Another Avantair thread
 

Alright, i'm looking around at other options out there as opposed to the airline gig i'm doing right now. I've looked at non-flying, and flying jobs alike, have pluses and minuses to each.

Current background, flying the jungle jet around at TSA (things aren't looking great for us right now) and i'm in the left seat. The pay is good, life style sucks (reserve captain) and am now at the bottom of the rsv CA list again as a result of downgrades and I'm starting to see a displacement on the horizon. I'd like to make the jump to the fractional side of things, but i know how difficult netjets can be to get on with, and citation shares isn't hiring into the location i currently live in, nor the base i'd be "commuting to" (by car) for avantair....

question, how many guys are former airline CA's at avantair. I know there will be a big difference with 7/7 schedule, vs. my current 10 days off, 2 or 3 days at a time, while working 5-6 on. The drop in pay would be significant, however, if i was on "base" guarantee at my airline, i'd only be losing about 400/mo (w/ base pay of 1200/2 weeks at avanti)....however, i typically make above base guarantee. I would have to factor in dropping down some tax brackets....

So if in the position, how would you see my quality of life either increasing or decreasing? The big plus compared to the non-flying gigs is obvious, i'd stay in a cockpit. It seems like it'd be a nice change for me, and while i'd be looking at less pay, it'd be equal to what i'd make at the airlines after being downgraded, and, if the company folds, least i didn't wait it out till the end. Thanks a lot.

Can anyone help me to find out where to go about finding information on bases and payscales for avantair?

Check out the video from the website (Avantair, Inc. - Home) too:

Avantair, Inc. - Avantair Video

Upgrade time is 12-18 months from what I have heard. It's not without its growth problems, but it is growing and the P180 is very popular with its owners.

I saw one land and taxi to the FBO at San Jose, CA (SJC) on the 6th of July. It was the first time I had actually seen one of the aircraft. It was a beautiful airplane. I wished they paid a comparable wage to the other large fractionals. They do seem to have carved a nice niche for themselves. I really like the Pro Line 21 cockpit!

USMCFLYR

The pay is low, any future increases possible?

the company was formed around 5 yrs ago, so they are still fairly new. It will take some couple more years and more stability before a better contract comes around...

Hey USMCFLYR,

If you upgrade faster (after 18 months) you may be able to reduce the difference somewhat. With that said, Netjets has by far the best pay out there with Citationshares and Flexjet close behind. You might have to wait longer for upgrades at the bigger programs. So, it's a classic tradeoff. I hear the Avanti II is a fun airplane to fly.

BTW, Flexjet is hiring onto the Challenger 300 which uses the Pro Line 21, Citationshares is hiring onto the CJ3 which uses the Pro Line 21 and Netjets assigned 6-7 recent newhires to the Citation Encore+ which also uses Pro Line 21. So, apply to all of the fractionals and there is a chance you will get to enjoy Pro Line 21 eventually.

Bill -

You have read my mind :D My eyes are on each of the fractionals.
I've always been interested in that type of flying and the equipment; I just didn't know it as *fractional flying* back then but thought of it more like *corporate flying*. Of course thank to this forum I am learnign the differences. I met someone high in the NetJets chain of command back in 2005 and now I wish that I had kept better contact or better yet had been where I am now in my career back then :o

It is funny - I do enjoy my view of the cockpits. I guess that should be important if that is going to be your view for a career. I'm learning more and more about the civvie avionics line and Pro Line seems to be one of the favorites out there. the EASy that I have seen pictures of on the falcon series seems to be really nice too and the Planeview in the gulfstream. In the future the Pro Line Fusion cockpit seems to be a winner.

USMCFLYR

I agree with you. Having this view every day would make your job a bit easier:

JetPhotos.Net Photo » N780CA (CN: 1106) Private Piaggio P-180 Avanti by Klaus Opitz Pacheco