I had posted something a couple months back but as I learn more by reading threads and posts I seem to gather mor questions. Watching YouTube and reading about flow through pathways I am not sure how to feel about choosing a pathway. Also the task of figuring out what regional airline to work for. I’m sure it’s very dependent on who calls on me after requesting employment…
If I’m starting with a PPl and 700 hours plus roughly 250 hrs of school time will I only be instructing the remainder 550hrs? Am I bound for a time period to teach or once I hit 1500 am I onto the regionals?
If I have free time in the evenings or weekends and access to a aircraft will I have time to fly off more hours? If a pathway does happen do some of them want me to teach under ATP or under their company as a CFI? Hope all these questions make sense thank you for anyone that try’s to answer in advance…
Bryce,
You are not bound to teach for any additional time period beyond having 1,500 hours of total flight time. Assuming you have been hired by a regional, you will walk out the door the day you hit 1,500 hours.
ATP aircraft are reserved strictly for training flights and are not available for leisure flights. Of course you are always free to rent from the local school. There are of course pathway programs that exist outside of ATP, but to my knowledge none of them offer Tuition Reimbursement like ATP’s programs do. To partake in ATP’s partnerships, you will need to be an instructor with ATP.
As I keep saying the dynamics and offers are changing daily, and I’d be reluctant to sign a deal with anyone unless you know for certain there’s one particular Regional you want to fly for. As Chris said once you get your 1500hrs the Regional will want you there as they need you.
Keep in mind the 1500hr requirement is for you to build the time and experience to complete newhire training. It’s not a random number. You list a number of planes you fly for recreation and while I’m sure you’re a good stick, I don’t see alot is instrument flying in there. The airlines need and expect well trained and proficient instrument pilots. While I appreciate you (like many others) are anxious to get started at an airline know it’s also about quality time and not simply quantity.
Ok yeah that is true, I should have worked on getting my IFR a while back. Thank you for the response, it really does seem like quality time is the best path and I’m super excited to teach as well. Sometimes my brain gets caught up in crunching numbers calculating time until the end of a segment of life but enjoying the path is really what I should focus on.
With the hours you have, you should pursue your instrument rating very soon. The airlines want to see quality time, meaning as much Instrument, cross country or multi engine that you can get.
With the hours you have, you’ll have a big head start on getting to 1500. Good news, you won’t have to build time for very long! By the time you’d finish the program you’d be at roughly 900 hours.
Don’t worry to much about regional selection or pathway programs just yet. First focus on all the ratings you have yet to knock out. Be successful in those rides and you’ll have all the opportunities open to you. Keep your ears open and listen to those ahead of you in the process. Find out how they chose their path and soon you’ll figure out what’s important to you and which regional fits.
That really depends on you and what your preferred study method is. I prefer to study alone, so I did not spend much additional time at the training center. Those who prefer to study together often do so.
Most training centers have common rooms where students hang out before or after their flights. If you enjoy being social, you can study there. I’m sure you’ll attract others to join you.