I would like some honesty from people that have been hired and started flying for Ameriflight. How do you like it overall? What are your likes and dislikes? What is your schedule like? What do you think of the overall atmosphere within Ameriflight? All the feedback received is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

I thought all new hires went to the E120? That's all they ever show as hiring on their website.

 

Hi!
We recently started a program called the Accelerated Captain Program.
We received a waiver from the FAA and can now accept Captains at 1,000TT. The catch is that the pilots have to have 50 hours with us as an FO first. So we'll bring you in as an FO in one of our BE99s until you reach 1,000TT and 50 hours as an AMF FO. As soon as you meet both requirements, we'll shift you over to left seat of the 99.
Those hours as an FO do not count towards your ATP as shoestrings1229 mentioned, but the hours as a Captain after you reach those 2 requirements do. So depending on what your TT is you are looking at 50-200 hours as an FO.
We have those positions listed as First Officer ACP.
Hope that helps!

 

We also hire folks as FOs in the BE1900 and SA227 in order for them to get to 1200 hours minimum then transition to left seat of the BE99. If they are really sharp, we have taken some up to 1500 hours and then upgraded them straight to the captain seat in the airplane they were an FO in. The first two pilots to do this in the metro just completed their captain check outs in the past couple of weeks and are flying the line as new captains.

 

Respectfully own_nav, but I would disagree on your implication that we have a high rate of aborted starts in the metro. As long as you ensure that the propellers are on the "start locks", I have seen very few aborted starts and none of the ones I have ever had have been related to the engine being a direct drive. The only aborted start I have had recently (as in, the past couple of years) was in BLI about 3 weeks ago. That was because of a bad ignitor box and so there was no ignition and hence no light off. Nothing to do with it being direct drive.

Your other items of concern I will agree with. We have had a few instances of steering issues lately. The roll rate is a bit slow due to the wing extensions and the ailerons not going all the way to the wing tips. (Though the plane still rolls well enough if you just lead the turn with a bit of rudder.) And the brakes on the "light" airplanes leave something to be desired. Though, again, I have never found it to be much of a problem as the plane slows down pretty well just by going into Beta. Several times I have had tower ask me for a braking report and I have had tell them I didn't know because I never touched the brakes.

 

Anyone going to the open house in PDX Saturday?

 

I'm planning on stopping in to check it out as long as my work schedule remains clear.

 

So, is anything entry-level at AMF commutable? I'm about to start applying w/ 600hrs, but would need to commute from ATL.

 

You will need to move.

 

Or apply elsewhere
I can do Alaska for 14/14 or whatever the schedule is, or aerial survey for 6 months on the road. But I won't relocate for that.
I just saw some people talking about commuting contracts at AMF so was hoping it would be doable, but I guess not.