Cherry Air
01-05-2013 | 12:27 PM
#3
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 15
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I was employed by Cherry Air last year under the Tailwind ownership as the most senior Falcon 20 first officer (the only one at the time). I cannot speak for how it has changed from the “old” Cherry Air, however, I found it prudent to leave. Since I left last July, they have let go their chief pilot, the HR director, fired one of their Captains, and there is possibly another first officer leaving. Therefore, some things may have changed since I left.
The first officer pay is 24k base and $0.06/mile with a monthly guarantee of 10,000 miles. During the time I was there, we didn’t have health insurance, but that recently changed and I am not sure what the details are now. As a first officer, they do an SIC type and you will receive in house training with the sim work at Flight Safety DFW. There is now a 12 month training contract totaling $14,000 and it is not prorated.
I believe they are now operating two Falcon 20s (CCY163 and CCY477). These Falcons and the next ones coming are not RVSM and are not equipped with an IFR GPS, or reliable radar. Also, they will all have the old CF700 engines which means you will be constantly be stretching fuel reserves. In addition, the aircraft I flew was often plagued with numerous intermittent mechanical problems.
As a first officer, there was definite room for improvement regarding quality of life. Management continuously promised a ten and five schedule once new crews were trained. Today, this is still not the case due to insufficient crew numbers. When I was there, we were on call “until further notice” with no set days off. When on call, you are expected to be off the ground one hour from the phone call. So, you can not be any further than 30 min from Addison. This is on demand so there is no set flight schedule. We rarely had much advance notice and you will be continuously waiting by the phone both in Addison and on the road.
Cherry Air did not work out for me, and I voluntarily left. I hope this helps.
The first officer pay is 24k base and $0.06/mile with a monthly guarantee of 10,000 miles. During the time I was there, we didn’t have health insurance, but that recently changed and I am not sure what the details are now. As a first officer, they do an SIC type and you will receive in house training with the sim work at Flight Safety DFW. There is now a 12 month training contract totaling $14,000 and it is not prorated.
I believe they are now operating two Falcon 20s (CCY163 and CCY477). These Falcons and the next ones coming are not RVSM and are not equipped with an IFR GPS, or reliable radar. Also, they will all have the old CF700 engines which means you will be constantly be stretching fuel reserves. In addition, the aircraft I flew was often plagued with numerous intermittent mechanical problems.
As a first officer, there was definite room for improvement regarding quality of life. Management continuously promised a ten and five schedule once new crews were trained. Today, this is still not the case due to insufficient crew numbers. When I was there, we were on call “until further notice” with no set days off. When on call, you are expected to be off the ground one hour from the phone call. So, you can not be any further than 30 min from Addison. This is on demand so there is no set flight schedule. We rarely had much advance notice and you will be continuously waiting by the phone both in Addison and on the road.
Cherry Air did not work out for me, and I voluntarily left. I hope this helps.
Last edited by Jet7; 01-05-2013 at 12:55 PM.
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