Ameriflight interest.

[mcjohn]

Just met Thad today at AVL. Nice guy. Those Merlins are sweet. I took a gander at the cockpit and all I can say is......I can't believe you guys fly those things single pilot. That's a freakin handful. Might as well be flying a heavy solo.

 

[DirtyBeech]

nah, it's not too bad. honestly, i thought the pa31 was a tougher plane to fly.

 

[mcjohn]

Really? This http://www.aircraftsalescorp.com/adpages/images/331pan.jpg compared to this?
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0760833

 

[EatSleepFly]

Really? This http://www.aircraftsalescorp.com/adpages/images/331pan.jpg compared to this?
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0760833

Bah! That Chieftain panel has no character! Where is all the duct tape??

And two RNAV's? WTF do you need one for, let alone two?? imp:

 

[DirtyBeech]

mcjohn,
I didnt' say the panel was simpler, I said the PA31 was harder to fly. Maybe not so much now, but at comparative experience levels, I found transitioning from a 172 to a PA31 much more difficult than jumping into a bigger turbine. I think anyone who's had the pleasure of shooting multiple approaches at Burbank, Van Nuys, and Oxnard in the Cheiftain would agree. Besides, once you get a Metro airborne...pressurization, lights, steering, flaps/gear...what else is there to do?

 

[mcjohn]

Why do you all call them Metros? I thought it was Merlin.

 

[52Vincent]

I received a call a few days ago after I applied for the position in Puerto Rico they advertised in climbto350. She did not know anything about it. Anyway she said the only bases looking for pilots now was bur and oak I think, maybe portland. Is that true. What about bil? Is there any direct hiring into the 99?

 

[mcjohn]

Thad, the guy I met at AVL, said Portland for sure. 1200 TT and off to Portland you go. Said it was great up there and you gets tons of actual.

 

[RefugePilot]

My impression from what people are telling me is you get hired into Portland in a PA31 usually, they also hire into OAK, BUR, and PHX often but Portland is always in need.

When it is time to move up to the BE-99 you either wait a very long time or you move to SLC or BIL, this can happen in 6-8months. I have talked to 2 AMF pilots who have moved to the Metro in a little over a year.

You can get hired into the turbine but you will probably have to have significantly more time than by working your way up. Also you will only get put in a base where no one else wants to go, like Puerto Rico.

 

[RefugePilot]

Why do you all call them Metros? I thought it was Merlin.

Merlins are the shorter version. The Metro is a 19 seater or 1348 boxer.