Making the MILITARY JuMp~
03-21-2007, 09:56 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: AH64A&D F/B
Posts: 2
Making the MILITARY JuMp~
In the grand scheme of a pilots life, a life in the airline industry is WAY better than life in an attack helicopter community… that is if money is not an issue to the person making the jump… I’m a AH-64 pilot, and I have around 1300TT. 1000 of that 1300 is Helo. I’m currently working on my FW ME and if things go as planned, I’d like to have it done soon and start flying on the weekends to build time. Does anyone know of any good time builders, or any advice for someone looking to climb over that 100 FWME hour level, and quickly? I’m eligible for release from my military contract in September. How soon should I start giving my resume to regional airlines? As soon as I hit the 100 mark? Before? And most importantly, does Helo time count for TT? Last but not least, how long is this hiring ramp-up of pilots gonna last? Any words of advice would most greatly be appreciated!!!
03-21-2007, 10:34 AM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,044
First, identify which regionals you would be interested in...the regional lifestyle is GREATLY enhanced if you can live at your domicile.
Then look at their published hiring mins, and try to determine what their realistic hiring mins are (may be higher or lower than published). People on this forum can address realistic mins at their airlines.
You may not need the full 100 hours of ME time due to the current demand, but you need to look closely at the requirements for total fixed-wing time...most airlines don't give much credit for rotor time (Skywest does). It is total time (so is blimp time), but many airlines want a lot of FW time.
You can submit your resume/application whenever you like, but will probably not get called to interview until you have the requied time. It might be a good plan to submit early, then call the recruiter when you meet the mins...this will give you an excuse to make voice contact. You may be able to interview prior to seperation, and arrange a class date shortly after.
The hiring boom should last a while until a recession, terrorist attack, or age 65.
Also you will need passport, FCC radio license, SSN card, birth cert, possibly ATP written, and a variety of other background docs (some take a while to get). Check out some airline web sites, some of them list all the docs you need.
Then look at their published hiring mins, and try to determine what their realistic hiring mins are (may be higher or lower than published). People on this forum can address realistic mins at their airlines.
You may not need the full 100 hours of ME time due to the current demand, but you need to look closely at the requirements for total fixed-wing time...most airlines don't give much credit for rotor time (Skywest does). It is total time (so is blimp time), but many airlines want a lot of FW time.
You can submit your resume/application whenever you like, but will probably not get called to interview until you have the requied time. It might be a good plan to submit early, then call the recruiter when you meet the mins...this will give you an excuse to make voice contact. You may be able to interview prior to seperation, and arrange a class date shortly after.
The hiring boom should last a while until a recession, terrorist attack, or age 65.
Also you will need passport, FCC radio license, SSN card, birth cert, possibly ATP written, and a variety of other background docs (some take a while to get). Check out some airline web sites, some of them list all the docs you need.
03-21-2007, 10:45 AM
#3
The NeverEnding Story
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,609
Start sending out resumes NOW while you build your fixed wing multi flight time toward 100. Some places that might consider you with lower FW ME would possibly be TSA, Pinnacle, and Piedmont. As previously said, knock out the ATP written as quickly as possible.
I presume you are a WO...is there any way to get/keep a Guard slot once you get a 121 job? Double-dipping is a great way to get past regional FO pay and there are a decent number of dual-qual corporate jobs out there that require turbine helo experience as well as basic fixed-wing qualifications.
Best of luck!
I presume you are a WO...is there any way to get/keep a Guard slot once you get a 121 job? Double-dipping is a great way to get past regional FO pay and there are a decent number of dual-qual corporate jobs out there that require turbine helo experience as well as basic fixed-wing qualifications.
Best of luck!
03-21-2007, 01:06 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: FDX A300 CPT
Posts: 967
In the grand scheme of a pilots life, a life in the airline industry is WAY better than life in an attack helicopter community… that is if money is not an issue to the person making the jump… I’m a AH-64 pilot, and I have around 1300TT. 1000 of that 1300 is Helo. I’m currently working on my FW ME and if things go as planned, I’d like to have it done soon and start flying on the weekends to build time. Does anyone know of any good time builders, or any advice for someone looking to climb over that 100 FWME hour level, and quickly? I’m eligible for release from my military contract in September. How soon should I start giving my resume to regional airlines? As soon as I hit the 100 mark? Before? And most importantly, does Helo time count for TT? Last but not least, how long is this hiring ramp-up of pilots gonna last? Any words of advice would most greatly be appreciated!!!
03-21-2007, 10:35 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Flying a Desk
Posts: 197
Pachpilot,
I'm also a former -64 guy (101st, 6th Cav, 4th ID). I left the Army in Aug 05, finished my FW ratings, instructed for a few months, and was at a regional by Aug 06. Right now is a great time to break into this business. I'm sure you've looked to see what all the airlines' hiring mins are, but some places have some exceptions for helo guys. Most will count your helo time as TT, and some will even give you a break. Others will not. Some that I know of:
ExpressJet - does not count helo time at all.
American Eagle - military RW rated guys have mins of 300FW, 100FWME
Pinnacle - Total time includes helo, hiring at 400TT 100FWME
ASA - counts helo as TT with 100FWME
Good luck, and if you have any questions I can help with, let me know - I'd be glad to help out a fellow attack driver. Oh yeah, check out http://aptap.forumco.com if you haven't already.
TS
I'm also a former -64 guy (101st, 6th Cav, 4th ID). I left the Army in Aug 05, finished my FW ratings, instructed for a few months, and was at a regional by Aug 06. Right now is a great time to break into this business. I'm sure you've looked to see what all the airlines' hiring mins are, but some places have some exceptions for helo guys. Most will count your helo time as TT, and some will even give you a break. Others will not. Some that I know of:
ExpressJet - does not count helo time at all.
American Eagle - military RW rated guys have mins of 300FW, 100FWME
Pinnacle - Total time includes helo, hiring at 400TT 100FWME
ASA - counts helo as TT with 100FWME
Good luck, and if you have any questions I can help with, let me know - I'd be glad to help out a fellow attack driver. Oh yeah, check out http://aptap.forumco.com if you haven't already.
TS
03-22-2007, 08:47 AM
#7
La Familia Delta
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: B-717 FO / C-17 AC
Posts: 2,467
apache guys are awesome. we carried an apache and its demo crew from willams gateway over to farnborough england last july for the airshow. the show they put on was incredible, you guys are the real deal.
03-23-2007, 12:46 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Various
Posts: 462
Have you been checking the posts on the APTAP boards.. Army pilot stuff? Checkout www.forumco/aptap.com. I may be off with address, so if that doesn't work.. google aptap.
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