nehringer

You make good and valid points. I smell what you're stepping in! A low time RW guy would have to meet minimum hour requirements just like anyone else. Typically, offshore petroleum type jobs require a minimum of 500 hours. Most will require substantially more plus some offshore experience. How do you get that experience in order to qualify for a job without having flown in that environment for another employer? That is really the question. How does one gain the necessary aeronautical experience to qualify for the occupation of choice without first having flown for someone else? Twin time ain't cheap and in my area, it's non-existent. I'm not saying that my present occupation isn't paying dividends...it is. I feel much more competent every day I teach and I feel I am learning more about the intricacies of FW vs. RW. However, I really don't see that benefit helping me to get a better airplane job. Not right now anyway. I guess right now its all about being patient and waiting for someone to show up at the FBO who takes an interest in me.

I think its awesome that some guys luck out and find an employer who is willing to offer employment to someone with little to no practical experience. Good mentorship goes a long way in many cases. I've seen it in the petroleum industry where very low time pilots are put into two pilot aircraft as opposed to single engine, single pilot aircraft until such a time when the new guy has enough experience to be turned loose. It isn't a common practice anymore as the unions' rules apply and seniority dictates who sits in the SIC position of two pilot aircraft. For those lucky enough to find employment in a single pilot, turbine, IFR type of job, I say "Atta boy"! I am confident that if I didn't live in such a "vacuum" I'd be more employable. I'd get into the circumstances of how this particular vacuum was created, but I'd ruffle some feathers. The long and short of it is that we once had a thriving municipal airport here with several 135 operators and a couple of successful schools. A much larger airport was built and the welcome mat laid out for a major airline. The old airport was closed and all of the businesses once there are gone. The governing authority of the new facility has put a choke-hold on new businesses wishing to hang out a shingle. I'm sure many of you can figure out where I'm talking about. It's not just here though; many operators within 100 miles have also disappeared since the local demand for regional air service has waned.

Instead of simply crying in my soup over it, I'm working hard to keep my students flying and trying to drum up more business for the school. I'm keeping my ear to the ground and my eyes open for other opportunities along the way. Once I'm in a position to relocate I will start canvassing employers again.