Can any pilots suggest a civilian airline cadet program? Would it help me qualify for a rotary transition program after flight school?

2018-05-23T01:17:27-04:00

Currently an aviation major in college and Cadet in the Army National Guard. Hoping to go to Army flight school upon graduation. I will be entering my junior year of college in fall and was looking to start applying and eventually enter in a airline cadet program or something of the sort. I know of the big name ones out there, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? Also, does anyone know if I would qualify for a rotary transition program after Army flight school even if I have my ratings? The money from the transition program could help me get to my minimums faster, as I obviously won’t be there upon college graduation and commissioning.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made May 23 at 2018 1:21 AM

2018-05-23T01:21:47-04:00

I honestly recommend young folks do the high school to flight school program and start as a warrant. Not the path you are currently on but once you graduate, you are needs of the Army (unless specially trained). Start rotary as it is the most expensive and let the government pay the most expensive part of your flying experience. I am active duty nurse corps and ASEL (I fly for fun).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 1:41 AM

2018-05-23T01:41:51-04:00

I'm sure you will get an extra answer from warrant officers and commissioned aviators alike. Warrant officers pretty much can fly most their life unlike commissioned officers that may have more administrative duties as they go up the ranks. This makes it harder for them to stay qualified in their hours. You have a bright future no matter which way you go since all the services are short Pilots. People get promoted, leave or retire so you will always be in demand.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 2:16 AM

2018-05-23T02:16:02-04:00

Your rating won’t be the issue after flight school, it will be your rotary hours. You graduate flight school with roughly 130 hrs; therefore, you will have at least 400 hrs to go for an RTP (the magic 500 rotary hrs). I did almost the same thing, aviation major/cadet followed by flight school. It wouldn’t be easier but just another option to throw out there: get your CFI and build time that way versus waiting to get your rotary hrs. Who knows what the requirements for RTPs will be by the time you get out of flight school. ifnyou built your time civilian, now, it’ll make it a lot easier to go airlines later.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 2:26 AM

2018-05-23T02:26:58-04:00

I suooose I should clarify that I’m a fixed wing aviation major and I’ll graduate with my CFI, CFII, and CFMEI, of course along with private pilot certificate, Instrument rating, and Commerical single and multi engine certificates

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 23 at 2018 4:11 AM

2018-05-23T04:11:13-04:00

What major are you now undergrad? Aviation? Aero engrg? Some other STEM field? How much math? Physics? Chem? Comp sci (CS)? IT? Have you looked at other svc flight programs? uSCG? nOAS Corps? Are you in an FAA airframe!e and powerplant (FAA) license program? How much electronics and/or avionics have you actially neen exposed to? And I'm not following about airline acdet programs? Are you doing or have you done FAA sport pilot? Private pilot? Instrument rating? Multiengine? Commercial? Jet? Rotary wing exposure at all?mwhat's your GPA if you can say? Would you think about USAF? Navy? And I'm not following about cadet, are you ROTC in Nat Guard? Have you spent time at an ARNG or ANG unit around actual aircraft? How many flight hours have you actually had thus far? Have you looked at mil aeromclubs to seek to !take use of them at all? Have you read engineer ing journals from IEEE, AIAA, and other comparable groups? Have you joined AOPA? Elaborate if you can, what is your ultimate objective? Flight test? Commercial mixed with Guard or Reserve for flight? Did you want to try for test pilot or test navigator at some point? I was Army ROTzc, then went USAF OTS, I'd looked at USAF nav/WSO, my vision barred me, I did the aeromed exam for Navy NFO, I wasn't able to go interservice, I went up a cpl of times with the mil aeromclub where I was, I've read aero engrg, worked with aero engrg before my total perm disability, that was why pi was curious, I have an interest in such things, he more you elaborate, the mor I or others here could suggest, I'd be most eager to hear morez if you want reading suggestions, I'd be glwdmto provide hem, hope hat was of use and/or interest, many thanks.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made May 23 at 2018 7:42 AM

2018-05-23T07:42:14-04:00

Jacob, I am not a pilot of any type. However you keep up the great attitude and hard work you will make it. I have no suggestions or pull in the aviation community, but a smart guy with a great work ethic and a great attitude. Oh my one piece of advice dont quit, there will be days when you are tired, etc.... Dont quit!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 9:06 AM

2018-05-23T09:06:04-04:00

Trans States has a rotary transition program. They have been pushing a really solid marketing campaign for the last few years. Fly mostly regional jets from a handful of hubs, but they feed several of the major airlines.

Response by CW5 John M. made May 23 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-05-23T12:37:24-04:00

I experienced the HS to FS during Vietnam, which was many years ago. That may not help you much today, but for what it's worth......
I flew Helicopters for about 8 years, obtaining a Commercial Helicopter rating, got out, used my GI Bill to obtain a degree in Avn Technology plus A&P mechanic and fixed-wing ratings. Also during my schooling, I joined the National Guard to fly helicopters again. The Guard was a huge deal in being able to make a good wage for a weekend's flying - to help pay my schooling, etc. Guard activities (motel, gas, meals) was tax deductible.
Some of my Military flight experiences counted for fixed-wing flight requirements - saving me money. After schooling, I obtained work in civil aviation flying mostly helicopters (obtaining an ATP rating), and some fixed wing. I stayed in the Guard as well, obtaining additional schooling as a test pilot - which I used both in the military and in civilian flying.
Finally, an opportunity opened up to become full-time Active Guard Reserve (AGR), which allowed me to pick back up on my earlier Active Army time to become eligible to retire in just 11 years, not counting the additional time and schooling I obtained as a "part-time" Guardsman. When I retired from the Guard, I went back into civil aviation flying EMS helicopters. Perhaps you may be able to get an idea on how you may be able to work out your dreams from this example.

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Jun 1 at 2018 3:32 AM

2018-06-01T03:32:06-04:00

With what you have, you’ll be fine. I don’t think you’d even have to use an RTP. The RTP just gets you your private, instrument, commercial, and multi engine add on. And then, time building to get 250 fixed wing PC hours. You should be able to apply directly for a FIrst Officer job. I just got hired by GoJet, and I had zero fixed wing time. Go to some of the airlines’ pages and check their minimum hours to be hired. Night, cross country, instrument, and total.

PM me, and we can talk more.