type rating recommendations
 

First let me say I am putting this here to get the most visibility. I figure this forum would have the most diverse group with different types.

So here goes
I am currently left seat in a King Air 300/350 for an contractor. We fly Army birds so there is no need for a type rating. I have 2500+ hours with 1500+ Turboprop PIC. When I rotate home I would like to knock out a type in conjunction with my ATP. I figure that the GI bill would pay for it so I might as well get a type rather than doing the ATP in a light twin.

Restrictions for me

-MUST BE UNDER $10K (or very close to it) as that is all the VA will pay.
-Must be VA approved
-Course length I am only home for 50 days so the shorter the course the better
-prefer something in the plane but will take a sim if that is what it is.

Thanks

This is just my opinion, but I would recommend the CE-500. It's a common airframe, the type covers 9ish variations, and you should be able to find the training for under $10K. If you do call any of the big name 142 schools for quotes, be sure to mention you're an independent contractor. That should get you a better rate.

Unless you're getting a Cessna 172 type rating you shouldn't even think about doing it in an actual aircraft with those cost requirements.

737 courses are pretty cheap these days. K&S Aviation has done GI bill stuff from what I saw in training there and only need a week away from home for the training. The ground school is 99% computer based.

Since a type is basically worth the paper without time in type, why not go for the 350? Very common airframe and you have plenty of KA time.

Yep look into the type rating that will get you a job, the 350 is a good suggestion, and you will most likely get a PIC position. If you go the jet option, you might be looking at right seat and less $$$$$.

What are your long term goals? If it's airline, I think I'd just get the 737 type to make yourself more attractive to SWA, then suck it up and spend a year or two at the regionals to get some 121 time before bailing to the majors.

If it's not airline, I think the 350 type is a great idea. You can likely get yourself a PIC gig without much trouble, and use that as a networking springboard into something else. Once you're properly networked, any job that's worth a crap will get you typed in their equipment.

BE 300 type is well over 10k from the places I have talked to.

LOFT aero out of CRQ may be able to do something for you with the 525 series citation.

Not sure this is the best choice. If one goes to initial 525 training in a program similar to FSI (simulator only), you walk out of there with a 525 SIC rating. The only place you can go is either a Part 135 or Part 91 w/an OPS manual that specifies two-pilot operation assuming someone is going to hire the person with 0 time in type. It usually takes 40 hours or so in type to get signed off for a Single Pilot rating. That is VERY expensive. Just food for thought.

If you are currently flying the 350 check with FSI/Simuflight/FlyRight providers. Once you have 250+ hours and are current in the plane you can usually take a recurrent course and have a type ride at the end of it. Should be less than 10K and as others said, a type with no time isn't worth much... except at SWA.