Looking for help...
 

I'm looking for anyone who may know of an operator looking for pilots that may not be typed. As we all know, the industry is hurting right now and for me personally, it has been exceptionally difficult. I am a very experienced 135 pilot with 7000 hours total and almost 2000 hours in the King Air, but no type ratings. My last full-time position ended at the end of 2007 due to the company selling the B200 I was flying. Although I have 1100 hours of jet time, none of it is left seat. No company has been in a position to type me and I haven't had the money to pay for my own school so here I sit - going on 3 years without a full-time job.

I have been flying contract SIC from time to time on a King Air 300, but it isn't enough to make it. I share this in hopes that someone may know of an operator looking for someone like me - who is not current and not typed (Yes, I realize how many "qualified" pilots are on the street). At this point, I would even be willing to pay for my own school out of first year salary. I am looking to be a part of a corporate or 135 operation where I can grow with the company long-term. I'm not building time and I have no desire to go to any airlines.

Thanks in advance.

My 2 cents...

Having been laid off last year from a great job... I feel your pain.

I would strongly advise against paying for a type rating yourself-- that can/will set a precedent that the rest of us may be expected to live up to in the future.

Keep in mind, in 2009 pilots were the number 4 profession with job losses in the USA. There are a **ton** of pilots on the street right now, and if you all start paying for training, it will be bad for everyone in the future.

I know friends that have been laid off for over 2 years. Some of them have jobs outside of flying (not happy about it, but doing what they have to).

I went 4 months, and consider myself very lucky it was that short. However, I went into police academy in my time off because the state I was living in had something like 15k police officer positions open. I didn't know when I was going to get a job, and had to get insurance for me and the family, and even a small paycheck beat nothing at all. You have to do what you can, but paying for training makes no sense.

Something else to think about, if you pay for a type rating on a plane you have never flown, you are now out 30 large with zero time in type... and still may not be able to get hired anywhere. If a company wants YOU, then they can pay for you to be trained on their aircraft, you just have to sell them on needing YOU and not some dude just cuz he has a type rating.

I went on a while, but I hope this helps a bit... Good luck to you.

May I suggest Executive Jet Management and Netjets Middle-East.. these two companies are growing, specially NJME.... they pay well and offer the same benefits as Netjets. I realise both of these companies look for type-rated pilots, and they do want some int'l experience, but you do have a considerable amount of corporate experience, that's gotta count for something..... They have hired guys from the regional airlines before, some of those guys had no biz-jet type ratings, no corporate and/or int'l experience, and they got on.

ps, corporate aviation is growing like crazy in the Middle East.. if you have an open mind, the United Arab Emirates can be all right..

...Also, if you can get a security clearance....and are will to fly over-seas

Private contractor in Iraq and Afganistan are hiring for King Air experienced pilots. The job has long hours but the pay is great and you are moderately safe @ the base and while flying.

I have an friend flying over there now and says there is nothing to spend your money on so you just bank it. Typically most people go home for the off month so you would not qualify for the tax free but money is still really good (6 figures in most cases)