NatGeo

There was a different owner of the company back then. I can understand why you would be mad about the pay to fly schemes. There has been a new owner for over 10 years.

TeamSasquatch

Not sure where they train you. However, you’d do just fine in the 99. I looked at working there but ended up going to another 99 operator (because of where I live). The plane is simple and easy to fly. The company seems great and they told me no contract on the 99. I was told you often only fly 4 days a week as they have someone rotate on the route to give people days off. Paid health, dental, vision and 401k contribution if I remember correctly.

NatGeo

Our company has a good reputation for flight training and a lower then average Part 135 wash out rate.

For the 99's we do the flight training in the airplane at our Billings base. There is no contract and we just ask that you give us a year. The first week is ground and the second week is flight training. KBIL works out good for training because it is less busy than KSLC and we have found from experience that pilots do well with making that transition. Getting to do flight training in Montana was a really neat experience. I'm glad I got the opportunity to see Great Falls, Kalispell, Bozeman, and Helena from the air. The training captains are former airline pilots and you will learn some good Part 121 habits from them in addition to Part 135.

The 99 is not the easiest airplane to transition to. Most guys first starting out in the 99 are coming from a 150 Vno airplane and the 99 Vno is 220 knots. Getting used to that extra power, especially in the descent, approach, and landing phases of flight takes some getting used to. The trick is to memorize the power settings and remember that if you are ever too fast in a turbine airplane to just bring the power levers back to 0. Memorizing the flows/checklists before you start flight training will also help a lot.

The second problem with making the 99 transition also has to do with power. The cruise speed is 180 and there is no autopilot. With a faster airplane everything happens just a little bit faster and the further you can think ahead and plan what is going to happen next the better off you will be. ATC will expect you to be able to shoot fast approaches, change approaches on the fly, fly to random fixes, etc, etc.

Every pilot is different, some guys do great adjusting to new airplanes while it takes other guys a little longer to get the feel for it.

For 1900 training we do the ground in Billings and then ship you off to Flight Safety for the type. After the type you either come back to Billings or do the rest of your training/ IOE at the base you will be flying.

TXWarEagle

Does Alpine expect the pilot to load their plane?

TeamSasquatch

I was told UPS has crews loading the planes in the morning while the pilot supervises. The ground people weigh each box as it goes in the plane and you provide direction on what area of the plane it goes.

jumper13

Would it be possible to live in Kalispell, MT and fly for Alpine? Would I be able to commute via Alpine to Billings to pick up a plane? Does Alpine operate 99s in Montana or just 1900s? Are the Montana schedules usually nights?

Gundriver64

Alpine Air advertises a part time schedule. Can anybody provide details?

Thanks!
G

TeamSasquatch

Looking on flight aware, they have 2-3 flights a day into GPI. Some in the middle of the night and some in the AM. They have 99 and 1900 in MT. I think you can jumpseat on company metal, are you wanting to commute to Billings, or just a one off trip? AIP5014 is the night flight, a 99. AIP1601 is an AM1900

TeamSasquatch

I get the impression they would work around your schedule in SLC. Hopefully they can provide some details.

jumper13

Is there any current or recently employed Alpine pilots that could DM me? I’m seriously considering moving over to them but would like a pilot’s perspective. Thanks for any help.