First job? and MECIR
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: South Australia
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First job? and MECIR
I have a CPL with a bare 200 hours, i have recently spoken to an operator for a charter job, flying 172s (very casual job). He has said to ring him in 2 weeks and we'l arrange a meeting. Now if i do manage to impress him in the interview/meeting will i be required to take a check flight or something? and what can i expect? Ive been out of flying for a few months and im a bit nervous, should i perhaps hire a 172 and do a bit of flyingh to get back into it?
also I am considering the possibility of doing a ME CIR but is it worth doing just yet or should i wait to build up more hours fying charter , scenic, etc. Do Companies really care if u got a ME CIR, if your only going to be flying singles VFR? (like Alligator Air, Kun)?
Any unput would be excellent guys!!
also I am considering the possibility of doing a ME CIR but is it worth doing just yet or should i wait to build up more hours fying charter , scenic, etc. Do Companies really care if u got a ME CIR, if your only going to be flying singles VFR? (like Alligator Air, Kun)?
Any unput would be excellent guys!!
Join Date: Sep 2003
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If i were you and there was a chance that this meeting could turn into a check flight I would definately grab a 172 and chuck some circuits at least to get your hand back in and also give a bit more confidence. It also shows you are keen.
As for the CIR if you have the money I say its a good thing to have even though you may not use it for the first few years of your career. Some companies have a requirement for a number of renewals so getting it earlier and renewing it each year can help. It also adds more hours to your total time which can put you a small step ahead.
Alligators planes are all VFR even the Partbananas so CIR may not help that much. Have fun....
Swoit...
As for the CIR if you have the money I say its a good thing to have even though you may not use it for the first few years of your career. Some companies have a requirement for a number of renewals so getting it earlier and renewing it each year can help. It also adds more hours to your total time which can put you a small step ahead.
Alligators planes are all VFR even the Partbananas so CIR may not help that much. Have fun....
Swoit...
Join Date: Jun 2004
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I Second That
Pretty much what Poiter said...
If you knock over your MECIR now thats one less expense later on when you will be struggling to pay bills (believe me financially things will get alot worse at the bottom end of GA).
Even though its all pretty much day VFR stuff in kunnunurra, instrument flying skills may come in useful during bouts of smoke or with the wet season (keeping VMC at all times of course).
Once you are up north there are not many places to go to do any 'flying school' training, so whilst you are still in the big smoke i'd say go for it.
As for the C172 job, well usually an operator will give you a check ride to see everything is all ok. Usually just general flying stuff for a VFR job. Circuits, stalls, steep turns, emergency procedures... all standard stuff.
Just remember dont pay for a check ride, and never work for free!!!
p.s. if you are really cashed up i would even recommend an endorsement on a 310 or baron... a couple more multi hours and might make the difference with a company 7-800 hours from now.
my 2c
If you knock over your MECIR now thats one less expense later on when you will be struggling to pay bills (believe me financially things will get alot worse at the bottom end of GA).
Even though its all pretty much day VFR stuff in kunnunurra, instrument flying skills may come in useful during bouts of smoke or with the wet season (keeping VMC at all times of course).
Once you are up north there are not many places to go to do any 'flying school' training, so whilst you are still in the big smoke i'd say go for it.
As for the C172 job, well usually an operator will give you a check ride to see everything is all ok. Usually just general flying stuff for a VFR job. Circuits, stalls, steep turns, emergency procedures... all standard stuff.
Just remember dont pay for a check ride, and never work for free!!!
p.s. if you are really cashed up i would even recommend an endorsement on a 310 or baron... a couple more multi hours and might make the difference with a company 7-800 hours from now.
my 2c
Sorry I have to disagree with doing your CIR ME at this stage. Concentrate on doing what you do VFR well. Try not to pick up too many bad habits. Get comfortable in an aircraft first of all. Unless you are superhuman with 200 hours you will not be totally confident will you, be honest.
Once you are comfortable, which is hard to quantify in hours then think about a CIR. You will save money this way and also there may be tax advantages for you if you earn money as a pilot and need to get a CIR for work. That is a whole subject in itself.
Definately go and do some circuits in the C172 prior to your meeting, be prepared. Put yourself in the bosses shoes, what do you want to see?
Once you are comfortable, which is hard to quantify in hours then think about a CIR. You will save money this way and also there may be tax advantages for you if you earn money as a pilot and need to get a CIR for work. That is a whole subject in itself.
Definately go and do some circuits in the C172 prior to your meeting, be prepared. Put yourself in the bosses shoes, what do you want to see?
