From what it looks like it's the 1000 hour mark roughly. I think they had some problems with low time guys in the 500 hour mark.

Yep, that's what my buddy there told me....the rejection i got from the HR lady said they want 1200 but I figured as I break 1,000 next month I'll shoot 'em another resume.

So it looks like 1200 is a hard number then. I'd prolly pass because at that point I'd be ready to upgrade on this KA200 gig.

They've been known to fudge the 1200 hr requirement for the right person. It never hurts to apply. They're having trouble finding qualified guys in the NE, so anyone outside the area who's thinking about applying definitely should.

Anyone an avid cyclist at Alpha?

Any updates I heard they are still needing more FO's.

FO classes being held every other month. next one slated for november 1st. not sure how many in each class tho...prob somewhere between 8-13? give or take

Two questions...

1) What's the difference between "Plane Sense", and "Alpha Flying"?

2) Your CEO really likes himself... Doesn't he??

Are they still being hard on that 1200TT?

I take it you do not really like yourself very much?

I guess not..

Actually, while searching for the answer to my first question I stumbled across the Blue Angels air show clip on their web site. I busted out loud with laughter when about 1/3 of of the way through the CEO is posing on the stairs with everyone looking at him. There are 3 or 4 shots, and it's obviously staged as a grand entrance. I couldn't believe it. I actually had to watch it again.

This is the interwebs. We need links...

Posing? Staged grand entrance? Or how about maybe he just walked up the stairs so he could see everybody and thank them for coming to the airshow? That made you bust out loud with laughter?, and you wasted another couple of minutes of your life watching it again? Wow. And now, since I thought you actually had found something entertaining, I went and looked at the video, and you've now wasted two minutes of my life that I will never get back. Thanks a lot!

And to answer your question. Alpha Flying is the main parent company. Planesense is the fractional program division of Alpha Flying.

I am sincerley sorry to waste two minutes of your life. My life was not wasted however, as I enjoyed laughing at him.
I promise to do my best to never waste two minutes of your life again.

PS- you wasted four minutes complaining about me wasting two minutes.

I applied 3 months ago, and the HR lady told me that 1,200hr total time, and your multi commercial is the only requirement needed. She also stated that the higher your IMC time is the better your chances. I'm considering heavily applying to them over the airlines, but that's still a mental debate i'm trying to make from my 45k/year CFI job...

Considering they fly single engines, that would be wrong. One also needs an instrument rating.

You have to ask yourself what you really want out of aviation. Will you be happy flying single engine turbine your whole life? Do you want to fly for a major or be in a corporate jet one day? If the majors or corporate jet gig is in your aspirations, then you might want to think about flying for a regional. Single engine turbine won't get you very far in this industry. Just my .02

General question. How difficult is it for a newhire or an existing pilot to bid the Atlanta crew base? Senior?

Ok. Since you need proof. Enjoy. Heres the e-mail.

We have received your resume! Thank you for your interest in a pilot position at Alpha Flying, Inc.

In our screening process, we look for pilots with strong work ethic and exceptional skills that adapt well to the ever changing environment that fractional flight operations demand. Crews must live within 2 hours of PSM, or PDK, and must hold a current and valid FAA Commercial or ATP pilot license with single and multiengine land ratings. Our Captains must have total flight times greater than 2000 hours fixed wing; First Officers, minimums are 1200 hours total flight time/fixed wing.

Pilots must also hold a current and valid second class FAA medical certificate and possess a current U.S Passport with unrestricted international travel privileges and driver’s license. Flight time in Part 135 and/or Part 91 subpart K corporate flight experience is preferred.

Please feel free to contact us with questions, or always feel free to send updated resumes to: [email protected] or fax them to 603-590-7954.

Thank you again for your interest in Alpha Flying, Inc., and we look forward to speaking with you in the future!


Elaine C. Carter
Human Resources Specialist
Alpha Flying, Inc.
115 Flightline Rd.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
[email protected]
603-570-7388 (direct line)
603-501-7600 (main line)

Looks like you just proved yourself wrong, let alone posted an email that most likely wasn't intended for the world. Good luck bud!

I agree that's the way it reads, but I'm betting they simply forgot to write the instrument rating requirement.
I can't imagine them hiring a VFR only pilot.

Yeah, they won't hire vfr only. I mean, I hate to say it but what good is a VFR only pilot to a charter op? Not very, as i'm sure you and I both know. That's like a regional hiring a Private w/ira, LOL

How much multi time do they like to see from first officer canidates.

