Star Marianas Air
#71
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
Dburg30...What about the IFA position in the Navajo/pa31...is that something that most discovery pilots get to do? They sent me the PA31 check list recently so I guess it’s part of the job?
Anyway..thanks for the big help you’ve given me!
Anyway..thanks for the big help you’ve given me!
#72
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 29
Some people only do Discovery flights until they reach 500 hours and then they are eligible for the Cherokee Six on the 135 side if they are chosen. The PA31 checklist is supposed to be part of an entire package that they send you with everything (Discovery, Cherokke Six, Navajo Checklist) but you will find out that you don’t have everything you’re supposed to have and you will get a lot of other stuff if/when you come here. They provide the checklist because there are people here with multi that are sometimes chosen to fly the Navajo if they are here enough and meet the time requirements. They ask you for your numbers to see if you meet their requirements but they barely remember what you gave them until you get here and have to show them again. As far as IFA is concerned, it’s not actually a position that is required. You’re only scheduled for an IFA if one of the Navajo Captains is flying cross country to Guam/Rota and the weather is marginal. Most of the time it’s only the guys that have multi time that are asked, and it’s good to ride in the Navajo for familiarization plus you get to go to the other islands on a passenger/cargo run.
#73
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
I have a Multi engine instructor rating, but not current in mult engine aircraft and not IFR current. I have 800 total time. It seems I received more email info and packet from the company on the IFA position than I did for the C172 discovery pilot position. I also did not receive any info on the pa28 other than a check list, and I received no cessna 172check list, but just a POH for the 172. Also received a PTS standards pdf for single engine rating. But I rather just do the discovery flights for awhile to see how it all goes rather than p135 and IFA
#74
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
I have a multi engine instructor rating, but haven’t flown a multi in a few years and I’m not current on instruments. They seemed to send me a ton of stuff regarding the IFA job, and less on the discovery pilot position. Haven’t received much on the C172 other than a quiz and even less information regarding the PA28. I told them I’m not interested in the part 135 side of things for the first contract period until I see how things are.
#75
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 29
I have a multi engine instructor rating, but haven’t flown a multi in a few years and I’m not current on instruments. They seemed to send me a ton of stuff regarding the IFA job, and less on the discovery pilot position. Haven’t received much on the C172 other than a quiz and even less information regarding the PA28. I told them I’m not interested in the part 135 side of things for the first contract period until I see how things are.
#77
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 29
No. It’s a waste of time because you are going to go over it in detail during your ground school along with the check points. Then you will go out and fly the routes in the C172 and the Piper, then you will sit in the back and observe at least 5 flights then do 5 flights with a senior pilot in the back to observe you before they sign you off. You will be more than ready by the time they sign you off lol. Ground school is easy, basic VFR Regis, airspace, systems knowledge and company rules/policies. Nothing to worry about, really.
#78
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
No. It’s a waste of time because you are going to go over it in detail during your ground school along with the check points. Then you will go out and fly the routes in the C172 and the Piper, then you will sit in the back and observe at least 5 flights then do 5 flights with a senior pilot in the back to observe you before they sign you off. You will be more than ready by the time they sign you off lol. Ground school is easy, basic VFR Regis, airspace, systems knowledge and company rules/policies. Nothing to worry about, really.
#79
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2018
Posts: 54
Hey man, I just got an offer from Star Mariana as well! basically same exact situation you were in when you posted this. would you mind helping me out and telling me a how your experience has been so far?? how was the initial training? How are the aircrafts? Was it difficult getting used to the routes and everything? any help would be appreciated!
#80
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 29
Sorry for the late reply, it’s been extremely busy here. So I’ll try to answer your questions as throughly as possible. So far my experience has been pretty pleasant, I came here to build flight hours and that’s exactly what I have done. I got here Feb 26th and as of now I’ve logged about 207 hours. They guarantee 60 hours per month but we are in our busy season so 60 is more like a bare minimum and probably means you’re screwing around and not flying like some people here do. The routes are not hard, it’s just circles around the island with VFR reporting points. Every so often you are asked to take a plane the 7 mile trip to Tinian for maintenance so that’s a route you will learn also. That’s basically initial training, they go over everything in ground school and then do a checkout in each plane (c172 and pa140) to see if you can fly. So far no one has failed. The aircraft are another story, they are old island planes that get flown pretty hard so there is always something minor not working like the landing light or a low nose strut or one of the two radios are not working but it’s nothing that will or should down the airplane since we are flying VFR 99.7% of the time. It’s a good group of pilots with different skills levels so that will take some getting used to. You have a mix of older pilots with more hours that are ok with flying in marginal Bfr and then younger pilots with “wet” commercial licenses that will freak out if the brakes are stiff or if they read the Metal and it’s 110@17kts gusting to 25 (which is actually pretty normal here lol). You will have a harder time adjusting to the island and laid back pace/lower quality of life then you will flying.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
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