Avantair

[Sctt@NJA]

I feel uncomfortable accepting tips. But I could use the money. Should pilots take tips?

 

[Just Peachy]

tips

I feel uncomfortable accepting tips. But I could use the money. Should pilots take tips?

If ya gotta ask.........your in the wrong BIZ

 

[gunfyter]

Tutti Frutti in the Third at Aquaduct.

 

[netjetwife]

Prop, last fall RTS was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article bragging about the upswing in business aviation in general, and NJ in particular. Allowing for production time, it makes sense that we're now hearing about the anticipated deliveries. What's good for the companies should be good for the pilots as well, right? It's a positive sign when the small companies are doing well, too.


A RISING TIDE SHOULD LIFT ALL BOATS


I will leave it for the more discerning members of the board to take what they will from my well intentioned posts. I meant every word that I typed. I chose them carefully. At their core is consideration for others while we exercise our right to free speech. I do believe that it is possible to do both at the same time, and that this forum is open enough to accommodate a wide variety of opinions.
NJW

 

[netjetwife]

I feel uncomfortable accepting tips. But I could use the money. Should pilots take tips?

Though it would be in very bad taste to expect, hint, etc., likewise if you are offered a tip, when you have performed services above and beyond flying the plane, you are completely within the rules of society to accept the tip which you have, indeed, earned, according to the experts on etiquette. The key is the personal services. That's when pilots should be tipped. I researched etiquette rules on the internet for that information. I'm not claiming I'm the expert, though I was called "miss Manners" in grade school.

Sctt, smile and say thank you. To do less would only serve to embarrass the pax and that would be both rude and unprofessional. The pax is the best judge of what they appreciate and how they wish to express that appreciation.

 

[angryoneincher]

I've got the interview coming up. From what I've seen on this forum, much of the company is cloaked in secrecy; I still havent got a proper picture of the place as a whole.

The best advice coming from a person who works there is to look elsewhere for employment, because chances are you will be anyway in a few months, either because you didn't agree with management about something, or because you realized that you are losing your self-respect by continuing on. That being said, the success of your interview will depend on whether or not the assistant chief pilot likes you, not based on your knowledge or professionalism. Keep in mind, for at least a year, they used to pull out an approach plate for Aspen and ask questions about it. Took them a year to figure out that THEY were the ones who were wrong about the missed approach procedure. Wonder how many good people they weeded out over that............ get the picture?

 

[angryoneincher]

So, um, hmmm, what's up at Avantair with regards to airplane deliveries?

Dont have the answer to that, but someone sent me pictures of the new paint scheme for the Avantair Avantis. OMG, we will be flying the ugliest airplanes ever seen in the sky.

 

[brewerdog]

wow, what a change, now it's Avantair clogging the board, not NJA

the plan is to get several new planes but over the next few years, the number I have heard is 1 every 3 to 4 weeks but...

if you want to talk about interviews, let me know

 

[Paradoxus]

hmmmm

Is there some kind of training contract involved? Details?

 

[angryoneincher]

Is there some kind of training contract involved? Details?

unless it changed, 18,000 if you dont give them a year.

 

[RoughAir]

AngryOne:

What was the issue about the ASPEN missed approach?

 

[rettofly]

Avantair Orders

I've got a buddy who flies for Avantair, and I think that he said they have something like 30 new planes on order. Not sure if they are all scheduled to be delivered this year. If so... WOW!

Last I heard, Avantair has a total of 72 Avantis on order. A follow-on for 72 ships was announced at the last NBAA convention; deliveries of this batch are scheduled to start Jan 2008, right after the last of the earlier order are delivered.

 

[corpflunkie]

Angry, I saw the new paint up close and personal. Hopefully, they are only going to paint that one plane in those colors. I don't think many owners will like such a flashy paintjob. As far as interviews, my friend just did, and it was the aspen apch plate, and what he knew about the company. If I understand correctly, our new payscale goes into effect Mar 1. Its not the best, but a definite iimprovement. Oh, and NetjetWife, just go away will you. If we want to discuss a union, we can do that amongst ourselves. We don't need you spewing your crap in every other post. Most of the people here want to give management and the new owner the chance to do the right thing and treat us fair without the extra grief. The previous post regarding deliveries is the same that I have heard.

 

[widespreadpanic]

Is the paint job in question the Ferrari Red one?

If it is, then anyone that has flown it, prior to paint, can tell you it is a POS.
N113SL - You can polish a turd but.....

WP

 

[Dilligaff]

Corpflunkie,

It's my understanding that the new owner is trying to stroke the big-wigs at Ferrari so we will see more red airplanes. I friend of mine was in Greenville and saw a new plane in the completion center that had the usual paint scheme but the blue stripes are now red. Definitely not the ugly red paint scheme that 113SL has.

