SATSair

[deadstick]

I friend was asking about this company, but I had no info. Any good/bad/ugly experiences out there? The only thing I have seen is that they are always looking for pilots.

Did the search and found mostly old info. Also, seems their time requirement shot up. He emailed the ad (dtd 10/7) to me with 1500TT min, ATP, etc, and now (dtd 10/9) climbto350 has it at 2700TT (for a single!). Did something happen?

Thanks.

 

[G-force]

The 411 on SATSAir@GMU

I friend was asking about this company, but I had no info. Any good/bad/ugly experiences out there? The only thing I have seen is that they are always looking for pilots.

Did the search and found mostly old info. Also, seems their time requirement shot up. He emailed the ad (dtd 10/7) to me with 1500TT min, ATP, etc, and now (dtd 10/9) climbto350 has it at 2700TT (for a single!). Did something happen?

Thanks.

Unless this outfit is COMPLETELY DIVORCED from RHINO Aviation,you are better off moving on to the next prospective employer.

Also keep in-mind that this Cirrus SR-22,may have a very modern panel, but it is NOT certified for known-icing under PT.135.The parachute equippment on this aircraft is NOT a guarantee against DEATH,although the company will say it is.

Good Luck!!!

 

[G-force]

SATSAir cont'd

Pilots at this outfit must sign a PFT contract for $6500.00.(unless things have changed most recently).The training is NOT worth this amount!!! we are talking about a SE-land aircraft.About $1500.00 is more like it!!!

 

[deadstick]

Pilots at this outfit must sign a PFT contract for $6500.00

It's Oct 11. Not April 1. Is that for an SR22 SIC check-out?

 

[G-force]

SIC in a Cirrus??????

It's Oct 11. Not April 1. Is that for an SR22 SIC check-out?

Put the Kool-Aid down!!!This is a SE-land aircraft with a crew of ONE,which indicates PIC under PT. 135.
Try reading the reg's,you will learn something!!!

 

[deadstick]

Gee, G-farce,

Somebody takes him/herself WAY too seriously. Let me help you translate...

"It's Oct 11. Not April 1."
--> "Sounds like an April Fools joke charging $6500 for a SR22 check out."

"Is that for an SR22 SIC check-out?"
--> "Please refer to above reference to April Fools Day and the OBVIOUSLY (to other people) sarcastic reference to other shadey 135 SIC programs."

"Try reading the reg's,you will learn something!!!"
--> "I have my head so far up my ssa that I can read myself. Please help me."

Get a grip.

 

[ClassG]

Sic Ifr

G-FORCE wrote:
Put the Kool-Aid down!!!This is a SE-land aircraft with a crew of ONE,which indicates PIC under PT. 135.
Try reading the reg's,you will learn something!!!

Well here they are:
§ 135.101 Second in command required under IFR.

Except as provided in §135.105, no person may operate an aircraft carrying passengers under IFR unless there is a second in command in the aircraft.

§ 135.105 Exception to second in command requirement: Approval for use of autopilot system.

(a) Except as provided in §§135.99 and 135.111, unless two pilots are required by this chapter for operations under VFR, a person may operate an aircraft without a second in command, if it is equipped with an operative approved autopilot system and the use of that system is authorized by appropriate operations specifications. No certificate holder may use any person, nor may any person serve, as a pilot in command under this section of an aircraft operated in a commuter operation, as defined in part 119 of this chapter unless that person has at least 100 hours pilot in command flight time in the make and model of aircraft to be flown and has met all other applicable requirements of this part.
(b) The certificate holder may apply for an amendment of its operations specifications to authorize the use of an autopilot system in place of a second in command.
(c) The Administrator issues an amendment to the operations specifications authorizing the use of an autopilot system, in place of a second in command, if—
(1) The autopilot is capable of operating the aircraft controls to maintain flight and maneuver it about the three axes; and
(2) The certificate holder shows, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that operations using the autopilot system can be conducted safely and in compliance with this part.
The amendment contains any conditions or limitations on the use of the autopilot system that the Administrator determines are needed in the interest of safety.

I believe the above regs indicate that an SIC is ALWAYS required under IFR, passenger-carrying ops in Part 135 unless the op-specs provide a WAIVER and ALSO list a certified autopilot in the specific aircraft, which MUST be installed and operational at the time of the operation AND must be tested and checked for use by the PIC in question prior to it's use under IFR Part 135.

