Star Marianas Air
#81
New Hire
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Posts: 7
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.
-N4437X
#82
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,401
You'll definitely build a lot of time there. I had a great time living in both islands. Simple life and super chill. Enjoy there man! Tell Joel, Scott, Jun-san, Yui-san, Tom, Mike, Juanito, Herlena, Charito, Sir Jorge, Brandon, Jerald, Rose, Heidi, and the mechanics i said Hi.
-N4437X
-N4437X
#84
New Hire
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
At first you fly a 172 and Cherokee’s. You can move up to the Cherokee 6 based on the needs of the company, your desire to fly cherokee6, hour requirements, and seniority... it’s not a set amount of time. You can start getting some xc time after moving over to Cherokee 6.
#85
New Hire
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 3
Hiring at STAR
Wondering what current guys are getting hired at (times) at STAR? I'm 275 hours TT with a 'wet' CSEL and Instrument rating. I have +100 C172s time and +25 PA28-161. Planning on adding on CMEL soon. I have my FOI and FIA written completed and trying to make a plan as to starting a CFI course or if an opportunity at STAR is a realistic where I am?
I also have a 4-year accounting degree if they care at all about "formal" education.
Thanks in advance for anyone who throws out a reply.
I also have a 4-year accounting degree if they care at all about "formal" education.
Thanks in advance for anyone who throws out a reply.
#86
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Question
Can you provide insight into the video interview process?
Greetings all!
One week in my gig w/ Star Marianas Air, after 40 plus hours of travel time, a huge time zone change, and sweating pounds off already I made it through my first week. And I love it! First off the islands are beautiful but very hot! The management is very friendly along w/ the fellow pilots! The planes are island planes, no GPS, usually only one radio, and they are old. However m/x is really on top of everything and stuff gets fixed quickly. 4 flying days in and I got 25 hours, so you'll be doing loads of flying. I stayed in the company apartment for the week, but the pilots recommended a lot of places to stay so it was easy finding an apartment. Finding a car is a little more difficult, will probably have to rent for a while. So far I really like the job, it's very different from the mainland but it's a really neat first gig. Good luck to all who are considering it. Let me know if you have any questions.
One week in my gig w/ Star Marianas Air, after 40 plus hours of travel time, a huge time zone change, and sweating pounds off already I made it through my first week. And I love it! First off the islands are beautiful but very hot! The management is very friendly along w/ the fellow pilots! The planes are island planes, no GPS, usually only one radio, and they are old. However m/x is really on top of everything and stuff gets fixed quickly. 4 flying days in and I got 25 hours, so you'll be doing loads of flying. I stayed in the company apartment for the week, but the pilots recommended a lot of places to stay so it was easy finding an apartment. Finding a car is a little more difficult, will probably have to rent for a while. So far I really like the job, it's very different from the mainland but it's a really neat first gig. Good luck to all who are considering it. Let me know if you have any questions.
#87
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Question
Can you provide any insight into the video interview process?
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!
#88
New Hire
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Hey when is busy season for you guys at Star?? Wanting a time building adventure with my wife, seems like a pretty cool gig. I am a CFI currently, but i'd love to have an opportunity like this before I head to a part 121. Im wanting to get over there hopefully at the end of the august, or just any time mid to late summer. And for those of you that have flown the twins over there, what are the chances of upgrading to the PA-31? Let me know, Thanks
#89
New Hire
Joined APC: Sep 2020
Posts: 1
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.
I've been teasing with the idea of heading out there to build some hours, I have never been a fan of the CFI route. A few questions I had that I haven't seen mentioned:
Is there a minimum length or contract length required?
Are they strict on the 100 hours xc for employment for Discovery Flights?
Can we still take the FOI after accepting job as long as we have it prior to arriving? -what is the purpose of the FOI requirement?
Their Flight Crew Opportunities page mentions relocation assistance, do we have to provide transportation there, or is this a new offering?
Thanks for all the great info you've shared here!!!
#90
New Hire
Joined APC: Jul 2021
Position: E175 & FO
Posts: 7
Interview questions?
Hello fellow pilots!
If there is anyone who's employed recently by STAR, I was wondering what kind of questions they ask during a Skype interview? And also, how is the operation going at STAR right now? I'm just assuming it's not quite busy due to the pandemic? Or is it just getting busier because of the vaccine? Thanks in advance, I appreciate it!
If there is anyone who's employed recently by STAR, I was wondering what kind of questions they ask during a Skype interview? And also, how is the operation going at STAR right now? I'm just assuming it's not quite busy due to the pandemic? Or is it just getting busier because of the vaccine? Thanks in advance, I appreciate it!
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