Pilotpip

Yes, the rotorwing market sucks. One place where low oil prices don't help. The airlines react to yesterday. What happens 3 months from now is anybody's guess but with the current trend, the "fog a mirror" requirement may soon be dropped at the regionals.

For reference on what is required for an ATP, take a look at 61.159-160. The big issue for you will likely be the 250 hours in an airplane as PIC or required crew member.

Next, do you have a degree? Opinions are... (you know the saying) but having been furloughed, with few options outside aviation I would strongly suggest using that hard-earned right for something that will weather economic, and health issues a little better like a four year degree in a non-aviation related field.

JayBee

Thank you for taking the time to try and help me make a good decision, it is very much appreciated.
While the 'fog a mirror' quote is hyperbole; I believe I am quite capable of doing the job so, yes that is very much a concern for me - that if they rack and stack, I do fear the rotorwing guy would be placed below someone who is all airplane. Truth is though when I originally went for rotorwing it wasn't as much as a I love it so much more than airplane but the job market looked so much better at the time. I find airplane flying to be equally joyful and quite frankly the helicopter world can be a little wild west (pt91)and I think I would enjoy the structure and rules of the 121 world yea I'm weird I know

I will have pretty much all the hours I would need for the ATP after I add-on multi engine airplane and instrument. So basically something I wanted to do anyway just more of a reason to.

Degree is in the works, though I also have a few skill sets to fall back on - A&P, auto mechanic and my military trade of heavy equipment operations if need be.

Again, thank you. I know no one has a crystal ball about regional hiring needs three months from now unless you happen to be a recruiter reading this ! just trying to make sure I take good care of my family.

TangoIndiaMike1

I noticed PSA changed their requirements to 25 Actual time and they put it in bold, because my guess is that some people applied with some sim time.

PSA Airlines | Open Positions

Pilotpip

I didn't mention it last time, but thank you for your service to our country!

I'm sure you would excel at the airlines, and do quite well in training. The simple fact that you made it through a much more rigorous military flight training program will only help you regardless of the fact that it's rotorwhackamole time.

It sounds like you're in good shape. Log that time and you'll have your pick of airlines when you apply. Deciding which one to choose will be the most difficult for you. Best of luck and thanks again!

JayBee

Dumb question number two -

TPIC ?

Is this some 121 rule ? I've looked in Subpart V, 121.443, 121.543 & 121.545....

as in if I'm flying the leg as FO I can't log PIC per 61.51 ?
I'm assuming, which I hate to do, based on what I've found that TPIC means ACTING PIC ?

Thanks, Jeff

PotatoChip

It's not a "rule" anywhere. It's a requirement or preference for certain airlines and operators. Just so we are on the same page, TPIC stands for Turbine Pilot-in-Command. For most airlines and operators, the requirement is that you "sign for the aircraft" in order to log it as such, i.e., you aren't simply "sole manipulator".

To answer your question directly, no, not acting PIC. You must sign for the aircraft in question, be listed PIC on the flight plan, ranked a captain etc.

JayBee

So in my logbook I can log PIC per 61 but as far as getting the next job PIC as Captain only counts. So it would seem useless to log PIC in the logbook I guess.

Yes I understood about turbine part of the equation.

PotatoChip

Right. That's correct. You can continue to log it as such, just be prepared to explain it.

As an example, if you are flying a Citation V part 61 in the right seat and you are both typed and can log PIC, I would. It's perfectly legal.
As a part 61 operator you are very likely not "signing for an aircraft" and you are sharing the responsibility. I would use this as TPIC.
It gets different in 135 and 121 environments, then I would only log when I was the signing PIC.

There will be differing opinions on this.

JayBee

So I guess most people would just log 121 FO time as SIC with the caveat that under Part 61 rules it is PIC time if they wiggled the stick - if there was an employer somewhere that cared about 121 stick wiggling time is when it would matter

Aurora8

Would you folks have any advice as to who might hire an experienced pilot (5000+ hrs 121,135, 2400 Turbine [1250 PIC]) who isn't proficient? I haven't been employed as a pilot for 10+ years but I'd like to get back into it...