Advise on part 135.
 

New to the board so hello everyone.

I'm thinking about interviewing as a Pilot/A&P with a 135 operator flying a G-III.

I'm researching but must say I don't know very much about 135/on demand flying, as I have been flying in Afghanistan and Africa for the last five years.

To my question: Any advise on schedule, pay, what to expect as both pilot (FO) and A&P? Things I should look for or consider that might be an indicator of a quality organization? Questions I should consider asking during an interview...etc.

Thank you very much in advance for any advise offered.

Need more info to give advice. Is it a larger 135 operator that has multiple aircraft or is it a single owner that leases the plane out?

For GIII FO pay, look under the "Corporate" section of this forum and click on "Link to 2014 Pro Pilot Survey" to get salary ranges. For A&P salary I have no idea.

Schedules can be 24/7 on call to a specific amount of days on followed by a specific amount of days off, e.g. 8on/6off. Pay and schedule are the first two questions you should ask the employer.

Pilot and A&P: ask what they expect you to do in each capacity. For example, they may fly into the bush and like A&Ps so they can sign off MX required MEL issues at outstations to get the bird home. Others may expect you to fly full time and then turn wrenches... including 100 hours/phases. Whatever the case, you should be getting paid more than a comparable NON A&P.

Schedules vary widely. I worked 3 different 135 gigs each with a different schedule: 5/2 nights, 20/10, and 7/7. And there are many more.

Most of the best 135 companies I have seen have quite a few older pilots (well over 1/3). It seems the older guys seem to put up with less crap (poor treatment by the company) and have more options, so they tend to gravitate toward the better gigs. YMMV


(By the way, the word you meant to use is "advice". Advise is the verb: "I advised him to slow down". Advice is a noun and the information: "Being told not to work there was the greatest advice I ever got".)

Dual qualified mechanic and pilot = twice the amount of work. I wouldn't do it based on that alone.

Thanks all.

JSH, darn auto correct. Should of read it before posting. Thanks for the heads up.

Mind sharing the company in question? Are they by chance in HOU?