Just out of curiosity, what else do you know about the airplane they're looking at?

Is there a specific question? I am not sure what you are looking for.

Check your PM's.

500 hrs with Two pilots? You are asking for a nightmare. We do it with 4 pilots and it's difficult at times.

I did 500 hours last year with 2 pilots and a few contract guys on a few long haul trips.

I am approaching burnout. While the plane is managed by your typical half-ass outfit, I still take on a lot of responsibilities that the management company is supposed to do.

The owner has been approached about a full time third pilot and refuses. The pay is good and they usually grant hard day off requests, but some months we only have 5 or 6 days off at worst. I have averaged 10 or 11 days off since starting this job, but that includes soft days.

And now the owner wants to get an XRS or a G550 and I would have to think a third pilot would be a necessity at that point.

Definitely a different deal than the airlines, but I still enjoy the salary and expenses. Just not sure how much more I can take at this pace.

Good luck with your operation and try not to stress yourself out too much! :)

thank you for the info emb145captain....

first one that has said it might be a pain in the ass but "do-able" (I am not dogging anyone that has post a reply previously, I appreciate all the help and opinions. I know everyone is just trying to give the noob a real picture of what i am getting myself into!). We are currently trying to get him to bring a 3rd full time on but who knows how that will go. He still has to find the "perfect" plane and pull the trigger. Hell all the help and research might be for nothing. I am currently VERY under-employed so I will probably stick out a year or so even if he say no to a 3rd. The owner seems like a good guy and appears to be very reasonable so i am hoping even if he says no the first year, he would look at the time flown and reconsider the next year. If he doesn't, I guess I can always start looking for the greener grass!

Man, a job with a constant pay check would be so great, the wife might even start talking to me again! :rolleyes:

Just my 2 cents, I flew a CJ for a 2 partner " agreement ". I swear they were flight tracking us every where we went. more than a few times my phone would ring as I was cleaning up after the flight with Partner A and it would be partner B wanting to know when I could be there to get them. My point being even a small partnership can keep your hands full. We flew over 400 hrs in less than 5 months. I am not complaining ( I loved almost every minute ) but you can see where this might take you espically if the partners are in completly differents business worlds.

That is what I fear most, 5 or 6 months in already having flown 450hrs and forgetting what the wife looks like.

I am still supposed to meet him this coming weekend so I really hope to air these concerns and then iron out a fair price and schedule for all parties involved (PILOTS TOO!!!!)

thanks for a ll the input please dont stop

You should probably look at the 135 duty rules. They are written in blood. The worst thing about a 91 gig is that you can be flown into the ground, literally. Make sure you sit down with the owner and clearly state that there should be a 14 hour duty day limit. 8 hours of flying per day max. Also you need 10 hours of rest before starting the next duty period. Be sure to cover the scenario of rest starts when you get to the hotel, duty starts when the flight is scheduled not when they show up etc.

Now here is where you can negotiate effectively. Say look I want to make this situation work if you need me to break the duty rules it will cost you so much per hour on TOP of your salary. Anyone can understand that using an asset beyond the norm will cost. Granted the 5 partner situation will make this very difficult to manage because one partner may cause you to be taking a rest period and another partner will resent having to pay the "overage charge". However, you will save yourself from becoming burned out if your earning a lot of money. Keep in mind that money will not fix the fatigue situation for long. You can only be so tired while going 360 knots and not cause an accident.

I hope you understand what I am saying. Feel free to PM me about how a really long day can kill you. Trust me I have flown 91 and 135 and the only good thing about 135 is I can point to a rulebook when I am exhausted and should not fly. 91 your pretty well hosed. So you need to work it out ahead of time that your not a robot and you need to sleep.