JayBee

Hello all, similar to the Helicopter guys at Majors thread I had questions about getting on at the regionals in the current market. Word on the street, which brought me here, is that airline hiring has picked up considerably.

Where I stand - roughly 1200 total time, 1100 PIC which 1000 PIC is Helicopter. No turbine time, only have PP-SEL.

So what I was thinking was - Multi PP add-on, multi-instrument add-on and multi-comm add-on. I would need to get ATP before I could hire on Regional correct ?

So, I know the business is cyclical and again, the word on the street is now is a good time to get in. With what I'm looking at as far as rating to achieve and how many hours I would have (minimal airplane) do ya'll think it would be a wise move to try to make the jump right now ?

PS - I know its my decision to make just looking for some input from people who have a good handle on the fixed wing market.

badtransam97

I am in a similar situation. I think you'd just need to have the minimum requirements to meet the multi engine ATP rating to be hired at about any regional. I was told to get my written done and have 25hrs multi and they'd interview me. I have about 2200TT with 350 in FW, if that helps.

JayBee

Thanks for the input. Looking at 61.159 I would need to knock out a couple hundred cross country hours and some more night hours ( didn't get much cross country or night time flying piston tours) to get my airplane ATP. A small investment by rotorcraft dollar standards. Hmmm.... lots to consider.

So it sounds as if though, not necessarily preferred, but your rotorcraft experience counted to a degree.

badtransam97

Yeah it helps bridge the gap to the 1500hrs of your short on FW time. You don't even need a multi comm to get the multi ATP. If you look at the reg, it just says "hold a commercial rating issued under this part, and hold an instrument rating".

hopp150

I agree with this 100%. You do not need a Multi Comm to get the Multi ATP. I was a Rotorcraft ATP with my Private MEL and SEL, the next check ride I took was my Multi ATP after 25 hours of flight training and time building to meet the 50 hour ATP requirement.

mexipilot84

Do your RW ATP then work on the add on for your MEL. Don't know if it's cheaper that way, but probably less MEL time to buy. If you still have your GI bill find out what you can do at a 141 school that takes va bennies

JayBee

ah, yea don't know why i didn't realize that thanks all of ya'll. i will need to do at least private MEL so I can log PIC

the aero club on base has a 310 for $243 wet and yes I have some of my GI Bill left which is why i was thinking comm and instrument MEL

JayBee

mel is much cheaper than helicopter time unless i use a R22 which i have no time in, so i would need to do enough hours to get the SFAR 73 PIC sign off on that, might as well buy MEL time

hopp150

Not sure where you are located but I used horizon flight center in Chesapeake VA. They have the GI bill usage dialed in tight it was absolutely the most efficient use of my GI bill money.

osuav8r

I just got a South African friend of mine hired at Skywest with an FAA private. He has a South African commercial and had received his FAA private on the basis of his foreign license. He was originally planning on doing his ATP license in a seminole, but I made some calls and Skywest hired him sine he met ATP minimums and had the CTP and the Written completed. He will get his ATP with his CRJ type rating when he completes training. You may be able to pull off the same thing which would save you a bit of money vs doing it on your own dime.