500/400A Type Rating?

[88_MALIBU]

What would you do if given a choice to obtain a Citation 500 or Beechjet type for free? I am wondering as an upcoming job would require me to have one. I would obviously not be in the left seat. I am wondering which is more challenging, or if that depends on the training location, etc. I have been in high-performance initials before for a PA46T, but never flown a jet. Any insight from someone who has one would be appreciated.

 

[banned username 2]

What would you do if given a choice to obtain a Citation 500 or Beechjet type for free? I am wondering as an upcoming job would require me to have one. I would obviously not be in the left seat. I am wondering which is more challenging, or if that depends on the training location, etc. I have been in high-performance initials before for a PA46T, but never flown a jet. Any insight from someone who has one would be appreciated.

I would say the CE-500 Type rating would be much more valuable as it covers a much great number of aircraft...

 

[Iflewjetz]

I would say the Citation 500 rating is the way to go. I had the same question in 2002 when I was furloughed. It covers a broader range of models of the Citation. Even the difference between the 500 and the Excel is minimal. I received my type in Dec, 2002. A couple months later I had someone let me do contract work for them on the Excel part 91. The cockpit is similar. I did that for about a year flying about 10 times a month. This then led to a job at a major corporation flying the Excel, where I was typed. I think more companies fly the Citations than the Beechjets, but not sure. Good luck.
Tony

 

[Whale Rider]

From my experiece in Citations, I would say the CE-500 is the way to go. The type gives you access to a greater range of aircraft, and your experience, in it, will put you in the running for the bigger Citations (ie Citation X & Sovereign) Plus Cessna is building a ton of them. Also look at it as "Furlough insurance" later when you get your Dream Job. Keep the Faith.

 

[O-Line]

On the other hand, everybody and there mother has a CE500 type. It's a lot harder to find someone that has a Beechjet type. Plus you get two type ratings out of the deal a BE400 and a MU300.

Just something to think about.

 

[wannab0133]

be400/mu300

get the beechjet type cuz all the a/c(be400/mu300) require 2 pilots(irregarless of insurance requirements), unlike the citations.

 

[guido411]

On the other hand, everybody and there mother has a CE500 type. It's a lot harder to find someone that has a Beechjet type. Plus you get two type ratings out of the deal a BE400 and a MU300.

Just something to think about.

In my area there aren't many Beechjets, therefore not many pilots. I had my type rating less than a month before somebody found out and asked if I was interested in doing contract work.

Also BE400 = EFIS

This COULD play a small role in a future hiring. In my opinion EFIS experience is too heavily weighted by some people. The transition was not as difficult as some people make it out to be. On the other hand that CE500 type opens the doors to more people because there's more airplanes. My advice: go to your closest palm reader and ask her what to do. Her guess will be as good as anybody's.

 

[Guitar Guy]

Also BE400 = EFIS

I'm not certain what you mean by that. I just got a CE-500 type from FlightSafety in November and the Citation Ultra sim we did our training and checkride in had EFIS with a MFD and an FMS.

For what it's worth, the CE-500 type rating covers the following Citation models:

500
501
551
S550
560

 

[O-Line]

For what it's worth, the CE-500 type rating covers the following Citation models:

500
501
551
S550
560

Also covers the 552 , just for trivia.

 

[Guitar Guy]

Also covers the 552 , just for trivia.

Interesting. I got the list I quoted from the FAA 8700 Order. Maybe it was a little dated.

 

[JediNein]

Get the Beeech... Why? 'Cause it's heck of a lot more expensive to get that type versus the Slowtation where some sleezy outfits are still pretending that 1.5 hours of jet time is all you need to get the 500 rating.

Greg Brown's Turbine Manual is pretty helpful if you've never worked with turbines before. Interestingly, I wasn't asked a single question on how the turbine engine works on my type checkride. (I did get that question on the FAA grilling before getting the signoff for the powerplant knowledge test.)

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[guido411]

I'm not certain what you mean by that. I just got a CE-500 type from FlightSafety in November and the Citation Ultra sim we did our training and checkride in had EFIS with a MFD and an FMS.

My point on the EFIS experience was for the actual JOB you end up with, not the type rating. Relatively speaking there are a TON more old Citations out there with round gauges than the very few Diamonds and old BJs without EFIS. Thus increasing the chances that the first job after type training is in a steam cockpit. I wouldn't really call sim training in an Ultra "EFIS experience". I would call EFIS experience actually working in in an airplane with tubes. My reason, when I was in type training using my first EFIS, I didn't learn squat about it other than how to put a flight plan in the box until I actually got in the airplane for some hours. I'll say again though, EFIS experience can bbe too heavily wieghted.

 

[guido411]

I'm not certain what you mean by that. I just got a CE-500 type from FlightSafety in November and the Citation Ultra sim we did our training and checkride in had EFIS with a MFD and an FMS.

My point on EFIS experience was in relation to the job somebody might end up with after sim training. There are a TON more Citations out there with round dials than the relatively few Diamonds and old BJs without glass. Thus increasing the chances that after CE training a job would lead to a CE500, 501, 550 etc without tubes. I wouldn't really call sim training in an Ultra "EFIS experience". I would call experience actually working in the airplane for a some hours. My reason, I didn't learn squat about the EFIS other than to program a flight plan and a hold until I actually got in the airplane. I'll say again though, EFIS experience may be too heavily wieghted.

 

[guido411]

Whoops, posted that twice like a moron. Been using computers since the Apple IIe and I still wouldn't say I have "COMPUTER experience" either!

 

[Guitar Guy]

My point on EFIS experience was in relation to the job somebody might end up with after sim training. There are a TON more Citations out there with round dials than the relatively few Diamonds and old BJs without glass. Thus increasing the chances that after CE training a job would lead to a CE500, 501, 550 etc without tubes. I wouldn't really call sim training in an Ultra "EFIS experience". I would call experience actually working in the airplane for a some hours. My reason, I didn't learn squat about the EFIS other than to program a flight plan and a hold until I actually got in the airplane. I'll say again though, EFIS experience may be too heavily wieghted.

I wasn't calling a few hours at FSI with an EFIS/FMS-equipped sim "major experience". But you will get at least some exposure to EFIS/FMS and if one gets a job in a Citation so equipped, at least you've got some exposure to the system.

 

[mxflyer]

i bought a ce500 type back in 87 and its been all up hill since.

 

[airgator]

What's a be-400 type go for these days? Ballpark...

 

[mxflyer]

$25000-30000