Anyone fly for Gulfstream out there?

[treetopflyer]

actually i paid cash

gotta love the stock market

Q: what trains CFI pilots to be airline pilots?

A: pattern flying in a 152

 

[kilomike]

Amen Freightdog!!

Well said, Freightdog!!

I'll take my chances with the sharks in the water before I'll take my chances with something even worse than a little shark, a nasty thing called Cooper, a scab!

Fellow swimmer,

kilomike

 

[starchkr]

Kilomike and Freightdog...

You could always just hop on Chalks... They could at least take you out to the islands, and in a much nicer aircraft.

 

[Timebuilder]

actually i paid cash

gotta love the stock market

Q: what trains CFI pilots to be airline pilots?

A: pattern flying in a 152

It's so good to know that little changes during a few days away at Sun n Fun. It's good to be back.

I'd add to your answer "A" with the following:
(flying the pattern in a 152 is just the fun part, especially on a breezy day...)

a. staying ahead of the multi student who has no clue as he tries to replicate your Vmc demo, or control the plane during a single engine landing. This is much more difficult than simply doing well on your own multi checkride. Try it.

b. teaching instruments in actual on the east coast, taking the instinctive responses you've cultivated in yourself and attempting to make them come through you student while:
1) scanning his instruments
2) monitoring his communications
3) checking for ice accretion
4) asking him questions about what he needs to do next
5) asking yourself qestions about what you need to do next to keep ahead of what is going on with yourself, ATC, the airplane, the student, and the flight as a whole
6) checking the student's skin color for a hint of green, and wondering if the last renter used your spare sic sac for his eight year old

c. answering questions you never thought to ask during you pre-CFI training, bringing insights and understanding to a new level


These are just a few of the tidbits you (in the editorial sense) need to mull over before deciding to PFT. They (PFT operators) can give you turbine time in your logbook, but they can't do more than expose you to their operation using an experienced pilot who has risen to the occasion of training you by virtue of the fact that he is still alive, having survived other "payers" who may have been less sharp than yourself.

In reality, he is an INSTRUCTOR, isn't he?

 

[bobbysamd]

Rich man's profession

I sure liked Checks' comment about professional aviation evolving into a rich man's profession. That was my immediate reaction when P-F-T hit the scene ten years ago. That's when it became crystal clear to me that the only way I'd ever get a regional job was to buy it.

I'd like to add a point to Timebuilder's point b. Along with everything he mentioned, being on a clearance and your instrument student busting an assigned altitude during a climb, and preparing the NASA report after the flight to CYA your tickets.

One more. Being a new CFI and working in a CAP Flight Encampment for selected cadets who get a week of training to solo, Having to cut flights short for one of your trainees who gets airsick during each flight and falling behind. Getting advice and bringing the trainee up to proficiency so he does solo.

 

[Fixin2Lnd]

Checks:

I think there is a reason you are still "spinning" with no rotor. Your "turbine" whirly-bird time means nothing to the majors. You are the type of person, with your age and lacking fixed wing time, that should give Gulfstream or PFT a serious thought. Several helo type guys have seen the light, cut right to the beef of the matter, took their military tuition reimbursement and stepped up to the plate. Think about it; you need fixed wing time. You can sit and whine about kids with their father's money getting "your" job or you can get on with your life and start flying some metal. Don't knock until you try it. I've flown with several ex-army helo guys from PFT outfits. All competent guys. All stepped up, got their time at these outfits and are now enjoying line flying at the majors...

 

[flydog]

All the check carriers, fracitonals and most 135 outfits are hiring. I dont see why anyone needs to whore themselves out to GIA. Most prefer low time guys because they wont jump ship right away

 

[stingray]

I know 6 former GIA Line captains personaly. Why is it that all them have said pretty much the same thing. All of them felt like they where back at flight schools training students again. I wonder why this is? Lets think about this.
Maybe its because a 0 time person can't be trianed to be a proper FO in 260 or 270hrs. These FO's are missing valuable expierence which they should already have to be an FO in this enviorment. And which you can not get in that amount of time.
How many months of flying does it take for these new FO's to actually become competent?
This is why the 0hrs to airline pilot in 6 months or so is complete B.S. and not safe.
I have joked with my passengers every now and then, saying i just got my liscense yesterday. These FO's realy have.

 

[kilomike]

Starchkr,
Chalks sounds like fun!! I'll be sure to take a look at a fun adventure. Thanks for the tip--I'd forgotten about them.

For you folks thinking about pft or gulfstream, why don't you take the money and do something that's harmless fun? Buy a block of multiengine time and take some pleasure trips to different places around the country! It's fun, and you could learn a great deal of flying without subjecting paying passengers to your "timebuilding". Go!! Just GO HAVE FUN and enjoy a Seneca or Baron or whatever, and see this beautiful country!!

Remember, flying can be alot of fun!! If I was a chief pilot quite frankly I would be far more impressed with someone enjoying some time in a Seneca and hearing about your trips and experiences rather than someone buying a job. Going out and buying a block of time is something that you will enjoy, and have wonderful memories and experiences. Even though I don't plan on a flying career, who knows? I might some day enjoy a block of time in a Seneca and make some pleasant day trips. There's a difference, a HUGE difference. I can't think of any pilot out there who would disrespect someone for buying a block of time and enjoying some pleasant trips in a light twin while also gaining multiengine time for the next step.

 

[Fixin2Lnd]

What's the difference with buying a block of flight time from Gulfstream? It's probably cheaper per hour, better quality of experience, and I bet Kilomike, they'd even let you look out the window at the beautiful water and beautiful land. If you were a Chief Pilot you would prefer recreational flying over Part 121 scheduled time?
May your day trips be pleasant...