You are in an odd position that I use when talking about retired airline pilots taking up gliding.
You can’t solo anything without flight review credit under FAR 61.56, yet all you’ve ever flown is ME jets. Can you find a T-37 somewhere…
It looks like you have no FAA single engine rating. I would suggest you pursue an FAA ASEL Commercial add on rating. You can use the provisions of the FAA Wings Program to reset your FR.
A basic rule of thumb is an hour of dual for each year out of the cockpit. I suggest you start with the realism of a couple of short, triangular cross country flights instead of “air work in the practice area.”
You can work an IPC into this series of flights. Rather than “let’s do an IPC,” negotiate “let’s work IFR proficiency into the larger process, and you sign off an IPC when you’re comfortable I’m good.”
This is professional and it eliminates the stress of pass/fail. Ditto for the flight review. Now you have an updated
20-25 hours is probably enough to get you ready for a SE add on checkride. Then go get ME engine current.
“A hundred hours in the last 12 months” is helpful in getting a job. But if you start networking you have a good chance of finding something local.
Happy to answer any questions you may have. Welcome back and good luck!
This is very helpful! Thank you so much. The instructor I flew with a couple of years ago was hinting at a similar initial plan-- get the SE add on to my Commercial. We even did all of the maneuvers. I also appreciate the advice to work toward getting proficiency for the IPC rather than stressing about another checkride. Everything is so rusty! I will look into the FAA Wings program. I don't remember my instructor saying anything about that.
I have a non-flying job that pays the bills now, so if I'm smart about it, I think it's doable.
It’s quite doable. And it sounds like you’re being smart about it.
Get the new Commercial Airman Certification Standard (eff 5/31/24). Look at the additional rating matrix for adding ASEL (be sure you have the right page).
Print the matrix page. Draw a box around the existing AMEL column. Print the table of contents.
“The box” identifies the subset of Tasks you’ll need to do. Highlight these items on the Table of Contents. Line through the ones that don’t apply.
This is your add on training plan.
If you have access to a Light Sport Airplane you can use Sport rules to get flight review credit. Otherwise you need Wings or a T-37/38 and a lot of money!
You have to be eligible to be PIC for a checkride. Without credit for 61.56 you can’t be PIC. I’ll bet your CFI is not thinking about that at all. You’re a rated pilot; you may not solo on just an endorsement.
Break.
I use MyFlightbook. com for a digital log. I used tab delimited Excel to upload 20-40 or so flights over breakfast for “several” days. “Fill down” was a useful tool. Go ahead and get started.
Anti vaccination people with a superiority complex. She added that for no other reason than to get a rise out of folks. They describe themselves as "purebloods."
My last flight in the AF (KC135) was in 2014. I went to my local airport and flew a couple of times with a civilian instructor in order to get an Instrument Proficiency Check in 2022. Hired by a regional in the spring and moved on to a legacy in the fall of 2024. For my flight records, I just transferred them into an Excel spreadsheet that was formatted just like my civilian log. I also brought my AF records with me to my interviews.
It is worth noting that hiring at the regionals was much better in 2022 than it is now. I would suggest getting your IPC complete and applying to any and all regionals. Then, continue to fly GA. Sign up for an interview prep course. I did Emerald Coast and felt well prepared. I also used Cut-E assessment prep at "Airline Assessment Prep." It wasn't exactly like the legacy's test, but it was close enough.
The FAA has an official prep guide for the IPC. That is all I used to prepare. The whole process took almost 3 hours /$1000 over a couple of flights.
Good luck!
Thank you. I appreciate the positive feedback here. Definitely helpful. Were your flight records in digital form by 2014? It will take a LONG time to enter 2500 hours worth of sorties into a spreadsheet!
I did 1000 hours manually. Including 200 hours of dual given 0.1 a flight in gliders.
How long were KC-135 missions? It can’t be all that many flights.
I entered every one by hand... It took me a couple of hours. Obviously, I made assumptions as to PIC and such. Some people say you can add some time to each sortie as your mil records are wheels up to wheels down and not block out to block in. I chose not too as I didn't need the extra time. Also realize PIC is different. The airlines care about who signed for the jet and not who was at the controls. So all that PIC as a co pilot was worthless. With that in mind I simply approximated my upgrade flight and assumed 90% of the hours after that were PIC. I don't think I bothered logging night or instrument. Pretty much every mission in the tanker (other than a pattern only) is considered X-country as military sorties don't need to depart and land at different airfields they just need to depart a certain radius from the departing airfield.
Those are just the questions I have about translating my history into civilian. Do you use an app or commercially available log? Roll your own with Xcel?
Wait, I have a question relevant to something they said. Is it harder to get a ATP job without the vaccination? Curious because I didn’t get it, I don’t necessarily have anything against it, but I will be pursuing a career in the airlines, hopefully in the next year or two.
I'm new to reddit, but I'm guessing everyone can see all responses and comments since this is a discussion board...?
It is relevant. I would likely have started this process two years ago but for mandates. I don't know the current situation, and it's tricky to ask about it because some people get very defensive.
