Spin-up Training for ATP-to-Regional-to-Major
08-29-2017, 06:51 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 324
Good question. Part 135 turbine time is never a waste and still helps the "fast track" process to the majors. It's also good experience if you ever decide to go corporate or charter in case the airline gigs don't work out too well. The main thing everybody looks at now besides turbine time is crew experience. Flying single pilot freight in turboprops is great for building time for a couple of years, but you'll need the crew time soon. Regionals are probably the best place to be right now if you want to get to the majors and many are dropping the turbine PIC requirement. However, if you want to rack up a thousand or so PIC hours to check off that box on your apps, flying single pilot freight for a year or two will be the fastest. No waiting around to upgrade.
08-30-2017, 02:18 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,961
If you want to go to a 121 major my recommendation would be to to a 121 regional and apply to the majors as soon as you have 100-200 hours at the regional under your belt (100-200 hours in the last 12 months is the benchmark for currency/recency for folks).
I personally recommend folks look at AAs wholly owned regionals so they have a flow creating movement in their seniority list when AA is holding classes, But pick a regional that works for your career goals and where you want to live.
08-30-2017, 03:05 AM
#14
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
With your background (assuming fighters given your total time?), you just need recent professional turbine time of some sort. Any sort is fine. The more the better of course.
Possible fringe benefit of a regional would be showing that you can cheerfully sling gear for a civilian despite having been a senior officer in a past life.
UPS/FDX would prefer international heavy time or fighter time, if they prefer anything. FDX is more into fighter guys.
Possible fringe benefit of a regional would be showing that you can cheerfully sling gear for a civilian despite having been a senior officer in a past life.
UPS/FDX would prefer international heavy time or fighter time, if they prefer anything. FDX is more into fighter guys.
08-30-2017, 04:35 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 4,601
I took a break from flying before I came to a regional. I thought about it like you... "I need to go fly an airplane"! The truth was, other than being able to check the recency of experience box on an application, flying around in a 172 didn't do anything for me. I found that my time/money was better spent in an FTD or RedBird type simulator shooting approaches. So here is what I would do if I were you:
1) Find a facility that has an FTD (flight training device) and get some hours in that shooting RNAV and ILS approaches.
2) Fly a 172 or whatever you want only to get current in an airplane. Not to get ready for your ATP.
1) Find a facility that has an FTD (flight training device) and get some hours in that shooting RNAV and ILS approaches.
2) Fly a 172 or whatever you want only to get current in an airplane. Not to get ready for your ATP.
08-30-2017, 04:49 AM
#16
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,090
He will neither need nor want to wait six years for flow. Pick the regional with the best domicile locations for your personal situation.
08-30-2017, 05:04 AM
#17
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Posts: 50
There are also some who will pay for your ATP training, but again they have a payback timeframe (typically 2 years). I was done with ADSCs (Active Duty Service Commitments) when I retired from the AF. Hurts a little more to cover the costs upfront but should give me more options down the road.
Thanks for all the input!
08-30-2017, 06:17 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2009
Posts: 612
First, thanks to all for the vast amount of information posted here. I've learned much.
I'm retired AF and haven't been in the seat for about 10 years. I'm spinning up to take the ATP-CTP and Written in about 2 months. Plan is then to apply to the Regionals, build a few hundred hours and then try to jump to the Majors. I am right about at the required 1,500 hours for my ATP Cert.
In prep for this transition, I'd like some input regarding flight training to knock off the rust beforehand. Options are Cessna platform w/ G1000, Diamond platform w/ G1000 or a Cirrus w/ their G1000 (which from what I understand is like a G1000 on steroids). I could also just try to find a basic Cessna or Piper platform and get some stick-n-rudder time. Any thoughts on which might be the better training platform and could help in the transition to the Regionals?
Additional item, what about a mix of Single-Engine and Multi-Engine sorties? There are a few Barons around. Is Multi-Engine flying prior to the Regionals helpful? Any other thoughts?
Thanks for your reply.
I'm retired AF and haven't been in the seat for about 10 years. I'm spinning up to take the ATP-CTP and Written in about 2 months. Plan is then to apply to the Regionals, build a few hundred hours and then try to jump to the Majors. I am right about at the required 1,500 hours for my ATP Cert.
In prep for this transition, I'd like some input regarding flight training to knock off the rust beforehand. Options are Cessna platform w/ G1000, Diamond platform w/ G1000 or a Cirrus w/ their G1000 (which from what I understand is like a G1000 on steroids). I could also just try to find a basic Cessna or Piper platform and get some stick-n-rudder time. Any thoughts on which might be the better training platform and could help in the transition to the Regionals?
Additional item, what about a mix of Single-Engine and Multi-Engine sorties? There are a few Barons around. Is Multi-Engine flying prior to the Regionals helpful? Any other thoughts?
Thanks for your reply.
Sheppard Air Flight Test 5.0 Prep Software ATP, Flight Engineer, Mil Comp - FAA Airline Transport Pilot
08-31-2017, 01:24 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,961
Out of the cockpit 10 years and less than 1500 hours? It may not take 6 years but he still should go somewhere where he can upgrade quickly and strengthen his resume.
08-31-2017, 09:03 AM
#20
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,090
He's a fighter pilot, he'll be fine by 2,000 TT...especially as hiring ramps up over the next couple years.
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