Eclipse Mentor Program PFT

[Fortunately 100]

This sounded interesting until I found out that I would have to pay for my own training and my own expenses while training in ABQ and also in Denver at the UAL training center. Anyone out there with the experience they are looking for going to be willing to fork out the money and time required to complete this process?

From the Eclipse website:

The Eclipse 500 Mentor Process ? Why?


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The Eclipse 500 mentor program is critical to the success of the Eclipse 500 Type Transition Training program. Many Eclipse 500 operators will require supervised operating experience dictated by FAR 61.63. Others will require mentoring because of a lack of jet piloting experience. In either case, the Eclipse pilot will benefit from the Eclipse 500 mentoring experience.
After completing all other phases of training and obtaining a type rating, a new Eclipse 500 pilot may require additional flight hours with an authorized Eclipse 500 Mentor Pilot. The Eclipse 500 Mentor Pilot will provide the final assessment of the pilot's readiness to safely fly solo in an Eclipse 500 jet.
The mentor will provide support for all phases of flight, as well as guidance when deemed necessary. The role of the mentor will be to ensure that the new Eclipse 500 pilot is able to meet the challenges of turbojet flight, initiate solutions and demonstrate the capability to act as Pilot-In-Command without intervention from the mentor.
Mentoring is one of the most important roles in the Eclipse initial training process. The mentor will aid the newly-rated pilot in gaining confidence in his or her ability to cope with and resolve a variety of situations which are normally encountered during aircraft operation.
This position is NOT an employee position with Eclipse Aviation. Mentor pilots will be independent contractors, trained by Eclipse and United Airlines at the mentor's expense. Mentor pilots will fly all Supervised Operating Experience (SOE) flights with Eclipse 500 operators including any mentoring required or desired beyond that.
Mentor Responsibilities

• Fly with newly type-rated Eclipse 500 operators in the owner's Eclipse 500 jet to provide wisdom and guidance to pilots not familiar with the high altitude or high speed jet environment.
• Counsel the operator on methods and techniques to enhance safety and improve the customer's aviation experience.
• Evaluate performance and report progress to Eclipse Aviation.
• Recommend additional training pathways if required.
• When required by FAR, provide Supervised Operating Experience in accordance with the FAR 142 curriculum.
• Uphold standards of proficiency established by Eclipse Aviation policy.
• Support standard operational procedures established by Eclipse Aviation and set forth in the Pilot's Operating Handbook and Eclipse Flight Operations Manual.
• Represent Eclipse Aviation and the industry as a model of professionalism.
• Remain a well-informed aircraft specialist and a resource to fellow pilots.

Selection Criteria
The Eclipse 500 Mentor Pilot will be chosen on the basis of his or her record as a professional airman and aviation instructor. Specifically, the following considerations will contribute to the selection process:
Education/Ratings/Desired Qualities

• FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (required)
• Type rating in light to msedium jet (preferred but not required)
• CFII and MEI (preferred but not required)
• Four year college degree (preferred but not required)
• Excellent communicator, effective teacher, professional manner

Minimum Qualifications to Apply

• Type rated in at least one jet aircraft
• 5000 hours total time
• 3000 PIC
• 1500 PIC turbojet
• Previous experience as a flight instructor, check airman, or designated pilot examiner in turbojets
• Able to work with pilots of all levels of experience
• Operational experience into high density terminal areas
• Knowledgeable and experienced in the use of aviation resources
• A record of outstanding airmanship
• A willingness to support Eclipse Aviation operating policies
• Satisfactory training performance at Eclipse Aviation and United Airlines Flight Center

Application
Pilots wishing to apply as Eclipse 500 Mentors should complete the online application available here. Applicants may also send an electronic copy of their resume via e-mail to [email protected].
Eclipse Aviation will begin selecting mentors in the last quarter of 2005. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview by representatives from Eclipse and United. Other forms of evaluation may include a review of your previous training records.
Training
Training for candidates selected as Eclipse 500 Mentor Pilots includes the following:

• Eclipse 500 transition training
• Aircraft-specific instructor training
• Evaluator and rater reliability training
• Right seat training in FTD or FFS
• Scenario-based mentor training exercises
• Roles and responsibilities of Eclipse 500 Mentor Pilots
• Reporting and submission of required documentation
• Eclipse Customer Care training
• Eclipse 500 Flight Operations Manual indoctrination
• Making the ?OK to Solo? decision

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[G100driver]

When you are done:

$2000/day plus expenses .... and oh yea, if it aint´t Morton's or Ruths, I ain´t interested.

