4-6 Weeks to fly a C402? That could be pared down to about 5-6 days.

When did you interview for the Nov class?

Granted there is a lot of down time during training, but I wouldn't want anybody flying my family single pilot in the northeast winters with only 5-6 days of training in type. It's not as easy of a job as you think it is, let me tell you.

Correct me if I'm wrong 9k, but don't all new Captains fly with a FO for their first 50 or 100 hours anyway? That seems like a good cushion that would pad a reduced training track. I'm not going to disagree with you on the NE winters though...

That is correct, high mins lasts for 100 hours, during which you fly with an FO unless you go VFR, then you can dump the FO if you have 9 pax. However, all that training is still very relevant, considering that single pilot CRM has a lot more to do with habit patterns and flow usage. Like any airplane you get used to it after a while, but when it hits the fan, it's far more difficult than anything I've encountered part 121. Quite a fun job though.

That, my friend, is why Cape Air is still around after 24 years and just about every other fly-by-night 135 outfit has gone under. You have to actually give a "hoot" about safety. You'd be astounded at the washout rate from that 4-6 weeks of training. I'm sure those washouts got jobs flying 135 elsewhere with 5-6 days of training and a hearty "good luck out there!"

You have no idea about Cape Air do you?

ATL job fair Sept 14. Offered Sept 20. Class starts Nov 4....very excited. Was told 4 or 5 captains & 5-7 FOs maybe

Is about 1/3 of the 402 fleet still equipped with Garmin 430's(according to the APC page) or have they outfitted the whole fleet with them now?

Now it's about 5/6 of the fleet that have them.