Citation or Lear type which is better

[CarjCapt]

There is a opportunity for me to get a Citation 500 or Lear 55 type (not both) for very little.

Which type would serve me the best in my quest to continue my aviation career?

 

[Bandit60]

The one you don't have to pay for yourself

 

[leardrivr]

Are you going to be acting as pilot in command on the aircraft? (Signing the aircraft log as P.I.C.) Cause if not the type is worthless.

 

[CarjCapt]

<The one you don't have to pay for yourself>

<Are you going to be acting as pilot in command on the aircraft? (Signing the aircraft log as P.I.C.) Cause if not the type is worthless.>

I'm not paying for the type just expences.

Being jobless it just seems to me that an additional type rating on my license, although next to worthless without experience in that type, is better than none. It may get my foot in a door that would normally be shut to those without a type rating.

 

[2000flyer]

From a numbers perspective, there are far and away more Citations out there available to fly with a CE500 type rating than there are LR55's. You're post is vague as to which one you'll get to fly. From a job hunting perspective, again, more Citations. However, a type rating and 50 hours in type in either aren't going to do much for you, IMHO, when job hunting. Most CP's want much more time in type.

Regards,
2000Flyer

 

[Rick1128]

Type

Here in the states there is no Lear 55 type, the type is LR-Jet. Which covers the 23 through 55 but not the 40/45. There are more Citations out there, but also a lot more Citation typed pilots. There is a continuing demand right now for Lear typed and experienced pilots. The type will help you get into the door, but experience is required for a PIC position, especially in a 20. If you look at the market the LR-Jet type is more expensive than the CE500. Also after the first jet type, everything can be done in the sim.


Good luck.

 

[CarjCapt]

Yes, it is my understanding that a type in a Lear covers all aircraft in 20 and 30 series plus the 55 and the Citation 500 covers several others in that series as well.

I'm basically starting over in corporate industry and would be delighted to sit in the right seat to get experience.

 

[Flywrite]

I may be way off the mark here, and I have no experience with either type, but might the fact that the LR series are generally considered to be more challenging to fly than the CE500 series make it easier for a guy with a Type Rating but no time in type to break into the Citation world than into Lears?


Just a thought...

 

[redneck jihad]

I'm typed in both. Generally, the LRJET will command a little more respect in the 135/corp world. A Lear has swept wings(somewhat)-a Citation doesn't(remember-the Citation was originally introduced to compete with King Airs and MU2's). In my opinion, you're more likely to get right seat work in a Citation with a LR type than in a Lear with a Citation type. Don't worry about the initial hours-never turn down a chance for a type rating-anything can happen.
Best regards,
rj

 

[some_dude]

I don't have an answer for you, but you might consider this: Cessna still builds aircraft covered under the CE-500 type rating. Learjet is no longer building LR-JET type aircraft-- the 31 was the last.

 

[aeronautic1]

some-dude is right

Not to mention that after January 05, those Learjets (escpecially the 20 series) that are not DRVSM compliant (unless you are Lifeguard) will be restricted to fly below DRVSM airspace. Most likely they will get parked. However, the Citation, if not RVSM'd still has good numbers in the mid-FL20s. If you are "starting" into ciorpoate, I would go Citation.

 

[Rick1128]

20s

First of all there are presently two mods to make 20s RVSM, with at least one more in the process. RVSM will not park the 20s, engine overhauls and other heavy maintenance will be the death of the 20s. Plus being an air ambulance is not a guarentee of RVSM airspace access.

LR-Jet type like MU2 time give a pilot a pilot a certain level of respect in the industry. While there are more CE500s out there than Lears, there are also way more CE500 typed pilots than LR typed pilots.

 

[guido411]

Correct me if I'm wrong, and I don't have any time in either type either, but didn't the regs change not too long ago that the CE500 type used to be good for any Citation with a 500 something series designator i.e. 500, 501, 550, 560 etc? Now you have to go thru type specific training if not already typed? i.e. 500, then initial for 525 if you want to fly the CJ, then 560 initial if you want to fly the Ultra? I may be misinformed. But if this is the case, I'd go for the Lear if only for the fact that if would be a hell of a lot mor fun! This would also void the argument that there are so many different models in production today that carry a CE500 designator. I don't see very many straight 500 or 501 models around much.

 

[English]

Now you have to go thru type specific training if not already typed? i.e. 500, then initial for 525 if you want to fly the CJ, then 560 initial if you want to fly the Ultra? I may be misinformed.

Yes you are misinformed. The CJ is not a 500 type, it is either a CE525 or a CE525S type rating. You don't need a 500 type to fly the CJ.

 

[guido411]

English,

Thanks, but now my question is: If, hypothetically I wanted to fly an Ultra and had a CE500 type, would I be required to attend another initial class? Differences only? Both? What if I had no previous type. Could I go thru CE00 initial or would I go to a type specific school?

In short, what rules just changed in regards to the CE500 type not covering as many airplanes as before?

 

[English]

Sorry guido411, can't help you with that. I'm not familiar with a change in rules that you mention.

 

[501261]

English,

Thanks, but now my question is: If, hypothetically I wanted to fly an Ultra and had a CE500 type, would I be required to attend another initial class? Differences only? Both? What if I had no previous type. Could I go thru CE00 initial or would I go to a type specific school?

In short, what rules just changed in regards to the CE500 type not covering as many airplanes as before?

No rules have changed. You can go out and get a CE500 type in a 501 then go out the next day and fly an Encore, according to the FAR's.

What may have changed is either insurance or training center requirements. Since the "schools" (FS, SM, SC) are bound by FAR 142 they have to train you in a way that they have told the FAA that they would. So they may have changed their curriculum to state you may now have to take an Ultra Initial even though you've been flying a 501 (you might want to call the other schools if that were the case).

As far the FAA and the CE500 type it still covers all the same airplanes. 500, 501, 550 (includes Bravo), 551, 552, S550, 560 (includes Ultra and Encore).

FYI, the SP waiver (4050), considers each as separate kind of airplane.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Yes you are misinformed. The CJ is not a 500 type, it is either a CE525 or a CE525S type rating. You don't need a 500 type to fly the CJ.

Let me qualify my answer....It's been a long time since I flew a Citation and many of the newer models did not exist when I got typed. My understanding is the C500 type is good for the 500, 1, 2 and 5 models. Those with straight wings. The swept back wings require a separate type. Not sure what the CJ requires but it would require a type of some kind.

 

[Dr Pokenhiemer]

Some people may say I'm crazy, but I paid for my Learjet type rating. Actually, a dead relative left a trust for education--she paid for it. That was last March. I am now an FO in a company with 2 35's and a RVSM'd 25. Looking to upgrade in about 6 months. Things are finally looking up! There are a lot of Lear operators who will now put you in the right seat without a type. I guess insurance has a lot to do with that.

 

[WhiteCloud]

There are a lot of Lear operators who will now put you in the right seat without a type. I guess insurance has a lot to do with that.

I think you meant "not" rather than "now". A typed FO will certainly help the insurance numbers.