1000 hour pilot...now what?!?!?
 

I am 31 yrs. old, with:
FAA CPL / Multi / Inst
1000 TT
340 Multi
278 Turbine
263 PIC turbine
840 total PIC
478 night
777 cross country
150 glass cockpit
BE1900 type rating
6 years of aerospace science studies at Oklahoma State University
8 year USAF veteran (F-16 crew chief)..................
.........and I can't get a job.
I'm looking for gigs over seas ( MENA, Asia, etc.)
Any ideas??????

I wouldn't ever suggest paying for line training to anybody, especially an American since it doesn't go over too well in the states. Where all have you applied? You are also a couple hundred short for part 135. Where did you get the B1900 experience? Great Lakes? Gulfstream?

In asia, the only thing they are interested in your CV would be your 280ish PIC multi and 1000 hours total..which is basically nothing.
Now build up this 1900 time in a 135 carrier to get another 200 hrs total then you may have a shot at some PIC turbine.
Do that for a year then go for jets,private or 135 where you can get jet PIC rather quicker.
Now within 2/3 years,you will have jet PIC and all of a sudden your university and crew chief position will help you secure an fo job or if lucky a DEC in mid size jets with prospects of maybe managerial position.

You are in the right path but your total time is hurting you.
Enjoy the 1900.i luuved it.:O

BE1900 PIC program
 

It was Alpine Air in Montana

do you have a gc?

Not sure what a gc is?

As mentioned above, you are still low time. That doesn't mean that all jobs are off the table, but until you get a few thousand more hours on big turbine aircraft, mostly low timer jobs are open. And then there is always Susi Airin Indonesia hehe

Yep, I even tried applying to Susi Air...twice actually. No word back. I'd really just want to fly their Avanti.

So you did P2F already? Dang
And how did you log PIC on a part 135 op without meeting 135 PIC requirements? Did you log under "sole manipulator of the controls"? If so, that could cause some issue in the future. Although technically PIC, many employers only count PIC as the guy who signed for the aircraft. I would keep that in mind.

He was in the USAF. He most likely is a US Citizen or has a green card. That's not the issue here.

Firstly, the FAA has signed a "special clause" approval letter for Alpine Air for those who do the FO/PIC program. And, yes, it falls under the sole manipulator of the controls clause. It works...lots of guys have got a good jump in the airlines that way. Especially because the 1900 requires a type rating. Also, I am a born and bred US Citizen...no green card required. The other thing is the company does a fair amount of empty legs, so I was able to have the SIC required restriction removed from my license. In that case, my type rating is now single pilot (even though at the moment I can't use it as such unless I purchase my own 1900 :ok:). I didn't pay for SIC time, I paid for PIC twin turbine time to make up for some lost time while deploying to Iraq and such. Looking at some of those commuting contract type operators that fly in "austere locations". Sounds promising according to a couple Director of OPS I've spoke to. I'm just looking for further outward perspective on my position.

Lots of part 135 ops have the same FAA exemption for their OpSpecs. Anyhow, have you tried the US Regionals? Have you tried Silver Airways? They operate the B1900, and if you had your ATP, you could be a street captain there. What about Dynamic Aviation? Who else have you checked out?

So you still did P2F and now you try to justify it. Not to be a jerk, but you´re not the only one to "lose time" overseas on Uncle Sam's time. At one point, I counted up orders and I had spent more time TDY than at home station. But if you really feel that what you did was best for you, then I guess I can´t fault you for looking out for numero uno.

zondaracer...thanks for that! Sounds like at least someone sees things the way I do. I wouldn't have changed my service time for anything, I just have some catch up to do. I in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM want to do the regionals!! I've had interview invites by Siler Wings, Great Lakes, and ExpressJet. ExpressJet is my "last resort" option (in reality). I've applied to such commuting "secret squirrel" operators such as AAR, Inc., Aero Contractors, Flight Works, Phoenix Air Group, Talon Air, Avenge, Inc., Dynamic, and Rampart Aviation. I've had some pretty promising feed back thus far, however, the process is pretty slow. Anyway, what about yourself?

I married a European and moved abroad and got work as an instructor. I don't want to do anything related to a security clearance as I felt four years doing intel was enough for me. I will fly anything though as long as I enjoy it and it pays the bills and keeping all options open.

Well, any more ideas anyone?!?!?! I met with some other D.O.s today....I tell you...this industry moves the goal post everyday it seems. It seems like between the HR imbeciles, the insurance snakes, and the regulatory @#*holes (that are nothing more than counterintuitive and counterproductive nitwits), new categories of 'experience' or prerequisites pop up over night!! I don't want to pay for any more training (already topped $175,000) or go do the regional thing in the US. It appears those are my only choices. Thing is, I'm certainly willing to relocate ANYWHERE!!

With your TT, most foreign operators would give preference to local SICs and you are nowhere near enough to be selected as an ex-pat DEC. I'm US-based, but probably the regionals are your best opportunity. I'm guessing, but the Afghan US deals are going to wind down; you don't have enough TT for most corporates. The P2F thing might work, but your PIC time will be questioned in the future, I guarantee it. Nobody gives a 700 hour pilot with 14 hours of turbine time, the keys. What you feel is "moving the goalposts" might be a polite no.

Sorry, but that's an experienced view.

GF

There are guys having a lot fun flying Caravan in Indonesia at Susi Air. From my unexperienced point of view, this is the only one alternative to the regionals in America except some aerial work, instructing and skydiving.

$175,000??? Holy cow, how did you end up spending that much?? Didn´t you use GI Bill for part of it?

"zondaracer"....I was finished with most of my training by the time I enlisted, plus GI Bill and kicker didn't cover the ever increasing price of Part 141 flight training, and US Gov't. wouldn't loan more than what was required to pay for classes. Then, the trip back to the US for the 250+ PIC turbine program included airfare in a couple of stops in the US, the type rating, the hour rate, hotel, and rental car. That whole 3.5 month stint cost $48,000. It sucks, I know, but I've worked virtually every facet of aviation (maintenance, marketing, line service, cargo, etc.) and I've wanted the pilot gig since I was knee high to a grasshopper!
As far as questioning my PIC turbine time...bring it on. I've have all of the FAA signed and stamped documents to support the operation. Alpine has pumped out dozens and dozens of folks who logged this time in that manner, and have never had it cause an issue. A lot of FAA and company lawyers were involved in this, and they furnish all who go through the program with a signed and notarized copy.
As far as Susi Air...I've applied twice, and now I think perhaps I need to make a phone call to check the status. According to their website, they are currently hiring pilots. The D.O. at Dynamic, Rampart, and Aero Contractors have indicated to me that I am being "strongly considered, and in a very small pool". Not sure if it will yield anything, just trying to explore any and all options. Like I said, ExpressJet and or Colgan (in need a Dash 8 type for another prospective job in the middle east) would be last ditch efforts.
Fortunately, the Afghan and other such hardship areas will likely (at least for the next foreseeable decade) not dwindle too much. From what I've gathered, even though our "force posture" or status might change, our presense and influence will not. We might send the bulk of the combat force home, but SOC, SF, specialists, "advisors", and such will remain in place for stability, training, and response.

And, I really must admit; flying into Missoula, MT at night in heavy "warm" snow, putting on 3-4 inches of ice, down the ILS, no AP, and to the min's., all while riding turbulence that causes you to piss blood when you land...is beyond a doubt one of the best recurring experiences in all of my short aviation tenure.