Consider Avantair

[AftCG182]

Now that I've been sufficeintly flamed, I'm going to stop adding to this thread. All I wanted to do was make sure that the folks at the regionals were aware of a great alternative in the fractional industry. I would never criticize anyone elses choice of employment, I'm just highlighting my choice.

In closing, here's a great link for a snapshot of Avantair. The F/O payscale hasn't been brought up to date yet, but everything else is pretty much on target. Keep the blue side up!

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/fractional/avantair.html

 

[DeltaLima21]

Now that I've been sufficeintly flamed, I'm going to stop adding to this thread. All I wanted to do was make sure that the folks at the regionals were aware of a great alternative in the fractional industry. I would never criticize anyone elses choice of employment, I'm just highlighting my choice.

In closing, here's a great link for a snapshot of Avantair. The F/O payscale hasn't been brought up to date yet, but everything else is pretty much on target. Keep the blue side up!

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/fractional/avantair.html

Some people on here love the contstant abuse of their regional job, and dont take kindly to somebody having better QOL on the outside.

 

[Geronimo4497]

The honeymoon will wear off fast.14 hr days, SIC in a single pilot airplane that does not require a type.Lowest pay in the frac market.Have a blast.7&7 my A$$.

Because a 16 hour day with min rest is sooooo much better. For the record, Alpha Flying has the lowest starting pay in frac world (27K to start) in the PC-12. Two pilots ARE required. Check out 91(K).

What do you mean '7&7 my A$$'? That just speaks of ignorance or you are working with old information. Things actually get BETTER over time in this part of the industry. Amazing what happens when we don't undercut each other constantly.

 

[BoeingBaller]

Thinking avantair is a great place speaks of ignorance.

 

[AftCG182]

I know that I said I wasn't going to contribute to this thread any more, but someone just ripped on my choice of employer. That's a bit over the line. Do you speak from first-hand experience that Avantair is a crappy place to work, or are you just blowing smoke out of your a$$? Because in my short time at Avantair, I can tell you FIRST HAND that it's a great place to work.

 

[johnsonrod]

I know that I said I wasn't going to contribute to this thread any more, but someone just ripped on my choice of employer. That's a bit over the line. Do you speak from first-hand experience that Avantair is a crappy place to work, or are you just blowing smoke out of your a$$? Because in my short time at Avantair, I can tell you FIRST HAND that it's a great place to work.

Congrats on the new job. Personally, I have heard some great things about Avantair and I have checked out an Avanti - looks like a great ride. I wouldn't listen to the naysayers out there - they clearly have their own issues if they have to bash others.

Have fun!

 

[BoeingBaller]

Not bashing you at all..Give it 6 months see if you still feel the same way.

 

[RoughAir]

Have been at Avantair coming up at 3 years.

Lets see the happy faces in 6-12 months from now.

I dont know what your definition about "forced overtime" is, but when you get in on your last leg at some obscure airport at 2300L, then pilot services says cant get you home tonight even though you have been bitching all day about getting home today.
That's forced overtime.

However if you like overtime, this is the place for you. I venture FOs can make easy 50K in first year not counting per diem. You like 12-14 hour duty days, this for you, especially when you arrive at hotel at 2200L for a 0600L show the next day with no restaurants at that 2200L hotel and can't take the 0630 L breakfast buffet that AM. So you fly hungry and fatigued for part of the next day.

 

[On Your Six]

I met a few Avantair pilots in a shuttle bus a few days ago. Very nice guys and they really enjoyed their job. Both were ex-regional pilots (one from Eagle and the other ex-Indy). That Piaggio is an interesting aircraft - you can always hear it coming (that whine from the engine is very distinctive) from miles away.

I found this video on Youtube for anyone considering Avantair - a bit goofy but nice views of the Avanti II with Pro Line 21 setup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PozsRQUjem4


I'd venture to say the P180 is easily one of the best looking aircraft on any ramp. Sounds like Avantair, over the long run, could be better than most regional jobs. Something to consider...

