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Star Marianas Air

Old 03-31-2022, 04:51 AM
  #101  
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Originally Posted by justhere View Post
Hello. Just wanted to give some info about my time at the company. I started in July 2021 and my 6 month contract is just about up. I have really enjoyed my time here and would do it again. Prior to the pandemic they hired at 250hrs to fly discovery flights with tourists. Since Spring 2020, tourism has dried up here. The tourists were mostly from East Asia and travel restrictions and quarantine requirements have gotten in the way of travel. In addition to the discovery flights, they have part 135 operations. Part 135 VFR flying requires 500 hrs. I got here with around 630hrs. They just want VFR part 135 mins. But because they are actual minimums listed in the FARs, they're not gonna let you on if you are a bit short of the required time. Sometimes they're hiring, sometimes they're not. Depends how busy things are and when pilots leave. The part 135 side consists of single engine PA32 "Cherokee Six" flying and twin PA31 "Navajo Chieftain" flying. You start in the PA32. The plane is a Chevy Suburban with wings. Not everyone upgrades to the PA31. It depends on their need for PA31 pilots. Many (myself included) opt to just stay on the PA32 because there are generally more hours to be had. The PA32 is passenger flights between Saipan and Tinian and cargo flights down to Rota and Guam. The PA31 is mostly passenger flights to Rota. Sometimes you'll have to sit right seat on PA31 flights and if it is an empty leg you can log it. I've gotten about 11 multi hours since being out here. The company is overall organized and ran well. It's mostly a family business. The planes are old, but maintained well. They have an army of mechanics in the hangar. Some of the "technicians" or "assistants" or whatever they are called sometimes let some details slip (improper seatbelt installation or whatever), but there are a handful of certified A&Ps that are all great. All VFR flying in weather that is *mostly* VFR. You'll get less afraid of weather and of strong winds. In my busiest month here I got around 115hrs and in the slowest I got under 60. The ramp guys are generally really cool and hard workers. You don't have to do your own W&B, fueling, loading, etc. It is all done for you and you just check their work.
Island life is slow and relaxed, yet frustrating. Outside of the airline, urgency and timeliness is hard to find. It's hard to get things done, but people don't really care if you get them done. Even though it is a US territory, you do not feel like you are in the same country. Kinda similar to parts of southeast Asia, in ways. There is no traffic. There are no freeways. There are not addresses (the bank asks you to draw a map of where your house is). Phone numbers look similar to American phone numbers, but you'll need a local SIM card with IT&E or Docomo. Mail takes weeks to get here. English is the primary language, but knowing Tagalog, Chinese, Chamorro, or Korean would be very helpful. Buying a crappy car is gonna cost you more than you'll think. I hope you like drinking beer on the beach. I think someone has posted this sentiment before: you won't be able to wait to move on to bigger and better things, but you'll miss it once you're gone. I feel it is true. I can tell that I will miss it.
I wish I could stay here a few more months, but I'm being stubborn about the shot mandate and thus have not been offered to extend my contract lol.
Hi!
Could I know how the work schedule look like? I have researched a little bit and it is like 7am to 7pm. How many days did you work per week in general as PA32 pilot. Thanks in advance!
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Old 04-01-2022, 04:57 AM
  #102  
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Joined APC: Feb 2022
Position: PA31-350; Left
Posts: 113
Default Schedules

Originally Posted by shjj View Post
Hi!
Could I know how the work schedule look like? I have researched a little bit and it is like 7am to 7pm. How many days did you work per week in general as PA32 pilot. Thanks in advance!
PA32: Depending on staffing 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Most days you go to work are a 7 AM to 7 PM (generally). Depending on your day's duties and the volume of reservations you may get released early for the day (20% maybe).

PA31 Charter: Rotating schedule of 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Start time and release time depend on reservation schedules and if the company needs aircraft repositioned to another island.

PA31 Scheduled (Requires ATP): Depending on staffing 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Show up time of 7 AM, home by 6:00 PM. Daily departures can change depending on demand (COVID effected), pre COVID vs post COVID scheduled service times and frequency fluctuated with demand.
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Old 04-02-2022, 04:26 AM
  #103  
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Position: PA31-350; Left
Posts: 113
Default Schedules in 2021

Originally Posted by shjj View Post
Hi!
Could I know how the work schedule look like? I have researched a little bit and it is like 7am to 7pm. How many days did you work per week in general as PA32 pilot. Thanks in advance!
PA32: Depending on staffing and demand 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Show time of 7 AM, released around 7 PM. Depending on your duty for the day or demand, may be released for the day early (20%?).

PA31 Charter: Depending on staffing and demand 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Usual show time of 7 AM but may vary. Duty days dependent on charter schedules and aircraft repositioning.