I also agree totally with what you said about keeping the union discussions among ourselves. I know we'll do what's right for us and the annoying banter of some desperate housewife who has never sat her fat a$$ in a pilot seat will have little impact on what we decide.

Dilligaff

 

[Grizz]

Actually Dilligaff,

She's not fat at all. Not too bad for being married to a homely ol' retired LtCol.
.
LB - don't let hubby see this post. He might decide to come up to the eighth floor and extract some vengance.

 

[netjetwife]

Ooops! Too late. He thought it was funny. 5'6" and 120lbs...hardly fat. The military slam was not appreciated, however. There's a number of former military at NJA...yourself included...

Well, you're safe, Griz. He just called it a night, so he doesn't know you said he was homely. LOL Actually, I think we're a good match in lots of ways. Ask him about our team effort tonight. A spur of the moment good deal.

 

[Grizz]

It wasn't a military slam...

If I can't call one of my buds homely then I'll just give it up.

 

[netjetwife]

No ...not yours. The one about my husband being arrogant and unsafe in the cockpit because he's a former fighter pilot. Previous to Guitar Guy's post, which was very supportive. Helps when you know someone, personally, and their true track record. BTW, Guitar Guy, my husband said "thanks" for your post.

 

[Grizz]

Heading to bed myself. Gotta meet him for the free breakfast downstairs in the AM.

 

[netjetwife]

I hope you're not catching the germs going around. Be sure to ask him how he spent his evening.
It was interesting how it all came about, and very ironic, as well.
Glad to hear things are looking up for you guys!
LB/NJW

 

[Hawkered]

All I can say is that my views were, in fact, changed by Netjet Wife's very convincing arguments.

As for Avantair, I see them as a real example of how a union can get involved and make sure they don't get left out in the cold.

We don't want them being, "The Mesa of the fractionals". It sounds to me like they are really copping a beating!!

 

[RNObased]

Had a chat with at Avantair guy the other day.... He asked why we need two captains on our jet... Told him training.... Then asked him why he needed two pilots at all on his plane..... That shut him up......

 

[Guitar Guy]

No ...not yours. The one about my husband being arrogant and unsafe in the cockpit because he's a former fighter pilot. Previous to Guitar Guy's post, which was very supportive. Helps when you know someone, personally, and their true track record. BTW, Guitar Guy, my husband said "thanks" for your post.

Well, the two of you deserve support and good words.

 

[angryoneincher]

Had a chat with at Avantair guy the other day.... He asked why we need two captains on our jet... Told him training.... Then asked him why he needed two pilots at all on his plane..... That shut him up......

Even though I like the Avanti, that is pretty funny.

 

[country]

I ran into a Piaggio crew, corp the other day and they said the the Piaggio is a quick bird...almost 390 to 400kts in the low 30's and that the thing can fly at 41.0 . Said anything slower than around 120 to 125kts to the pavement on landing and your gonna bend something. Sounds quick. Also said the ground handling can be a little tricky. Basically one of the guys said it was the type of airplane that wants your full attention on takeoff and landing. Any of you fly one of these things? ...whats it like?. Sounds like it could get a little busy in the cockpit if your in a busy area with things going wrong.

 

[angryoneincher]

I ran into a Piaggio crew, corp the other day and they said the the Piaggio is a quick bird...almost 390 to 400kts in the low 30's and that the thing can fly at 41.0 . Said anything slower than around 120 to 125kts to the pavement on landing and your gonna bend something. Sounds quick. Also said the ground handling can be a little tricky. Basically one of the guys said it was the type of airplane that wants your full attention on takeoff and landing. Any of you fly one of these things? ...whats it like?. Sounds like it could get a little busy in the cockpit if your in a busy area with things going wrong.

Dont mean to split hairs here, but 125 is WAY too fast on short final in the Avanti. The book recommended speed is 117 so most of us round it off to 120 as the ref speed. But at 125 you'll float all day. And it will do 390 under only optimal, I repeat optimal conditions. And at FL410 it's a total POS. Have to say though that below 10,000ft. it can be as busy in the cockpit as any jet. Hope that answers some of your questions. All bullsheet aside, it's an amazing airplane for a turboprop, that cannot be argued.

 

[corpflunkie]

Actually, we saw 397true @310 going from KSBA to KMEV this past Thursday. We were empty, with only half fuel at the time. That's still scootin for a t/p.

 

[country]

how does it handle icing conditions. Looks like its a heated wing. fwrd wing?

 

[rettofly]

Had a chat with at Avantair guy the other day.... He asked why we need two captains on our jet... Told him training.... Then asked him why he needed two pilots at all on his plane..... That shut him up......

That's easy: Twice as many levers and half as much glass. :laugh: