Question for Professional Pilots....?

Question

I have my private and instrument ratings and I am going to be working on my commercial and multi-engine ratings. I am trying to decide if I should get my single engine commercial rating or just go for my multi-commercial and skip the single engine commercial part. I have over 250 hours so I don't need any extra hours. Do I really need a single-engine commercial rating or would it be smarter to just get a multi-commercial rating? My career goal is to be an airline pilot. And also do you know any regional airlines that are hiring now? Thanks for your help!!!

Answer 1

Here's the thing.  You are going to have to find some way to build up hours in order to get hired by a regional.  How are you going to build up the hours if you don't have a commercial single?  There are not many multi-engine flying jobs out there for people with under a 1000 or so hours.  The flight schools that only teach in multi-engine planes, like Airline Transport Professionals, typically only hire student who went to that school, so being a multi-engine only instructor is most likely out.  Maybe some of the really crappy regionals would hire someone in your situation, but you'll regret working there real fast.

Get your commerical single and CFI.  Not many people like instructing in C-152s and C-172s, but you have to pay your dues somehow.  We all did it.

BTW, there's no reason why you would have to get your commercial single first.  I got my commercial multi and MEI before I got my commercial single.

Answer 2

Well, to be bluntly honest you will not be getting a decent airline job at 250 hours with a multi engine rating....Alot of what people are looking for these days is determination to meet your goals..

If you go sit down at an interview with a commercial multi only with 1000 hours...with no experience as a CFI or something similar,,and the guy next to you has 750 hours and has a single,multi, and CFI..he will most likely get the job...having all the ratings you can shows you are not trying to cut the corner to get in the seat...and that you are willing to work hard to get there....

I would strongly recommend getting your single and then your CFI...do some time in the right seat...sweating in the summer sun while trying to teach the new guy how to do s-turns...plus..it builds character...

there is no better reward than teaching someone how to fly.....

This is just my opinion.....

Jonathan S

ATP-LR-JET,HS-125,G-V

CFI/AGI

Answer 3

My class at Flight Safety filled out our paperwork a couple of years ago for our new type ratings. We were all ATP-multiengine, with type ratings, Commercial privileges, single engine. One fellow was private pilot privileges, single engine. The instructor thought it unusual enough to ask him about it. Had something to do with his military background and the conversion from military to FAA. And he had been a multi-engine jet instructor and aircraft commander in the USAF. My point is that it was unusual enough for the instructor to ask---I don't think this veteran instructor (who who flown single engine jets in the military) had seen it before.

I can't really comment on "regional" airline hiring. In the bizjet world, it usually takes an ATP, one or more type ratings, and thousands of hours to be considered. Or at least an ATP and 2,500 hours. It's actually kind of scary to think that someone with 250 hours "doesn't need" more hours. I guess you meant for the commercial minimums.

P.S. Guess you won't be taking any TBM or PC-12 gigs.

Answer 4

I had a good friend at my last regional that had no single engine commercial.  He was a helicopter pilot in the army, and already had plenty of hours.  If you can find a job flying a twin, or some kind of regional job, go ahead without it.  If you need to be a CFI, the single engine will be very handy.  I had multi engine CFI for awhile, and couldn't find a job.  Even places like ATP do some single engine training.  Hope that helps you.

PS, as far as I know, no regionals are hiring, except maybe Mesa.  Most of them are furloughing people.  Good luck.

Answer 5

There are very few jobs available to you as a non-single engine commercial pilot.  You will not be able to flight instruct, tow banners, do traffic watch, pipeline patrol, drop parachuters (its usually done in a single engine Caravan).  About the only available available to you would be as a CFI doing training in a multi-engine plane.  And there's not very much demand for that compared to the single-engine variety.

In my humble opinion, the single-engine commercial certificate is absolutely mandatory.  You limit yourself far too much without one.

As you move forward, you can make a different decision later when it comes to your ATP.  For example, I currently have my ATP multi- but am only commercially rated in Single-engine aircraft.