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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.