These boards are still great entertainment. Doing my best to clear up a few items...

Kritchlow: The CEO is very proud of the operation. He recognizes his employees and does his best for them. His decisions aren't always popular, but few CEOs' are. As far as upper management goes, he won't be the problem. The DO on the other hand... :rolleyes:

You'll be surprised to know that getting hired at Alpha doesn't require signing a contract fo fly single your whole life. I've managed to get into a corporate gig, flying a jet with TWO engines, and the time at Alpha didn't hurt one bit.

Bill Lumberg: Bases are need-based. You put in your request when hired, and can request a change at any time. They're losing quite a few from PDK, so you'd have a fair chance getting in there. Go for it!

Lastly, to the most recent posts: the multi requirement is old. Way back when I was in initial training one of the other guys brought up the fact that he didn't have his multi. Answer was "oh yeah, we just put that for when we get a jet. No problem right now." So they're not all that interested in your multi time.

Hey Eagle... Just to be clear.. I have nothing against Alpha, and only wish the the best for you guys. The PC-12 looks like a really cool airplane that I would enjoy flying.
Your CEO may be a great guy, but in that particular clip he looks dweebish (new word).

Fly safe!

No worries at all. Just throwing in a little extra info. Didn't mean to infer you had anything against alpha.

I had an email exchange with their HR person recently. They want 1200TT (Part 135 FO mins) and a multi-engine rating...might this suggest jets in the future?

I'm just shy of their mins. Plan on applying when I meet them. They fly into my airport (JYO) all the time, and they all really seem to enjoy the job. Decent pay, good benefits, fun flying, and at least 26 weeks off a year.

Any new bases at AF? How far away can you live from your base?

TIA for any info.

No new bases. Transitioning to an 8 on 6 off schedule. All new hires directly to the new 8on 6 off schedule.

I think technically 100 nm driving or 2 hrs.

Jets are still just a pipe dream. Assume that there won't be a jet. They would LIKE to do a jet but it just won't be feasible for some time to come.

The pay is decent if you're coming from a CFI gig or low paying regional but in the long term it is not somewhere you can make a fair amount of money.

It is a gig designed to entice guys for about 4-5 years then move on, that is the only way the pay will be good. Making in the low 60's in new england is not that great if you're trying to raise a family especially with young kids.

But Hey, it is a single engine t'prop so you can only milk it for so much.

It can be a fun job, and the group of pilots is top notch and probably one of the best you'll find.

Do they work with you at all on base assignments? I live 15 min from PDK...Also, out of the "8on," how many days avg. do you end up back at your home base (if any)?

Sorry if these questions have been asked...didn't have the time to sift through the whole thread. Thanks in advance.

Did you fly for them? What did you think of the 7 on 7 off schedule? 7 days (or now 6) off sounds great, but 7 days (or 8) away from home and wife/kids at a time sounds like a challenge for a guy with a family.

The 7 and 7 was great. The best part was you always knew you had 2 weekends off a month and you could plan around that. With the way the 8 and 6 is designed there will be a Sunday start day so those guys will not have full weekends off. They will only have the opportunity to bid a new schedule every 2 years. There is a slight pay override to start on Sunday's but when you break it down it really isn't that much extra.

I know guys at a lot of flying jobs don't have weekends off. It is just tough on some of the guys there who have stuck it out with Planesense because of the better than most QOL. They are the ones that are really at the losing end here.

If plane Sense pilots only fly single turboprop, who would hire them if they wanted to get another fractional or corporate job only flying single engine turboprop? How their getting multi time?

We have had a lot of people go to other corporate jobs and fractional companies with little multi time. IMO lots of people worry to much about the all holy "multi time". In reality, at least with people getting hired that worked at Planesense, it's not that big of an issue.

For what it's worth, I worked there and moved on to a BE-40. I'd done a little airline stuff earlier and was able to pick up a fair amount of multi time. On the other hand, I was able to help a friend get hired who had very little multi time.

The keys really are timing, personality, and knowing someone. Multi time doesn't make you some great pilot that companies will drool over. They can teach you to fly multi if they have to.

Ha I know one Pilot who you would not consider top notch!!

Initials?
.........

For anyone who's flown for Planesense (or similar companies): I understand it will vary greatly from day to day, but how much flying would you expect to do each day, and how early do you typically have to show at the airport? How much time rest time do you get between days of flying?