Alpha Flying - Fractional PC-12 Operator

[Heavy Set]

Does anyone know or have experience with Alpha Flying (fractional PC-12 operator) out of New Hampshire - near Boston? I have seen the website and I am somewhat familiar with the operation.

Anyone here fly for Alpha Flying? Is it a good place to work - any opinions? What are the pilot domiciles or gateways?

What is the PC-12 like to fly - is it a fun aircraft? Any examples of common trips or schedule (e.g., likely to fly 5-7 legs per day...)?

Appreciate any comments or opinions.

 

[rettofly]

Anyone here fly for Alpha Flying? Is it a good place to work - any opinions? What are the pilot domiciles or gateways?

PDK Epps Aviation southeast Pilatus dealer, full service FBO, and launching point for PlaneSense aircraft
MHT Wiggins Aviation full service FBO and launching point for PlaneSense aircraft

Looks like PDK and MHT are the only crew bases ("launching point for PlaneSense")

I tried getting on with Alpha in 1998 when I lived within 15 minutes of their then main base at ASH. Tried again earlier this year for the PDK base. Got no response to e-mail or snail mail either time.

 

[YaMama]

I know they fly their planes with FOs for insurance reasons, so my guess is that you'd need PC-12 time to get the left seat.

 

[PC12Driver]

I've flown for Alpha for a couple of years. Excellant place to work. Only base is MHT. No domiciles and I believe they want you to live local. We have nothing to do with Epps in PDK. PC12 is terrific airplane to fly. 4 tube efis, Bendix MFD with EGPWS, TCAS I, uplink weather, etc. Reasonably fast (250 kts all day and 260-265 at 160-240). Everyone works a 6 on 4 off schedule. No typical day. Everything from stay home we don't need you, to 7 leg day with minimum time between turns. We do the typical local stuff (BED-ACK, ACK-BDR, BOS-LGA) and plenty of long range (HPN-MIA, PBI, CRG and the like). It's not unusal to be gone 4-6 days on a row and in the summer time have 6 day trips back to back. Nice variety of places and just when you are getting tired of the short day trips, winter comes and we start the florida trips. PM if you have any other questions.

 

[B6Busdriver]

I interviewed there in January 2002 right after I was furloughed. Everyone seemed quite friendly. I was impressed by the operation; it seemed very professional. In the end I was told I wasn't hired because they were afraid of furloughees from other airlines coming and going. No regrets, seemed like a pretty nice outfit overall.

 

[rajflyboy]

Has there been any Known Engine Failures on the PC 12???


Seems like a Major risk to fly a Single Engine Aircraft Hard IFR like that on a Regular Basis! The PT6 is a good engine >> but your throwing a lot of faith in it when you only have 1!

 

[YaMama]

Engine failures ...

There was one in northeastern Canada a few years ago - they crashed in a swamp, or in the ocean maybe, I can't remember. Might've been a ferry flight from Europe?

Hey, at least it's a turbine! There are plenty of people (freight dogs) flying hard IFR in piston singles. And that PC-12's got a pretty nice glide ratio ...

I wouldn't want to fly it across the North Atlantic every week, but hard IFR over land =

 

[Da Man]

Also one that ditched somewhere between the West Coast and Hawaii, plus a fairly recent one in NJ (I think Morristown) shortly after take-off. I don't think any resulted in fatalities.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

I think there is only one that was a true engine failure. Happened on climb out and they made it back to the airport, landed long and slid off the end.

The one that ditched in the ocean is suspect when you read the report. According to what I read, the pilot said that the ITT was fluctuating badly so he shut it down!! I don't care what was happening inside the engine, if it was still producing power there is no way a normal person would cage it over open water when that is all you have. After reading the report I would bet that it is at the bottom with nothing but saltwater in the fuel tanks.

We used to operate a PC-12 and it was a good plane. Most of the incidents were pilot error. ( off the end of runway, x-wind incidents etc...) Not many of the PC's are operated by professional pilots. Most are owner operator. I have seen a couple flown by peeps that I would not trust in a 150.

Having said that, it is a good plane with a reliable engine but it still is a single. Not many options in heavy weather if one does quit. But on the flip side you get B-200 speed with half the fuel and better range and load ability. not many airplanes will give you 265 kts on 60 gallons an hour.

 

[YaMama]

After reading the report I would bet that it is at the bottom with nothing but saltwater in the fuel tanks.

Well, at least he was smart enough to plan his fuel starvation over deep water...

 

[rajflyboy]

This is an interesting Topic to say the least!

How much is a quarter share in a PC 12 and what kind of hourly cost is involved?

 

[Flyingdutchman]

hourly cost is involved?...

+/- $350 p/h

 

[rajflyboy]

Thats Not So bad! You must get a lot of Trips to Nantucket and Martha's Vinyard!

 

[AceCrackshot]

A PC-12 was lost in MO a while back...came out of the sky like a lawn dart and drilled itself into the ground. Anyone know the cause?

This would be about the normal time I would start ranting about owner/operators and hobby aviators, but...

 

[NotFurloughed]

First off...Alpha is a good place to work...they've been in business for a while so they aren't experiencing the growing pains anymore...

Second...they have a HUGE benefit if being the leading service center for the Pilatus in the country...I think the Alpha fleet operations are approaching something like 25-30,000 hours without incident...not bad for a little single...says something about the company too..

The accident in NJ (TTN) was an engine failure on TO at 800'...number 1 bearing failure...pilot turned it around, landed and all walked away...largest damage was done by the rescue crew who essentially totalled the aircraft with their equipment trying to move it...bearing failure blamed on arcing from Gen 1, although that has never been proved...an AD has been issued however...

Accident in Canada was essentially pilot error...and the one in MO last summer was a pilot who was a little over their head as far as aircraft/wx, etc...

If you can get on with AFI it may very well be the cushiest flying job out there...decent pay, great benefits good work environment, home quite often...and so on...IF you can get past the single-engine thing...to each his (or her) own...

In case you are all wondering, I am not an employee of Alpha...just an outside person with a respect for the company...

 

[PC12Cowboy]

The Missouri accident A/C used to reside in our hanger in Vacaville at the NUT TREE , and the pilot that ought fauiled the IFR portion of the check ride and we think he didnt activate the icepusher mode and flew into heavy ice!!...but we thought the airplane went down in a lake???hmm
The PC 12 is Fun to operate and will go places that most would never imagine and you should see the looks on thier faces in the back country

 

[PC12Cowboy]

oppppsssss who bought it Failed lol pleas insert correctly good pilot piss poor typist lol

 

[PC12Cowboy]

Also we are looking for a buyer for 1/2 or 1/4 of a 2001 PC12-45 series 9 A/C on the west coast in the bay area

 

[mach.32]

Okay, sounds like a nice place, what is upgrade time like? Do they hire straight into Captain position? And what is the pay like? Any answers would be appreciated.

 

[NotFurloughed]

alpha...

Rarely does alpha hire into the left seat from outside of the company..they prefer to promote from within...although you never know...

starting pay for PIC for the first 6 mo. is 35,000 then 40,000 for the next 6 months...second year 44, third 50, fourth 54 or 55 and fifth is 60...not too high, but it's a fairly easy flying job...