 

[Heavy Set]

I met a few Avantair pilots in a shuttle bus a few days ago. Very nice guys and they really enjoyed their job. Both were ex-regional pilots (one from Eagle and the other ex-Indy). That Piaggio is an interesting aircraft - you can always hear it coming (that whine from the engine is very distinctive) from miles away.

I found this video on Youtube for anyone considering Avantair - a bit goofy but nice views of the Avanti II with Pro Line 21 setup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PozsRQUjem4


I'd venture to say the P180 is easily one of the best looking aircraft on any ramp. Sounds like Avantair, over the long run, could be better than most regional jobs. Something to consider...

Cool video. I got a great look at one of those Avantair Avanti IIs lately at Scottsdale. Wow, it really impressed me - both the flight deck and the space in the back. It was far more comfy than my Lear (let's hope the boss doesn't get a good look or I might be out of a job). The pilots seemed happy too - happy to give me a detailed tour of the airplane.

I like the fact that Avantair offers a great product at a lower price point than any of the other major fractionals (beyond Alpha Flying Pilatuses). I think I read that the P180 has better performance than a Beechjet and yet is burns far less gas (maybe on certain stage lengths). That type of performance on shorter regional trips (NE, West Coast, South East, etc.) would be hard to beat. I think there is a huge potential market for this type of aircraft at the lower price point. And the fact that any increase in oil prices is passed along to the customer in a surcharge vs. Avantair covering it (at least on revenue flights) is helpful to the bottom line.

Regional/corporate/135/other fractional (FLOPS) pilots should definitely take a look at this operator IMO. I would look at it myself if I didn't really like my current gig - it has a domicile in my area. From at least a regional standpoint, it has got to be better than most regional jobs!!!!!!!!!!! I hear the upgrade time is quick too.

 

[On Your Six]

That's a slick looking airplane. That Pro Line 21 system up front would make your job a lot easier.

 

[johnsonrod]

Have been at Avantair coming up at 3 years.

Lets see the happy faces in 6-12 months from now.

I dont know what your definition about "forced overtime" is, but when you get in on your last leg at some obscure airport at 2300L, then pilot services says cant get you home tonight even though you have been bitching all day about getting home today.
That's forced overtime.

However if you like overtime, this is the place for you. I venture FOs can make easy 50K in first year not counting per diem. You like 12-14 hour duty days, this for you, especially when you arrive at hotel at 2200L for a 0600L show the next day with no restaurants at that 2200L hotel and can't take the 0630 L breakfast buffet that AM. So you fly hungry and fatigued for part of the next day.

Wow - you should go into sales. Still sounds better than my super-monotonous regional job. I am bored to tears. Give me an Avanti and unlimited routes any day.

With Avantair's growth, at least you can look forward to some advancement in the near term - Netjets might have a 4-5 year wait for an upgrade (even if the salary is better). Hopefully Avantair will respond to NJA's improved comp (if the TA passes) with at least a partial boost to reduce the wage gap. Probably wishful thinking but that would make sense unless they don't mind losing a lot of trained pilots...

 

[Rally]

Is this really true?

Please tell me this is'nt true. If you have a main gear bad indication you have to land gear up? Right? Any Piaggio pilots know? Born in Italy, love the country but the airplanes I've flown in that are Italian are crapola!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLYTSmPO0aY

 

[johnsonrod]

I still think Avantair would be better than any regional. Nice airplane, unlimited routes, pretty good pay. Not a bad alternative if you are starting to hate airline flying... The improving conditions at Netjets will have to have a positive impact on conditions at Avantair otherwise people will leave in droves and management must know that.

 

[bailout]

What? Flying for a regional airline will be to one's advantage when applying to NetJets? Or are you saying NetJets is a better long-term career move, more so than Avantair?

yep, both of those statements are true.