PA31 Scheduled (Requires ATP): Depending on staffing and demand 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Show time of 7 AM, usually home by 6:00 PM. Schedules have changed pre/post COVID to meet demand and regulations.
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Old 04-04-2022, 10:47 AM
  #104  
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Originally Posted by TwOtter View Post
PA32: Depending on staffing and demand 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Show time of 7 AM, released around 7 PM. Depending on your duty for the day or demand, may be released for the day early (20%?).

PA31 Charter: Depending on staffing and demand 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Usual show time of 7 AM but may vary. Duty days dependent on charter schedules and aircraft repositioning.

PA31 Scheduled (Requires ATP): Depending on staffing and demand 4 on 2 off or 3 on 2 off. Show time of 7 AM, usually home by 6:00 PM. Schedules have changed pre/post COVID to meet demand and regulations.
I really appreciate it! This helps me a lot
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Old 04-10-2022, 07:06 PM
  #105  
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Been there done that, recently got out. Let me know any questions you got and i'll answer them as real as I can.
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Old 04-15-2022, 04:37 PM
  #106  
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Originally Posted by RJetDriver View Post
Been there done that, recently got out. Let me know any questions you got and i'll answer them as real as I can.
How easy/affordable was it to find housing?
What surprised you the most in your first few weeks of working there?
What was the initial training like, for someone used to flight instructing in a skyhawk part 91?
Any do's or don'ts about working for this particular operation or interacting with management?

Huge thanks for the help.
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Old 04-15-2022, 05:36 PM
  #107  
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Joined APC: Feb 2022
Position: PA31-350; Left
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Originally Posted by Treehouse View Post
How easy/affordable was it to find housing?
What surprised you the most in your first few weeks of working there?
What was the initial training like, for someone used to flight instructing in a skyhawk part 91?
Any do's or don'ts about working for this particular operation or interacting with management?

Huge thanks for the help.

Housing can be cheap, but the cheap $350 place is closer to a studio hotel room than a stateside apartment. Most cheap places (not all) are lacking in the kitchen. It's not "easy" to find housing options, lack of websites and rentals that answer the phone. Everything in Saipan is done at 50% effort. Electric gets expensive; $125 +/- $25. Cars are tougher to find. Most under $3,000 sell within a day or two.

Most surprising was that the Taco Bell and KFC tasted different and had a slightly different menu; rice not potatoes. Don't expect Hawaii. It's the poorest island(s) "in America," things are rundown around a lot of the island.

Easy. 4 training flights for what equates to a VFR rental checkout.

If you have questions for management ask them in the least combative manor possible with no one else around. They are great people, but ask a question that seems simple to the President and you might be the butt of his jokes in front of everyone.



100% (other than pay) the best job I've ever had and maybe will ever have.
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Old 07-04-2022, 05:06 AM
  #108  
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Joined APC: Mar 2013
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I worked there a while back. Things are probably very different now but this was my experience.

The islands are beautiful and theres plenty of ways to have fun if you like beaches, snorkeling etc. When I was there the company offered the choice of living in Tinian or Saipan. Guys that wanted more nightlife and things like that chose Saipan. Tinian is a laid back, quiet beach island which some preferred.

The actual flying is a blast. Most fun flying job I’ve ever had. Training is no big deal. Basically a VFR checkout flight. Most people were hired into the discovery flying which are just scenic tour flights doing a circle around the island. Upon reaching 135 VFR mins theres the opportunity to fly the Cherokee 6 doing the island hopping flights. Theres also the Navajo which some people end up in at the company’s discretion.

Mx was fine overall. Some good mechanics there. Do a thorough preflight. Lots of salt in the air.

If you go, have fun. Its a great life experience. My only words of advice - Its a small company and everyone hears about everything. The small circle of people that run things can be a bit on the sensitive side so try to tread lightly and remain on everyone’s good side. The company culture is definitely not like it typically is on the mainland. Theres a real “go along to get along” vibe there.

Also, housing and transportation can be difficult to find but it’s important that you make a solid effort to secure those quickly. The company had a car they let people use but its best to not rely on that for too long. Thats one way to get on their bad side.

Good luck to all that go out there and have fun! Its an awesome experience.
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Old 09-15-2023, 09:12 AM
  #109  
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Any chance the discovery flight operation will open back up in the not-so-distant future?
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Old 10-02-2023, 05:42 AM
  #110  
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Position: PA31-350; Left
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Originally Posted by calicanuck View Post
Any chance the discovery flight operation will open back up in the not-so-distant future?
Once Chinese tourism comes back, probably not before.
TwOtter is offline  
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