Progression is required. 4 or 5 years in a PC12 at this point, though sales of PC24s are brisk and that time to transition is coming down.

I don't see direct entry to the jet as ever being a thing as the pilots in the PC12 ranks who have put in their time (some of who have multiple type ratings/multi time from other companies) would quit in protest.

With the new salary structure, OT rate and soft pay, it is no longer as financially restrictive to be stuck in a 12 for a few years. Fwiw the 12 is awsome to fly. Hard to have that much fun in a commercial jet.

 

How far out should one apply if they aren’t available until October? I’ll be a relatively high time applicant, not chasing regionals or airlines and I’m currently around 1100 hours. Committed to my current gig through the end of September.

 

Is 1100 hours now considered high time? I have 1700 hours and consider myself a relatively low time pilot.

 

I didn’t mean that as I’m a high time pilot. More trying to differentiate from the 500-700 hours folks that are trying to snag SIC spots at PlaneSense. From what I’ve gathered being above 1000 hours makes you far more competitive at PlaneSense because you are likely less interested in jumping straight to the regionals vs the 500-700 hour folks that often bail as SICs at 1500 hours.

 

I'd get it in ASAP. I'm not sure how quickly they are calling people, but figure you'll get a phone call within a few weeks, to set up video interview. Knock out the video interview mid-late August. Have in person interview early September. Assuming you can get the time off to come up to PSM? Depending on how much they've already filled for October, you might be able to work out that class. November class for sure I would think.

When you get that first phone call he'll lay out a potential timeline for you and what the earliest class is they are trying to fill that you could be in. If he says September class, then you could inform him that you wouldn't be available until October 1st due to prior commitments with your current employer. I don't see the process happening quick enough at this point for you to be in before the October class anyways though.

At any rate, get it in so you can get the process started. They won't see your honoring your commitments as a negative if that's what you're worried about.

 

Thats Cool, I'm actually looking at making a change a couple years down the road, a lot can change in that amount of time. With the fleet count you have I can see where the folks already there should have first dibs, but it could change if you get more 24's than 12's. At my regional there was a time when you could do EMB-120 and CRJ-200 as a new hire, same pay, was base or lifestyle choice, although this industry it could be apples to oranges. I have reasons for wanting to get both 12 and 24 time, I actually have time on a PC-6 Porter (Please google that if you're not familiar

 

I am a current CFI approaching 1200 hours and have a couple of questions about Planesense.

Is it worth moving to Portsmouth if you live near a reporting base? Do most pilots live in the Portsmouth area/is overtime more available to PSM based pilots?

Is it easier to move into IP, Check Airman, and management positions if you are local to Portsmouth? I would think but I am curious!

Thanks in Advance!

 

Is it worth moving? You will definitely fly more/airline less if you are based in PSM. About 40 percent of the pilots are PSM based. Yes, more last minute overtime is available in PSM. Remote pilots usually have to tag OT days onto the beginning or end of a cycle in order to get frequent OT. For IP, CA positions base doesn't matter. Training dept and management positions, yes it's better to be PSM based.

 

PSM is a fun area. If you're single, no kids, etc. the move will be easy and youll clean up on the OT. With the awesome pay bumps they did, you can really making a killing if you want to. Upgrades are all merit based; your "domicile" has no bearing on it. Good luck, it's a great place to fly/be.

 

If you are looking to pick up a short notice OT day then PSM is the base as it seems everyday there are emails looking for a PSM crew for OT. The vast majority (22 out of 31) PC-24 Pilots are PSM based. However only 30 of the 134 PC-12 Pilots are PSM based. The 2 pilots who consistently get about 100 hours per month are non-PSM based and what they do is add 3 days of OT to every rotation. I would not move to PSM hoping to become a Management Pilot as the most junior Management Pilot has 10 years with the Company and the most junior Ground School Instructor has 6 years. Flight Instructors and Check Airmen can be any base and for an IP you need a minimum of 6 months as a PC-12 Captain.