GIV, GV Type Ratings

[Winged Sig]

As an out of work airline pilot with 13k of time, I was wondering about the posibility of getting a GIV or GV type rating at my expense for the purpose of marketability. I have heard various numbers associated with the cost to obtain it. Does anyone know an average cost to get the type and where one could get the required information to actually do it. Also, what are the real world chances of actually working for a decent outfit after the ride. I am at the point of resigning my seniority number for the right job. Looking at all options. Thanks for honest opinions.

 

[banned username 2]

I am guessing based on what we pay to Flight Safety for our aircraft, you would be looking at $25,000 (G-IV) to $33,000+ (G-V) for a full Flight Safety course...

BUT, unfortunately a Type without Time in Type is not near as valuable as one with time in type...

With your experience level and willingness to resign your seniority, you could possibly find a company to hire you and they will pay for your training... The only thing you have going against you (from what I can see on your profile) is no Corporate experience whatsoever... But that isn't necessarily a show stopper...

Just my $0.02... Good Luck!

 

[GIVJoc]

I want to say my company paid $27,000 for me to go to SAV on the 4, but we do have a full service contract for all ten of us attending biannually plus other assorted courses we use them for.

As for buying a type I say no way most employers (mine included) will hire you w/o a type if you meet the requirements. I did 6 months probation then was shipped off to FSI for the type.

Save your beans and just start shopping potentials hard, with your time and a willingness to resign your seniority number someone will bite.

Maybe not the dream job

GIV

 

[501261]

Agreed, don't waste your money buying the type. The people that operate G4 & G5 could care less if already have a type, they're hiring people.

Then again if you have a type and time in type, people tend to overlook a few personality "issues".

The only kind of job that buying a type would help you to get is "low class" operation (i.e. lots of Pt.135 Lear or Citation operators). And honestly I think your better off working at Wal-Mart then going to one of those sleazes.

Your willingness to resign your seniority is probably your biggest asset. Granted most quality operators won’t actually make you resign, they just want you to be open-minded. If 3 years down the road it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, but we also don’t want someone checking his voice mail every 2 hours to see if there’s a message from Don Carty on there.

 

[GVFlyer]

I agree with virtually everybody else here that it is a bad idea to buy your own Gulfstream type. They are way too expensive and companies that can afford Gulfstreams are not concerned with the cost of training you. Falcon Captain was right on with the current cost for the GIV Initial Qualification Course at FSI, but the GV is $43,500 and will probably go to $52,000 with the G550. SimuFlite always costs less, but not significantly so.

If you feel compelled to buy your own qualification, the GIV/G400 type would probably serve you best in that there are over 500 GIV series aircraft flying versus about 265 GV series jets. Gulfstream is commited to the continued production and development of both aircraft. At 33 million for the G400 as compared to over 47 million for the G550, the company presently sells and will continue to sell more G400's than G550's.

Good luck!

GV

 

[Winged Sig]

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[Winged Sig]

Thanks for the info...

All,

I appreciate your opinions. I am looking at all possibilities to gain
a career ending position. At 43 with 3 school aged kids its time to move on in search of a quality employer with stability. I'm finding it hard to break in to the corporate end of aviation without having the corporate background.

Still persevering...
W.S.

 

[CatYaaak]

Agreed, don't waste your money buying the type. The people that operate G4 & G5 could care less if already have a type, they're hiring people.

Your willingness to resign your seniority is probably your biggest asset.>>

Gotta agree with both these statements. Presenting a type-rating with no time-in-type at the kind of flight department you are looking for won't get you hired. In fact, running out to buy one might even work against you, since those who manage well-run operations rightfully take pride in seperating themselves from the kind of operation that asks prospective employees to do so. Without knowing your obvious sincerity at simply trying to make yourself more saleable, it might be thought that you believe THEY are that kind of operation.

From your experience, whether or not you can actually get through training isn't even a question, and you're really not saving them money in the long run since they are on full-service contracts anyway.

501261 was right on...they hire people. A willingness to resign and give up your seniority number is a great asset because it shows you are thinking long-term commitment and don't consider them just a "port in the storm", but rather a quality place where you want to enjoy a career.

The $$ you earmarked for a type-rating would be much-better spent on face-to-face research on where you'd like to work, if an opportunity is worth moving your family for, and setting yourself up as the 1st person in line when a vacancy becomes available. The chances that there is a job opening "right now" is low, but it's always been low with the best operations. People rarely leave them. Research not just the company, but the flight department itself. Spend the money to meet and make contacts, and maintain the contacts with those specific operations that you'd enjoy working for to ensure they know your interest isn't waning. If you do this, it will not go unnoticed by any place you'd want to work for. Eventually it will pay off.

Because of low-turnover and relatively small numbers of employees, sometimes different flight departments take on varying personalities over time. Find one with an atmosphere that suits you, because unlike the airlines where those you work with change every month, working for even a large corporate flight departments is more like a family living in a one-room house.

If it all gels, IMO it's the best work environment possible in aviation. Take into consideration that you might be sitting in a cockpit/rental car/restaruant with essentially the same people for the next decade or more.

 

[CCDiscoB]

I don't get it

As for buying a type I say no way most employers (mine included) will hire you w/o a type if you meet the requirements. I did 6 months probation then was shipped off to FSI for the type.

So are you saying that he should buy a type? How did you get hired without one?

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Part 91 SIC without a type

CCdico

A person can act as SIC without the type rating. It gives a private corp. the opportunity to look at a candidate/new-hire before investing the big training money.