toolman04

Hello, all.
I am looking for some advice on career progression. I am currently an officer in the Air Force (Air Traffic Control and Airfield Management), and not in a pilot slot due to out-of-limits uncorrected vision (correctable to 20/20 - applied for an Exception to Policy 3 times and shot down on each one).
I've worked my way through my Commercial/Inst/ME via Part 61 on my own dime (no help from GI bill being a USAFA grad), and am working on the CFI now. However, I live in Del Rio, Texas. There is a single C-172 here, so I make the 3-hour drive to San Antonio about every weekend to build multi time in a Grumman Cougar. This is running me a good $2,000 per month and, trust me, I'm not getting paid that well. No CAP here, no aero club on base, etc. I only have about 350 hrs, 20 Multi and will be separating from the AF in 19 months. I'm wondering what the best possible options are for me in order to prep myself for a flying job when I get out without incurring more debt than I already have from flying alone. Here is my plan:
- Fly 5 hours maximum in the Cougar each month. This keeps me current without wasting tons of gas and entire weekends.
- Finish up the CFI writtens (taking FOI next week). I can do this through Gleim's program which I've been using.
- Put together my CFI lesson plans/binders and pay the $4500 for an accelerated course. I have the full-time job and not a ton of leave so I can't do the 30-day deal or I would.
- Stay current in the right seat and pick up students (there are not many here in Del Rio) where I can. There might be an instructor slot in a town an hour a way but I'd only be available nights and weekends.
- Try and save the extra money to buy a bunch of block multi time prior to getting out of the AF. This gets me my recency of experience in the last 6 months and improves my proficiency. Will be moving wherever I can get a job, but preferably Colorado (I've read the posts on Key Lime and actually considered the pft - don't think that would help the financial situation though).

Any advice on this plan or alternatives? I have been working to get to a professional flying job for nine years now and keep hitting road blocks. I'm constrained by no flight school nearby, no complex airplanes, a limited budget that's accumulating flying debt, and a full-time job. I apologize for the long post but wanted to paint the full picture concerning my dilemma. I appreciate any help - thanks!

HSLD

We have a user on the forum who used to CFI in Del Rio, you may even know him. He might be able to offer suggestions that are available locally.

Depending on what you want to do as a pilot, there are opportunities available to you now and should only get better in 19 months. Several regional airlines are hiring with CPL (+ Multi) minimums. If you can keep doing what your doing for 19 months and build you time a bit that will give you additional options.

If you can get out with minimal flying debt, you'll be way ahead of most guys in terms of being able to "live" on 1st year regional wages.

toolman04

Thanks, HSLD. I know one CFI who works for Border Patrol...he's been mentoring me on the CFI and has been a big help.

Also, for everyone else, I apologize for throwing this in the Part 135 section, as well. I've re-posted in the Flight Training section. Thanks.

de727ups

What are you paying for the Cougar? Are you splitting time?

On a limited basis, I think splitting time (safety pilot) is a great way to save money and still expand your knowledge base.

Where are going for your CFI? I know, that's why you posted in the first place...hehe. Since ATP quit doing off the street CFI's, there has been a lot of searching around for a good CFI school to recommend.

Are there any local flying clubs or partnerships you could get involved with for cheap flying. All you need is a little 150 to build time.

Getting your CFI is the biggest thing. You won't have any trouble getting a CFI job once you seperate. You might be poor for six months to build time towards a regional. And that's worst case scenario. I'd do what I can to minimize debt so you can seperate and still afford to live for a bit as a CFI. Even if it means doing very little flying for now and focusing on it more in a year to year and a half.

de727ups

Moved to flight training for better exposure

toolman04

The Cougar is $208 and hour. Not splitting the time and, since I am down here in Del Rio, not many people I know up in San Antone that want to wait for me to drive up every weekend. That is a good idea, though, so I will start asking around. The additional problem is that all my friends are AF pilots so they have no need to spend the money on the weekends - hard to find people that want the time.
Double Eagle Aviation in Arizona was reccommended to me for my CFI by the Border Patrol CFI I mentioned. I've called them and tentatively scheduled for March. I wanted an accelerated course that would really prepare me and not just pencil-whip the certificate. I plan on having binders, lesson plans, endorsements, etc. all good to go when I arrive. I've heard this instructor is fair but expects good preparation. It sounds like a thorough program, for which I'm willilng to pay a little extra.
There is a Private Pilot who works ATC here with me. He stays current in the Del Rio 172 so we split the $87 an hour cost and I practice from the right seat while he flies around to the little airports down here. Can't really log all of it as PIC, though, without the hood on one of us. I do this every month, though, because it's time-building, it's cheap, and it helps me practice from the right.
I'm preparing for the intial few years of a first-time flying job. Would like to minimize all debt - I don't mind being poor for a while as long as I'm getting paid to fly instead of paying to fly...that's getting a bit frustrating. Plus, my girlfriend (a nurse) has volunteered to be my "sugar mama" for a while so that helps a bit with the initial pay cut

toolman04

Thanks for moving this one over, de727ups!

ToiletDuck

I'm here to offer some suggestions. There is a lot of flying to be done in Del Rio. Thing is there is no one there to do it currently. Once people know you're there you'll start getting business as a CFI.

Here is what you need to do.
1)Quit flying the twin. Complete waste and won't help you get anywhere you want to go. It hinders you and blows money you don't need to spend.

2)Focus on your CFI. Hit the FAR/AIM part 61/91 very hard. Get the CFI oral guide. Remember the CFI, maneuver wise, is basically a commercial checkride from the right seat.

3) Go to Pico Aviation at the Del Rio airport. At the FBO talk to Barney. The man that owns the FBO has a twin turbo-prop aircraft. He has his license but needs another pilot to take other people places. Barney can explain it more. He's an old hardass so just roll with it and you'll learn more there then you will from any CFI. Most rewarding experience I've ever had in aviation.

There are many Border Patrol guys there that will fly with you. It's possible the air force might also send you students. Currently they don't as they don't have a CFI . Make that your priority. Once at PICO you'll get the multi time. PM me if you have any other questions.

toolman04

ToiletDuck,

Great advice - thanks! I will head to PICO this week. Bummed around there a couple of weekends helping folks to wax planes and trying to network a bit...never paid off except for the a/c owners . Thought I could help the guy with the Beech 18's out but no-go. Anyways, CFI is priority #1 and will cut out the twin for now. That's a big financial help.

ToiletDuck

The guys with Beech 18's is damaged goods. Stay way from that man and his aircraft at all cost. Him and his aircraft are a very deadly operation. His name is KP.

No worries take a look around and realize something. You'd be the only CFI within 70miles or so. Every one of those people will need you for BFRs etc. Not saying you'll be rich but if they decide to do a little air force training there then things could easily look up.