Skywest Brasilia Flying & Schedules Out of SoCal

[johnsonrod]

A former flight instruction student of mine is looking to return to Southern California (LA area where he grew up) and he is specifically looking at Skywest (and probably flying the Brasilia at least intially). Can anyone out there answer a few questions regarding flying the Brasilias in Socal?

1. What are the Brasilia bases in for the SoCal flying? Which are junior/senior? Is LAX a base?

2. What does a typical day look like for Brasilia flying - 6-7 legs? Any examples of a "regular day" on the Brasilia out of LAX?

3. What is the likelihood of a Skywest newhire getting the Brasilia in SoCal right off the bat vs. CRJ flying elsewhere in the system?

4. Do pilots enjoy flying the Brasilia around SoCal? Fun or stressful/annoying? Is it a fun airplane to fly? Does it have EFIS/FMS?

Thanks - PMs are welcome too.

 

[viper548]

San Luis Obispo/Santa Maria, FAT, SBA, PSP, SAN. LAX is a reserve base. There's always movement on the EMB FO side due to transitions and upgrades so any of the bases shouldn't take too long to get. PSP and FAT are junior for EMB CA.

I'm not familiar with the EMB schedules but from what I've seen 5-7 legs is probably average. The most i've seen is 8.

The chances of getting a SoCal base is very good if your friend gets the EMB. I'm sure if he voiced his preference for the EMB at the interview, they'd be more than happy to offer it to him. It shouldn't take too long to get FAT in the CRJ, but having to commute to ORD or MKE for the first few months.

I never flew the EMB, but i've flown with many people that have and they all thought flying up and down the west coast all day long is as good as it gets.

 

[sstearns2]

It's a fun airplane. Lots of basic stick and rudder flying skill needed. All the airplanes have the FMS about half have EFIS. If you have 4000 hours, then they're probably going to send you to the RJ. Upgrade for either airplane is at about a year right now if you have 2500TT and 1000 crew turbine.

Scott

 

[johnsonrod]

It's a fun airplane. Lots of basic stick and rudder flying skill needed. All the airplanes have the FMS about half have EFIS. If you have 4000 hours, then they're probably going to send you to the RJ. Upgrade for either airplane is at about a year right now if you have 2500TT and 1000 crew turbine.

Scott

How many legs per day on average? 6-7?

 

[Ben Dover]

I never flew the EMB, but i've flown with many people that have and they all thought flying up and down the west coast all day long is as good as it gets.

Was that before or after MST?

 

[sstearns2]

Legs vary from 2 to 8, probably average 5. I do maybe one 8 leg day a month, but some domiciles do a lot more.

Why do people get so worked up over MST? Just do the best you can with the turn, let united have their 18 minute fantasy and don't stress out about it.

Scott

 

[Tar Heel]

I have a friend who flies for them and just recently got SAN based. It took him about 7 months to get there from his first day on the line and the average is about 5-6 legs from what I have been told. He really enjoys flying the Brasilia.

 

[On Your Six]

I have a friend who flies for them and just recently got SAN based. It took him about 7 months to get there from his first day on the line and the average is about 5-6 legs from what I have been told. He really enjoys flying the Brasilia.[/quote]


That seems to be quite common from what I have heard from former Brasilia fliers out there. Looks like a fast turboprop. I flew on one as a pax a few years back. What is "fun" about it from a pilot's perspective? Is it easy to fly? I've also heard that it is over-engineered... Is it also the type of flying around SoCal that is fun?

 

[Tar Heel]

We flew Metroliners together. I think he found it to be an easier transition. Also I believe he felt flying the Brasilia would afford him a quicker upgrade and a better quality of life. He just really likes the airplane. I have no 120 experience so I cannot fairly answer the question as to why someone does or does not like to fly the airplane. All I know is in regards to the topic that my colleague is happy and felt he made the right choice. I have never heard him say anything really negative about the aircraft.

 

[difete]

It has been a lot of fun to fly it for me. The scenery is really nice, specially sunsets, where I get to hold hands with the Fo and makeout!! LOL...

All EMB come with FMS, and some are EFIS, and some are FIS.

Here is an example of a 4 day trip I just flew:

Day 1:
FAT-SFO-SBP-SFO-SBA-RDM

All turn times above 20 minutes, last two turns at 50 minutes.

Day 2:
RDM-SFO-ACV Both turns above 20 minutes

Day 3:
ACV-SFO-MFR-SFO-ACV

No qucik turns, first turn was 2 hours long.

Day 4:
ACV-SFO-ACV-SFO-FAT

Two turns over 20 minutes, first one had a 1 hour and a half turn.

Payed: 22 hours. All days started between 11:20am- 4:59pm. No early shows.

This is an example from me. I know Socal guys work faster with more shorter legs (eg: lax-ont, or lax-psp, or lax-san) hence the 8 legged days with quick turns.

But I am FAT based, we sometimes get SOCAL trips, but mostly they are NORCAL trips from SFO.

Hope this helps your buddy in making a wise decision.

Take care, and good luck.