Reality of employment with 150-175 hours TT (should I budget for more?)

[franknyc]

I'm 20 hours into my training and my dreams of flying seems to be getting further and further away. Just asking around, it seems that 150hours may not be enough. All the flight schools are asking for 300+ hours!!! I really can't afford 85K-95K to get me to 300 hours. Any idea how to get from 150 to 300 without paying for the flight time??? Are there insurance companies other than Pathfinder who will allow me to teach or do sightseeing with 150? Should I continue training in the R-22 or switch to the Schweizwer?

 

Thanks-

[adam32]

I'm 20 hours into my training and my dreams of flying seems to be getting further and further away. Just asking around, it seems that 150hours may not be enough. All the flight schools are asking for 300+ hours!!! I really can't afford 85K-95K to get me to 300 hours. Any idea how to get from 150 to 300 without paying for the flight time??? Are there insurance companies other than Pathfinder who will allow me to teach or do sightseeing with 150? Should I continue training in the R-22 or switch to the Schweizwer?

 

Thanks-

 

 

Yep, other insurance companies do insure with less than 300hrs. That is Pathfinders thing with the R22.

[rick1128]

You will find that most employers, including flight school, will quote their pilot/instructor time requirements from the portion of the insurance policy called the 'open pilot' clause. What that means is any pilot that meets those requirements can fly that aircraft. Flight schools also have an open instructor clause also. The same thing. There are clauses that open things up for their students. They may also put a pilot on 'by name'. That means that the insurance company will add a specific pilot by name, even if he/she doesn't meet the insurance requirements of the 'open pilot' clause. Most of the time it doesn't cost the company anything to do so. Generally they will do so for pilots that they trained as instructors. So look around and ask questions of the schools in your area.

[BOATFIXERGUY]

Sorry to be blunt, but you need more. Not my decision. I don't know of the robbie crowd with regards to insurance, so I'll let others speak out.

 

You may be able to teach for under 200 hours, but I don't know of any insurance that will allow you to do sightseeing or photography with under 300 hours. Yes, Airsure has a program, but you have to have 200 hours in an enstrom and an insurance checkride. Many can't pass the checkride with 200 hours. If you check the jobs available for low time robbie pilots, you will also see that they are 300 - 500 hours.

[airBeater]

Highly suggest you check into BoatPix. It does offer something more along what you desire. i.e. - More hours at lower cost, plus employment afterwards...

[jehh]

You can get a job with that level of time, if you fly something other than the R-22 of course.

 

Last year I hired a 170 hour CFI who trained with us. He got time in both the Schweizer 300 and the R-22, taught in the Schweizer until he built up his time, now teaches in both.