Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

Best Contract Pilot Type Rating

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web
Register   Log in
R

ROSWELL41

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 20, 2005
Posts
467
Hypothetical Scenario:
Someone is going to give you a corporate aircraft type rating. You have no time in type to date, but have 2500TT and over 1000 hrs Jet SIC. What aircraft would you choose and why? Assume you wanted to try and make some $$ as a contract pilot/copilot.
 
I would guess one would have to ask several questions, first. Since the size of the aircraft will determine the type of flight mission it suits best, you need to figure out if you like flying shorter or longer flights, factor in your overnights, etc. Are you looking to work in as many places possible, or just out of the bigger airports and corporate 'hub' locations? The Citation would work well in more places, but if you're looking for overseas or long flights, you'll want something bigger. These things you've already thought of, I'm sure. More bigger, current airframes demand better pay. 737 types are cheaper than many small corporate jet ratings, too. Things to think about.

Good luck

Ronin
 
Money in the short run: Sovereign or Challenger 300. Citation typed guys are a dime a dozen - supply and demand.

Yes, I have a Citation type.
 
I think it will be pretty hard to get much work with a type but no time in type.
 
sleepy said:
I think it will be pretty hard to get much work with a type but no time in type.
Click to expand...

I can't believe it took 4 posts to get the here. He's right, with no time in type it will be tough to find much work. Go with what you've got the SIC time in.
 
svcta said:
I can't believe it took 4 posts to get the here. He's right, with no time in type it will be tough to find much work. Go with what you've got the SIC time in.
Click to expand...

Yep on all that. If you're looking to do contract work after you get the type, it's going to be tough to essentially impossible with no time in type. The underwriter is your limiting factor. 50 to 100 hours minimum IN TYPE for PIC and 25 to 50 hours IN TYPE for SIC are the generally accepted minimums that you will see under the 'Open Pilot Warranty Clause'. I would think about getting typed in the Beechjet or Citation.

Also look at your local area. Is this were you are likely to do your work? If so talk to the operators. Feel out their needs, etc...

Good luck.
 
Its easy to get work if you have a type but no time in it. SIC work ofcourse. Depends if you have previous Capt. experience. LRjet is good for loads of contract work because it covers an amazing number of aircraft. LR23 to LR55.

Just be willing to travel where the jobs are.
 
A good thing to do is go to your local airport, or make some calls, and find out if any companies need contract pilots and on what plane. If you can get some interest in a certain plane, I would go with that type rating. Some companies will allow you to use their "training discount" meaning they can get you a deal on the type rating and you can get some contract work out of it. That said, I would also go with the numbers. A G-IV is a great type rating to have since there are what, about 600 G-IVs in service? I know it costs more but you can also make more to offset the costs. And many companies will use you even if you have the rating but no time in type. I got the G-II/III type rating and have been very busy for the last six months doing contract work.
 
Last edited:
Buying a type for contracting reasons is a personal business deal.
Business 101: *Market- will determine your success.

Supply and demand... look at jobs sites to determine what type is in most demand and then research those positions. Remember no time in type will put you at the bottom of a contractors hire list. So with that said...Choose a type rating where the demand is high and this will put you at the top of the hiring list.
Don't forget...its who you know...not what you know..
NETWORK.....NETWORK......NETWORK

Try to get a 135 check in type.....this will help..

Good Luck!
 
willNOTfly4free said:
I still want to know why 'someone' would want to give a regional FO a biz jet type rating with no job attached to it.
Click to expand...

Knowing Roswell, I'd guess it has something to do with sexual favors. :D

Regardless, I want somebody (anybody!) to "give" me a free type! Make mine a C680 or H25B w/ 800XP differences, please...
 
ROSWELL41 said:
Hypothetical Scenario:
Someone is going to give you a corporate aircraft type rating. You have no time in type to date, but have 2500TT and over 1000 hrs Jet SIC. What aircraft would you choose and why? Assume you wanted to try and make some $$ as a contract pilot/copilot.
Click to expand...

