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ExpressJet Jeremy · 07-03-2008

Hi, Alexander,

Bob is on vacation this week and asked me to help out for a few days while he's out of pocket. I'm getting in late here, but there are a couple of things that I want to address.

First, you can never have too much multi engine time. If you show up at an interview with 200 hours of multi and everyone else there has 100 hours of multi, you are ahead of the game.

Second, multi time is not easy to get (which is why everyone shows up at the interview right at 100 hours). When you are a CFI, or any other entry level flying job, you have to scrimp, beg and plead for every hour of multi that you can (unless, of course, you are an ATP instructor).

Third, ATP's Career Pilot program gives you ~140 hours of flight time in the Seminole. The other 50 hours come in a multi-engine FTD (which helps you meet requirements for checkrides, but does not count towards total flight time).

When you say you are considering taking the "multi-engine course," I'm not sure I know what you mean. I'm guessing that you mean just flying to get the multi-time and then dropping out to take a pro-rated discount. I would think three times before attempting that and then think twice more!

For one thing, you'd have to go all the way through your Commercial Multi checkride to get the bulk of multi time that ATP offers. Remember, all of ATP's training is done in the multi. Therefore, you can't just opt out of the instrument portion of the course. Already having an instrument rating doesn't really affect your status with ATP. You'll do the same flying that a non-instrument rated pilot flies, just without the instrument checkride.

The multi private is about 8 hours. The instrument is about 35 hours. Most of your time comes from the cross country and then there are a few more hours for the commercial multi. After you do that, if you take a pro-rated early departure, I think you'll be disappointed in how much $$ you'll actually get back. You will have burned through most of the cost of the program by that time.

Furthermore, if you do that, you might as well do the CFI course, since that is the next step--and then you're done!

Finally, I'll echo Bob's opinion... whatever you do, get your CFI ratings. You might just find yourself wishing you had them somewhere down the line.

I know this might not seem like the answers that you're looking for. But I definitely want you to be clear on all the facts before you make your decision. I'll be around for a few more days until Bob gets back if you have more questions.

Jeremy

07-03-2008	#6 (permalink)
ExpressJet Jeremy Pilot Career Coach Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 685	Hi, Alexander, Bob is on vacation this week and asked me to help out for a few days while he's out of pocket. I'm getting in late here, but there are a couple of things that I want to address. First, you can never have too much multi engine time. If you show up at an interview with 200 hours of multi and everyone else there has 100 hours of multi, you are ahead of the game. Second, multi time is not easy to get (which is why everyone shows up at the interview right at 100 hours). When you are a CFI, or any other entry level flying job, you have to scrimp, beg and plead for every hour of multi that you can (unless, of course, you are an ATP instructor). Third, ATP's Career Pilot program gives you ~140 hours of flight time in the Seminole. The other 50 hours come in a multi-engine FTD (which helps you meet requirements for checkrides, but does not count towards total flight time). When you say you are considering taking the "multi-engine course," I'm not sure I know what you mean. I'm guessing that you mean just flying to get the multi-time and then dropping out to take a pro-rated discount. I would think three times before attempting that and then think twice more! For one thing, you'd have to go all the way through your Commercial Multi checkride to get the bulk of multi time that ATP offers. Remember, all of ATP's training is done in the multi. Therefore, you can't just opt out of the instrument portion of the course. Already having an instrument rating doesn't really affect your status with ATP. You'll do the same flying that a non-instrument rated pilot flies, just without the instrument checkride. The multi private is about 8 hours. The instrument is about 35 hours. Most of your time comes from the cross country and then there are a few more hours for the commercial multi. After you do that, if you take a pro-rated early departure, I think you'll be disappointed in how much $$ you'll actually get back. You will have burned through most of the cost of the program by that time. Furthermore, if you do that, you might as well do the CFI course, since that is the next step--and then you're done! Finally, I'll echo Bob's opinion... whatever you do, get your CFI ratings. You might just find yourself wishing you had them somewhere down the line. I know this might not seem like the answers that you're looking for. But I definitely want you to be clear on all the facts before you make your decision. I'll be around for a few more days until Bob gets back if you have more questions. Jeremy Last edited by ExpressJet Jeremy; 07-03-2008 at 10:49 AM.