Originally Posted by quaileman
Saw on the jet-jobs website that Avantair will be at the next Air Inc conference in Atlanta. Does anyone know anything about their operation that is not on their website. Primarily working conditions, domicle requirements, number of aircraft/pilots, pay, and any other tidbits of info. Thanks
I dont know answers to all those questions but I can give you a few answers.
A very young company in thier 5th year as a fractional and 2nd year certificated 91K / 135 Fractional with 24 Piaggio P180 Avanti's and 59 on order. They tried out the RA390 Premier but decided it didnt fit their operation. I have heard about 100 pilots. As a fractional they run the same working conditions as the other frac's. A more demanding environment than charter or carrier since they provide service to more airports and there aircraft don't sit for hours or days waitng for the pax to return. They use about 15 gateways through out the country and you have to live within 2 hours of the gateway airport.
Everyone hired starts as an FO for 1 year and then is eligable for upgrade dependant on qualifications. first year FO pay starts at 30K and there is a 5K upgrade bonus (if you upgrade first year pay ends up 35K) then you go to a 2nd year captain pay at 53k then third year captain 64k then up to 100k through the 11th or 12th year. They have other upgrades to IOE / standards captains add 8k instructor captain add 5k check airmen add 4k.
I havent seen any websites with the pay info yet, but i keep looking.
Hiring minimums are ATP & 2500TT 1000 MT 100 Turbine, their ads say hi speed multi engine turbine (it was explained to me as something faster than a caravan or cropduster as they dont compare to this jet like aircraft and they blew out some guys in training with only those kinds of hours) type ratings help or military fighter pilots. they like corporate and 135 experience since it is most similar to their work environment.
the biggest problem they have is the growth. Its great if you want to advance quickly and you like flying and a fast pace but the guys/gals that just want to put in an easy work week sometimes get chewed up by the changes.