Next step?

[nwpiperpilot]

Hello!

After 8 or 9 years of lurking, I'm finally stepping up and asking for advice. I've probably read a couple hundred of these "What should I do" scenarios over the years, so please bear with me.

Here's my situation. I started flying in '97, PPL in '98, 4 year degree in '00, IR, Commercial, and MEI in '01, all with the intention of flying for a living. I flew skydivers, Air Lifeline missions, was co-owner of a '76 Archer II, then life, bills, and a somewhat gloomy industry outlook got in the way of my plan, and I stopped flying for nearly 4 years.

I'm back! But now what? I have around 650/75, but only 10 in the past 4 years (all in the past month). I want to get back on track but can't decide whether to get my CFI and instruct for a while, or just crank out some hours doing what I used to do (skydivers, ferry, cost share, any excuse really). Money is a concern getting back into it. After leaving aviation I managed to flip a couple houses and pay off all my debt and DO NOT want to take on that burden again.

Oh yeah... I'm getting married in a month! She's a great girl and totally supportive of my decision to fly again. She makes good money, but not enough to carry us and our mortgage indefinitely.

Finally, it's always been my dream to stay in the Northwest and fly for Horizon. I realize being flexible in this biz is key, but any advice on focusing on one particular airline and steps to increase the chances of getting on?


Thanks Everyone!

[moxiepilot]

Fly where you can build your currency up and make moey. If that means skydivers, so be it. If that means getting your CFI go do it.

[Seggy]

Build up currency and if you are interested you can send me a resume and I will walk it into the hiring people at Colgan.

We don't have any bases west of Texas, yet, but I could see Denver opening up as a Q base within two years.

[beechpilot]

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

Fly where you can build your currency up and make moey. If that means skydivers, so be it. If that means getting your CFI go do it.

Getting the CFI would be a good thing.

[moxiepilot]

i agree, but with that time and hiring mins, getting current and applying is the way to go. I think a fall back and exp. as a CFI is awesome, but I think we are looking at the quick least costly way.

[granlistillo]

I would find a place that teaches in glass, and get good and sharp with EFIS, by getting a CFI, CFII. I would then instruct as I put in my apps with all regionals you are interested in working for. With a degree, your hours are competitive if you are current. I dont see how flying skydivers will get you up to speed.

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by granlistillo

I would find a place that teaches in glass, and get good and sharp with EFIS, by getting a CFI, CFII. I would then instruct as I put in my apps with all regionals you are interested in working for. With a degree, your hours are competitive if you are current. I dont see how flying skydivers will get you up to speed.

I would actually avoid this at all costs. Transitioning to EFIS displays once you hit the airlines IS NOT HARD. Having a good, solid, fundamental six pack instrument scan is priceless, though, and will transition into any glass cockpit well. Folks that start on EFIS, on the other hand, DO NOT make the transition back very easily.

I've seen people fired first hand because of their horrible instrument scan on a six pack, but nobody in my initial class at my regional got shown the door because they couldn't make the transition into a jet cockpit.