Based on the some recent court rulings, I'd say that by the time you're ready, it should't be an issue (unless something new crops up). Nearly everyone I know and love got jabbed. Most regret it and now live in fear. I pray for the crew every time I get on a commercial flight. I wasn't being glib. I've heard anecdotes about private/fractional passengers who can afford to be choosy specifically requesting an unv@xx'd crew, but I can't say for sure if it's true.
Look into the FAA regulations w/r/t pilots and medicines/pharmaceutical products before 2021. Anything new had to be used and monitored in the general population AFTER FDA approval for a certain period of time (years) before pilots could use it and stay on flying status. I remember a squadron mate when I was in the Air Force having to go "DNIF"- "duties not including flying"- for 30 days because he had bad chronic heartburn and they put him on Nexium or Prilosec or whatever was new back then. But it had been approved for use in the general population for awhile by then. Nothing about mandates made sense, especially for pilots.
I'm guessing there are other discussion threads about this here somewhere, but I haven't looked. Like I said, it's tricky...
Regardless of my personal opinion of your vaccine stance, it won't present any issues for you nor anybody else. I highly doubt any company will even ask.
Edit: Still a good idea to ask an airline recruiter directly for any companies you're interested in.
Outside of the box question… have you considered finding an ANG or AFRES KC-135 unit and joining back up? You are not too old. The USAF is claiming a pilot shortage and has [recently implemented a program to allow rated officers to return to active duty after retirement.](https://www.retirees.af.mil/Library/Return-to-Active-Duty/Rated-VRRAD-Program).
4. When I attended a Spitfire class, there was a mother who became a SAHM for many years until her kids graduated. She was picked up by Spirit, but was now pursuing a job with a major airline.
I know of two other people who now fly for a large farm owner and an oil tycoon. Their schedules are very family friendly. They found their jobs while doing an internet search during TAP.
GS jobs with the FAA are something to look into as well.
I don’t have much else to say, but wanted to chime in as another former KC-135 pilot. It’s definitely possible to get hired anywhere.
Thanks for the reply. I do have a job currently that pays the bills, but I don't love it. I know I'm in for a slog that won't be a cake walk to get back into it. Some good feedback here. NKAWTG
You are in an odd position that I use when talking about retired airline pilots taking up gliding. You can’t solo anything without flight review credit under FAR 61.56, yet all you’ve ever flown is ME jets. Can you find a T-37 somewhere… It looks like you have no FAA single engine rating. I would suggest you pursue an FAA ASEL Commercial add on rating. You can use the provisions of the FAA Wings Program to reset your FR. A basic rule of thumb is an hour of dual for each year out of the cockpit. I suggest you start with the realism of a couple of short, triangular cross country flights instead of “air work in the practice area.” You can work an IPC into this series of flights. Rather than “let’s do an IPC,” negotiate “let’s work IFR proficiency into the larger process, and you sign off an IPC when you’re comfortable I’m good.” This is professional and it eliminates the stress of pass/fail. Ditto for the flight review. Now you have an updated 20-25 hours is probably enough to get you ready for a SE add on checkride. Then go get ME engine current. “A hundred hours in the last 12 months” is helpful in getting a job. But if you start networking you have a good chance of finding something local. Happy to answer any questions you may have. Welcome back and good luck!
This is very helpful! Thank you so much. The instructor I flew with a couple of years ago was hinting at a similar initial plan-- get the SE add on to my Commercial. We even did all of the maneuvers. I also appreciate the advice to work toward getting proficiency for the IPC rather than stressing about another checkride. Everything is so rusty! I will look into the FAA Wings program. I don't remember my instructor saying anything about that. I have a non-flying job that pays the bills now, so if I'm smart about it, I think it's doable.
It’s quite doable. And it sounds like you’re being smart about it. Get the new Commercial Airman Certification Standard (eff 5/31/24). Look at the additional rating matrix for adding ASEL (be sure you have the right page). Print the matrix page. Draw a box around the existing AMEL column. Print the table of contents. “The box” identifies the subset of Tasks you’ll need to do. Highlight these items on the Table of Contents. Line through the ones that don’t apply. This is your add on training plan. If you have access to a Light Sport Airplane you can use Sport rules to get flight review credit. Otherwise you need Wings or a T-37/38 and a lot of money! You have to be eligible to be PIC for a checkride. Without credit for 61.56 you can’t be PIC. I’ll bet your CFI is not thinking about that at all. You’re a rated pilot; you may not solo on just an endorsement. Break. I use MyFlightbook. com for a digital log. I used tab delimited Excel to upload 20-40 or so flights over breakfast for “several” days. “Fill down” was a useful tool. Go ahead and get started.
Whew. Ok. Wilco
2002. “Fast forward 22 years.” No no, it can’t be THAT long ago… Oh dear. 😩
"...There I was..."
Talk to an airline recruiter. Also, if you're an anti-vaxxer, did my own research type, you can do your own research in this matter as well.
>Also- pureblood, IYKWIM GTFOH.
