exactly my thoughts

 

spot on....

 

Probably the contract models have changed.. MAISR was R2P2, MARSS was cost plus on a different model, and the USAF programs (corportate ****s kittens if I name them, even though they are named on our own website) have been on the COCO then GOCO models, and are changing in a month.

I think the contracts as a whole are getting somewhat "Standardized" around the DoD, which may explain the type ratings for everyone now, but they've also had to flex on the experience required.

Five years ago, forget about being hired for King Air ISR work with less than 2000 hours, even if it was all in King Airs and the Space Shuttle..

Then about 2013, Avenge started hiring pretty low time guys, but L3 and others held out..

Now? I think if you have a wet ink commercial and a security clearance one of the ISR contractors will hire.. I've seen a definite decrease in the ability of the talent coming through the doors at every place.. Not just MAG or L3. (Both my own observations as the guy who runs the OCONUS training schedule at one company, and friends who are IPs at the others)

I think with the lower time, lower experience SIC onlys coming in to all the major players, having a type rating gives the GFR a warm fuzzy that they were able to pass a legitimate checkride at some point in the desired aircraft.

That said, CAEs checkride isn't exactly onerous.

 

All companies to include L-3 will seek training cost if the employee does <1 year. It's a standard across the board now.

 

Anywhere from 6-12 months is the OPM standard.

 

I have about 2400 hours, about 1900 of which are in King Airs. I have a 350 type and a secret clearance. All my time is civilian part 91/135 stuff. I was enlisted in the Marines with one tour in Iraq back in '04-05. I am currently in the National Guard. Still enlisted. I have some college but no degree. I haven't flown in about 5 years but am about to get back in the cockpit with a local 135 company. What are my chances of getting a job like this?

 

Probably pretty decent if you shotgun your apps out to the different ISR companies (or at least the ones you want to work for). L-3 and MAG seem to constantly be looking for pilots and the groups seem to be fairly happy at both companies. Avenge still posts job listings as well, but guys tend to jump ship from there to the other companies because of issues with thatbcompany. Dynamic Aviation flies 200s and Dash 8s so unless you're hell bent on flying a 350 you could throw in an app there too.

If I was you I'd probably go apply for a pilot position with L-3 now and reach out to KA350HM, since they post on this site, with the job # you applied for to make sure the company received your application package, and then keep updating your application/resume with them as you regain flight currency.

 

I'm not hell bent on flying 350's. I'll fly whatever someone pays me to fly. I have quite a bit of 200 time as well. Current plan is to regain currency doing 135 work. I also have a buddy trying to get me into the UAS field. If anyone has some specifics on deployment schedules and pay with the L3/Dynamic/Avenge type companies please PM me.

 

Start reading around page 39 and up for rotation schedules.

For pay OCONUS for PIC from what I've been told/seen in writing: Dynamic is $725/day and MAG is $800/day... L-3 seems to fall in the middle.

 

For ISR 800 a day plus per diem is what I would expect.

In theory I'm on a 60 on 60 off rotation. But the company is short handed and extensions are encouraged. I've extended twice this tour and for my next trip I've extended also. Plus throw in my annual training at HQ and I'll be plenty busy.

When I applied for my Security Clearance, I was told that I would be deployable after my face to face interview was complete. Not positive but it took me maybe 90 days to get that interview. A co-worker of mine had theirs done in 60.