Central Air Southwest

[BOOMER2]

I think they still have the SIC program in place for lower time folks to get the time required to transition to the left seat, or move on. At one point, they had a Letter of Authorization from the FAA so folks could log SIC time in the right seat. I flew in both seats and benefited from doing so.

John Towner used to be the CP/owner and I remember an English fellow, by the name of Murray. Murray had ZERO personality and wasn’t much fun to deal with. John Towner was very personable and sort of reminds you of Mr. Rogers.

By the end of the flying week, you are TIRED! With early departures and late arrivals, you are always able to sleep. This is a good place to build time and experience. The Commander s a good airplane and the single pilot IFR skills you gain are invaluable; you will enjoy flying the Commander. Kansas City is neat place to live, or visit. If you go to CAS, don’t forget to stop at Gates & Sons Barbeque (best you’ll ever have!)

Good luck

 

[CaravanMan]

I thought MB was a great guy while I was there.

 

[holdmybeer]

Its been good so far only been here for 2 months. I am flying the run out of LBB, if you have any questions PM me.

 

[BOOMER2]

I thought MB was a great guy while I was there.

Sorry, I was refering to Ronny. It's been a while, should get my facts straight.

 

[av8rnate]

I use to fly for them two years ago. Preferential hiring is given to those in their SIC program. The SIC program is basically a pay for your flight time gig in the right seat with a guy in the left seat to baby sit you. They do hire pilots off the street that aren't in the SIC program but only if there aren't any SICs qualified to move up and do the job. Given the present situation with all of the regionals hiring I would assume that they're probably short and looking for pilots. The maintenance is much better than your average 135 operator, but the airplanes are all 1960 model AC-500Bs. Therefore, you are definately going to experience plenty of mechanical problems on the line...that's the nature of the job. All in all it's a great place to build multi time. I understand the pay has gone up for those on probation (first six months) from 1500 to 1700. I worked there when it was 1500 and that was rough. the aerocommander is without a doubt the best airplane i have ever flown and i would take a low paying job just to have the privilege to fly that airplane. i worked there for a year and left absolutely in love with that plane as it saved my life quite literally many times. probably one of the finest machines ever built. the contract is not 12 mo. it has always been 6. mos. Murray Brown is the Director of ops. and is a pretty hard core brittish guy that can put you through a ringer of a checkride, but the chief pilot john towner is a very quite and gentle man that looks like a light breeze would blow him over. but he is very nice. it's a good place to work, and i would definately recommend it ovre flight express.

 

[holdmybeer]

The contract has been recently increased to 12 months if i understood Mr. Towner correctly.

 

[rchcfi]

the aerocommander is without a doubt the best airplane i have ever flown . probably one of the finest machines ever built.

You hit that nail right on the head! It makes you want to get out of aviation if you have to fly anything else. I've flown the Aero Commander now for the past three years and can honestly say that it is definately a dream to fly. Except for the fragile nose gear, that sucker is built like a tank!

 

[Texanflyboy]

CAS did extend the contract from 6mo to 12mo. I guess too many people getting 100 or so twin time and going regional. JT and MB are great guys, never had a problem. They paid for my ATP checkride last week when I was down for recurrent. You can't ask for a better aircraft to do an ATP ride in! Great company...wish it paid a little more but JT will pay you extra to wash the engine cowlings. I wash 3 per pay period and it's about $225 extra. I've been based in GRR for the last 8 months so it's a little harder to wash during the winter...no hanger space. I would do it all over again. Good company and mx. Communications is really up to you calling the office to find out what's going on. Being based away from KC isn't that bad either. They're pretty much "Out of sight out of mind" which is cool b/c you don't have to deal w/ office politics everyday.

 

[agpilot34]

Ran across two of the CASW Commanders on the ramp at Cushing, OK this morning on my pipeline route. One's based there, and the other... last two letters of N number were KC, left out right after I landed. Looked like pretty nice equipment as far as cargo goes. DIdnt get a chance to talk to the pilots other than "how are you" though.

 

[CaravanMan]

Cushing is a mx base, and is actually where the Certificate is held. I've been through there swapping out Commanders at night and man, is it every dark and lonely out there! I always felt like some psycho was going to come out with a chainsaw or something- like a scene out of some creepy movie.

 

[agpilot34]

HAHA! Yup, that's Cushing, OK alright! Nothing moving at night but the deer and the possums, or the occasional Air Evac chopper call out.

 

[ubpilot]

I was a GRR based pilot, good place to build up your multi time, and this job will push your IFR skill to the limit. only thing I can add is that GET YOURSELF OUT BEFORE THE WINTER COMES!!!!

 

[NoPax]

I was a GRR based pilot, good place to build up your multi time, and this job will push your IFR skill to the limit. only thing I can add is that GET YOURSELF OUT BEFORE THE WINTER COMES!!!!

Holdmybeer....I was probably the last guy in Lubbock that you replaced...say hi to azalia from me, if she's still at Trajen in Austin


To the rest of you guys who know me...Hello!

 

[holdmybeer]

She was still there a month ago. But now the run has been restructured and is LBB-DAL-LBB. It is supposed to be temporary, I'll say hi to her when i get back down there.

 

[flyinlow67]

Which airport do they do thier STL run out of? I have seen them in KC a bunch, but never in St. Louis. Is it a base, or just a stop?