If you are a future professional pilot or building your flight hours toward your Dream Pilot Job in that sleek airline cockpit, you are probably aware by now of the new “FAA Aviation Safety Act of 2010,” which requires airlines to hire pilots with Airline Transport Pilot minimums (23 years old, 1500 hours of flight time, and pass the written/flight exam). In short, this new 1500 hour rule – which takes effect August 1, 2013 – will require pilots-in-training to gain more flight time than was previously necessary before landing their first airline pilot job.
Dubbed “the 1500 hour rule,” it’s a hot topic in the flight school hangers. That’s because this new legislature at first seems discouraging for those “low timers” that now may have an additional year or so of “time building” to accomplish after flight school.
But for every problem, there is a solution…
This article is going to show you some ways to gain those hours, and some loopholes that reduce the required flight time mandated by the FAA.
While this may seem like a setback at first glance, there are a few loopholes within the new 1500 hour rule that few flight instructors are mentioning (or aware of) – that will help pilots seeking their first pilot job at an airline to reduce the required flight time. The FAA stated in the final revision of the Aviation Safety Act of 2010 that pilots could receive a “restricted” ATP through two different methods.
While this may seem like a setback at first glance, there are a few loopholes within the new 1500 hour rule that few flight instructors are mentioning (or aware of) – that will help pilots seeking their first pilot job at an airline to reduce the required flight time.
1. The first method is for pilot candidates to complete an aviation baccalaureate degree and flight program through an approved university. This method will require pilots to have completed their instrument and commercial rating through the same university flight program as well as have 1,000 hours of flight time. By meeting those requirements, pilots will be able to take the ATP exams and receive the restricted ATP making them qualified to act as co-pilot.
2. The second method for pilots seeking an ATP is to join the military and gain 750 hours of flight time. Applicants meeting the above requirement will be able to apply for a restricted ATP allowing them to operate as a co-pilot in an airliner.
Worth noting is that applicants in both scenarios will be unable to operate as the captain (PIC) until they have 1,000 hours as a pilot in air carrier operations. This rule applies only to airlines who require an ATP to act as pilot in command (PIC).
Pilots who are completing their training through a local FBO are not at a loss because there are many different ways to acquire the mandatory 1500 hour rule.
The first way, which I highly recommend, and by far the most valued by subsequent employers – is to work as a Certified Flight Instructor. I can attest that my time as a CFI was invaluable to the success I enjoy today. This is probably the most common method but it does serve a very important purpose. First, flight instructors have the ability to build flight time VERY quickly at a good flight school (in many cases FASTER than CFIs working at the Universities.) Flight instructors are also able to reinforce everything they had learned during their flight training by teaching it. This is a point that shouldn’t be understated because most people learn better by teaching rather than memorizing.
Finally, flight instructors are able to further develop their stick and rudder skills. Students will inevitably make a mistake which the flight instructor must know how to correct through solid airmanship.
(And another hot topic – brought on by the increasing amount of automation inside Technically Advanced Aircraft cockpits – is that the pilot must still be able to FLY-THE-PLANE if all the computers fail! Those 1500 hours of “real flying” will make you a more valuable candidate!)
In addition to flight instructing student pilots should look into splitting flight time. Many pilots have built hours by splitting flight time with another qualified pilot. This option comes with a few strings that must be adhered to unless the pilots wish to find themselves explaining their actions to the FAA or potential employer. When two pilots share a plane with the intention of building flight time they must either be flying under a hood with a safety pilot or be receiving instruction. It is completely legal for both pilots to log flight time as long as one is flying under the hood while the other is acting as the safety pilot. This method is also legal if one pilot is instructing the other pilot throughout the flight. As long as one of these are being utilized, both pilots may log the flight time legally.
A third method to gain the required hours would be to find a job flying pipeline patrol, traffic watch, ferry flights, or even skydivers. All of these are great methods to gain the required 1500 hours because they all but guarantee hours – and pay! On top of the two obvious benefits, pilots will be able to gain valuable experience that looks very good when applying for an airline job. These jobs can be hard to find at times, but they are available and very valuable to the right candidate.
No matter what stage you are in with your flight training it is important to keep focused on solutions. The 1500 hour rule is “bump-in-the-road” for low time pilots seeking a career in the airlines, but it doesn’t mean that the hurdle isn’t easily overcome. There are loopholes and alternatives available to pilots who need additional hours.
And the long term repercussions could reveal the new regulation to be a blessing in disguise. As the airlines will have a smaller pool of qualified pilots to choose from, those pilots will naturally become more in-demand and valuable. Supply-and-demand should dictate that this will lead to higher starting salaries for airline pilots and more attractive employment packages. Nothing wrong with that!
It is also important to note that pilots seeking a job outside of the airlines will not be faced with this rule. There are many different paths that can lead to a long career in aviation which should be thoroughly explored by any pilot no matter what their experience may be. A career as a charter or corporate pilot in business aviation can be just as rewarding, and offer a different lifestyle and work environment.
The most important thing any pilot can do is to constantly work on improving themselves and their abilities. If pilots focus on that, then they will inevitably open doors to better opportunities.
At Complete Flyer, you will find a wealth of strategies and techniques you can use to pursue any top-level job as a pilot. If you haven’t already, sign up for our newsletter in the form on the right, and you’ll be able to get started today for free.
Regards,
LET ME FLY
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Regards,
LET ME FLY
Visit : www.completeflyer.blogspot.com
Like us https://www.facebook.com/cockpitonline