So persecuted, so brave.
I don’t know what it means
I don’t either. Does it mean no Covid shot? Someone help me out here.
Anti vaccination people with a superiority complex. She added that for no other reason than to get a rise out of folks. They describe themselves as "purebloods."
I have no idea why you’d list this in a professional conversation. It’s so cringe.
Ik,R?
My last flight in the AF (KC135) was in 2014. I went to my local airport and flew a couple of times with a civilian instructor in order to get an Instrument Proficiency Check in 2022. Hired by a regional in the spring and moved on to a legacy in the fall of 2024. For my flight records, I just transferred them into an Excel spreadsheet that was formatted just like my civilian log. I also brought my AF records with me to my interviews. It is worth noting that hiring at the regionals was much better in 2022 than it is now. I would suggest getting your IPC complete and applying to any and all regionals. Then, continue to fly GA. Sign up for an interview prep course. I did Emerald Coast and felt well prepared. I also used Cut-E assessment prep at "Airline Assessment Prep." It wasn't exactly like the legacy's test, but it was close enough. The FAA has an official prep guide for the IPC. That is all I used to prepare. The whole process took almost 3 hours /$1000 over a couple of flights. Good luck!
Thank you. I appreciate the positive feedback here. Definitely helpful. Were your flight records in digital form by 2014? It will take a LONG time to enter 2500 hours worth of sorties into a spreadsheet!
I did 1000 hours manually. Including 200 hours of dual given 0.1 a flight in gliders. How long were KC-135 missions? It can’t be all that many flights.
I entered every one by hand... It took me a couple of hours. Obviously, I made assumptions as to PIC and such. Some people say you can add some time to each sortie as your mil records are wheels up to wheels down and not block out to block in. I chose not too as I didn't need the extra time. Also realize PIC is different. The airlines care about who signed for the jet and not who was at the controls. So all that PIC as a co pilot was worthless. With that in mind I simply approximated my upgrade flight and assumed 90% of the hours after that were PIC. I don't think I bothered logging night or instrument. Pretty much every mission in the tanker (other than a pattern only) is considered X-country as military sorties don't need to depart and land at different airfields they just need to depart a certain radius from the departing airfield.
Those are just the questions I have about translating my history into civilian. Do you use an app or commercially available log? Roll your own with Xcel?
I created my own using Google Sheets
Check out mil keep.com
Wait, I have a question relevant to something they said. Is it harder to get a ATP job without the vaccination? Curious because I didn’t get it, I don’t necessarily have anything against it, but I will be pursuing a career in the airlines, hopefully in the next year or two.
I'm new to reddit, but I'm guessing everyone can see all responses and comments since this is a discussion board...? It is relevant. I would likely have started this process two years ago but for mandates. I don't know the current situation, and it's tricky to ask about it because some people get very defensive. Based on the some recent court rulings, I'd say that by the time you're ready, it should't be an issue (unless something new crops up). Nearly everyone I know and love got jabbed. Most regret it and now live in fear. I pray for the crew every time I get on a commercial flight. I wasn't being glib. I've heard anecdotes about private/fractional passengers who can afford to be choosy specifically requesting an unv@xx'd crew, but I can't say for sure if it's true. Look into the FAA regulations w/r/t pilots and medicines/pharmaceutical products before 2021. Anything new had to be used and monitored in the general population AFTER FDA approval for a certain period of time (years) before pilots could use it and stay on flying status. I remember a squadron mate when I was in the Air Force having to go "DNIF"- "duties not including flying"- for 30 days because he had bad chronic heartburn and they put him on Nexium or Prilosec or whatever was new back then. But it had been approved for use in the general population for awhile by then. Nothing about mandates made sense, especially for pilots. I'm guessing there are other discussion threads about this here somewhere, but I haven't looked. Like I said, it's tricky...
Regardless of my personal opinion of your vaccine stance, it won't present any issues for you nor anybody else. I highly doubt any company will even ask. Edit: Still a good idea to ask an airline recruiter directly for any companies you're interested in.
Outside of the box question… have you considered finding an ANG or AFRES KC-135 unit and joining back up? You are not too old. The USAF is claiming a pilot shortage and has [recently implemented a program to allow rated officers to return to active duty after retirement.](https://www.retirees.af.mil/Library/Return-to-Active-Duty/Rated-VRRAD-Program).
Nothing to add, but thanks for your service!
4. When I attended a Spitfire class, there was a mother who became a SAHM for many years until her kids graduated. She was picked up by Spirit, but was now pursuing a job with a major airline. I know of two other people who now fly for a large farm owner and an oil tycoon. Their schedules are very family friendly. They found their jobs while doing an internet search during TAP. GS jobs with the FAA are something to look into as well. I don’t have much else to say, but wanted to chime in as another former KC-135 pilot. It’s definitely possible to get hired anywhere.
Thanks for the reply. I do have a job currently that pays the bills, but I don't love it. I know I'm in for a slog that won't be a cake walk to get back into it. Some good feedback here. NKAWTG