I flew AF helos then transitioned to AF jets. Yes, I flew heavy jets, but I didn't get a lot of time compared to those who flew jets their whole career. I had 1,900 helo hrs and 2,900 hrs in jets (after a 20-yr career) when I applied and was hired. I'm proof you don't need tons of heavy jet time to get an interview. But I did have three current FDX pilots recommend me for an interview.

I don't think they care about the difficulty difference in flying rotary vs. fixed wing. Most if not all fixed wing-only pilots do not understand the issues involved in flying helos so don't waste your time trying to explain it. Just accept it for what it is, another type of flying.

The key to getting an interview is to know and preferably have flown with three current FDX pilots who will recommend you, and meet the minimum requirements. The hassle is finding pilots you know in the company. Recommendations are key.

My suggestion on where to go in starch-wing flying: go wherever you can fly jet or turbo-jet aircraft and hopefully get to PIC as soon as possible. Again, I don't think the company cares whether your jet experience is in jets or turbo-jets. I think it's more about NOT recip flying.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks for the info Blackhawk. What are C-23s and C-26s equal to in the civilian world? Which course is the FSI out of Dothan, I mean, I see a lot of C-12s out there doing what they do, but I never knew what was going on outside of the C-12 Reserve Unit there at CAAF. So it is true that the Army are sending FW guys straight to the FW course versus going through IERW 1st? I heard that before, but I thought they were trying to pull my leg. But thanks again for scoop.

Thanks FDX FLYR as well. What did you retire as out of the Air Force? Colonel?

Does FDX still count heavy recip time (20K+) as the equivalent of turbine time?

C-23 is the Shorts 360 with a twin tail; C-26 is the Metro III. When the Army sends pilots to get their fixed wing rating they send them to FSI at Dothan. They get time in a 182 and King Air.
What the National Guard will do in some cases is take pilots who have been to IERW who are civilian fixed wing rated and send them straight to the aircraft transition (C-12, C-23, C-26). This only happens if you have a great deal of fixed wing time in the civilian world (both guys I know who did this were regional FOs).
Also, as I wrote, the guard will only put you in a fixed wing slot if you have time in the unit flying helos, except on rare occasions.

I retired as a LtCol.