That said, any passenger carrying IFR aircraft under Part 135 MAY need an SIC in order for the aircraft to be utilized for it's intended purpose. The is regardless of the Single-Pilot certification the FAA has given the aircraft.

Sorry, just trying to read the regs.

ClassG

 

[G-force]

About SIC's & use of autopilots

G-FORCE wrote:
Put the Kool-Aid down!!!This is a SE-land aircraft with a crew of ONE,which indicates PIC under PT. 135.
Try reading the reg's,you will learn something!!!

Well here they are:
§ 135.101 Second in command required under IFR.

Except as provided in §135.105, no person may operate an aircraft carrying passengers under IFR unless there is a second in command in the aircraft.

§ 135.105 Exception to second in command requirement: Approval for use of autopilot system.

(a) Except as provided in §§135.99 and 135.111, unless two pilots are required by this chapter for operations under VFR, a person may operate an aircraft without a second in command, if it is equipped with an operative approved autopilot system and the use of that system is authorized by appropriate operations specifications. No certificate holder may use any person, nor may any person serve, as a pilot in command under this section of an aircraft operated in a commuter operation, as defined in part 119 of this chapter unless that person has at least 100 hours pilot in command flight time in the make and model of aircraft to be flown and has met all other applicable requirements of this part.
(b) The certificate holder may apply for an amendment of its operations specifications to authorize the use of an autopilot system in place of a second in command.
(c) The Administrator issues an amendment to the operations specifications authorizing the use of an autopilot system, in place of a second in command, if—
(1) The autopilot is capable of operating the aircraft controls to maintain flight and maneuver it about the three axes; and
(2) The certificate holder shows, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that operations using the autopilot system can be conducted safely and in compliance with this part.
The amendment contains any conditions or limitations on the use of the autopilot system that the Administrator determines are needed in the interest of safety.

I believe the above regs indicate that an SIC is ALWAYS required under IFR, passenger-carrying ops in Part 135 unless the op-specs provide a WAIVER and ALSO list a certified autopilot in the specific aircraft, which MUST be installed and operational at the time of the operation AND must be tested and checked for use by the PIC in question prior to it's use under IFR Part 135.

That said, any passenger carrying IFR aircraft under Part 135 MAY need an SIC in order for the aircraft to be utilized for it's intended purpose. The is regardless of the Single-Pilot certification the FAA has given the aircraft.

Sorry, just trying to read the regs.

ClassG

The Cirrus SR-22 comes equipped with an AFCS,otherwise ,how would it be ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE in a PT.135 operation????If the reg's say you can dispense with an SIC and substitute an authorized AFCS,then only a PIC is required.This is in pax-carrying operations PT.135,not PT.91.

At $400.00/Hr.charter rate(which is what is being charged to customers),one might be able to make a PROFIT with this aircraft.

 

[brett]

In case anyone's interested in answers to the original questions:

The reason we're always hiring is mainly due to expansion and growth. We're opening new domiciles and getting more planes.

The pro-rated training contract is no more.

It's a great company; solid leadership, excellent mx, customers are thrilled and keep coming back for more and sending their friends.

Hiring mins are 1500 TT 100 night, 100 XC -- garmin 400/500 series and/or Cirrus or other EFIS experience preferred. Customer service/people skills a must!

If interested apply to chief pilot, gary.wood@satsair.com

 

[BoilerUP]

Is the pay prorated higher for pilots in the east-coast domiciles?

 

[brett]

There's supposed to be a COLA for some of the higher priced areas. I don't know any specifics.

Is the pay prorated higher for pilots in the east-coast domiciles?

 

[learflyer]

Do you have any pilots near or over that 220 lb weight restriction?:blush: Er...Umm....I've got a friend that wants to know.

 

[G-force]

A lot Of ADVERTISING:The real REASON

In case anyone's interested in answers to the original questions:

The reason we're always hiring is mainly due to expansion and growth. We're opening new domiciles and getting more planes.

The pro-rated training contract is no more.

It's a great company; solid leadership, excellent mx, customers are thrilled and keep coming back for more and sending their friends.

Hiring mins are 1500 TT 100 night, 100 XC -- garmin 400/500 series and/or Cirrus or other EFIS experience preferred. Customer service/people skills a must!




If interested apply to chief pilot, gary.wood@satsair.com

This outfit is just HARD-UP to get anyone with a certificate to fill their postions,but they MIGHT have a JET in TEN YEARS!!!!!!

 

[Flywrite]

I'd like to add a few observations based on my recent experience in a non-flying job at SATSair.

