Grand Canyon Airlines - HIRING CAPTAINS & F/Os
 

Grand Canyon Airlines Currently Hiring Pilots

Grand Canyon Airlines is currently interviewing/hiring both Captains and First Officers for a July 15th ground school. Domiciles are Grand Canyon, Arizona (South Rim) and Boulder City/Las Vegas, Nevada. Equipment is a fleet of 19 passenger DHC-6-300 Turbine Vistaliners (Modified Twin Otter).

We operate FAA Part 135 tour flights to and from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Page and Monument Valley. Tremendous company growth with recent purchase of Scenic Airlines. Competetive Pay, Fast upgrade opportunities, end of season bonus, 401K, Medical, Dental, Vision health benefits and travel benefits.

Currently no training contract. Applicants are required to be current and proficient in IFR skills and procedures.

First Officer minimums: 700TT, 50 Multi. Commercial, Multi-Engine, 2nd class medical.

Capitain minimums: 2,000 TT, 500 Multi. ATP, Multi-Engine, 1st class medical. (Turbine PIC & 135/121 Preferred).

Contact Chief Pilot Mike McComb at [email protected] for questions and/or to schedule an interview.
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/.../6/29/gca8.jpg

pay
 

What's the block hour payrate for FO and CA; and the guaranteed minimum per month?

I was interviewd by DO at southrim and he never bothered to get back to me with the outcome of it ,even though he promised to call back and let me know either way. (Seem they dont respect your time and money spent to go and meet them). Its sad. There were FO,s and they took extra mile to explain and show things around. Thanks guys on the right. Also there was a guy and gal downstairs very help full-thanks.As far as I know about pay ,FO 75/day at GCN,80/-LAS;CA 115@GCN, 120@LAS. All I heard from FO's and seem like a good place to start.

pay starts at $80 a day at gcn and 90 a day in henderson and goes up after 200 flight hours. capt starts at $160 at gcn and $170 in henderson with a increase at 200 flight hours with the company.

GCA Interviews
 

Serendib: How long ago did you interview? You should have been contacted one way or another. Since I have been conducting interviews I have made a point to let the applicant know. The DO has been very busy lately so its possible he may missed getting back to you. I do apoligize though. We currently try to conduct interviews in Las Vegas where its easier to travel, better facilities, and a simulator.

My friend has some type of connection to this company through his mom. He use to talk about working there but now I haven't heard him mention it... Seems like a cool job though ;)

Friend of mine flew for Scenic out of Vegas a long time ago. He is a CAL captain now, but he still talks about flying the "twatter" over the canyon...was a good time for him. I would love to do this as soon as I get current, and get some multi time. What a blast, and a cool airplane too!

If your going to fly a twotter, fly this one! :D

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...ext_id=0524645

That kicks SERIOUS tush! Forget the Canyon, I want to go there!

If I remember correctly there is another operator that flies Twin Otters on floats down in the Caribbean.

Yeah...Look up Seaborne....A friend of mine worked there for two years and had a blast

Yeah DitchDog Seaborne would be a good choice too.... but how can you beat a spectacular travel destination like Grand Canyon West?!!

http://www.seaborneairlines.com/images/bigphoto.jpg

That's one way to beat it!

There's a company that uses Otter's off the coast of India. I think that might be one of them.

I actually agree with you. Way too tempting to never leave the warm weather, twin otter jobs. I think I would become an aerial version of a surf bum. Also - the Grand Canyon IS kind of scenic :)

Actually, how do you like flying the canyon all day. As I said earlier, had a good friend years ago that flew for Scenic. He is now at CAL, but has really great memories of that time. How do you like it?

To tell you the truth flying at GCA is a decent gig. Its a good way to build turbine time and we fly to other places like Page/Lake Powell and Monument Valley. Not just the canyon. The duty days can be long during the season (April-October). GCA use to be one of the ONLY ways to the regionals and airlines, but the decreased hiring minimums at places like Mesa, SkyWest, and ExpressJet have made GCA a career step option. I have been here for 2.5 years as CP and will be moving on at the end of this month to fly MD-80s at Allegiant. It was a fun time, good experience, and have no regrets.

I believe Ken Borek out of Canada has that flying in the Maldives. They also go all around the world when necessary.

Trans Maldivian Airways looks like a good place. I used to want to fly there when I was hopping the ditch a couple years ago.
http://www.transmaldivian.com/

There's a place called Maldivian Air Taxi too, but i couldn't find their web page.

