Ameriflight Part 91 Instructing...

[JSky26]

Did a search on this, but really couldn't find a clear cut answer.

I noticed on Ameriflight's website they have an opportunity for a Part 91 instructor job. What's the deal with these guys? Are they respected in the Ameriflight pilot group?

What about advancement? Pay? QOL?

Thanks guys...no flame here...just want some info.

Later

 

[citabriapilot]

Seems like a good gig to me to get up to 135 minimums while also accruing seniority at AMF. Starting pay is the standard PA31 pay, but at time and a half when training. A lot start with 600-800 hours and move up to training captain in the 99 and usually are checkairman in the Chieftain and or 99 after 6 months or so. Some bid for a Brasilia FO position as soon as they can and others stay in the training department while filling in on line flights when needed. I only wish I knew about it when I had 600 hours...

 

[JSky26]

I'm assuming an MEI with PA-31 experience is required? If not, what sort of times are they looking for? I saw they posted 900 TT with 100 dual given, but anything more specific?

Thanks

 

[EatSleepFly]

I'm assuming an MEI with PA-31 experience is required? If not, what sort of times are they looking for? I saw they posted 900 TT with 100 dual given, but anything more specific?

Thanks

Actually the magic numbers are 902.7 TT, 104.3 multi, and at least 115.1 dual given.

How much more specific do you need??

MEI, 900TT, 100 dual given. Right there on their website that you said you looked at. Reading comprehension IS a requirement, PA31 experience is not. Some multi dual given would probably make you more competitive. You might be able to get on with somewhat lower time, but you'll never know unless you try.

It seems like a good opportunity (if you don't mind living in Burbank).

 

[JSky26]

Thanks for the responses.

I don't have quite the TT. All I'm doin' is trying to look down the road a bit.

EatSleepFly,

From your personal viewpoint, what made you decide to get on with Ameriflight opposed to maybe AirNet and becoming an SIC for them? Seems like they hire guys with your time as well over there.

Also, this might be a dumb question but I'm curious if you looked at any regionals too? It seems like the regionals might pay a little more but Ameriflight might offer more stability and better QOL? Do a lot of guys stay on and get their 1000 turbine PIC or jump ship early to a regional?

Thanks again.

 

[EatSleepFly]

EatSleepFly,

From your personal viewpoint, what made you decide to get on with Ameriflight opposed to maybe AirNet and becoming an SIC for them? Seems like they hire guys with your time as well over there.

OK, I was half joking with the "reading comprehension" remark in my post above, but now I'm serious.

You jumped to a lot of conclusions, somehow. I didn't say how much time I have, or that I even work for Ameriflight. I didn't get on at AirNet because I didn't even try. I mostly flight instructed the old fashioned way until I got the magic 1200 hours, and then flew single pilot freight for another company prior to moving over to the one I'm at now.

 

[JSky26]

OK, I was half joking with the "reading comprehension" remark in my post above, but now I'm serious.

Haha, I guess I took you too literally there....sorry bout that. Back to 3rd grade for me..

 

[Hootie9750]

Thanks for the responses.

I don't have quite the TT. All I'm doin' is trying to look down the road a bit.

EatSleepFly,

From your personal viewpoint, what made you decide to get on with Ameriflight opposed to maybe AirNet and becoming an SIC for them? Seems like they hire guys with your time as well over there.

Also, this might be a dumb question but I'm curious if you looked at any regionals too? It seems like the regionals might pay a little more but Ameriflight might offer more stability and better QOL? Do a lot of guys stay on and get their 1000 turbine PIC or jump ship early to a regional?

Thanks again.

Regionals dont pay more. You could easily get get 1000 pic turbine here and two type ratings in around 3 years and make more money cumulative in those three years by far over any regional. Im at first year pay and I make more than any 1st year regional fo and more than most new great lakes 1900 captains. QOL might be better at a regional if you value variety, FA's, easyness of job and jets over weekends off, home most nights, and more money.

 

[JSky26]

Wow, I didn't realize it was almost the other way around with 135 cargo and regionals... I guess whatever floats your boat. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[AdolphOlivrbush]

Get on with a good regional...I can tell you from experience the QoL is much better. ME turbine CREW 121 PIC is the key to the big boys. I flew for AMF and the idea of skipping the regionals by logging 1000hrs PIC in the B-99 is a little far fetched...Folks can go from AMF to the majors, but the numbers are small. JMHO. Good luck.

 

[citabriapilot]

Sure the numbers are small... AMF has a seniority list of just over 200 so the comparison isn't even there.

