MEI or Multi-time
05-11-2016, 05:05 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 535
MEI or Multi-time
Hey guys, I'm at 950TT with only 7 multi engine , currently cmel/csel .
I need to get to 25 or possibly 50 multi by decemeber and I have several courses of action, and looking for opinions or feedback. Cheapest way possible would be a priority.
1. Easiest but costly : build 18 hrs multi time by splitting costs in a rental or paying for gas and flying in the uncle's baron (somewhat difficult to actually schedule with him)
2. Most expensive / difficult. Get the MEI and do add ons at the local flight school (not too busy with multi students) or move to a busy school that will take an MEI only.
3. Most unknowns and potential delays and hassle relocating: Get to 135ifr mins (1200 hrs) and leave the company I'm with to fly night cargo or some other twin operation? Spend 4 months with them(not too kosher in my opinion).
My goal is a 121 career and I would like to take a teaching role in the 121 world eventually wether it's training CA , check airman or, sim instructor. Of course by that time ATP alone suffices. Would also rather spend time studying turbine a/c and commercial ops then doing the mei as a initial cfi and all that entails. Thoughts or suggestions ?
I need to get to 25 or possibly 50 multi by decemeber and I have several courses of action, and looking for opinions or feedback. Cheapest way possible would be a priority.
1. Easiest but costly : build 18 hrs multi time by splitting costs in a rental or paying for gas and flying in the uncle's baron (somewhat difficult to actually schedule with him)
2. Most expensive / difficult. Get the MEI and do add ons at the local flight school (not too busy with multi students) or move to a busy school that will take an MEI only.
3. Most unknowns and potential delays and hassle relocating: Get to 135ifr mins (1200 hrs) and leave the company I'm with to fly night cargo or some other twin operation? Spend 4 months with them(not too kosher in my opinion).
My goal is a 121 career and I would like to take a teaching role in the 121 world eventually wether it's training CA , check airman or, sim instructor. Of course by that time ATP alone suffices. Would also rather spend time studying turbine a/c and commercial ops then doing the mei as a initial cfi and all that entails. Thoughts or suggestions ?
05-13-2016, 06:16 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2013
Position: FO
Posts: 525
I was in a similar situation as you some years back, but had something like 2000 hours and 50 multi. This was before the 1500 hour rule, but there was a glut of pilots (2010-2011 time frame). I had about 300 hours of turbine in the PC-12 also.
Unfortunately, because of my lack of multi no one (the regional airlines) was interested. I ended up getting my MEI, then instructing at AllATPs for awhile and racked up all the ME time I could shake a stick at before moving on to the regionals... It definitely built more confidence going into class for the -145, especially since I had only flown about 15 hours of ME time in the previous 4 years prior to working at AllATP.
My advice? Just do the MEI, I know it costs money but you are about to jump into some extremely high performance airplanes. Having the correlation level knowledge of an instructor in a twin is definitely a huge advantage, even if it's just a Seminole. Seven hours of multi isn't much to be honest. No disrespect but I'd be hesitant to hire a guy into a transport category multi with that low time. My company actually tried it with our King Airs and it failed miserably. Especially with the nature of the flying we do, we ended up letting most of them go.
This holds even more gravity since you mentioned that you want to be a CKA or training CA some day. Those spots tend to be hand picked, not purely by seniority (although every company is different). The FAA is heavily involved, along with some (unfortunate) office politics as well. I'm not saying you can't be CKA at a regional or a Legacy w/o an MEI, but it definitely helps. It's not a normal CA's upgrade where you are entitled to the left seat once your seniority can hold it and you can pass the check ride. Not having any checkride busts or violations is critical in this also. At both airlines I worked for I've seen the FAA pull rank over the company CP and deny guys CKA slots for a variety of reasons. To dovetail into this I know FedEx and at least one of the Legacy's online applications I filled out ask if you are/have ever been a civilian flight instructor and it specifically asks which ratings, including instrument and multi, we're you a first time go? etc. Says a lot IMO, especially since most of the guys they are hiring haven't logged an hour of dual given in a decade or more. Even after you stop instructing take the American Flyers course and keep your CFI's current.
Lastly, your timing is pretty good. I know the MEI can cost money but if your willing to relocate (you didn't mention where you live) to a place like FL or AZ with a lot of flight schools and demand for instructors you may be able to negotiate some tuition reimbursement or they may even pay for it completely if your willing to stay 6-9 months. Which would work out perfect because you still need 600 more TT anyways. Seems instructors are in high demand these days.
Good Luck in your decision and your career. Some of my best and most carefree memories flying were my CFI'ing days, enjoy it!
PM me if you want to chat about it more...
Unfortunately, because of my lack of multi no one (the regional airlines) was interested. I ended up getting my MEI, then instructing at AllATPs for awhile and racked up all the ME time I could shake a stick at before moving on to the regionals... It definitely built more confidence going into class for the -145, especially since I had only flown about 15 hours of ME time in the previous 4 years prior to working at AllATP.
My advice? Just do the MEI, I know it costs money but you are about to jump into some extremely high performance airplanes. Having the correlation level knowledge of an instructor in a twin is definitely a huge advantage, even if it's just a Seminole. Seven hours of multi isn't much to be honest. No disrespect but I'd be hesitant to hire a guy into a transport category multi with that low time. My company actually tried it with our King Airs and it failed miserably. Especially with the nature of the flying we do, we ended up letting most of them go.
This holds even more gravity since you mentioned that you want to be a CKA or training CA some day. Those spots tend to be hand picked, not purely by seniority (although every company is different). The FAA is heavily involved, along with some (unfortunate) office politics as well. I'm not saying you can't be CKA at a regional or a Legacy w/o an MEI, but it definitely helps. It's not a normal CA's upgrade where you are entitled to the left seat once your seniority can hold it and you can pass the check ride. Not having any checkride busts or violations is critical in this also. At both airlines I worked for I've seen the FAA pull rank over the company CP and deny guys CKA slots for a variety of reasons. To dovetail into this I know FedEx and at least one of the Legacy's online applications I filled out ask if you are/have ever been a civilian flight instructor and it specifically asks which ratings, including instrument and multi, we're you a first time go? etc. Says a lot IMO, especially since most of the guys they are hiring haven't logged an hour of dual given in a decade or more. Even after you stop instructing take the American Flyers course and keep your CFI's current.
Lastly, your timing is pretty good. I know the MEI can cost money but if your willing to relocate (you didn't mention where you live) to a place like FL or AZ with a lot of flight schools and demand for instructors you may be able to negotiate some tuition reimbursement or they may even pay for it completely if your willing to stay 6-9 months. Which would work out perfect because you still need 600 more TT anyways. Seems instructors are in high demand these days.
Good Luck in your decision and your career. Some of my best and most carefree memories flying were my CFI'ing days, enjoy it!
PM me if you want to chat about it more...
Last edited by HVYMETALDRVR; 05-13-2016 at 06:32 AM.
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