Congrats!!!!

If i understand correctly, you are in California. I have flown the "Beast" for nearly five years. Very forgiving.... of all but two things. If you get really slow (stall speed) be good on the rudder: the spoilers keep the ailerons effective right up to stal and if you are bad on the rudder she will drop a wing. And in ice (I only flew the boot equipped birds) , she will carry tons of weight, but dont let her get slower than 110 to 120 kias or you could get into trouble.

For weight and balance, the UNOFFICIAL rule of thumb was if she didnt fall on her butt when you remove the tail stand, she is in CG.

)This is NOT an approved method) We used to fly into busy airports. 170 KIAS until the middle marker then power to idle. 150. first notch of flaps. Keep adding flaps (25 KIAS below safe speed) until you get them all in. At about 120, the prop will go flat, aim down, and you will touch down right at the 1000 foot markers.

Dont use reverse thrust umless absolutely required. It causes tones of erostion on the prop and can cause stuff to be ingested into the engine.

Enjoy her, she is a graceful, gentle, ol' girl who wont let your down!

(warning: all that I have said here is NOT APPROVED OR AUTHORIZED PROCEDURES. But they do work :) )

And finally, remember these times well: she might be the last bird you actually FLY!

Congrats and enjoy.
Fly Safe.
Blue Skies and tailwinds

208
 

Thanks for all tips guys! I have recently picked up the ASA book, and its a very interesting read.

How effective are the boots on the 208?

Congrats on getting the 'Van position! My first 135 job was also in a Caravan flying freight. When I passed my checkride I had something like 1200.5 TT. :) I really miss that plane; I had so much fun flying it.

I'll echo the earlier mentions about not getting slow in ice. How well the boots work will probably depend on how well they're taken care of. If it's like most freight Caravans I've seen, they're most likely neglected. You'll need a bit of airspeed to blow the ice off. I've heard a technique used by some guys is getting a block of altitude, descending and blowing the boots with the higher IAS. Of course, I heard about that AFTER I left that job, haha.

You'll learn this in training, but I will say it now... reduce the torque a little bit BEFORE pushing the Inertial Separator in, otherwise you'll probably wind up with bloody knuckles. I speak from experience! You'll do it at least once! :D

The Caravan and PC 12 are the most popular single engine turbo-props around.... can't say which one I like best??? the PC12 seems to be a more "passenger oriented" airplane, like an A319..... The Caravan seems like it build to last, a true work-horse, not a beauty but it'll get the job done, like the venerable 727...

anyway, congrats on the job

Photos: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Photos: Pilatus PC-12/45 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Some of the boots are of a very interesting type: You have to let enough ice accumulate in order to seal the holes in them before you can get them to inflate.

Joe

Deliciously Deadly Dough
 

The Van ROCKS like a freakin' death biscuit! :D

One of the funnest planes I have flown. You will have tons of fun. Enjoy!

Hahaha, nice one!:D