230TT, MIFR and IATRA written. What next?

[Cam1616]

Hello,

Fresh pilot here. I have 230TT, my MIFR, and passed my IATRA. Just got hired at a pipeline patrol company but i'm expecting I will just be a spotter for the first 8-12months. I'm keeping my options open and want to find a job that can get me flying in airlines sooner rather than later. Was wondering what other options are out there for me? Should I build time privately to get to 250? Or even though some companies have 250 as their minimums it's unlikely they will look the other way? Or is it worth staying at this pipeline company and stick it out till i'm actually flying for them? Most recent guy went from 230 to 900 hours in first 6 months (ALL PIC).

[Avi-Nation]

You sound impatient, just stick with it.

[702pipeliner]

Former pipeline here. One of the big mistakes you make is jumping. There you get your pic time in 7 or 8 months. Things may move quicker.

Builds good experience for the future and pilot decision making. You also get pic.... paid for. Which is huge. Lots of guys at the airlines don't have that. The experience you get as well builds you as a pilot for future.

Your also building time quicker. I know guys who went from pipeline at 1500 hours to encore/jazz and other places.

Short term sacrifice long term gain.

2 cents would be stick it there till you get all the pic requirements for an atpl.

[Flight94]

Some say PIC is king, some say seniority number. I'm in the PIC camp. Take that job seriously, it's not brainless time building. Ugly fatality a couple weeks ago.

[digits_]

As long as you're not flying, I'd keep applying for an actual flying job. Whatever gets you in the left seat first.

[Mr. Lutsch]

Beech 1900 FO here. I was told to expect about 700 hours a year. It’s been 6 months and I just broke 200. If you spectate for 8 months and then do 700 hours in the following 6 months (like your predecessor), you’re still doing better than me. What’s more is, pipeline patrolling is going to be steady and not vulnerable to the whims of the market. 700 hours in 6 months sounds like something that you can count on. It’s worth considering.

[robshelle]

PIC is king, especially if you can get Night PIC (end of day returning to base after the survey).

Also you don’t want to burn any bridges. This is a small industry.

My 2 cents.

Rob

[Roar]

At 230hrs you know next to nothing about flying, that’s not intended to be disrespectful just a statement of fact (I was no different when I had 230hrs). Take the pipeline job, spend the 7 months as an observer not only watching the pipeline but observing the pilot and soak up learning how to pilot for a living. I can’t stress enough how important PIC time is early in your career.

[Conflicting Traffic]

You sound impatient, just stick with it.

+1.

I have 230TT, my MIFR, and passed my IATRA. ... Or even though some companies have 250 as their minimums it's unlikely they will look the other way?

There is no "looking the other way": CAR 421.40 requires 250 hours for a type rating. Even if you're applying for a job that doesn't require a type rating, there are lots of new pilots looking for work out there. Why would they "look the other way" if they don't have to?

Just got hired at a pipeline patrol company but i'm expecting I will just be a spotter for the first 8-12months. I'm keeping my options open and want to find a job that can get me flying in airlines sooner rather than later. Was wondering what other options are out there for me?

Keep the spotting job. Move into a flying role when you can. Get the PIC time. I've flown with lots of FOs that can't upgrade because they don't have the PIC requirements for their ATPL.

Should I build time privately to get to 250?

No. Don't waste your money. Some airline FOs have no choice but to do this -- it's not just the 20 hours to get to 250 TT, you need 250 hours of PIC for your A's. You have an out -- keep your current job and let someone else pay for those hours.

Or is it worth staying at this pipeline company and stick it out till i'm actually flying for them? Most recent guy went from 230 to 900 hours in first 6 months (ALL PIC).

This. Stay put. Get the hours. Then if you want to move on, consider your options -- which will be much better than they are now.

[nasir.pilot]

Hi @cam1616
Do you mind sharing what sort of schedule spotters get? Is it a Mon-Fri continuous or days/weeks on/off?

[paimc]

Hello,
Would you mind to share how you got the pipeline job? I am at 300TT and heard nothing so far. Thanks.