500hrs new min norm?
 

Gday everyone，

Was hoping for some advice/opinions from both recent students looking for their first job or even chief pilots/operators. Just your (extra)ordinary pilot looking to make the first break. Looking forward to getting some boots dusty and landing on dirt strips!

I have been seeing and hearing in the recent months/past year now that small operators are now requiring minimum 500 hours (insurance purposes). I have seen a number of times to a few people like myself (recently finished) who made the move for this years dry season being told they require 500. It's made me slightly nervous as going out with approx 250 hours and 100 PIC..how is somone who's finished their training and looking forward of going bush， ever going to find work if this is becoming the norm? That's of course if it's true. It wont stop me though because as they say you dont know until you try...and you definitly wont find anything sittin at home whingin` ;). But I wanted to get some clarity and opinions from others of their own recent experience，or even opinions of operators themselves on whether this all true or not.

Nothing new there what so ever. There have always been these sorts of insurance minimums, but people still got jobs by putting themselves out there and proving they are worth the investment.

Persistence, networking and proving you're a good bloke (or chick) and a good worker are key. :ok:

aurora03


100 hrs PIC on what type ?


What endorsements / ratings do you have ?


May not mean much but just asking

Aurora, for ever has it been thus, at least in my 30+ years.

iPahlot has hit the nail squarely on the head.

Appreciate all your input guys (or gals for that matter)!

I thought that might of been the case. I guess going through training I never really heard of insurance companies and GA operators saying that they want/need 500 hours minimum, until recently.


Totally agree with you iPahlot (and Capt Claret) its all about persistence and the correct attitude, even though i haven't found my first gig as of yet. You could be a top pilot but your attitude could be extremely poor. You don't know whats out there until you go looking! Will do an oil change and top up the radiator, and maybe a new air filter in the car before i go looking though :ok:.

To answer Adsie, its a bit mixed, the PIC is all SE on numerous types including tailwheels. Have the tailwheel, retractable undercarriage and manual pitch. Also have a CMEIR. Wanting to gain a couple of hours on a 206 as well but we will have to see if the funds can be saved....packing shelves only pays so much :p.

aurora03, dare I ask whether you're simply sending resumes from a capital city or have you actually based yourself somewhere where the jobs are?

Insurance can be a huge driver of min. experience levels. A Navajo I operate in the US has an open pilot requirement of 1000hr ME, 100 PIC on type & an insurance approved recurrency course in the last year. Why? Because it saves the owner a small fortune in annual insurance.

Going to have to assume here that 500hrs IFR is under IFR rules and not actual IF time? Going to have a bit of trouble finding anyone job searching at that level with 500 actual IF, unless you track down a retired airline skipper looking for a bit of fun in retirement.

aurora03 What time do you have on useful types? C206, C210, PA31, C310, C401, C404? Tailwheel maybe OK for a fire spotting gig in WA in season, maybe more so if you have some Citabria time.
PA28 and C172 time probably wont get you too far but 10hrs PIC on a C210 can open doors that otherwise would appear welded shut.

Insurance can be negotiated down if an employer 'names' a pilot and adds them to their approved list.

This grading system is draconian and absolute rubbish. If a pilot has a licence with the appropriate ratings what's the issue?

Proof in the pudding is in a check ride!!!!

Insurance and corporate clients don't help......

I done a check ride yesterday in a high performance aeroplane that I had never flown before, I am appropriately class rated and licenced and the flight went like clock work, because I have a bucket load of flying experience. It showed on the check and I certainly don't consider myself as being current flying to my personal standards, however my previous experience obviously was a clear indication that I have enough experience to fly the given aeroplane safely.

We must move onto a competency based system, and there are some very bright spark new pilots out there. I'm not one, sheer luck and 9 lives has kept me alive.

Guys,

These hours are just filters. These numbers move with the number of applicants they get per job.

According to REX, 250 hours is enough to be in a Saab 340.