CFI or charter airline?

[wikz]

what's up y'all! I am in the process of getting my PPL and I absolutely love flying, and will be continuing after I finish college; however, I am stuck between the two options listed above in the title. Ive heard so many different stories of how having time before going to UPT is good because you have a good idea of how to do things, or how it can also be bad due to unlearning civilian flying habits. 

it seems to me like most of our guys at the 199th FS had time before going to UPT such as Skywest, HA pilot, CFI, charter airline, and I definitely think i'm gonna jump on that train. I understand that Uncle Sam would be paying for those ratings and it would be a waste of money, but I want to ensure I comeback to the squadron if I ever got picked up by these guys.

I don't really care about how much hours I'll accrue, but rather which skills will transfer over to UPT more. if I trained students as a CFI/CFII, I feel like VFR and IFR flying will be engrained in my head which I think will be good? However, I will mainly be teaching and not flying meaning I could possibly lose the flying hands? I also think CFI flying will look better on a resume then charter/cargo flying.

On the other hand, I have buddies who are also trying to fly for the 199th that fly for kamaka air (the charter/cargo airline im talking about) who said they would vouch for me if I ever tried to fly for them. It probably would be an easier way to gain hours, and I would actually be flying, however, its less focused on maneuvers, etc.

I would appreciate any thoughts you guys have! Thanks in advance!🤙

 

[Biff_T]

IMHO 

If you have the funds, go CFII until you have ATP minimums and then try to get on board at an airline.  You can get paid as a CFII (not much money but plenty of hours and knowledge gained from instructing new pilots) while waiting for a regional or mainline company to hire you.   

Continue to apply for the USAF during the process of becoming a professional pilot.

The few CFIIs I knew did a little better at UPT and the regionals (RIP Compass).  

 

Edited yesterday at 04:18 AM by Biff_T
Words are hard: hire

[brabus]

Keep in mind you'll need 250 hrs for a commercial, which is going to cost a shitload, especially in Hawaii. Additional hours may be required for a specific company’s mins. I would go down this road only if professional flying outside the AF is a desirable career. Doing all of that just to boost your ANG app or UPT performance (I watched CFIs do great and horribly in UPT) is not a great reason by itself. Definitely get your PPL and continue to learn, just make sure you only go into a shitload of flight training debt for logical reasons.

[wikz]

3 hours ago, Biff_T said:

IMHO 

If you have the funds, go CFII until you have ATP minimums and then try to get on board at an airline.  You can get paid as a CFII (not much money but plenty of hours and knowledge gained from instructing new pilots) while waiting for a regional or mainline company to higher you.   

Continue to apply for the USAF during the process of becoming a professional pilot.

The few CFIIs I knew did a little better at UPT and the regionals (RIP Compass).  

 

I definitely dont have the funds but im hoping to got on the next 6 monther coming up so I can qualify for the GI Bill. 

thanks for the information brody. CFII just became more favorable.

[wikz]

2 hours ago, brabus said:

Keep in mind you'll need 250 hrs for a commercial, which is going to cost a shitload, especially in Hawaii. Additional hours may be required for a specific company’s mins. I would go down this road only if professional flying outside the AF is a desirable career. Doing all of that just to boost your ANG app or UPT performance (I watched CFIs do great and horribly in UPT) is not a great reason by itself. Definitely get your PPL and continue to learn, just make sure you only go into a shitload of flight training debt for logical reasons.

Kamaka Air thankfully only requires up to CPL and a deal if you work at the front desk with them for at least 6 months, they will hire you. 

I am interested in flying for HA if I was a part-time raptor guy, but then again that's not my motive for all this. 

I do see where you're coming from though. I definitely dont want to go into a shitload of debt, but am willing to if it gives me a better chance at coming back. 

thanks for your 0.02 cents brabus. always appreciated sir!

[HuggyU2]

Go fly aerobatics.  Fly anything you can get your hands on.  

[Springer]

5 hours ago, wikz said:

what's up y'all! I am in the process of getting my PPL and I absolutely love flying, and will be continuing after I finish college; however, I am stuck between the two options listed above in the title. Ive heard so many different stories of how having time before going to UPT is good because you have a good idea of how to do things, or how it can also be bad due to unlearning civilian flying habits. 

it seems to me like most of our guys at the 199th FS had time before going to UPT such as Skywest, HA pilot, CFI, charter airline, and I definitely think i'm gonna jump on that train. I understand that Uncle Sam would be paying for those ratings and it would be a waste of money, but I want to ensure I comeback to the squadron if I ever got picked up by these guys.

I don't really care about how much hours I'll accrue, but rather which skills will transfer over to UPT more. if I trained students as a CFI/CFII, I feel like VFR and IFR flying will be engrained in my head which I think will be good? However, I will mainly be teaching and not flying meaning I could possibly lose the flying hands? I also think CFI flying will look better on a resume then charter/cargo flying.

On the other hand, I have buddies who are also trying to fly for the 199th that fly for kamaka air (the charter/cargo airline im talking about) who said they would vouch for me if I ever tried to fly for them. It probably would be an easier way to gain hours, and I would actually be flying, however, its less focused on maneuvers, etc.

I would appreciate any thoughts you guys have! Thanks in advance!🤙

 

Out of curiosity where are you learning to fly?  Hawaii?

[wikz]

2 hours ago, HuggyU2 said:

Go fly aerobatics.  Fly anything you can get your hands on.  

dude id love to; ive heard that's also beneficial for UPT. maybe sometime in the future after I get my GA ratings ill look into that. 

Edited 21 hours ago by wikz

[wikz]

1 hour ago, Springer said:

Out of curiosity where are you learning to fly?  Hawaii?

hey springer! yeah, I fly in Kona right now and its great, but I think im gonna be flying on Oahu after college (where I live). I have looked at places on the west coast but some are just as expensive or even more. maybe im just not looking good enough, but from my experience in Kona, rent, groceries, etc. is no joke which is why im leaning more towards going to a school where I live so I only have to worry about paying for flight lessons. 

[Springer]

18 hours ago, wikz said:

hey springer! yeah, I fly in Kona right now and its great, but I think im gonna be flying on Oahu after college (where I live). I have looked at places on the west coast but some are just as expensive or even more. maybe im just not looking good enough, but from my experience in Kona, rent, groceries, etc. is no joke which is why im leaning more towards going to a school where I live so I only have to worry about paying for flight lessons. 

A lot of good advice on this thread wikz.  I went to the U of H (majored in sailing 😁) and received my private at KHNL through the 2 yr AFROTC program.  Is that not offered any more? Thought about trying out for the 199th when they had Phantoms after my AF commitment but livable job opportunities as you know in the Islands are scarce.

[wikz]

8 minutes ago, Springer said:

A lot of good advice on this thread wikz.  I went to the U of H (majored in sailing 😁) and received my private at KHNL through the 2 yr AFROTC program.  Is that not offered any more? Thought about trying out for the 199th when they had Phantoms after my AF commitment but livable job opportunities as you know in the Islands are scarce.

I honestly haven't even tried to look at UH's AFROTC program because Im going to American Military University right now to speed up the college process and because it's cheaper. I can pay for the PPL out of pocket, but its a matter of how im gonna pay for the rest of the ratings after if I do go for it.

yeah the economy is kinda f'd, especially in Hawaii. 

Edited 2 hours ago by wikz