Avantair

[blueridge71]

I just got a call back from Avantair and was wondering what it is like to work there. I already read the flamebait thread and am familiar with payscales, but I 'm curious how it compares to working at a regional. What are the current upgrade times? How are the pilots treated? Who does the training and what is its quality? Are there Flight Attendants on any flights?

 

[corpflunkie]

I couldn't tell you how Avantair compares to a regional because I never flew for one. As for upgrade time, probably one year (there are rumors flying about crazy growth in the coming years). you will definitely go to many more interesting places here than at an airline. As for how they treat the pilots, I can't complain. They treat you like an employee. Some would disagree with me, but I have been treated fine. they hire you to do a job, do it. If you can't deal with your schedule changing on a dime, or improvising on the fly because things are FUBAR'd somewhere in our system (which tends to be a semi-daily occurence) you won't like it here. The company is growing very quickly, and there are going to be many growing pains. The training is good, but it could be much better. Once the sim is up and running, it should improve. As of yet, there are no FA's, but depending on the rumors,,,

 

[Noodles]

I just got a call back from Avantair and was wondering what it is like to work there. I already read the flamebait thread and am familiar with payscales, but I 'm curious how it compares to working at a regional. What are the current upgrade times? How are the pilots treated? Who does the training and what is its quality? Are there Flight Attendants on any flights?

For comparison to a regional, let me ask you this: Do you like, calls, flows, procedures, having well written manuals to fall back on, and following the FAR's?

As for upgrades, that's a good question. I can tell you the old policy, but I don't know what the new one is. As far as I know, there are no written policies for upgrades.

The ground training is done at FSI. It's 4 days of systems. It's pretty quick, and not very thorough, or wasn't when I went to it.

There are no flight attendants, but there are a lot of rumors about different aircraft that may be come.

As for how you are treated, it depends on what you can work out for yourself, as everyone is handled somewhat differently.

The best advice I can give you is don't expect things here to run like an airline. Your schedule will change every day, and the all of the responsibility is on you (or the captain, at any rate).

 

[blueridge71]

Variety is actually something that I don't mind. At ASA this month, I've got the same crew and the same 4-day trip every week.

I take it that flows, callouts, and procedures are not very standardized? Have you guys actually had trouble with being pressured to break regs?

How is the training in the aircraft? Do you do a lot of v1 cuts and that sort of thing in the actual airplane? Does this lead to high failure rate?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Noodles]

They are trying to work on calls, flows, and procedures, but right now, it's pretty much whatever you want to do and/or say.

They aircraft training is okay. You'll get six to eight hours and then a checkride. There aren't any V1 cuts, just simulated by pulling the power back above 400' agl. The last I heard, there were very few failures. I know they have been doing some training recently, but I don't know how that has gone.

As for pressure to break FAR's, I'd have to plead the 5th. Mostly, it's how much of a backbone you and your captain have. As long as you fly with someone who isn't afraid to say "no," you'll be okay.

 

[mainiac]

Just started, finished training last month, on my second tour now.
Like Noodles said, no V1 cuts, this is a "light twin". But speeds like a jet, altitudes better than a CRJ!

Procedures are coming together, much emphasis during training on 121 type standardization on all calls and flows, with all us FNG's getting drilled on it.
8 hours minimum in the airplane for initial training, with a little additional as needed. All but one person in our class made it through no problem, we had one person washout( I think). The expectation is that if you meet the minimums, you should know how to fly already, instructors just want to teach the specific characteristics of the Piaggio.

My short exposure and experience with the company has been great so far. Excellent co-workers around PIE, everyone is very upbeat, company has a lot of growth happening,and it sure beats my Comair FO position and my other 135 time.. The flying has much more variety, and the hotels are very nice!
Upgrade looks to be pretty quick (I hope), they make a point of stating that they are not hiring F/O's, you need to meet Capt minimums in order to transition quickly. With the growth that seems to be in the works, there will be a lot of room for advancement.
I rarely post on here, but I have found this a great forum for getting impressions, and info. Just weed out the negative, most of which start to sound like the regionals page.

Feel free to PM if you want any more thoughts/opinions.

 

[brewerdog]

I just heard from the CP that upgrades will happen at the yearly recurrent for FOs, "if you are in good standing with the company" you get the training, the check ride and then IOE

the check list is good and there is a SOP they are trying to get out to people as they train

as for me, life is good at Avantair

 

[Flybet3]

Yeah upgrades are at a steady year, actually i met a couple of guys during training that had only been there for about 8 months and were already upgrading. The company might've had its issues in the past like any other company that's starting out, but i've gotta say things are really improving. Like one instructor there this went from a mom and pap business to an "airline". Airplanes are well maintained, fun as hell to fly, the company is growing nicely, everyone that I've dealt with so far has just been great and fun. And well, for some of you guys that might not know, making 6 figuires in a turbo-prop really is nice!! not to mention that having a schedule again is awsome! life IS pretty good around here so far.

 

[Heavy Set]

I see the Avantair P180s all the time in SDL and PHX. I have spoken with a number of the crews and they seem happy for the most part. Sure, they mention growing pains and certain areas that can be improved, but we have to remember the organization is still relatively young - it will (and has to) get better or owners will leave... That's a great incentive to improve things.

I got a good look at the cabin of the P180 a few weeks back - wow, much nicer and wider than my Lear's cabin. The cockpit was pretty modern (of course, my Lear could not be older and more archaic) and I hear newer versions with ProLine 21 equipment are coming. Later, I followed that aircraft out of SDL and I was pretty impressed with its performance.

Personally, I think Avantair has found a strong niche (price point works for people who can't afford Citation Xs or Hawker 800XPs) with the right type of aircraft. I hear Avantair has a number of great domiciles to choose from too including the PHX area - if I didn't enjoy my current job I would consider it myself!

 

[BengalsFan]

Anybody know if Avantair is solid on their 2500TT, or if they allow military pilots to use the 1.2 or 1.3 conversion factor to make up for our unlogged taxi time?