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Old 02-17-2011, 05:58 AM
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Default Buying Hours

I was just curious if anyone on APC has built up the minimum flight hours required for a pilot position by purchasing an aircraft or lots of block time rather than working for those hours through the traditional routes (CFI, banner tow, pipeline inspection, flying jumpers etc..)

If yes, did this work against you in the airline interviews?
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Old 02-17-2011, 06:07 AM
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Default I have seen it done

Originally Posted by clipperstall
I was just curious if anyone on APC has built up the minimum flight hours required for a pilot position by purchasing an aircraft or lots of block time rather than working for those hours through the traditional routes (CFI, banner tow, pipeline inspection, flying jumpers etc..)

If yes, did this work against you in the airline interviews?
During the recession of the early 1990's I saw a few who bought a plane and used it to build time. It works.

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Old 02-17-2011, 06:42 AM
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Anyone else?

If this is something that is possible, what is the cheapest multi-engine airplane to own and operate?

Also.. I would think it might look suspicious if you apply for a part 135 FO position and you have 500TT in a C150 or other light single engines. Thoughts?
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Old 02-17-2011, 06:49 AM
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I found my first job flying sightseers at just over 500TT / 140 multi. I paid for all the flight time up to that point. I can't speak for the airlines, but it hasn't hurt me in the corporate / 135 flying environment.
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Old 02-17-2011, 08:17 AM
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Cheapest Twin to Own:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDmnjwbJrVM
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Old 02-17-2011, 08:29 AM
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Not helping haha.

Let me rephrase; what is the cheapest multi-engine aircraft to own and operate that is a production aircraft certified by the FAA.
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Old 02-17-2011, 10:33 AM
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Probably something like a twin Comanche maybe?

And what's suspicious about owning your own plane and having several hours in it?
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Old 02-17-2011, 11:14 AM
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Maybe suspicious was the wrong word...

Example:

Pilot A flies up to part 135 PIC minimums for $100 hamburgers and personal trips etc.. in his own airplane and then applies to a part 135 freight company for a PIC position.

Pilot B is a CFI and earned part 135 minimums and applies to the same company.

Pilot C flew jumpers and applies to the same company.

To me.. Pilot A might be looked at as the weak link because they didn't fly occupationally. Pilot A shouldn't be discounted because he didn't fly professionally; however, would that be the case?
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Old 02-17-2011, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by clipperstall
Maybe suspicious was the wrong word...

Example:

Pilot A flies up to part 135 PIC minimums for $100 hamburgers and personal trips etc.. in his own airplane and then applies to a part 135 freight company for a PIC position.

Pilot B is a CFI and earned part 135 minimums and applies to the same company.

Pilot C flew jumpers and applies to the same company.

To me.. Pilot A might be looked at as the weak link because they didn't fly occupationally. Pilot A shouldn't be discounted because he didn't fly professionally; however, would that be the case?
I have no authority to speak on the topic, but I would say that all 3 are equally competitive for a job at a 135 place. Even a regional I think would accept all that time. In fact, the 135 I think may be more likely to hire pilot A under this logic: B and C did a lot of at-base operations. Pilot C in fact never left his home base and did the same thing day in and day out. Pilot B (the CFI) a lot of the same, maybe a few XCs when that came up in lessons. Pilot A has a lot of XC time which is all 135 is.

Just my 2 cents. For entry level 135 and 121 jobs, most of the time they dont care how you got the hours, as long as you have them.
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Old 02-17-2011, 04:00 PM
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Well that's reassuring.. Let's take it a step further.

Has anyone else here on APC personally built a significant majority of their time by paying out of pocket flying cross country in a rental or their own plane?

I just want to hear a real success story to possibly motivate myself that it CAN indeed be done. Even in something like a Cessna 150.
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