If you had a choice for a new type
 

So I am being furloughed for a 2nd time and went down and talked to the unemployment people today and it sounds like I should qualify for the WIA program which will pay up to 8k for a new type. So out of the approved list it looks like I could get a 737, 75/67, CE-500 or CE-525. Looks like it would cover all of the 737, the 75/67 is about 12k so I would have to cover the difference and it looks like both the CE-500&525 are around 9k so again I would be out of pocket for the difference. Which one would you get and why?

Thanks for taking the time to respond

Well, are you wanting to make a jump to the 135 or 91 world? Then that's the only reason I'd go with those planes.

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Originally Posted by Ewfflyer (Post 1108703)

Well, are you wanting to make a jump to the 135 or 91 world? Then that's the only reason I'd go with those planes.

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I'm assuming you’re referring to the Cessna types. Right now I feel like I need more flight time to find/qualify for the (hopefully) last job I would need. So the airlines work great at time building compared to 200hrs a year flying 91 although I would love to end up doing something like that or if it was an option to do some of that on the side when available.

I just want to get the ATP and the type is a really nice bonus if I can get it paid for through this program.

One other difference between the programs is that I believe the training for the 500/525 is done in the aircraft so I would actually have a little time in type where the others would just be the type..

A type-rating without time in the aircraft won't get you hired at most places. At smaller 135 and 91 companies, it is usually an insurance issue.

Save your WIA until you have a job-offer where you could use it, and then you can be specific.

What I found, though in 2005 (Lear 35): I could pay for it myself, for about $9k. The WIA rate ("Approved Course") was $14k, and the WIA paid about $5k.

Huh? So, my out of pocket is the same, but at least the Government was charged an additional $5k?

I found one eventually where it saved me a small amount, but the major training companies are working this scam, and their VA and WIA prices are higher than the regular price.

Except for SWA. They'd rather you had your 737 type and zero time in type than multiple thousands of hours of 737 time and no type. As long as you've got the magic 1,000 PIC turbine that is.

How would you manage to log time without a type rating?

Best thing would be to work out a deal for a G4/G5 type.

As an FO. Although these days almost everybody has a type rating restricted to "SIC privileges only" it's not required if operating domestically.

If the OP doesn't have his ATP, then that's really what the WIA funds are paying for. The type rating is incidental to the experience.

One other thing I would check is to see if you can work a deal to get a PIC type rating in the aircraft you were flying prior to being furloughed. I did that in 2005 then was able to short term contract with several internationally based companies on a day rate flying the CRJ.

Otherwise, the CE525 is a good choice if you want to get out of the airlines and the 737 is popular if you ever aspire to work for SWA down the road.

Without applicable experience it's really nothing but something cool on your resume. Not to mention the type is in excess of 30K, which WIA most likely won't cover.