Longbow64

Can some body that went through the MPD's Primary program share some expeience please? I'm getting out of the Army soon, and just wanted some information! I'm working on my PPL currently! I plan to attend the ASU (Arizona) campus!

Thanks!

STILL GROUNDED

Chances are you'll go directly to the jet if hired at MESA. Anybody who is in the 1000 + flight time with some sort of real world experience ususally goes to Air Midwest in the 1900's. That is where I'm at and I wouldn't trade it for the dark side.

You're going to take some flak over this. I know were you are at though. I tried a similar program that went tits up and ended up flight instructing and flying freight for a couple of years. I am really glad I did but I would not of known any different if I hadn't.

What ever you do stay away from Gulfstream they are flat out selling a seat in an airliner. ATP has a good program but it is nothing different than the Mesa thing except for the contacts for the guarenteed interview.

Good Luck

BURflyer

Give yourself a chance, do not go through MAPD, it leads right to MESA. Besides so what if you get a job with 300 hours, you will still have to make up the rest by spending a long time as an FO. I hear MAPD graduates spend upwards of 4 years as FOs because they don't have the time to upgrade. Get that 1000 hours and have the chance to apply to better airlines. Frankly I don't get why mesa even has this program, it produces pilots who can't even upgrade in a short time.

AirWillie

How popular is the 1900, I'm guessing most take the 1900 out of training for the quick upgrade right? As far as 1900 bases, can one expect their choice or do they still assign you a base also?

nicholasblonde

One would think they would man the 1900s with MAPD grads...that's what the program was designed for originally...but from what I've heard a lot of MAPD guys go into the Dash & jets but not the 1900??? Always always keep in mind that the pay rates listed here on APC don't always reflect the actual pay at mesa compared to other regionals (Mesa's structure sometimes results in $3-7/hr no joke). Also keep in mind their contract is coming up next year...that guaranteed interview wouldn't look so attractive if it meant getting hired on as a scab.

A very clear argument against MAPD (primary) regardless of the ideological rants that surround Mesa as a company/QOL issues:

You will spend 18 months to acquire 300 hours TT, with no instructor ratings...at ANY other flight school/academy/college, you could easily go from 0 to instructor ratings to over 1200 TT/ 200 multi in 18 months. PLUS, you have instructor tickets, which earns respect from any non-MAPD pilot on your hiring board. AND you can work ANYWHERE. Take that 1200 TT and go straight into the left seat at a 135 op. You'll have 1000 turboprop PIC way faster than if you went through MAPD, waited for upgrade, and all that. PLUS you'll have a lot better pay, and--ironically--better QOL flying 12AM-6AM M-F.

Just a thought.

nicholasblonde

PS> I believe you accumulate FO time towards your upgrade at a 1/2 rate. So your 300 hours TT sticks you at FO longer than if you came in off the street at 1000 TT. While the MAPD guy is logging 1/2 time as an FO, between 300-1500 hours, the flight instructor is logging 100% of his PIC instruction time between his 300-1500 hours. So the instructor essentially starts out with the company "closer to the left seat."

Come out of MAPD w/ 300, and it will actually take you 2400 hours as an FO (which counts as 1200 towards your ATP) before you can upgrade. So MAPD is a good way for Mesa to stick some guys at FO, cheaply, for 2 years or so. AND make $60K off you to boot. JO is one smart guy.

Am I right on this one, or have I been misinformed???

Me33

If an FO has a type rating in an a/c certified as a two pilot a/c, (s)he is logging every hour as FO--it's SIC time, but 100% of time flown. You may be thinking of FE time flight credit. Unless..., Mesa has decided that the FAR no longer applies to their wonderful (note sarcasm) operation.