Expert: David Bidwell - 1/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I am Sachin. I am currently training in the FlightSafety Academy, vero beach. I am working on my CPL right now. I am yet to get a CPL and I am here on a M1 visa. I am originally from India. So I would like to ask you what are the options I have to build up my hours ( keeping in mind that I am on a M1 visa) because 250-300 hoours won't get me a job as an airliner which is my dream. So just wanted to seek your precious advice on that.

Regards.

ANSWER: Hello Sachin,
I certainly understand your situation.  The best way and most common way to build hours is as a flight instructor. This will allow you to get paid and get credit for various aircraft hours. Once you have your commercial, it shouldn't take long.  The more you teach, the faster you build time.  You should also obtain your multi rating ASAP.  If you can gain hours with that (try instructing in a twin) you will become a lot more desirable.  Some other ways to gain time would to work as a Jump plane pilot, banner tower, sight seeing, fly a traffic report plane, etc. These are the easiest ways that I know of to get the time. I recommend the CFI as best however.  This is "quality " time.  Many future employers recognize it as such.
I hope these ideas help. Good Luck,
Dave Bidwell

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Dave,

First of all I wish you a very happy new year. Thanks for being proactive on answering my question.  I would like to add a couple of things to it.  I am looking for a multiengine rating after I give the conversion exam for getting my license converted to DGCA. So, is it desirable to hold the multiengine portion and go for the CFI? and if yes, then i request that you give me some nice schools who can get me employed as a CFI and is there a possibility that I can get paid for it too?
Thanks,
Sachin

Answer
Hello again Sachin,
You do not need a multi-engine rating to become a CFI.  If you want to teach multi, you do. You stated before that you are training at Flight SAFETY. I suggest that you speak to them about your ambitions.  They are one of the finest schools around. I also suggest that you get your ratings there.  If you plan on flying for the airlines you will need a college degree.  There are many fine schools to choose from.  I went to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (www.erau.edu) You should look into them.  Here is a link for some others you may want to try:http://www.collegebound.net/aviation-school-guide/?gclid=COmg7cCFhJ8CFYdd5QodtVZ