AvantAir again

[mainiac]

Interview reviews seem to go one of two ways. Those who get the job are usually pretty pleased. They post things they did and believe will help others who are trying to get a job succeed. Some of those who don’t get an offer tend to rant about how terrible their experience was. I find it curious that these same people take no responsibility in their part of having not gotten a class date. I find little in the way of help in these posts. They read more like excuses and blaming. It reminds me of Aesop’s Fable of “Sour Grapes”.

As explained during my interview, Avantair is entering its fifth year in business. It began business in May of 2002. At that time they started with 1 aircraft and 2 pilots. These were the Part 91 days. They have since grown to a fleet of 24 aircraft and over 100 pilots. They have transitioned from a straight 91 operator to a Part 91K fractional / 135 on demand charter operator. At this time they operate the Part 23, Single Pilot, Piaggio P180 Avanti and soon the Avanti II aircraft. There are unconfirmed rumors of fleet growth everywhere, including this website.

The benefits they offer are in line with the market they currently share. They are what they are and I understand they have improved dramatically with the growth of the company. I can only assume they will continue to improve as the company continues to grow.

The growth plans are the reason they give for requiring the higher minimums. The opportunity to rapidly transition to the left seat is based your personal ability and is greater than at any other fractional or regional company that I am aware of. They are transitioning pilots at their one year re-qualification ride. Their have been a couple pilots who did not make the transition but the majority do.

My advice: Do your research before you send in your resume. Where ever possible, talk to the pilots on the ramp and get their input. Company references are a big plus. After you send in your resume be prepared for the telephone interview. Not everyone gets one. That would be the time to ask any unanswered questions you may have about the company. Don’t ask the kinds of questions that have answers that are easily available.

The face to face interview is the final opportunity to see if everything is right for both you and Avantair. There are no guarantees. Not everyone will get hired. While some get the call and the offer of a class date, some get a rejection letter. The letter takes longer to get than the call. Flying is a small percentage of the job they do. Pilot skills are only a small part of what they are looking for. They assume you have the pilot skills and perhaps that’s why they don’t require a simulator evaluation.

People, service and thinking skills are a distinctive part of what they are really looking for. An ability to interact with owners, fellow pilots, mechanics, flight center and a multitude of people is the reason people skills are a must in this industry. Grumpy, rude, cocky and obnoxious people with bad attitudes or bad pilot skills need not apply. Nobody wants to work with them and it makes everybody’s day tougher when they have to. The fractional environment is already demanding enough. They don’t want to add to your workload by forcing you to sit next to a pilot like that.

I see plenty of opportunities at Avantair and at the same time there are plenty of other opportunities in the aviation field. Choose the company you want to work for wisely. After all, it is your choice. Thank a Veteran for that.

Thank you, Hazmat, for one of the most articulate posts I've read on this site!

 

[brewerdog]

wow, nice job, not what we are used to reading here