They have plenty of people interested in flying there.

Some may think the pay is low, but it quickly moves to the low-mid 30s, which compares pretty well to what some Part 135 King Air drivers make in this area.

Crew meals are provided if there isnt a break in a pilot's day, and a day room is provided if there is a long break.

Pilots are put in decent hotels, up to and including Crown Plazas.

Rental cars are provided if there is not a convenient way for a pilot to get dinner, or if there is a long layover.

Days off are days off, and they are spent at home. If a pilot spends a day in a hotel not flying, that is NOT considered a 'day off'. Im my experience so far, pilots are not asked to fly on their days off.

If a plane breaks it gets fixed.

If a pilot gets tired he gets a hotel.

Crew rest/duty is carefully monitored to make sure guys dont get worn out. Duty days over 12 hours need management approval to be scheduled.

14 hours is the limit, period. If a passenger is late they are stuck.

At the moment pilots frequently spend their 5 days on the road, but as staffing levels go up the goal really is to go to a 4 on/3 off schedule.


G-Force, you obviously had a bad experience with SATSair, but from what I've seen of the company it seems that either things have changed, or the problems were more you than the company. Your inability to let go and move on makes it seem likely that it is the latter.

 

[Boris Badenov]

er. What am I missing here? I make $35k/year to fly a single with ice protection, I'm home every night, I can dress like I'm homeless, don't have to deal with "customers", every weekend off. Heck, my wheels even retract.

Where do I work? Cargo. 1200 hours and a pulse.

Seriously, I'm honestly curious, as I've never flown people. But at that pay and lifestyle, what's the draw?

 

[brett]

1. Got hired in my home town. SATS hires to the base instead of uprooting people and shuffling them around.

2. Exciting to be part of an emerging market within a company that is energetic and successful.

3. I like interracting with the customers; get to meet a lot of interesting people.

4. Get to go to many, many different places. This can get tiring and add to the workload sometimes, but keeps it interesting.

I would probably be happy doing what you are doing too. Never flown a plane I didn't like; they all take you to the same sky.

"1200 hours and a pulse" I don't think so. It takes a lot of skill and more important, judgement, to do what you're doing.

All in all, I think most flying jobs are good; people complain too much and get spoiled.

- Brett

er. What am I missing here? I make $35k/year to fly a single with ice protection, I'm home every night, I can dress like I'm homeless, don't have to deal with "customers", every weekend off. Heck, my wheels even retract.

Where do I work? Cargo. 1200 hours and a pulse.

Seriously, I'm honestly curious, as I've never flown people. But at that pay and lifestyle, what's the draw?

 

[Nolife]

Seriously, I'm honestly curious, as I've never flown people.

I thought it would be cool as well. Compliments on my smooth landings, my Race Bannon pilot skills, and my smelly egg farts .

Just kidding about the farts...(maybe)... but after two or three trips you forget they're back there after you give them the brief and such. The old adage that boxes don't complain goes both ways as in... "what do you mean it's below mins... my meetings is in one hour... the radar can't be right... duty time? you've been sitting around all day"... and so on. There's something to be said for scheduled box haulin'.

 

[Catnhat]

1. Got hired in my home town. SATS hires to the base instead of uprooting people and shuffling them around.

Can you explain this a bit more? You go t hired in your home town because you were lucky enough to live somewhere an aircraft was "hangared"? Or do they place an aircraft where the pilots live?

Is the location of aircraft listed anywhere?

 

[brett]

I already knew where I was moving and it just happened that their main base was 30 minutes away; (Greenville). The way they hire is they decide they need a pilot in X town and they advertise, "we need a pilot in X, or within 60 minute drive." You pick up a plane in Greenville, and take it with you to your home base until it's due maintenance again, then you are scheduled back through GMU again and you return it for a fresh one. Our CEO just announced at NBAA yesterday that we have ordered 50 more planes with options for 50 on top of that, so we're about to triple in size.

Many bases opening up in Florida, fleshing out a little more some of the places we are already, and reaching further into Tenn/Kentucky, Alabama as well.

1. Got hired in my home town. SATS hires to the base instead of uprooting people and shuffling them around.

Can you explain this a bit more? You go t hired in your home town because you were lucky enough to live somewhere an aircraft was "hangared"? Or do they place an aircraft where the pilots live?

Is the location of aircraft listed anywhere?

 

[Pattern-Master]

I just applied to Satsair, any word how long it takes to hear back from them?