There are a bunch of citations out there, as well as a lot of citation pilots. You probably won't be competative with them with 2500 hrs. Insurance just won't cover you as a PIC. If you get the citation type, start building your PIC time if the other guy will let you ride in the left seat (Good luck).
 
blzr said:
There are a bunch of citations out there, as well as a lot of citation pilots. You probably won't be competative with them with 2500 hrs. Insurance just won't cover you as a PIC. If you get the citation type, start building your PIC time if the other guy will let you ride in the left seat (Good luck).
Click to expand...

I am listed as PIC on our insurance with 2500tt, 1500 jet, and 100 in type.
 
BoilerUP said:
I am listed as PIC on our insurance with 2500tt, 1500 jet, and 100 in type.
Click to expand...

Good for you. you would probably not be competative here unless you were doing the bosses daughter/son(??). We have a bunch of old crusties with B-17 time flying the Citations (500/550's) and you'd think they were flying the X-1 from the way they talk. Just have to chuckle...It's still a 172 with jet engines.
 
blzr said:
Good for you. you would probably not be competative here unless you were doing the bosses daughter/son(??).
Click to expand...

Honestly, I probably wouldn't be competitive in many places....and I recognize that fact.

That said, insurance IS attainable in the CE550 for a professional pilot with similar qualifications...
 
I ay G-V if they are gonna give it to you. Even though you dont have ie in type ALOT of operators of this aircraft wll use you. Even if you are high time it is almost ipossible to get a PIC contract gig. Most of them just want you to fill the seat or use you as a third pilot. plus you get 1000 to 1500 a day and lots of international experience.
 
BoilerUP said:
Honestly, I probably wouldn't be competitive in many places....and I recognize that fact.

That said, insurance IS attainable in the CE550 for a professional pilot with similar qualifications...
Click to expand...

You can get insurance in a Lear with 300 TT and 100 multi. You are goung to pay out the yang, but it is there.
 
In order of preference I would say any Gulfstream type followed by the Challenger series.

Overwater experience and type is where the big contract money is found.

What are the current day rates for a lear pilot?

The last time I did any of that was about 1995. At the time you could get $600/day as a lear capt. The heavy guys (GIII etc.) were getting $1000/$1200. (West coast rates.)

Then again I had a friend who did pick up flight attendant work out of HPN and she got $750 day in 2000. That said I am sure HPN is probably going to be your high price point for contract work.
 
Why would someone whose flow a regional jet be able to fly a biz jet. I fly a regional turboprop and now have a light biz jet job. A jet is a jet.
 
1900dr said:
Why would someone whose flow a regional jet be able to fly a biz jet. I fly a regional turboprop and now have a light biz jet job. A jet is a jet.
Click to expand...

I heard all that when I applied for my current job. All the Citation and King Air dudes were applying too and told me that I didn't have enough experience to fly a jet. I had DHC-8 F/O time, but no (0) jet time. I got the job and the type. Not a problem. If anything, the jet is more simple to fly than the turbo prop, things just happen a little faster.

I did a check flight in the Sabre with a guy flying a Barron. He did great. Seriously, you don't need to be Chuck freakin' Yeager or Bob Hoover to fly a bizjet, it's just not that difficult. If I can do it, anyone can. lolol
 
1900dr said:
Why would someone whose flow a regional jet be able to fly a biz jet. I fly a regional turboprop and now have a light biz jet job. A jet is a jet.
Click to expand...

Also, if you fly a 1900 well, you can fly anything! seriously.
 
I agree with SWASS . Especially for my part of the country . We are based in north Mississippi and finding someone with a citation type doing contract work is extremely hard .
 

Share this page

Latest posts

Latest resources

Latest media

Carbon Cub FX-3 Shenandoah Valley
Carbon Cub at Kittyhawk
FX-3 in the backcountry
IFR Panel in a Carbon Cub FX-3
Cub-Provo-UT-c.jpg
Back
Top Bottom