Considering RTP -don't know where to begin
02-08-2019, 11:37 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Considering RTP -don't know where to begin
Hey guys, don't crucify me for being here as a rotor guy, but I don't even know where to start and I figured this would be a good place. I'm a civilian helicopter pilot with about a decade under my belt and I'm considering the RTP (Rotor Transition Program) and switching over to fixed-wing. The problem is, I don't know where to start, how it works, or if it's a good change.
I see many of the regional airlines fly different aircraft and I don't know what's good/bad or what would be a good comfortable fit for me. I don't know the company drama or industry issues that cause some pilots to flock to some airlines while avoiding others and I'm trying to grasp some of the ideas like working up to captain from first officer and then trying to move to major airlines. (In helicopters there's no real hierarchy, it's just hours and category/class/type is just something we glance at during our training for a private license. )
So any advice, recommendations or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I see many of the regional airlines fly different aircraft and I don't know what's good/bad or what would be a good comfortable fit for me. I don't know the company drama or industry issues that cause some pilots to flock to some airlines while avoiding others and I'm trying to grasp some of the ideas like working up to captain from first officer and then trying to move to major airlines. (In helicopters there's no real hierarchy, it's just hours and category/class/type is just something we glance at during our training for a private license. )
So any advice, recommendations or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
02-09-2019, 04:58 AM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Posts: 43
I am embarking on the journey as well. I started my airplane training but am not out flying the line yet. Here are a couple random thoughts.
Generally, the best option is to pick an airline where you can drive to work. If that's impossible, as it is for most of us, you'll have to commute using whatever your company's policy is. You can look at a theoretical flight from your nearest airport to where you'd likely be flying from.
Some places have a really long reserve (Envoy, airframe dependent) where you'll be sitting waiting on a phone call to go fly whereas others (Trans States) will get you to the line and building time much faster. That was a big deciding factor for me.
Pay didn't really enter my thought process since the difference between 37.40 and 38 is pretty negligible.
As far as the rotor transition itself - Envoy, Piedmont and PSA have a specific program and school you have to go to. Most of the other companies will let you pick where ever you want to go and then basically pay the school with your hiring bonus. You get to keep whatever you don't spend although different companies have different methods of doing so.
Check out RTAG https://rotarytoairlinegroup.org/ for some more pointed information. They also have a facebook group.
Note that Airline Pilot Central has a lot of negativity and folks I've met that are actually out flying say it's a great career. There also seem to be a lot of analysts on here that know more about the airline's future than the CEO does (sarcasm).
Generally, the best option is to pick an airline where you can drive to work. If that's impossible, as it is for most of us, you'll have to commute using whatever your company's policy is. You can look at a theoretical flight from your nearest airport to where you'd likely be flying from.
Some places have a really long reserve (Envoy, airframe dependent) where you'll be sitting waiting on a phone call to go fly whereas others (Trans States) will get you to the line and building time much faster. That was a big deciding factor for me.
Pay didn't really enter my thought process since the difference between 37.40 and 38 is pretty negligible.
As far as the rotor transition itself - Envoy, Piedmont and PSA have a specific program and school you have to go to. Most of the other companies will let you pick where ever you want to go and then basically pay the school with your hiring bonus. You get to keep whatever you don't spend although different companies have different methods of doing so.
Check out RTAG https://rotarytoairlinegroup.org/ for some more pointed information. They also have a facebook group.
Note that Airline Pilot Central has a lot of negativity and folks I've met that are actually out flying say it's a great career. There also seem to be a lot of analysts on here that know more about the airline's future than the CEO does (sarcasm).
02-09-2019, 03:54 PM
#3
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,511
Originally Posted by rabbo
Note that Airline Pilot Central has a lot of negativity and folks I've met that are actually out flying say it's a great career. There also seem to be a lot of analysts on here that know more about the airline's future than the CEO does (sarcasm).
These same "analysts" were 100% wrong back then, and they likely are 100% wrong today.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
