GauleyPilot

I built some time flying scenic tours. If you don't instruct, perhaps you could do something like that, aerial photography, etc. to get some "commercial" exposure. It is a little different when people are paying you for your skills (their lives).


Then you may be able to get some SIC in part 91, where if you are multi you may be able to log some empty leg time. Then perhaps you could become a 135 SIC (like a twin, NOT a jet).

If you have some connection of somekind, perhaps it could be accelerated.

VTcharter

Don't be afraid to start calling up some 135 operators around your local area, or in the area that you wish to live in, to find out what kind of time requirements that they are looking for on the SIC side...especially if they are flying "single pilot" aircraft, such as King Airs, and Metros, and they have larger aircraft to move into.

The company that I work for is a great example. We have a fleet of King Air 90's, some Citations and a Challenger. They will hire you into the right seat of the 90 with minimal time, such as 800 hours or so, if you are very proficient in flight and in IFR procedural knowledge. They will test this knowledge and proficiency in the interview as well as in the actual aircraft if you pass the face to face. We have had higher time pilots (1500 +) fail to pass the interview because of their lack of proficiency in both of these categories, but we have several successful 800 or so hour pilots who did well and are working for us now. After you are assigned the King Air SIC slot, you will be in line for upgrade into the larger equipment, and the company PIC types all pilots, including SICs, in their aircraft; of course only those aircraft that require type ratings.

Do not be swayed by those who will tell you that this time is not loggable as many 135 op's, mainly passenger ops, require an SIC per ops spec. Also, if you are operating Part 135 passenger IFR, a SIC is required unless an auto pliot is installed, and more importantly approved for use per ops spec, and, if the aircraft carries 10 passengers or more, excluding the pilot seats, then a second in command is required whether there is an autoplilot or not. If anybody has issue with this, tell them to read 135.99, 135.101, and 135.105; and you can read it yourself to see exactly how it is written out. You can keep all of this in mind for those jobs out there that fly the Pilatus, Caravan, King Air, Metroliner, as well as all other "single pilot" airframes.

Part 135 is not all back side of the clock freight flying, and not all 135 operators are slimy, no maintenance having pilot killers. Go out there, ask around, pound on doors, and you may be surprised what you find. The best 135 operators don't advertise, because they have plenty of people finding them. When I got this job, it wasn't advertised, I just happened to call on the phone at the right time, and they were looking to start a new class due to aircraft purchases. I had closer to 1500 hours, but one guy in my class had less than 900.

Good Luck
VT

JPilot77

Hey VT,

I imagine you work for Heritage, I spoke with your chief maybe 8-9 months ago, he seemed real enthusiastic and wanted me to come out to interview then the next day shot me an email and said the positions were filled but keep in touch. At that time I just randomly applied because I'm from new england and wanted to return to the area but was suprised they responded so fast. I had maybe 1300 hours alot in a king air and some other turbine aircraft at that point. I called the chief back 6 months after, he seemed to remember me and I told what I was currently doing and still wanted to try and interview with him but he said they didnt need anyone still at that point but he'd be in touch. Needless to say he never called back, I was wondering if they are big on ineternal reccs as many 135 places seem to be. I have a good job now, have interviewed at 4 places since speaking with him and had offers from them all so I don't think I came off as trouble to him, was more curious as to how they hire up there. Thanks for any feedback.

J

VTcharter

Some of the recent guys have had internal rec's, but not really strong ones. More like, hey I met this guy out in the system type of thing. As far as I can tell, it is right place at the right time, as I stated in the way that I was hired. We do have some guys with ties to the old flight school, before we closed it. They try to hire from the local area as much as they can, although they did pull people from the Boston area in the last group. They are looking for people who want to be in Vermont, not just looking for some turbine time and then hitting the road. It can be kind of harsh living in the Northeast, so they don't want people who get freaked out and decide it isn't the living situation for them. They want real ties to the area, such as local family, etc.

We did have two classes last summer, but that was for two new aircraft that were added to the fleet, as well as a couple of people leaving. If you are still interested, I would say to keep pestering us until you get it at the right time. Send updated resumes and then call in to make sure it was received...just make sure to not become a nuisance in the process. I doubt that it is a problem with you personally, just that the timing was off a bit. We are still trying to grow, and are in a good position to. We are up to seven aircraft now, and they are looking to add more. It is a great operation up here, with good people and great equipment. Our maintenance department is top notch.

VT

ERJ135

I interviewed at heritage this summer. It was a good interview and got called back for the Flight Test. Thats where it didn't go well. I had never flown a turbine powered aircraft, I was all over the place. My feeling was they need people who can pick it up real quick and I needed more of an airline style of training to make it through. Though I hold no ill feelings towards the company. Greg the chief pilot is a great guy and the experience was great. I'll never forgot it, my first ride in a king air.

Ewfflyer

That'd be tough if you've never seen turbine equipment before. Doesn't mean you aren't capable neither.

firedup

It seems like newbe pilots want to jump right into a 135 or 91 company without paying their "dues" Just about every professional pilot (used very loosely) has spent the time building time as a CFI, Jump pilot, banner towing....etc. If you look far in the future, a couple years of crappy flying to build time, especially as a single pilot, is far more useful than jumping in the right seat and talking on the radio! fwiw...

VTcharter

Actually, just because you are sitting in the right seat, by no way means that you are just talking on the radio and pushing buttons. For instance, at my company, we trade legs just like you would in any airline or multi pilot crew environment. I agree with you that flight instructing, and other single pilot type positions can be good experience, but to say that flying right seat is not as good is a bit short sided. Just because you are an instructor does not make you a super pilot, and simply because you tow banners around or can fly vfr sightseeing without bouncing off of the rocks does not qualify you either. I believe that there is a great deal to be gained from having the experience of flying around with an experienced individual in the other seat. Perhaps we should lose the "I did it this way, and therefore it is the only way things should be done" attitude that seems all to popular in this industry.

JPilot77

Thanks for the info, yeah I'm from the northeast, spend the last year and half in michigan instructing and pax cahrter then hauling freight so the northeast weather doesnt bother me. I miss the skiing and being in mountains/on the ocean during my free time that is why i was trying to get back to the area. For now I'm pretty comfortable with my job, if anything ever changes I guess it can't hurt to send a resume there again, though as my experience continues to grow I will start to look for more responsibile positions and you never know what can come across the table when searching. Thanks Again.

JPilot77

Thanks VT for the low down I heritage I should have said.