Aircraft Time Building Employment

As a newly certificated Commercial Pilot, the task of even qualifying for most First Officer Airline or Cargo Carriers can seem daunting.

Airlines are looking for 3 basic key qualifiers –

1.  Ratings – Minimum:  Commercial Pilot License MEL, Preferred:  ATP MEL with Type Rating.  Good luck with ATP because you will need 1500 total hours to take the checkride.

2.  Hours of Experience – Most are looking for 1000+ hours of PIC, 100 hours of instrument (actual or hood time), 75+ hours of nite flight, 500 cross country, and 200+ hours of multi-time.

3.  Education – For US domestic market, a four year degree is preferred, especially by the Majors.  For Regional Airlines or Cargo, High School Diploma / Associates Degree is sufficient.  Bottom line is  – More professional education the  better and the more comepetive you will be.

I believe the toughest task to most  Commercial Pilot Candidates are the hours of experience.  How does one attain 1000 hours of PIC time along with all the other time requirements. 

I have done extensive research in this department and here are my findings to share with you.

#1  Pay for the hours outright.  Very expensive choice.  For 600 SEL and 200 MEL hours you are looking in the neighborhood of $85000.  This does not include any instruction dual given time.

#2  For those willing and able, Military fixed wing pilot is the best way to go.  The US or other host country will pay for all flight training and then you will have immediate employment as  aviator logging valuable time and making officer pay.  After first 6 year term of enlistment served you will have all required hours and certificates necessary to apply for your pilot dream job.

#3  For those who are unwilling or unable to qualify for military aviator service the other option is to flight instruct.  With an added expense of $10 – $15,000, a newly certificated Commercial Pilot can attain all flight instructor ratings and begin working and logging PIC time as a Certified Flight Instructor.

Intro to Aviation Investment

Investments into the arena of aviation assets can take place in several venues, some with standard commercial operators and others with flight training schools / aero clubs.

With regard to flight training schools / aero clubs investments can be made in the purchase of personal aircraft to be leased to the flight school / aero club as rental aircraft for the purpose of subsidizing owners fixed expenditures such as tiedown fees, maintenance, and insurance. Depending on placement of aircraft, leaseback arrangements can benefit the owner / investor in several ways. The 1st is that it can pay for all these fixed expenditures, allowing the investor to own the aircraft and fly it for the price of fuel. This is what I would call a break even point. The added benefit and the key to making your leaseback a profitable investment is to properly place the right aircraft in the right flight school / aeroclub that will fly it above and beyond the breakeven point. This would represent the net profit to the investor and often times can be as great as 20-30% return.

Updates to MGIB

Recent changes to MGIB have resulted in a complicated mix of applied benefits. On the upside, those who are eligible for new Post 9-11 GI Bill, effective August 2009, will have increased monetary benefits for accredited college courses towards Associates, Bachelors, and graduate degrees. Instead of a set payment made directly to receipient, based on credit hours taken, the new GI Bill will pay all tuition and fees directly to the school. A seperate housing allowance payment will be made directly to recipient based on E-5 with dependents rate housing allowance. For recipients whose education goal is to attain a bachelors / higher degree this Post 9-11 GI Bill is the way to go.

The downside fo this new Bill is that it does not provide for any vocational career technical training such as flight training. For individuals who have finished their academic degree goals / do not require these degrees and are seeking further vocational training for career progression, the old GI Bill is still the best bet. If the individual has signed up and qualified for Post 9-11 GI Bill, they may change it back to the older GI Bill.

Aviation Investments Update

AVIATION LEASEBACKS

Purchase of leaseback aircraft for use at flight schools and aero clubs.  Advantages of aircraft leaseback ownership are many.  Rental rates at flight schools and aero clubs are much higher than actual operating costs.  The difference of the rental revenue and operating expenses such as fuel, tie down fees, insurance, and maintenance is the profit to the leaseback owner / owners.  I have invested in several leaseback arrangements and found them to be very profitable.  The key is the placement of the correct type of aircraft in flight school / aero club that has sufficient demand for it.

Flight Student Housing Available

AFTS provides student housing near three major flight training centers in San Diego region. Fully furnished apartments with internet and Cable TV. Competitive rates available for single rooms or rooms to shar