Grandpa Aerotart
Perhaps even think about an hours dual with an experienced Instructor who can put you through the rings a bit...short fielders, stalls, steep turns etc.
As for the IR...probably leave it till you have 800-1000 hrs. The intervening experience will make the IR that much easier...and I would think that when a company uses x renewals as a yard stick they actually assume usage of said IR in between renewals. If you rock up to a twin IF job with 2-3 renewals and clearly don't know **** from good brown clay they'll assume you're just slack rather than inexperienced.
Chuck.
As for the IR...probably leave it till you have 800-1000 hrs. The intervening experience will make the IR that much easier...and I would think that when a company uses x renewals as a yard stick they actually assume usage of said IR in between renewals. If you rock up to a twin IF job with 2-3 renewals and clearly don't know **** from good brown clay they'll assume you're just slack rather than inexperienced.
Chuck.
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Hi Airtaxiboy
I think by going out and doing an hour of gen handling and circuits before the meeting will definately help your confidence during the check-flight. Also look over checklists and practise things like passenger briefings and pre-takeoff briefings (ie. act like a professional).
As for the CIR, I would say wait till you have more than 500 hours and therefore you'll have a better feel for aircraft and probably be more confident in the cockpit. When I started my CIR I already had 350hrs command on Navajo's (1200 Total) so handling the seminole was fairly easy, it was just the instrument stuff that I had to get used to.
Good luck with the interview.
I think by going out and doing an hour of gen handling and circuits before the meeting will definately help your confidence during the check-flight. Also look over checklists and practise things like passenger briefings and pre-takeoff briefings (ie. act like a professional).
As for the CIR, I would say wait till you have more than 500 hours and therefore you'll have a better feel for aircraft and probably be more confident in the cockpit. When I started my CIR I already had 350hrs command on Navajo's (1200 Total) so handling the seminole was fairly easy, it was just the instrument stuff that I had to get used to.
Good luck with the interview.
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Obtaining an instrument rating now while you both have the time and still have functional body parts to sell of to pay for this rating, do it.
Unfortunately you will not need this rating for a few years, but in a few years you may be applying for a position that stipulates a minimum number of renewals for employment, usually government and mining contracts, if you don't have the required renewals, you don't have a chance.
In addition, i feel it took me probably the second or third renewal before i started to become what i consider competent / less dangerous / more capable.
Unfortunately you will not need this rating for a few years, but in a few years you may be applying for a position that stipulates a minimum number of renewals for employment, usually government and mining contracts, if you don't have the required renewals, you don't have a chance.
In addition, i feel it took me probably the second or third renewal before i started to become what i consider competent / less dangerous / more capable.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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There are always a range of veiws on whether to get an Instrument Rating now or wait until you have more experience, different things work for different people- and it probably really depends on your individual situation.
One advantage of having a CIR and your ATPLs done is that employers know that you have everything that they could want, if these things are ever needed. You can concentrate on the business of trying to keep working (flying) rather than having to worry about when to go and do your CIR etc.
When you are entering the industry, it is important to remember that often 90% of the job is P.R. Providing good customer service, maintaining good relations with employers, and maintaining professionalism in all aspects of the job, are initially the factors that make you successful.
Do your job properly -look after the aircraft you fly, keep your skills and paperwork up to date, offer to help people out when you can, show initiative and focus on the positive.
At the same time....be realistic, don't let anyone exploit you, keep the shorter term goals in the picture, keep the longer term goals as inspiration and keep your life in perspective!!!
Above all- make sure you have fun...you may as well be a bean counter if you're not.
In Aviation, bad bosses, rude customers, and work itself comes and goes -but life goes on no matter what....
(Geeez Dr. Jim Beam's philosophy is flowing onto the page...)
One advantage of having a CIR and your ATPLs done is that employers know that you have everything that they could want, if these things are ever needed. You can concentrate on the business of trying to keep working (flying) rather than having to worry about when to go and do your CIR etc.
When you are entering the industry, it is important to remember that often 90% of the job is P.R. Providing good customer service, maintaining good relations with employers, and maintaining professionalism in all aspects of the job, are initially the factors that make you successful.
Do your job properly -look after the aircraft you fly, keep your skills and paperwork up to date, offer to help people out when you can, show initiative and focus on the positive.
At the same time....be realistic, don't let anyone exploit you, keep the shorter term goals in the picture, keep the longer term goals as inspiration and keep your life in perspective!!!
Above all- make sure you have fun...you may as well be a bean counter if you're not.
In Aviation, bad bosses, rude customers, and work itself comes and goes -but life goes on no matter what....
(Geeez Dr. Jim Beam's philosophy is flowing onto the page...)
