I have 3800TT, an ATP issued in 1989. 500 night, 200 instrument, 2000 XC.
A majority of those hours have been personal flying and most recently flight instructing primary students. I have 30 hours of turbo prop time but that was 25 years ago... I have very little experience with the glass cockpit. I retired from a career other than flying (ATC) and I am considering PS. I was interested in doing the FO thing first, then as my experience gained I would transition it Captain. That was my thinking.

After emailing the HR department they sent me an application for direct entry Captain. How hard is it to wrap your hands and mind around the APEX systems and go from steam gauges to the new systems? With the posts that I have been reading, seems like it's going to be some time before FO classes start again.

Should I wait for the next FO class or go for the direct entry Captain slot? I am a solid pilot, but that was all part 91 flying. Are there any PS pilot's here that can offer your suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

There's a lot of pilots that had the hours and went straight from their 'pleasure' flying into the regionals, so they don't appear to have any problem. I know one specifically at Beechtalk.com that did it. Go for the captain. You'll be fine. Heck, go for a regional if you're not any older than 62 or 63. I've heard of a few 63 year olds hired at the regionals even though they would have to retire in two years. Go for it.

 

I may have the outlying opinion in this matter, but I just couldn't imagine being in your shoes and going right into a Captains/PIC position in a non-part 91 flying organization.

I can't even see myself doing that currently. Maybe I wouldn't be an FO for long, but at a minimum that type of flying is different than anything I've done - like it would be for you.

Good luck though if you pursue this line of work and thanks for your ATC service! That will certainly be beneficial for you!

 

Direct entry isn't easy. It can be done but it takes work as with anything. The program has recently undergone a change for the better and I would recommend it. Take the interview, go to training and learn all you can. The FMS isnt that difficult. As with any FMS it can be tricky but with the amount of time you'll be with an IP, you have time to learn. You don't have to be an expert in my opinion. Apply. It's good flying here. You will work, but just with anything in life, it is what you make of it.

 

x2.

FO (regional or fractional) should not be too hard. Training will be the hardest part, then it will be easy once on line.

But air-dropping into the left seat is going to be hard, and the "fun" is only just getting started when you complete training...

 

What does the company publish by way of pilot flight time for customers?

 

Going the DEC route will be risky. You would need at most 2-3 months in the right seat to learn the operation, so your time as an FO would be short.


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Captain first. You can always wait for a displacement and then relish in your FO career.

 

The most recent class was a DEC class, but one of the guys had the time but had flown helos for the past few years, and like you didn't feel comfortable going right into the left seat. They let him in as an FO who will upgrade as soon as they're comfortable. Ask if they'd do that for you.

 

How many hours can a FO expect each month for regular time and how much OT? What is the max OT one can expect to get? I'm guessing this depends on which base you choose, so what are the better bases for maximum hours?