What is an alternative to get 2500 hours of turbine experience?

Question

Hi all, I cannot join the air force im scared of dieing or getting shot down, is there anything to be scared of in the airforce? but my main question is what is all my choices how much does it cost and can i get it cheap? thank you so much

Answer 1

Unless you are extremely wealthy, you could not afford to rent a turbine powered airplane for 2500 hours. The price for that would be at least a couple million US dollars, if not more.  Just like most other civilian pilots, you'll have to do most of your training in piston-powered aircraft and then after flight school you'll probably start out building time in a flying job such as flight instructing where you fly single engine piston powered airplanes, then move up to multi-engine recips, than transition to turbine equipment. At minimum, after flight school, you're looking at working a 3-6 years (and possibly more) and two or more flying jobs in order to accrue 2,500 hours of turbine time.  

Answer 2

You may want to get a part time gig flying skydivers.

They typically use Twin Otters, King Air C-90's, Casas and Caravans.

The pay is low but you'll start building the turbine time easily.

Answer 3

You should be more scared of flying itself than being shot down. Your odds are better learning in an USAF aircraft than a UPS or FedEx jet that has less stringent maintenance.