Hello everyone,

I was just wondering for someone like me, whether it is better to start out logging single engine piston time as PIC. Or to get a job working on the ramp somewhere for 2 years, then be put right seat on their multi turbine aircraft. At this time I only have 253TT and 30 multi, so I'm trying to figure out the best place to start.

Any advice is appreciated

Go with PIC the rest will follow including your ATR. however, a bird in hand.

Get the PIC time.
Just having copilot hours may lengthen your upgrade time to captain considerably.
Better to have at least 1000 PIC under your belt, then embark on the copilot journey.

Just my 2 cents...

Get the PIC. I sort of regret going ME co-joe first, although it was the best option at the time. You'll either have to go back and get some PIC time... like go fly a Van or 'Ho for a bit anyway, or wait a lot longer to get into the left seat.

And think about the experience you'll gain... say you do the multi thing. You go right seat Metro, then left seat, then move along from there... something like a 1900 or Dash can take really long and you could end up like the Air Lab guys if the shit hits the fan with all this TT time but no PIC... which is now causing them some problems in finding work. Or go left seat 206, left seat Navajo, then right seat (for a very short while) on a multi-turbine before going left seat. You'll gain better, more valued experience and probably have more fun too.

I don't think this topic is even debatable. IMHO

+1 to what JAC said. PIC all the way.

BUT! In this environment, with your limited time/experience, you can't afford to be too choosy; as rigpiggy said, a bird in the hand...
(what does that mean? Fire out the resumes, do the road trip if you need to, and take the first decent job that comes along. The rest will follow.)

Good Luck.

.

vmc_demo wrote:what kind of right seat time are we talking about?

right seat on a B1900 or Metro III...etc, heavier than 12,566, 704OPS.....that to me is better than flying a C206

F/O's from my current job keep leaving for jazz/porter...etc captains goto AC/westjet

upgrades are based on total time only

right seat in a navajo vs a 206 job, take the 206

Say it was right seat in a B1900 or Metro, is it worth working on the ramp for an undetermined amount of time before being moved to right seat? Or get a job right away in a 152? Its still total time. And it might mean bypassing the ramp to go right seat for a carrier. Its PIC time too.

pw308 wrote:Hello everyone,

I was just wondering for someone like me, whether it is better to start out logging single engine piston time as PIC. Or to get a job working on the ramp somewhere for 2 years, then be put right seat on their multi turbine aircraft. At this time I only have 253TT and 30 multi, so I'm trying to figure out the best place to start.

Any advice is appreciated

get a float rating if you don't have one and visit as many operators as you can. my first job was flying a champ on floats and i had 330 hours. my second job was right seat in a metro II and i had 480 hours. an instructor rating is more expensive.

vmc_demo wrote: upgrades are based on total time only

right....but getting the job in the first place will require a good amount of PIC (other than Jazz). PIC time is money in the bank. Period.

If you're someone with 300-500hrs with the bare min from your training, take the PIC, even if it's a 152. Once you've got a decent amount of PIC, move on to the other stuff. Like other people have said, 2000hrs with 100pic in your book doesn't leave you with much choice, nor will it give you the time for your A's. Take the pic if you're low time, even if it is a Beech or whatnot.

Take anything you can get right now. ANYTHING!

I went the single engine PIC way. Only problem I ran into was the night time for my ATPL which is now costing me every night for the next week. Too bad I didn't have foresight while building for my CPL to do it all at night, I kinda wish the school pushed this too.

Gumby wrote:Take anything you can get right now. ANYTHING!

I would take anything at this point. Is there anything even out there? I'm debating doing my instructor rating, but even then you're not guaranteed a job.

I always thought that co-joe twin turbine time was what you did when you've already done the single PIC thing and actually learned how to fly an airplane and are ready to move onto "bigger and better."

Slats wrote:I always thought that co-joe twin turbine time was what you did when you've already done the single PIC thing and actually learned how to fly an airplane and are ready to move onto "bigger and better."

Me too. Otherwise you have to move back to 'smaller and crappier' to get your upgrade. Single PIC is more fun anyways.

1. Take what you can get.

2. Given the choice, take the PIC. More fun, better $$$, closer to AA, more upgradable when the time comes.

ef

'effin hippie wrote:closer to AA,

Sorry, but what's AA??

Alcoholics Anonymous. That's the end goal in aviation... right?



AA is what replaces the CA on your license after you get an ATPL.

Ah I see.....Alcoholics Anonymous sounds more fun!

In my experience single-engine time based out of BFN will quickly get you to your AA.

square wrote:In my experience single-engine time based out of BFN will quickly get you to your AA.

All these new acronyms.

BFN = Butt Fu* Nowhere?