Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/25/2005

Question
I am currently attempting to research some future career options for a friend.  The one career he seems to show the most interest in is working with the US Customs and Border Patrols.  

In your opinion, what is the best way to accumulate the hours needed for the CBP's minimum basic pilot qualifications?  (they are as follows)
total fight time: 1500 hrs
PIC: 250 hrs
multi: 500 hrs
instrument: (10 actual) 75 hours
night: 75 hrs

My friend is currently working at his university as a CFI and Aircraft Mechanic Apprentice.  This seems to be a very slow and expensive way to build hours.  I can tell he is beginning to become disgouraged without having a short-term goal to work towards.  

Any insight into the aviation industry in regards to my question is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and willingness to share your knowledge!

Answer
Hi, Lauren:

Thanks for your questions....I will try to assist!

First of all, it is natural to be discouraged in ANY field where you have to "pay your dues."  And, that is what is happening...you have to build up experience to a certain level to even be considered for certain jobs, like at CBP or the airlines or corporate flight departments....so, if it is any consolation to him, this is a fairly typical path and is just as discouraging at times to others.  Tell him to think of it as a test to make sure he really LOVES what he is doing!

Second, in general, universities do offer a good way to build flight time via their flight training programs BUT many university aviation flight training programs have slow periods during the summer months....which are just ahead.  Also, if your friend is also working as an aircraft mechanic apprentice, that is taking time away from the flight time building.  So, if he can afford to do so, he might want to focus on the flying....and, he might want to find a private sector flight school where he can build time faster than at a university (and, I am saying that working at a university....you will get 200 to 300 hours a year here at this university as a CFI whereas on the outside, if you REALLY hustle, you can easily get twice that much flight time in a given year).  The problem that may complicate this is pay scales, etc.  Check FLYING Magazine for the advertisements for some of the larger flight schools such as Delta Airlines Academy, Regional Airline Academy, Gulfstream International Flight Academcy, Pan Am Flight Academy, and Southeastern Flight Academy.

Out of all of the criteria that you listed in your question, the Multi Engine requirement of 500 hours will be the toughest to build.  Here at our university, only senior CFIs are allowed to provide Multi Engine CFI training to students.  That means junior CFIs have no shot at multi engine time building.  So, two thoughts on multi enging time building:

1.  Find a flight training company that does a lot of training in multi engine aircraft and go to work for them and build up to multi engine training and then build the ME time;
or,
2.  Fly for a flight tour company (such as one that flies over the Grand Canyon) that owns multi engine aircraft and then work until you transition into the multi engine aircraft and begin building ME flight time;
or
3.  Go to work for Air Net, INC, and build up to a multi engine aircraft....they fly checks and other financial documents in smaller aircraft of all kinds.
or
4.  Get some multi engine time and then go to work for a regional airline...there you will get multi engine time fairly quickly.  If you need multi engine PIC time, then, the airline route will not give you that for a couple of years because first you have to work your way up to Captain in order to log PIC flight time.

Counting waiting time, all of these methods will require at least two to three years to get 500 hr of multi engine PIC flight time....

While getting the 500 hr of ME time, the rest of the requirements will come along with those ME hours.

Best wishes to your friend,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu/