Airnet Input

[PilotBTS1972]

Looking for some input on Airnet training. I was recently hired and offered a class at the end of the month. I am a little apprehensive about Night IFR in icing etc. Just want to get some input on the training and how they prepare you for adverse situations, flying to mins etc.. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[imacdog]

If your total time is accurate then you won't be alone. Learn from the PIC how to handle different situations. If you have flown the EMB, shouldn't you already have some experience in night IFR conditions?

 

[uscpilot]

Its been five years since I have been though the initial class. I was in your shoes, Im assuming that your time is correct so you will be a prop SIC for a while. The class is pretty good (some might disagree, many are just sore loosers who washed out), they have the NASA (pretty sure its NASA any way) video dealing with ice.
They will go over the systems available on the aircraft, ie pnumatic boots, electrothermal props and windshield (cert for known ice), or the alcahol props and windshield (not known ice cert). They will tell you how to determine how much ice is on the wings, and when to pop the boots. The best thing you can do to avoid ice is change altitudes, in otherwords climb. The instructor should discuss all these tactics and how they apply to the aircraft that you will checked out on.
They are the only company I have flown for. Never flown 121, but from word of mouth our training program is one of the best for 135.
You are also in the very fortunate position of not being put on a line position by yourself right out of class (even if you had the 1200 hrs I am pretty sure that they will give you some IOE time). The experience you will gain in your 200 or so hours as an SIC will prove to be very valuable.
While this job is not without its difficulties, it is probably the most fun you will have flying through out your aviation career.
Good Luck!!
WDR11

 

[DirkkDiggler]

I flew at Airnet for two years before leaving for Air Wisconsin. I can tell you that the training I received at Airnet was far superior to anything we did at Air Wisconsin. Good luck. You'll have a blast. A little trick for dealing with the ice in my opinion (and it always worked for me through 2 winters in Minneapolis) is to climb as soon as you start picking up any ice. You will always be able to descend later if it doesn't get any better up high. However, if you descend to get out of ice, and it doesn't get better, you may not have the option to climb anymore since you're too iced up. Altitude is your friend and remember not to be stupid. Always, always, always have a plan for what you are going to do if the ice is too much and you need to get on the ground in a hurry. Tell Walt hello. His bark is bigger than his bite for newbies. After IOE you'll love him.

 

[starcheckdriver]

Walt is now the DO at JetRide.

 

[Princedietrich]

Yeah, as a freight dog, you won't even be allowed into the inner sanctum to see Walt.

 

[starcheckdriver]

Yeah, as a freight dog, you won't even be allowed into the inner sanctum to see Walt.

Walt is still a freight dog deep down. But, I think the extra Benjamins were calling his name.

 

[Guillotine007]

he needs the extra benjamins to pay for the razors to stay clean shaven. i barely recognized him the other day.

 

[taiar]

Flew at USC for 4 years, and would have to agree with Diggler....

The training was supperior to the Training I got at A regional flying an RJ. Flew for 2 years in MI and IL and across lake Eire and lake MIchigan, Prime Icing skys...

1.Start high, that way you have all the altitude below you to get out of it.
2. Most of the time, the ice is in a layer of a few thousand feet, so you find your way out of it, or like Diggler said, always have plan B.
3.THe PA-31 and BE-58 do a good job dealing with ice and carrying it.

As far as MX goes, Superb MX,both on the props and the Jets.

Outstanding outfit to join great poeple, awsome flying. That was over 5 years ago now, but I am sure its still the same.

Good luck.

 

[StarChecker]

Flew at USC for 4 years, and would have to agree with Diggler....

The training was supperior to the Training I got at A regional flying an RJ. Flew for 2 years in MI and IL and across lake Eire and lake MIchigan, Prime Icing skys...

1.Start high, that way you have all the altitude below you to get out of it.
2. Most of the time, the ice is in a layer of a few thousand feet, so you find your way out of it, or like Diggler said, always have plan B.
3.THe PA-31 and BE-58 do a good job dealing with ice and carrying it.

As far as MX goes, Superb MX,both on the props and the Jets.

Outstanding outfit to join great poeple, awsome flying. That was over 5 years ago now, but I am sure its still the same.

Good luck.

Ditto...if you're gonna do the night cargo gig...there's no place better than Airnet. The experience absolutely cannot be taught.

Every airline should require 135 experience.

 

[Mason]

Ditto...if you're gonna do the night cargo gig...there's no place better than Airnet. The experience absolutely cannot be taught.

Every airline should require 135 experience.

I agree completely. I went through the initial training about two years ago and it was much more comprehensive than initial at the fractional I left for. They really don't play around and take what you do very seriously which is great because of the nature of the job. If they don't people get hurt and stuff gets broken. My experience as a starchecker will be the highlight of my aviation career.

 

[Uppercrust]

Looking for some input on Airnet training. I was recently hired and offered a class at the end of the month. I am a little apprehensive about Night IFR in icing etc. Just want to get some input on the training and how they prepare you for adverse situations, flying to mins etc.. Any input would be appreciated.

At the academy, we trained extensively on icing in the classroom before heading into the sim. It's not something you want to mess with. Check out the FAA site, I believe they have an excellent and free icing training program.