 

[2000flyer]

When you are done:

$2000/day plus expenses .... and oh yea, if it aint´t Morton's or Ruths, I ain´t interested.

You're so cheap! :beer:

 

[CIIBK]

What about the liability issues? Could/would the estate of the dearly departed or even the underwriter wish to "visit" with the mentor of said dearly departed?

 

[FlyFlyFly]

Just remember that the guy you will be "mentoring" is used to paying $35 an hour for dual. If there are going to be alot of new owners, let the market dictate that they send pilots to the mentoring program to train them.

Sadly, there are probably dozens of clowns already signed up for this program at a rate that will make selling the first few Eclipses for less than a $million work.

 

[AZ Typed]

Here we go again. You need 5000 hours to mentor an E pilot? Give me a break. You need 3000 PIC to mentor an E pilot? Spare me. I have yet to fly with a competent pilot outside of 121 - thank God they are using UAL for some of the training. Oh wait - if you don't have 5000 hours you're not "good" enough anyways. Don't get me wrong, fools exist in 121. But these E machines will be mostly private 91 / 135 and the people teaching them, who may have 5000 TT and 3000 PIC, are likley the same morons flying around right now 91 or 135 (a la Houston). You can teach a monkey to fly this thing - the requirements to be a mentor pilot are ridiculous. But what do I know anyways? I'm the crazy one who takes off into the wind, files the preferred route, and can plan a descent.

AZT

 

[2000flyer]

...I have yet to fly with a competent pilot outside of 121.
AZT

Really?

 

[rice]

Hope this is Sarcasm

Here we go again. You need 5000 hours to mentor an E pilot? Give me a break. You need 3000 PIC to mentor an E pilot? Spare me. I have yet to fly with a competent pilot outside of 121 - thank God they are using UAL for some of the training. Oh wait - if you don't have 5000 hours you're not "good" enough anyways. Don't get me wrong, fools exist in 121. But these E machines will be mostly private 91 / 135 and the people teaching them, who may have 5000 TT and 3000 PIC, are likley the same morons flying around right now 91 or 135 (a la Houston). You can teach a monkey to fly this thing - the requirements to be a mentor pilot are ridiculous. But what do I know anyways? I'm the crazy one who takes off into the wind, files the preferred route, and can plan a descent.

AZT

Oh screw it. I was gonna type out this long response to AZT but I realized it was just flame bait. AZT get a clue son! There are many of us in the 91/135 world who could smoke your a$$ on any given day. 121 may be structured but it doesn't make you better.
On the Eclipse PFT thing though, I agree with you completely.

 

[Tired Soul]

Ah what the hell I qualify I's got me a rating in a "SMEDIUM" jet just yesterday.

 

[AZ Typed]

Oh screw it. I was gonna type out this long response to AZT but I realized it was just flame bait. AZT get a clue son! There are many of us in the 91/135 world who could smoke your a$$ on any given day. 121 may be structured but it doesn't make you better.
On the Eclipse PFT thing though, I agree with you completely.

Well, no...it wasn't flame bait. And that's correct, every pilot I've flown with outside of 121 is 2nd rate to the fullest extent. I'm not claiming to be great - but it's unbelievable what I've seen since flying 91/135. So much so that I'll NEVER put my family on a chartered jet, EVER (unless I'm flying). I'm not claiming that every 91/135 sucks so bad either. I also don't need anyone to "smoke my a$$" - thanks. I'm also not saying 121 makes you better, but it does provide the structure, procedures, and training to implement and apply methods to safely fly a jet airplane around the skies. The Simuflights and Flight Saftys of the world are there to check a box for the insurance company. Do you actually think many 91/135 operators would send their pilots to $25,000 +/- training if they were not mandated to (yes, I know the airplane builder mandates this, too (because of insurance))? My bottom line is that the minimums to be a mentor pilot are ridiculous - that's it. Do you disagree with that?

