to regionals. I wouldn't mind if I was ten years younger. I would say three years is max for me.

Captain Bob and pscraig did it in two years. Very inspirational...I'm gonna aim for 20 months now. Where did Captain Bob instruct at? I know pscraig instructed at ATP-Vegas.

Thanks guys.

Anthony

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Relax a bit, it's how long you want to make it. YOu can do it under a year if you really want to. If you've got all the money and time then it won't take long.
 
yes i used to be an aviator student and instructor. mike was telling the truth when he said that. but like alaskaairlines said it is how long you make it. and about not being a good instructor. you will be as good as you make yourself granted some are natural teachers and others arent if you work hard to be good at what you do than chances are youll do just fine. another thing about a good instructor is when they are not there solely to build time. now most instructors are just building time to move on but some look at it as a way they can better themselves and do a good job while at it. others just dont care as long as they are building time. anyway enough with that.
a ? for alaskaairlines. just wondering where you fly. im working for warbelows in fairbanks thought maybe you come in here.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Captain Bob and pscraig did it in two years. Very inspirational...I'm gonna aim for 20 months now. Where did Captain Bob instruct at? I know pscraig instructed at ATP-Vegas.

[/ QUOTE ] Anthony, I instructed at ATP as well (DFW). I agree with many of the statements here like the High's being higher, and the low's being lower in instructing!
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However, like Alaska said... Relax a bit. I actually went in to the whole "professional" pilot career thing with it being a 5 year goal to get to a regional. I had a fortunate set of circumstances and got there sooner than I expected...

You can ask the guys at DFW ATP and SkyMates... I actually miss the instructing and flying smaller planes. I'm at the ATP office a few times a month checking out what's happening, and I still rent from SkyMates regularly. I really enjoy the GA environment, and if there was a way to still instruct, have the travel bennies, and the QOL, then I'd be all over it.

So... I guess what I'm saying is... take time to smell the avgas... enjoy the journey!
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Good luck!

Bob
 
Don't listen to a word this guy says! I'm in Skymates 6 hours a day and I haven't seen this bum in a month
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BTW Bob, Steve just finished up, took his CFI add on ride with Les and he's gone now. They called the FSDO for me, should have the ride at the end of the month.
 
I took my first flight in June 2001, hired at Expressjet in october 2004, so just over 3 and a half years.

With that said, I was prepared to be a CFI for as long as it took. When I was working on my private in 2001, I knew how bleak things were after 9/11 and realized I might be in the right seat of a 172 for 5-6 years before I met hiring mins at a regional or 135 operator.

I think that's the attitude you really need to have going into this. If you have some kind of timetable you're just setting yourself up for disappointment; the industry is too unpredictable. Now that I'm Expressjet I'm prepared to spend the rest of my career here, but I definitely don't want to. I'll take something better if it comes along someday; if doesn't, so be it...as long as I have a steady job and I'm flying (increasing my qualifications for a better job if I DO manage to find one), things are good.
 
I really appreciate the advice you guys are giving me. You guys are right about taking it easy and enjoying the journey. I'm just so excited and motivated to finally pursue my true dreams of flying. I definitely want to be a good instructor. Hattrick, I absolutely agree with working hard at what I do, I should come out fine. Good advice. I don't want to fail my students by teaching incorrect information and setting low standards for myself just like my instructor wouldn't do to me. Alchemy, you're right. I shouldn't set my expectations so high, otherwise I probably would end up disappointing myself and giving up. I should expect the worst and hope for the best. Thanks for the advice. I love JC.
 
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I'm just worried that I wont be a good instructor and have to look for a job.



[/ QUOTE ]

I'm working on my instrument rating, but my "day job" is teaching public school. Here's my advice: Whenever you learn a new concept, think of how you would teach it to someone else. It will help you learn (because you have to really understand something to teach it) and you'll start thinking like an instructor from day 1.
 
First flight June of 1998... Barbie FunJet Gear monkey November 2003. I did the college thing though.. didnt start applying at airlines until earlier in 2003.

I refer you to my perspective..
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