Haven't heard anything about KCM, but going through PreCheck in uniform has not been a hassle in my experience. You have to run your bags through the x-ray to maintain the security theater, but they don't care what's inside.

First of the May class finished up their checkrides today. I go back up next week for mine.

Can you give us a brief synopsis of the flight training?


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Hey guys I was wondering what type of Simulator do they use for the training? One of those full motion redbirds?

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This is too quiet fellas :) any stories, rumors or whatever up there?

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Well Grant just posted this morning for more 207/airvan captains.

C207/GA8 PILOT
Commercial Pilot Certificate
500 hours of total time
Second Class Medical Certificate
Minimum 135 pilot in command qualification required

I applied 2 nights ago, I'm pretty sure they hate me haha. Total like 10 applications in the last 6 months :)

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Grant called me about an interview for a June 26th class but I'm holding out for my Hageland offer letter since I built my schedule around July 17th class


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You cant be serious?? Take the job that gives you PIC time and more money. Also Grant pays for your tickets and you don't have to jump seat.

My personal learnt lesson from the last year? Get the first job offer, don't count on maybes. I emailed hageland this morning to find out if I'm gonna be on next Monday's list, and they told me they couldn't tell me till next monday, so I accepted a ground school with air flamenco starting this monday. I only needed a ''it's not official but yeah you'll be part of it", but I guess it's too much to ask...... So moving to PR on thursday

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Why are the minimums so low for Alaska flying? Seems like they would only hiring experienced guys because of the rough terrain.

How is the training like? Do they provide accomadations while you are working your shift?

I didn't know that. I'm also flying banners now so I'm getting my hours in.


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You will be based in Bethel first with those hours and there is zero terrain there nothing over 50ft for 200 miles till you hit goodnews bay or lime village or pilot station. And you wont fly gung ho into all the bad weather and terrain until you are ready anyway. Plus no guy I know with experience will live in western Alaska for a long period of time.

Does Grant have a commitment or contract?


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No one I know there had one. None of the Alaska operators usually do. They don't want to have someone flying there who doesn't want to be there. If you want out get out type deal. Some of them ask for a verbal handshake commitment and if you agree to that and leave early. Good luck with any letter of recommendations or getting a decent job elsewhere in Alaska.

The pilot shortage is REAL

But yeah, what flyguy said. Not much around Bethel for a long ways if you stay at 500'.

Grant also has accommodations for pilots while on shift from what I understand. Pack a cooler in Town to save money on groceries.

Seems like a good option for a young pilot to build their time. My only concern with alaska is the mountains terrain and bad weather. If I could stay in that area while I build my time, I'd leave my banner towing gig for some alaska time.

There's not a lot of terrain near Bethel until you either get way east or north. There's a bit northwest, I guess, too. The weather can get bad, but the cowboys are mostly gone these days. You'll learn a heckuva lot more drivin' sleds than you will towing banners.

Can somebody provide me with the minimums for pilot position with Ravn/Hageland? College kid with wet commercial looking to get on as SIC and build some time up in Alaska possibly.

Well I would say use that college education and read back literally one page and it says mins are wet commercial but even guys with 500 hours aren't getting hired and the next class isn't for several months which will be filled with guys already in the pool. Also the ad on the right side of every page on APC says fresh commercial? apply today at Ravn Alaska. If you get hired with a fresh commercial I think Javichu will have a heart attack. If you are still in college they wont hire you just a heads up.

Haha. I let it go, I feel nothing but inner peace, got my AA ticket to San Juan this Thursday, and I'll fly 0.2 legs for a living, it's all good :)

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Its probably the best option as far as experience and development of good decision making skills. Your skills will literally double your first shift. Now if you learned at a 141 in the south with zero weather experience and never flown through a cloud it will be a tough transition. VFR in Alaska is basically 500' and 2 miles and you will shoot many special vfr approaches with 1 mile visibility. There will be many days Guys have to go missed on an IFR approach and you will fly right in on a special(thank god for Sierra arrivals and departures or Bethel would be a cluster). So if you don't have a good instrument scan, I would develop one.

HAHA good. I would take a beach in San Juan over Bethel any day enjoy. I have lots of friends there. Spent a week in Arecibo PR last spring for a skydive boogie and had the time of my life. PR might be a ****hole but its fun as hell and the women are crazy awesome.

Yeah man I'll enjoy as it is, my first flying job with Daddy Yankee on the radio haha.

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Haha I thought Javichu was already hired by every single company in the US, it's the class date that seems to evade him :p ;)

Yesss I know, so many candidate pools :)
But my ground starts on Monday, no more waiting!

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You gonna keep us up to date on that? I'd like to hear it. :)

Sure, you're now my virtual buddies haha.

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Congrats buddy, perseverance pays off!
I passed my commercial today, so I'm about to chase the spots you gave up :D

Thanks!. And get that CFI, that really pays off!! :) it'll speed up the process so much

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Thanks. If you don't do it in here be sure to post a link in here. :)

Willdo!

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I'm thinking about it. I'm in a weird spot, I'm sitting right at 700hrs TT, so I don't know if getting a CFI speeds the process enough to warrant the hassle. I'll keep that door open...

Ooooh 700h is a sweet number, you can find sth for sure, but think about it anyways :)

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Too much sorting through trash... And I know what the mins posted on Ravns website are, I am trying to see what people are actually getting hired at in the real world. Thanks for the info.

Thanks! I've had a couple of great CFIs, all working pilots with a lot of real life experience - I don't know if I want to be an hour builder CFI, it's a rating I'd love to add later on, when I have that real life experience :)

Kinda excited to write a resume - I've been self-employed and owned my own business for the past 15 years. The last 100 job interviews, I've been on the other side of the table. I'm sure I'll suck at interviews when I'm sitting on the hot seat! :)

Haha. Just be patient and good luck!!

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You've been an inspiration, especially in the patience department! Have fun in PR!

Thanks, I appreciate it :) and I'll have fun for sure haha.

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