AZT

 

[Lead Sled]

I have yet to fly with a competent pilot outside of 121...

You haven't got around much have you? I don't mean to belittle my 121 brothers, but having someone hand you your paperwork (including your flight planning), flying a DP to intercept an airway then picking up a STAR to an ILS - all while under radar control - is hardly my definition of demanding.

If you want to see competent come on out to San Diego - I'll show you any number of part 91 corporate operations which reek of class and competency. Please don't lump 135/91 operators into straight 91 operations - there is no comparison from the training to the operational standards.

'Sled

 

[semperfido]

azt-- go fly a kite

 

[filejw]

So does anybody have any info on the mentor program or is this just going to deteriorate into the normal FlightInfo BS?

 

[bafanguy]

I don't mean to belittle my 121 brothers,



'Sled

'Sled,

We appreciate that...cuz you know how touchy we are...

 

[KigAir]

azt-- go fly a kite

A 121 kite.

 

[Fortunately 100]

They don't know what it will cost

Filejw,

As of a few weeks ago the folks in Eclipse's Flight Training Curriculum Development department didn't have any info as to what this "mentor" training program will cost to prospective mentors. They did say it would be discounted. They also didn't know if there was going to be a standard fee that the 5000TT/3000PIC, checkairman, IP's, were going to be paid for their professional pilot service. Likely it will be sub par for most of us.Like another poster said, "wait until the market dictates the training and the rates". $2000/day and a Ruths steak sounds about right to me.

If you do submit an application, Eclipse sends out a letter stating that begining in Q4 2005 they will begin the interview process. This consists of a phone interview followed by an in house interview at Eclipse HQ in ABQ. Transportion and lodging at the individuals expense.

I think I'm going to hold out and wait for a Javelin mentor program. I miss my twin vertical tails and pointy nose!
Semper Fly,

F100

 

[FreightGuyNTX]

I agree that the Eclipse program sounds pretty lousy, they'll probably lower those standards a bit instead of making it worth while for the experience level they're currently looking for.
As for the Javelin...I saw one in APA a couple days ago, that thing has fun written all over it!

 

[Mercury]

AZT,
Having been a captain in both the 121 and 91 world I'll take a trip with a 91 guy that has been around the block any day of the week over a trip to the NE corridor with a 700 or 800 hr wunder child in an RJ. I agree the standardization is great at 121 carriers (my exp. is limited to the regional operators), and my hat is off to the guys in the trng depts but gimmie a friggin break with the high and mighty $hit. It takes more than an AFM and QRH to develop into an experienced professional.

Almost forgot, I do agree with you about the Eclispe thing. Have a nice weekend

 

[Lead Sled]

'Sled,

We appreciate that...cuz you know how touchy we are...

There's no question that most 121 operations are "competent". It's also no secret that 2-pilot corporate/business part 91 operations run head to head with the 121 guys in the safety statistics each year. But that is to be expected. Where the statistics start heading down hill is when you blend 135 operations into the mix. Our friend specifically mentioned 91/135 operations and although I could see his point, that is even wrong - I know way too many competent 135 guys and gals out there who are as proficient as they come.

I was late and I was tired. I think that I'm going to lay down for a while.

'Sled

 

[ultrarunner]

The Eclipse 500 mentor program is critical to the success of the Eclipse 500 Type Transition Training program.

Good training critical to the success...

well, then Eclipse should underwrite this program. Simple as that. By making it PFT, the company already has lowered the bar, and wil likely attract that lower form of life.

that's not the kind of babysitter you want.

Hire or contract out to professional pilots that have operated in the environment you are going to have them "mentor in" and you'll have a better chance of coming away with competent pilots.