Hello everyone,

I'm currently a CFI with about 400TT, married and 31 years old. I currently have absolutely no preference whether I fly Part 91, 135 or 121 once that bridge comes. I feel strangely drawn to flying the Caravan for 135 cargo, but in the long run don't know if that will really further my career much.

I haven't really even been able to find payscales for what Caravan pilots make, but I've heard nothing but good things from those who have flown it.

Would you guys recommend a Caravan PIC job over spending years as a regional FO? Would the experience of flying a Caravan be of any benefit to me later in my career?

The fact that it is TPIC seems to be about the only upside to flying it over continuing to flight instruct, since it's SE and doesn't require a type.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Merry Christmas.

 

Do both. You'll need 1200TT (and the rest of 135 IFR PIC mins) to fly a Caravan for a freight company. You'll need 1500TT (and the rest of the ATP mins) to be a regional FO.

CFI until you hit 135 IFR mins, then apply for your Caravan job of choice (which will pretty much be Martinaire or Planemasters, since all the FedEx carriers require 2000TT). Hammer out a year of 135 freight in the Turbine Suburban, get your ATP mins, then blast out apps to every airline you're interested in.

The 135 time will make you stand out a bit from the guy who just CFI'd until ATP mins. Flying freight is hard work, so a year will give you a nice taste of it and the Caravan before you move on.

Make sure to have the multi time before you head off to fly the 'van! Don't get stuck in it or looking for a crappy gig in a multi just to get time.

I've got a few friends who've flown the Caravan and still have contacts if you'd like me to put you in touch with any of them when you get closer to 135 mins,

 

400 TT to me seems way to low to be safe in 121 operation. Maybe getting a year of 135 time away from beating the pattern with students would be best? Turbine time probably better than more instructing too. Perhaps a company that has light twins that you can also fly. Check the airline profiles in 135, frieght. Merry Christmas!

 

What he said!

 

First, thanks to both of you for your responses.

I'm definitely not off to 121 right now. My question was meant for a year or two down the road

I actually did my flight training at one of the universities that has received the 1000 hour exemption for the R-ATP, so I would actually be eligible to apply for a 121 FO position before reaching 135 IFR mins. In fact, I actually have an interview coming up with AE for their CFI pipeline program, but even if they hired me, I wouldn't be able to go fly for them until I reached 1000 hours.

My decision would be (if hired by AE), to CFI to 1000 hours then potentially spend years as a regional FO, or CFI to 1200 hours and fly the Caravan (most likely with Martinaire, as you mentioned) building TPIC and possibly being able to move over to one of the FedEx operators.

If I were to go the Martinaire route until i build enough hours for the FedEx operators, do the FedEx feeders provide for a respectable QOL? I don't see many of those companies on the APC profiles.

Thank you again.

 

35R, my first job out of college (2001) was Superior Aviation, flying Caravans. I had a blast. I have one question, did Martinaire keep the Metroliners when they bought Superior? If so, will you have access to upgrade in the Metro after a year or so? I went that route and it took me about 4 years to get into heavy 121.

If you go the caravan route, my advice is to get some right seat time in the metro after you fly the Caravan for a year, then get a job flying car parts in a Falcon or lear freighter for a couple years and in about 4 years from now, you'll have a really nice resume with 1000 pic in the Falcon or Lear and some great memories and excellent flying skills.

Good Luck!

 

What ever you do, the best thing right now is to be the best possible CFI that you can. You'll develop a great reputation and probably open up other doors before you even get to the mins for 135/121. I always found the best clients to have we're successful business people that took it seriously, they are usually good people to know.

 

Martinaire currently only has 208s and Beech 1900s. I've researched MAC a little. They fly Caravans and ATRs, and they seem to be a really stable company to work for from what I read.

Thanks for the response, DC8.

 

Spot on!
Filler

 

They did. Sold all four planes and all support equipment to ameriflight in 2012 (who ended up taking most of the old runs).

Two of them made it to the line at AMF, one was stripped for spares, and one was resold to Landmark Aviation for their cargo division.

They don't run FOs on the 1900s except to get guys time for insurance before moving into the left seat.