 

[Hootie9750]

Get on with a good regional....

What's a "good" regional?

 

[RefugePilot]

Get on with a good regional...I can tell you from experience the QoL is much better. ME turbine CREW 121 PIC is the key to the big boys. I flew for AMF and the idea of skipping the regionals by logging 1000hrs PIC in the B-99 is a little far fetched...Folks can go from AMF to the majors, but the numbers are small. JMHO. Good luck.

I agree a hundred hours of turbine in a BE99 may not get you a job in the majors, but neither will 4000 hours of SIC in an RJ. There is an opportunity to get into a Metro or Be1900 in under 18 months at AMF. A 1000 hours or so of this type of time can get you into the majors. There are plenty of people having flown for regionals for over 5 years without any turbine PIC. How higherable are they with the majors?

If you work for Ameriflight you will work hard and many hours, especially if you work for the training department. You will not be able to make the kind of money you could make at this low time at many other places, or have as many growth opportunities. You will be expected to fly extremely well and work very hard. Think of the pace a UPS driver works at, plus flying single pilot, hard IFR.

 

[JSky26]

A good regional? Those seem hard to come by these days, with more and more people flying for crap wages. I hear Air Wisconsin isn't too bad....

Ameriflight does seem like the place to be for a low-time guy. I asked this before but I'm curious what the differences were between an Airnet SIC and an Ameriflight part 91 instructor? These guys basically starting in the same place in the 135 world....?

Later

PS...******************** man, its 4:00 am and my buzz is wearin off...plus I came back from the bar empty handed....anyone else know that feelin?...im feelin it pretty bad right now....anyways...why else am i postin at FI at this godly hour?

 

[AdolphOlivrbush]

SkyWest is a "good" regional. I've flown for AMF, and now I'm at SKYW and I have never questioned my decision. AMF is a good place to get some good IFR experience flying bigger ME a/c before persuing something better. I enjoyed my time there and if I had 600 hours, I think it would be a pretty good gig to get into.

I seriously doubt I'll spend 5 yrs in the right seat here...

 

[RefugePilot]

I seriously doubt I'll spend 5 yrs in the right seat here...

Not at skywest, but upgrades at Horizon and American Eagle are 5+ years. I know of someone who has been with Eagle since before 911 and is still sitting in the right seat.

I am not sure of the SIC program at Airnet. But the part 91 instructor for Ameriflight makes you a PIC and training captain. While you can't fly the line until you have the 1200 hours, you are already getting PIC, and more pay than average, as you are getting paid for instructing. Once you have the 1200 hours you are a line captain and a training captain, and possibly next in line for a Be99. Its a good headstart on a career.

The biggest difference I have seen between them is West coast(AMF) vs East(airnet), and that you get to wear shorts and a collared shirt at Airnet and got to wear a captains uniform for AMF, which has its advantages.

 

[Hootie9750]

SkyWest is a "good" regional. I've flown for AMF, and now I'm at SKYW and I have never questioned my decision. AMF is a good place to get some good IFR experience flying bigger ME a/c before persuing something better. I enjoyed my time there and if I had 600 hours, I think it would be a pretty good gig to get into.

I seriously doubt I'll spend 5 yrs in the right seat here...

I would have to agree Skywest is my pick for best regional. In fact ive had my application in with Skywest for over a year and not a peep from them. AMF is a great place to get some real world PIC experience but even I dont plan on sticking it out for 1000 turbine pic. 5am shows every day gets old.

 

[barracuda]

It's awesome! You get to start your seniority when you do your right seat checkride. That way you can piss of all the line pilots when you get enough time to fly PIC and take their runs away because you're senior. Also, you'll get typed really fast because you go out to lunch with management. And, oh yeah, you deserve it! I mean, flying the line is easy, not like working 9 to 5 instructing. And oh yeah, make sure that the SOP's are followed exactly because with all your experience on the line you should know the dire consequences! Oh wait....well, you get the point.

I kid, I kid, its a good gig to build time.

 

[Lucky13]

If you go to AMF as a line pilot or an IP, just stay long enough to log the time you need to get on at a regional and get out. Don't get sucked in by the fact that you make more money to begin with. Last thing you want is to get stuck in a job because of money. A Metro or B-1900 type won't get you a job at a major (Doesn't hurt). But getting typed in an RJ or ERJ at a 121 carrier and having crew time under your belt will. More guys from the regionals are getting on with Southwest than guys from Ameriflight. The bottom half of the 200 plus pilot at AMF turn over pretty fast. Be one of those guys!

