Any Recommendations for Next Steps??

[cignaguy]

Hey Folks! Well, I hope to have my instrument rating next week. I will have just under 100 hours total time, did both PPL and IR in 141 environment.

So what next? I know I need to build time to get my commercial. I will probably do that part 141 also. So should I just find a safety pilot to split time with? I want to build all of my hours flying IFR, at least simulated IFR. So I figure I will just do some cool XC's. I will be doing this in the Atlanta area, so if anyone is up for splitting some time, let me know! I was planning on going to The Flight School of Gwinnett, out in Lawrenceville (KLZU). Cost of living is cheaper out there, and the school seems decent. Let me know if you have any pro's/con's about the school or area!

Should I also go ahead and get my multi-engine rating for part of this time? Or shall I build all the hours single engine and save the multi for later?

Thanks for any recommendations/ideas!

[TallFlyer]

Well, since you're familiar with Pt 141 you should know that in theory you could get your CSEL and CMEL done in 120 hours under a Pt 141 program. However, while I am a fan of Pt 141 for Inst. I'm not so much for commercial. It's a little too rigid for my taste.

If I had to do it all over again I'd find the cheapest airplane possible, try and buy a 100 hour block of it, fly that all over the map (seriously, throw a tent in back, and fly coast to coast. why not?) until I had about 200 hrs, then find a good freelance instructor who can finish up my CSEL with me in the last 50 hours remaining until 250 TT. Most likely I would've saved a TON of money if I had gone that route.

[mojo6911]

141 is going to be very restrictive for the Commercial. I highly recommend doing it Part 61. Doing it that way, you can include training in the twin towards your total time. Also, it allows a lot more flexibility with using a safety pilot.