Canyonair:

How strict are you guys with the FO minimums? I've got about 400TT, just over 40 multi, Comm ASEL / ASES / AMEL, instrument, and 1st class med. Is it worth sending a resume in? I'd love a job flying around the Nevada area. I've been to Vegas and the Grand Canyon numerous times, and each time I go, I fall more and more in love. I was just there in late May with a group of friends, and that was the first time I actually went down to the bottom. We actually got some pics of the rental car IN the Colorado River!

Anyway, that's getting off-topic. If it's realistic, I'd love the chance to interview with you guys, I'm more than willing to relocate. I can shoot over my resume and a letter of recommendation. If you would like to email me (I guess I can't PM on the site yet...) my email address is [email protected].

-Nick

Canyonair,

I thought you wanted to investigate crashes for the NTSB? Congratulations on your new job, from a former Westwind pilot.

I am considering moving down the ramp after the season myself. Its a good place to gain experience/ The conditions here will make you a better pilot for sure and GCA has a great pilot group.

I second that. I spent a season there (the Grand Canyon Area), and it was the best pic experience you could ever have; outside of single pilot ifr in Alaska. I am flying in Alaska and have yet to experience the same pucker factor as taking off with a "10 knot" tailwind at Monument or being beat to death by severe turbulence around Rainbow Bridge.

In my opinion you would be better off flying for one of the single engine operators. They typically hire at 500 total time. The pic time will be much more valuable when it comes to upgrading at a regional, and it makes you a much better pilot than just instructing. But, the GCA guys were all really cool, and great pilots.

GCA Minimums
 

The F/O minimums have recently dropped. Minimums are now 500 total with a multi rating. At 400 hours I would go ahead and send in your resume. We are running a class now but have plans for another class in August. If we cant bring you on here, I do know our soon to be merged Scenic Airlines will be hiring soon too. I know that both GCA and Scenic are drastically short on Captains.

Is scenic still going to be operating under121?

Canyonair

Are they willing to hire captains without any turbine or 135/121 exp?

Anyone with previous 135/121 time is preffered but not required. However we would like Captain applicants to have turbine experience. At least 100 hrs PIC Turbine.

Canyonair---
Any chance you could enlighten me? How does GCA schedule "trips"? What is a typical month (in flying time that is) like? Does GCA allowing commuting at all?
I appreciate the info. that you have shared.

AZVANDRIVER what company are you with up there?

Gca
 

I was offered a class for July 16. Told them it was to close (About 1 week notice). And asked for them to keep me in mind for an AUG Class date! Have written E-mail to both DO and CP left voice mail nothing.....Anyone able to shed light and help?

1500+ TT
Enough MEL
ATP Written

I'm an FO at Scenic so I can speak for them. We need pilots for both seats. FO requirements are Commercial/multi. That's it. Not sure about street captains but 2 or 3 have recently started so it's not impossible. Most of us are flying a lot and/or working long days. Logged about 30 hours in 5 days and those are 12-14 hour duty days. Some are flying more than that right now. Most days we have captains flying together as we are short FO's. About 11 with some still in training so maybe 9. Paychecks aren't too bad with the amount of time we are putting in, especially if you work on your days off (double time/captain pay...same difference)....which is not hard to do right now.

As for GCA, I know they are hurting too but that's all I know.

pilot221, I have an interview coming up with Scenic. Any other light you can shed on the airline...good and bad. How's the maintenance? Also any tips you have for the interview would be great as well. Is the written straight out of the ATP written minus the IFR flight performance questions? Thanks.

Hey. All around, it's not a bad place. A lot has changed but if you can go with the flow you won't have issues. Yea, it's long days but if you are just going to get some time and move on, it's a great place to be. Twin turbine, easy place to get it. The flying is pretty basic but it can be challenging. The otter will eat your lunch in the wind and it can get pretty windy out here. After going through "the windy season" anything under 40 knots of wind is calm for me now. It will make you very proficient in the takeoff and landing department and I appreciate that fact. Won't get a ton of IFR but in the winter that could change. Schedules are 5 on and 2 off (with the 3rd day being reserve but right now we aren't getting reserve) unless you are high on the list where you can get 3 off. You are not required to work on your days off, they are yours. We get lunch everyday. You are home every night. Guarantee pay. Holiday pay. Everyone is nice. Halfway decent paycheck considering.

Bad would be the schedule some days but someone has to do it. You'll miss the summer so it won't be 110 everyday which is good for you. Nothing else that you wouldn't find anywhere else. Just gotta make the best of it.

Maintenance is fine. Nothing to worry about there.

