Factory pilot
11-26-2006, 06:19 AM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: MD 11F F/O
Posts: 21
Factory pilot
Hi,
I have been flying the MD 11 for a non US cargo airline. I love to fly the MadDog and the international experience have been great too, however, the airline is an example of labor abuse, poor maintenance, horrible pay and management pressure.
The latest bad news are that is no more a seniority list and ,once a first officer, always a first officer, unless some miraculous shortage of direct entry captains happens.
This week I was offered a position as an instructor and demo pilot for a industry leader factory. The payment and benefits are just wonderfull, the boss is one of the greatest characters I have ever met and their future looks bright. On the down side, there´s the long hours, lots of time oveseas instructing andflying demo tours and a lot of desk job to do.
Most of the guys there are former airline guys like myself and they seem happy with the job. My concerns are : They fly about 250 hours a year, as I said ,thereare a lot of other things to do too. I would like to hear from the more experienced guys here your opinion on this. If someday I want to move back to airline flying do you think I would have trouble by not having much hours in my logbook once I will not fly as much as in an airline??
Does anyone know something more about this kind of carreer? I love airline flying but my actal job is killing me and there are not much good options left in my country right now.
Thanks a lot to everyone who can shed a light on the subject.
I have been flying the MD 11 for a non US cargo airline. I love to fly the MadDog and the international experience have been great too, however, the airline is an example of labor abuse, poor maintenance, horrible pay and management pressure.
The latest bad news are that is no more a seniority list and ,once a first officer, always a first officer, unless some miraculous shortage of direct entry captains happens.
This week I was offered a position as an instructor and demo pilot for a industry leader factory. The payment and benefits are just wonderfull, the boss is one of the greatest characters I have ever met and their future looks bright. On the down side, there´s the long hours, lots of time oveseas instructing andflying demo tours and a lot of desk job to do.
Most of the guys there are former airline guys like myself and they seem happy with the job. My concerns are : They fly about 250 hours a year, as I said ,thereare a lot of other things to do too. I would like to hear from the more experienced guys here your opinion on this. If someday I want to move back to airline flying do you think I would have trouble by not having much hours in my logbook once I will not fly as much as in an airline??
Does anyone know something more about this kind of carreer? I love airline flying but my actal job is killing me and there are not much good options left in my country right now.
Thanks a lot to everyone who can shed a light on the subject.
11-26-2006, 09:35 AM
#4
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: MD 11F F/O
Posts: 21
No, it is not eva, I´m in south america, it is MUCH worse than eva. Actually people here are leaving to fly with them. My crdentials?5000Hr ATP, check airman, ERJ 145, EMB 120,767/757, MD 11 type ratings, some learjet types, rotary wing comm/IFR. Sorry, I just would not to say names here.
11-26-2006, 12:06 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,223
I knew a few guys who did factory pilot jobs. It seems like interesting work.
It is subject to the fortunes of the company, though. When the plane goes out of production, or they have a bad year, it may lead to furloughs.
I would take it, if it offers the prayer of PIC time in the future. You might want to gain experience working in the company simulator as well...
It is subject to the fortunes of the company, though. When the plane goes out of production, or they have a bad year, it may lead to furloughs.
I would take it, if it offers the prayer of PIC time in the future. You might want to gain experience working in the company simulator as well...
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