Flying at AMF will teach you to be one hell of an IFR pilot. If it doesn't.....your dead.

 

[Vegaspilot99]

I left a regional to come to AMF and fly the Metro. The days ARE long and 5 days in a row can burn you out...but the pay is pretty good, they treat you pretty well, the job security is good and I like my job now soooo much better than where I was at. There's no way I'd leave AMF to go back to the regionals...not worth it at all, least for me. And at the rate this industry is going all of 121 pax ops looks iffy to me too (except for a select very few carriers). There's just something to be said for being home every night and having weekends and holidays off...4 day trips, no thanks (course I'm picky...I like being home and I pretty much refuse to move eastward). I think this is a good place to be. Good luck with your decision.

 

[JSky26]

Do AMF guys have any jumpseat privileges with other carriers? How is the cost of living in Burbank? Nice town?

 

[AZaviator]

A Metro or B-1900 type won't get you a job at a major

Hmm....try telling this to former AMF pilots who are now at SWA, UPS, US Airways, etc, etc.



AMF has j/s privileges with SWA.
As far as Burbank goes, I don't live there, but know its very expensive and difficult to live there on 1st year AMF pay.

 

[big_al]

Do AMF guys have any jumpseat privileges with other carriers? How is the cost of living in Burbank? Nice town?

burbank is in the heart of "the valley" of LA. you are 20-30 mins depending on traffic away from most areas. the beach, the hills, the mountains. you can live in an average part of the valley for around 800-1000 a month for a 1 bedroom. maybe cheaper depending on what area you want to live in. LA is an expensive place, though.

 

[de727ups]

"ME turbine CREW 121 PIC is the key to the big boys"

Getting an interview recommendation is more (most) important. My F/O last week went from Amflight (1000 PIC turbine) to Skywest F/O for two years, to UPS. I've talked to guys before who went from Amflight straight to UPS, though that was a few years back.

 

[JSky26]

Thanks for all the info guys. This job seems to be a good time filler for the guys with around 600-700 hours that don't have 135 mins or want to eventually fly for a decent regional (i.e. Skywest, Air Wisconsin, etc). Plus it gives you options to advance within AMF as well if that is what you chose. I'm sure that PA-31 Check Airman looks pretty decent on a resume...

 

[EatSleepFly]

Why is it that some regional pilots have it in their heads that everyone wants to be an "airline pilot" just like them and everything else is just a means to get there?

-QOL is subjective. "One man's junk is another man's treasure," you know?

-There are much worse places to be than AMF (many regionals, for instance).

-If your wet dream is to become a regional pilot, I would recommend just staying in the PA31 until you get your RJ job. Anything beyond that would make you way overqualified for any regional.

I know it's hard for some of you to fathom, but not everyone wants to be a hot shot airline pilot like you when they grow up.

No offense to regional pilots- to each their own.

 

[Sevenout]

Why is it that some regional pilots have it in their heads that everyone wants to be an "airline pilot" just like them and everything else is just a means to get there?

-QOL is subjective. "One man's junk is another man's treasure," you know?

-There are much worse places to be than AMF (many regionals, for instance).

-If your wet dream is to become a regional pilot, I would recommend just staying in the PA31 until you get your RJ job. Anything beyond that would make you way overqualified for any regional.

I know it's hard for some of you to fathom, but not everyone wants to be a hot shot airline pilot like you when they grow up.

No offense to regional pilots- to each their own.

Agreed, well said!

 

[Rogue5]

I would have to agree Skywest is my pick for best regional. In fact ive had my application in with Skywest for over a year and not a peep from them. AMF is a great place to get some real world PIC experience but even I dont plan on sticking it out for 1000 turbine pic. 5am shows every day gets old.

I went to interview and got called for the AMF instructor job at around 600 hours (and turned it down for a COEX interview during the groundschool), but that was back before those big buildings in NYC went crashing to the ground.

I ended up giving dual for another 1000 hours more than I would have liked (and begged to get that class date back at AMF: alas, no dice...), but it worked out for the best as I got on with my first choice regional (SKYW) and have moved up here better and faster than I could have imagined.

Looking back, I cannot imagine a better opportunity at the time for my experience level.

I'd say jump on it. It can only open more opportunities for you..

 

[protegepilot]

For the BE1900 and the Metro, do you AMFers fly them single pilot IFR? If so, why is it in 121 world they are required for two crewmembers? I'm confused.

 

[threegreen]

question one: yes

question two: people vs. boxes and a type cert that does not require two pilots