NavyCWORet

Yes, retired (28 years). Subs, ships, and aircrew; enlisted to officer.

underwing

That's awesome. I was in for 5 years at NAS Oceana. Spent 2 years at VF-101 and 3 at VFA-34 with one med cruise on the GW.

eperformfl

Nice, hope mine comes soon!

David Puddy

How soon will we start seeing those cool PC-24s on the ramp?

Toonces

3rd quarter of 2017 for the PC-24. We are the launch customer for the US so as long as flight testing stays on track, it will be in blue and white in a year.


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pilot28906

How much of a pilot demand is there for PDK? Are all schedules 8 on and 6 off? Also any recent gouge on interviews?

Thanks for any info.

Toonces

We don't necessarily limit the number of pilots per base, so if you want PDK, it's yours. All schedules are 8/6. Underwing just interviewed so he can chime in.


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pilot28906

Thanks for the info.

How does the schedule work? Do you show up at your base on day one and fly for 8 days to locations depending on the client and return to base on last day? What determines start day? Is there a period where new hires are on reserve? How long is training and where is it located? What are the requirements to upgrade to Captain? Sorry for so many questions but trying to get all the info I can on actually working for the company. All I read about the company seems very positive and the flying looks interesting.

Thanks again.

underwing

There are many interview gouges on the web and they are all pretty spot on. Here are my tips: 1. Study your Jepp charts thoroughly. Most pilots use NOS charts throughout IFR training and aren't familiar with the Jeppesen charts so compare and contrast the two versions to get a good understanding of the differences. 2. Review GPS systems and operations. If offered an interview you will be provided a link to a GPS refresher course and I advise you to take notes. 3. Review basic VFR and IFR stuff such as airspace wx / equipment regs as well as airspeed restrictions. 4. Spend some time in a sim or use a home flight sim software to practice IFR procedures.

The interview was a good experience for me and everyone at Planesense was friendly and welcoming. Study your material and bone up in the sim and you'll be fine. They'll make you feel right at home. One last tip. Make sure you have considered the lifestyle of this job. They will want to make sure that the schedule requirements will mesh well with your home life.

I hope this helps.

Toonces

The schedule is 8 days on for any available duty. If they don't have an airplane and captain for you on day 1 (or any other day), you will sit standby. That will be either at home, hotel, or the airport. It's a 2 hour callout from home to your assigned base. If they do have a pairing for you, you will either meet your plane at your assigned base, drive a rental car to a plane, or airline to a plane. If you overnight at your assigned base, you typically won't get a hotel room. This can make living farther away from your base a hassle. During your 8 days you will fly trips as assigned by operations. You can look at your schedule ahead of time, but don't trust that schedule until you takeoff, and even then you may be rerouted in air.

Start day is based on seniority bidding and need; we are shifting to Tuesday/Wednesday start days only in the new year. There is no reserve period for new hires (or anyone). Training is 10 days in Portsmouth, NH, and 8 days in DFW for Flight Safety. They typically split new hire sim training into two groups; if you are in the second group you will be sent home while waiting for the sim. Expect anywhere from 3-4 weeks total from start to finish.

Upgrade to captain is based on merit, seniority, total time, and need. You need a minimum of 1500 hours based on 91k regulations.

And you are correct, the flying is interesting. We go to the regular haunts as well as some really weird, out of the way places.


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