500hrs milestone

[flapflap]

Hi there!

I now have 500 hours TT in my logbook. I currently work as FI but I'm still waiting and seeking for that first 703/704 FO job (PC12, Navajo, anything would be fine!)

I've noticed that some operators up north set their minimums as low as 500 hrs for a king air position. ( http://www.kivalliqair.com/flightoperat ... tions.html )

Is this number realistic for someone with 500hrs TT but without experience in the north or any 703/704 experience, or even worse, without any contact in the company? I'm considering a (very) long road trip by the end of the summer when students start to get afraid of the winter and stop flying but don't want to go back home empty ended.

Thanks!
Flapflap

[JoeShmoe]

Ive now met three pilots that quit their jobs, one with 500 hrs and the other two with 1000-1200 hours, with the belief that one of these navajo jobs/king air FO jobs would be super easy to get. All three had a very hard time, two ended up taking jobs as dispatchers in order to get in line for a king air FO job. The other was unemployed for about 5 months before getting a navajo job.

Keep in mind most companies try to hire copilots that will be a quick (less then a year) upgrade to captain, and only if they cant find that will they actually hire a 500 hr guy. Id say apply to as many jobs as you can, just dont quit your current job till you get something!

[MOAB]

I agree with Joe.

Better to be looking for a job while you currently still have one. Worst case your still getting experience and have a pay check. You can still do road trips and work towards building MPIC hopefully at your school.

Best of luck!

[ThatArmyGuy]

The road trip still does work. Both myself and a friend of mine each did road trips to northern operators in different provinces at different times and were both hired. This is compared to the ~38 emails I sent throughout the country with a personalized cover letter and resume.

Never hurts to go shake a hand!