Single Pilot IFR

[jjm]

This question is kind of weird, but I'll ask it anyway...
I am a CFI/CFII...I don't have a lot of multi time nor do I have a lot of actual instrument time and I am interested in flying regionals soon. I am considering going the 135 route to gain instrument/multi experience and also because it will make me a better pilot in the end. That being said, and I'll be honest here: flying single pilot IFR kind of intimidates me-- I love instrument flying and teaching instruments as well, but the thought of flying crazy 135 routes by me-lonesome is a little scary. I actually prefer instrument flying when

I'm wondering if 135 operations are mainly single pilot ops-- single engine and twin engine. It's hard to find the info online, Does anyone know?

The second question is: how could I get comfortable with the idea of single-pilot IFR

[mtsu_av8er]

[ QUOTE ]
how could I get comfortable with the idea of single-pilot IFR

[/ QUOTE ]

Get out there and do it!

[KLB]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
how could I get comfortable with the idea of single-pilot IFR

[/ QUOTE ]

Get out there and do it!

[/ QUOTE ]



Go and get your instrument students in some actual. It will make you and the student a better pilot.

[Bandit_Driver]

It all depends on the company. At my old company I was below 135 mins when I hired in so I was in a 2 pilot turbo prob then upgraded to the Single pilot ops in the piston twins...

The best way to get comfortable is just go out an do it. Hopefully, you will have a CP at the company that hires your an won't let you go out alone if they think you are not ready...THat is how my old company ran it. You did IOE and if they didn't think you were ready they would toss you 2 crew turboprops to gain more experience...

good luck...

[jjm]

great-- that answers my questions-- I'll get off my butt and get out there with students into actual... and it's good to hear about 135 ops-- hopefully I'll get on with one like the Bandit flew for. I'm looking at AirNow, Ram Air and Air Cargo Carriers...

thanks again!

[B767Driver]

I did the single pilot night freight Part 135 thing. It is hard core flying. A lot of the pilots who can't cut it flying this type of job end up flying at the regionals.

It's a whole different ballgame from the airlines. I would recommend it for a while to build some experience. I would not stay in the job for a career.

If you take this type of job...someday you will look back and determine that this is where you really learned how to fly.

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
I did the single pilot night freight Part 135 thing. It is hard core flying. A lot of the pilots who can't cut it flying this type of job end up flying at the regionals.

It's a whole different ballgame from the airlines. I would recommend it for a while to build some experience. I would not stay in the job for a career.

If you take this type of job...someday you will look back and determine that this is where you really learned how to fly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Single-pilot IFR 135 cargo was the best civilian flying I did. Very enjoyable, and quite the experience.

[jjm]

I've heard one of three things will happen if you fly 135... (as told to me by a pilot w/34 years of flight experience, who stopped counting hours at 12,000....)

1. you'll end up dead
2. you'll get the ##### scared out of you so badly you won't fly again.
3. you'll be able to walk into any airport in the country and say with full conviction, "I _are_ a pilot". (he was from the south).


anyway it's good to hear feedback. I'm looking for the challenge, as always, and this looks like a balls-to-the-wall challenge, so I'm going to go for it.

thanks again!

[SteveC]

[ QUOTE ]
I've heard one of three things will happen if you fly 135... (as told to me by a pilot w/34 years of flight experience, who stopped counting hours at 12,000....)

1. you'll end up dead
2. you'll get the ##### scared out of you so badly you won't fly again.
3. you'll be able to walk into any airport in the country and say with full conviction, "I _are_ a pilot". (he was from the south).


[/ QUOTE ]
Kinda like saying if you're living, one of three things will happen:
1. You'll keep living for a few years, then you'll die.
2. You'll keep living for a lot of years, then you'll die.
3. You'll die.

Both sets of suppositions are true, but the odds of any of the three items are not necessarily equal, thus the implication involved is false. 135 flying is not necessarily more dangerous, but like all flying it is unforgiving of bad decision making.


(By the way, the "I are a pilot" swagger is a potential bad-news attitude. Over confidence is not a good trait in this industry.)

[bluelake]

JJM,

I was like yourself. I was a CFI-I with little actual and little multi-engine time. I got hired to fly CE-402's in northern Cali PArt 135 UPS NExt Day Air freight.

I can say with honest conviction that it has been the BEST experience I have had. I have learned so much not just aviation crap but also about myself.

When I went into this job, I had these images of things that really scared me, like long lonely enroutes in ice, circling approaches at night in strong winds/low ceilings, etc.. I was really afraid. When I actually WENT OUT THERE AND DID IT, it was not nearly as bad as I thought. In a sick way, it almost became fun.

I really envy the dudes (and dudettes) who jump from CFI directly to regionals, but I can say I am very happy of my 1 1/2 yr as a freight guy. I am a company trainer and I really love teaching our new guys the IFR and line ops. This summer, I have been working as an air attack pilot over forest fires. I REALLY miss IFR, and to think only 2 years ago I was so afraid of it I considered keeping aviation as a hobby only!!

PM me if you like.

DeanR

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]

When I went into this job, I had these images of things that really scared me, like long lonely enroutes in ice, circling approaches at night in strong winds/low ceilings, etc.. I was really afraid. When I actually WENT OUT THERE AND DID IT, it was not nearly as bad as I thought. In a sick way, it almost became fun.

I
DeanR

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely fun in a sick way!!!! Agree!

Loved every minute of it, back in the day.

[jaxpilot]

i look forward to flying single pilot IFR someday, freight or charter. I am not jealous at all of those that go CFI to regional, they are missing out on a lot, and sacrificing a lot to make that little amount of money.

[flyingmaniac]

I know, go home and set up Flight Simulator 2004. Turn off all the lights in the room and just stare at the screen while flying instrument routes and approaches.

[bluelake]

[ QUOTE ]
I know, go home and set up Flight Simulator 2004. Turn off all the lights in the room and just stare at the screen while flying instrument routes and approaches.

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, and if your gonna do THAT.. might as well indulge in the FAR-free privalege of cracking a few cold ones while your at it..

[ComplexHiAv8r]

[ QUOTE ]
yeah, and if your gonna do THAT.. might as well indulge in the FAR-free privalege of cracking a few cold ones while your at it..

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that considered training of "spatial disorientation"?

[flyingmaniac]

Spacial Perception.

[dingo222]

Spaced out... lol. I've gone into my school at night with a few other instructors after more than a few adult beverages to see how we fly single pilot approaches. It's not too good for experience, but damn good for a laugh! :-)