As for the interview it's like all recent gouges. 35 question ATP test. Can miss 8 I think. Don't disregard that part since it's the first thing you'll do and it's the first thing they'll boot you for. They add their own answers to some of the questions so read through them all. No IFR performance stuff. Couple diagram questions. If you can figure out which direction wheels turn you'll be fine. Just study the areas they sent you in the email. Do the sim prep the day before so there won't be any surprises on the day of. Know how to read a jepp approach plate, a METAR and a TAF and some basic 'what would you do' type questions which are straight forward. Don't second guess yourself too much, they'll ask if you're sure a bunch of times. If pass the written and do the sim prep and are a nice guy who knows the basics, you're in.

When is your interview?

Anything else let me know, good luck.

I interview the 2nd of August, been studying the Gleim ATP backwards and forwards. Cost of living in the Henderson area doesn't seem to bad...they are in the process of moving the operation to Boulder City right? As for me I like to be in for 6-9 months and then make the transition to SkyWest. Any word on where pilots are ending up after they put in their time at Scenic? Also no training contract as of current right? Planning on getting in on the 1st and doing the sim prep. Once again thanks for the info!

August GCA Class
 

Hi highspeed, If you got a one week notice it was probably due to trying to fill the class at the last minute. Some people depending on their employment situation can accept a short notice call and others cannot. We understand that as we also expect atleast a two week notice as most employers would. The reason you have not heard about the August class is that we have not yet established a date for the class. That class and it's schedule will be handled by Craig Sanderson who is the Director of Ops. and I am sure he will give adequate notice for those attending.

"Any chance you could enlighten me? How does GCA schedule "trips"? What is a typical month (in flying time that is) like? Does GCA allowing commuting at all?
I appreciate the info. that you have shared."

Hi Belliott: We basically operate off a two week schedule which is detailed by a daily schedule. Our pilots generally work a 5 on 2 off schedule or a 4 on 3 off schedule. As we gain more pilots we can be more flexible with the schedule. During the season, pilots will fly 90-100 hours a month. Our bases are Grand Canyon and Boulder City and while commuting is difficult its not impossible. With the first of the year merger with Scenic we will be gaining additional jumpseat agreements to make travel a little easier. That said, its important to note that neither GCA or Scenic are on the CASS program so jumpseating is not a very reliable option for commuting.

The move to Boulder City has already happened. They finished the hangars/building for maintenance and everyone else so they can move in from the North Las Vegas building...Not sure when it will start getting used though. Sometimes we fly into VGT still for maintenance but that will stop when everyone settles down in Boulder. I'm in Henderson and it's about a 15 minute easy drive. A lot of people are going to ExpressJet and Skywest. Some high time captains have gone to Allegiant. A couple have gotten corporate gigs. There is no contract.

Good luck on the 2nd.

Hey guys,

Could you give me an overview of what a typical day is like at Scenic and/or GCA?

Also, is the training done in a simulator, or in the plane?

What changes do you expect to see when the companies effectively merge on Jan. 1? Good? Bad?

Thanks in advance for the info!

I fly for Scenic so this is about Scenic...can't speak for GCA.

For me a typical day starts out at 5pm the previous day when I get my schedule for the next day. If I get a 4, 5, or 6 o'clock AM show time...I don't go out and do anything...I sleep. Our show times are 1 hour before our actual flight so a 4:10 show would mean I would be on the 5:10 departure for the Canyon. Some days are 2-3 turns to the south rim. Some are 2-5 turns to the west rim. Some are to the south then to the west, then to the south then back to boulder. It's a mixed bag. Most days now are about 12 hours. Sometimes you'll get a short day. Varies.

Training is 3 weeks ground, about a week and a half simulator, then a short time flight training in the twin otter at 3:30am since that is the only time you can get into mccarran and is the only place where there is a nearby ILS. The simulator is pretty darn near exactly like the twin otter...no movement, no monitor. When you get out of the sim the airplane is cake.

No idea on the merge, we don't get told those kinds of things but so far all the changes have been minor.

Hey Pilot221,

Thanks for the great post. Scenic looks like a good place, I just applied. I have a little over 300TT, commercial AMEL, and ASEL. Do you think there is any realistic chance they will call? Have you heard of other FO hired with times like mine?

Again, thanks for the info
sam

Hey Sam. I think they will call as long as you don't have anything "bad" on your application. Someone just got hired with about 600 and 30 multi but since their mins are just commercial and multi I don't see why they wouldn't call. We need people and they could probably expect you to be around for more than a couple months. If you applied today, I wouldn't be surprised if they called you tomorrow. Actually, it's a weekend...so maybe Monday.