Converting US military hours to civilian hours

[CameronW]

Hi,
I'm a new aircraft commander on the B-52, USAF. As such, most of my time to date was logged from the right (copilot) seat. The military logs time a little differently than civilians do, and I'm not sure how best to convert that time to a format that will be the most appropriate when I get out and go to apply for the airlines.

So far, here is the type of time I've logged, according to the military:
1. "Primary"- which means I was physically manipulating the controls
2. "Secondary"- which means I was in the copilot seat, performing copilot duties (radios, fuel management, etc), but not actually flying the jet
3. "Other"- which means that I was flying as a primary crew member, but out of the seat while another copilot sat in the seat for training (ie "jump seat" time)
4. "Primary instrument"- which means I was physically flying the jet through IMC
5. "Total"- combination of 1,2, and 3 above

I've realized that civilians log hours differently- PIC, SIC, etc. Does anyone have any insight on how best to record the above types of flight time for a future career in the civilian market?

TIA,

[411A]

Most guys in the civilian airline industry that I personally know would not give a hoot about your "military" flight time...
Come back again when you have "real" airline experience....then many will be ready to talk turkey.
Sorry...but thems are the facts. Except Delta and American of course...but they have strange ideas indeed. But..hey, give them a try...you might just get lucky. Big bucks there IF you get in.

[jumpseater]

Cameron, check pprune email ;)

[Trash 'n' Navs]

411

Pull your head in! You're making me sick - AGAIN!

[CameronW]

Most guys in the civilian airline industry that I personally know would not give a hoot about your "military" flight time...
Come back again when you have "real" airline experience....then many will be ready to talk turkey.
Sorry...but thems are the facts. Except Delta and American of course...but they have strange ideas indeed. But..hey, give them a try...you might just get lucky. Big bucks there IF you get in.

LOL! Thanks for your amusing and insightful post (although you failed to address my question, so I'm not sure why you even bothered). Funny how none of my buddies have had any trouble whatsoever finding jobs with the majors the moment they were eligible to separate from the military. I guess a few thousand hours in large multiengine jets means something to some of those strange airline managers in charge of interviewing applicants...and we even get paid good money to build that kind of experience. Could this fact be cause for some jealousy and resentment amongst SOME individuals who never would have made the cut in the military? Hmm... ;)

Originally posted by jumpseater:
Cameron, check pprune email
Thanks JS! I got your email and I appreciate the info. Living in the UK for a while is VERY tempting. I'll have to look into it when my US Air Force commitment is up. :)

[alapt]

Who is this 411A guy? Where are the moderators when they are needed..........I see new "GUV" chapter starting.
Get this guy off the air. 411, don't forget, you will be sixty soon, or are you all ready and just bitter?
******~!!

[Jetdriver]

Hi alapt.

The moderators are watching.

None of the site rules have been broken, however much I might agree with the appalling lack of manners.

Perhaps we are fortunate in having contributors who have a universal insight into so many subjects and can afford us the time to share that wisdom !

The airlines are well represented with Pilots who share a Military background and I hope the question is better addressed by some of those Pilots.

JD

[Semaphore Sam]

411, can I query you as to your identity? PK4

[411A]

PK4? Doesn't ring a bell. Send an email if you like, always answered.

[Intruder]

Cameron,

You "log" your military hours as military hours.

The next issue is how you might report or "slice 'n' dice" those hours to various people like the FAA and potential employers.

For the FAA, you can use a combination of the "sole manipulator of the controls" definition in FAR 61.51.(e)(1)(i) the "pilot in command of an aircraft on which more than one pilot is required" definition of 61.51.(e)(1)(ii) to total your "PIC" hours. If you were not an Aircraft Commander, only your "Primary" time counts as PIC, but your "Secondary" time counts as SIC time.

For job application purposes, each airline has its own definition. Many count PIC time ONLY as that time during which you were the designated Aircraft Commander, regardless of "manipulation of controls." Others will allow any "Primary" time to be counted. You have to read each application carefully, and be prepared to justify your answers in the interview.

[CameronW]

Thanks Intruder, that's exactly the sort of info I was looking for. :)

Cam

[TR4A]

CameronW

See my answer in the N. America Forum

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56014


411A must be a pilot with AWA (aka America's Worst Airline).

[CameronW]

TR4A, thanks! That article was excellent reading, and it answered all my questions.

"AWA" LOL. I didn't have the best luck flying with them myself in the past, until they were bought out by Continental. :)

Thanks again,
Cam