A career path question for pilots fresh from their training. What to do next?

Question

For example, a pilot trainee completes a 250 hour flight training program. What can he/she do to earn hours in order to be accepted in the airlines? If he/she chooses to be a in a charter, will he/she eligible without ratings of the aircraft in that company? Or the company would provide a self-sponsored flight training for that applicant? Thank you very much.

Answer 1

With only 250 hours your options are quite limited. Generally speaking, flight instructing, local sightseeing tours, banner towing and traffic watch are the usual types of jobs available. Occasionally there are openings for co-pilots on larger aircraft, but those opportunities are very rare.

In order to fly charter and Part 135 "air taxi" as pilot-in-command, you need a minimum of 500 hours or they cannot legally employ you. Most companies prefer that you already have "time in type", but many will also train you in the aircraft, particularly if you already have experience in a similar type of aircraft. These days, insurance requirements are usually far more stringent than the FAA minimum requirements, so that is what determines pilot eligibility.

You probably already know this, but to review, any turbojet powered aircraft, and any airplane weighing over 12,500lbs requires that you have a type rating in that specific airplane in order to fly as pilot in command. Some companies will provide these type ratings if you meet their other experience requirements, and some (typically corporate and charter) require you to already have them. There are no major airlines that require you to have a type rating in the planes they fly, however some, such as Southwest, give preference to those with type ratings.

To be eligible for the regional airlines you also need a minimum of 500 hours, but few will look at you until you have logged at least 1,500 hours, are at least eligible to get an ATP rating, and have at least 250 hours in multi-engine aircraft, plus meet PIC , night time, and cross-country requirements. Some require more, some less.  Right now it seems the requirements are less because demand is high.

To be eligible for the major airlines you generally need to have a minimum of 1500 hours and hold an ATP rating.  However, most of the "majors" require that you have at least 1,000 hours PIC time in fixed-wing aircraft, 1,000 hours multi-engine time, and 1,000 hours turbine time. Realistically, the average airline new-hire has at least this amount of time and on the order of 5000 hours total time. About the only way to reach these qualifications is by flying for a charter outfit, a corporate flight department, a regional airline or the military.

Again, each company and each airline has its own requirements, and those are almost always substantially higher than the legal minimum requirements.

Answer 2

there are a couple routes... get your CFI certificates and build time that way until you have enough hours for a regional to hire you or try an advanced training program.. WMU offered a JET course which was basically the same training you would go though if you got hired by a regional airline.. It included 40 hours in pretty much the same simulators that the regionals use.. i know several of our pilots have been hired after taking the JET course with 250 hours TT and 50 hours of multi time.. i think ATP offers a similar program.. the cost is less than it would cost you to get your CFI, CFII, and MEI.. So its a pretty good deal.. But this course doesnt promise a job when your done.. it may promise an interview though..

the airlines will train you for the type rating needed, you dont have to worry about that.. the JET course doesnt give you a type rating either, but you would basically be ready for one once you complete the course, if youve done your homework..

Answer 3

Been there, done that, out of the regionals for awhile?  Many are now hiring with the 250 hour commercial pilot minimums!  There is a shortage of pilots at the regional level.  I would keep working on your CFI, and apply to any airline that will take your resume.  Also, you can fly skydivers to build some time.  Good luck.

Answer 4

you need 1500 hrs. to get your ATP license.After you get your private,you need to get your instrument,mulit-engine,commercial licenses.To get the hours you need for an ATP,most pilots get their instructors license,and then instruct other students in order to build up hours.It's very expensive to become an ATP without being an instructor.It can be done,but it's very expensive.

Answer 5

Do some of the usual entry-level pilot jobs.