Initial Type Rating help

[virgil336]

I have recently lucked into a job as FO on a Bechjet 400A. The insurance company stated that I barely have enough time for SIC. When I asked our Chief to come up with a career plan for me he laughed and said a nice five year plan would do. Aparently the insurance PIC time is so high that it will take that long for me to ever be in the left seat. My question is this:

What is a realistic timeframe for most people to upgrade in a jet?

Will paying for a type rating help me at all in this situation.

Did I advanced a little to quick to gain the PIC time the insurance company's are looking for or will my SIC time help.

Is my ego taking over and being in the right seat for 5 years is no big deal. (suck it up)


Any thoughts?

 

[2000flyer]

Virgil,

First of all, the way the industry is right now, take ANY seat you can get and hang on to it!

If you have experience in the airplane as an SIC, then getting a type rating shouldn't be a problem. We had a guy with about 1200TT, 2 yrs SIC in the Ultra get his type without a hitch.

Paying for it, if I were you, I wouldn't. Since I'm not you, you and only you know your situation and where this job is heading down the road. That being said, if the you and the company are happy with each other, there is no reason they wouldn't pay for your type. It may take a while, but it will happen.

In the mean time, keep this job!!! You're getting quality experience in jet equipment. If you tire of this job, at least you have a job until you find something more desirable. Just hang in there!

Regards,
2000Flyer

 

[Rick1128]

First of all, suck it up. Before you start crying in your soup remember this. There were a whole lot of original Pan Am pilots that retired from the FE seat. Never moved an inch. Back when I had your total time, I was flying a Navajo and a Seneca and counting myself lucky. There are way too many young pilots out there that are complaining because they didn't make Jet Captain when they reached 1500 hours.

As for the type, if you go to training annually, work a deal with your boss to pay the difference between the normal recurrent and the upgrade during your second time through school. FSI will do a type course during a recurrent for little or no difference. At least it will allow you to log some PIC time. Other than that keep your nose clean and your ears open.

 

[virgil336]

Thanks

Thanks to both of you. I appreciate the information and honesty.

I will try to suggestion on the type rating.

Thanks again

 

[Otter]

have to agree

There are very few stable jobs out there right now. If you have one, grab on with both hands and do not let go.

Not so long ago, pilots with 1700 hours were looking for Caravan jobs and glad to get them. The days of a large sucking noise from the regionals and majors are gone, at least for the forseeable future. Stick with it, get them to upgrade you, and be glad you are getting paid to sit in the pointy end.

 

[XLDaddy]

initial type rating...

My first post so it may suck, I was in a similar situation a few years ago. Very fortunate to get hired by my current employer with 1100TT as SIC in the C560 when the CP decided it was cheaper for insurance to have two typed guys up front so they sent me to FSI(nice break). Then the company decided to buy an Excel and less than a year later I'm at FSI again for the XL. Just like the others guys said hang on to this job and milk it for all the experience you can, unless your life or ticket is in danger. Who knows, if you're working hard and gettin things done the way they should the Capt's your flying with will see that and might just get the co. to invest in you.You will gain a reputation for being solid with the right attitude, that might just get you some contract work on the side to get that TT up. Good luck brother.

 

[Postflight]

Type/upgrade

The cost difference between a SIC recurrent and a "upgrade" (type) class at Simuflite or FSI is quite small for a small jet. It's basicaly a recurrent after which you take the type ride with a DPE. As Rick said, try to negociate with the employer to cover the difference. Remind them that having a typed F/O will likely lower there insurrance costs as much (if not more) than the additional cost.

Just my 2 cents. . .

Regards,
Jay

 

[Ty Webb]

I'm with the other guys on this.

Besides, trying to get through an initial type at your experience level with no prior time in type . . . . . it's doable, but if you don;t make it, you're out of a job, and have a training failure on your record.

Much better to get the SIC training, get a year in the airplane, then get your type&ATP the second time around.

Insurance companies can be flexible . . . with high time in type and frequent recurrent, you might get their dispensation in a few years, but there is no reason once you get typed that you can't log the time as PIC . . . the insurance companies don;t write the FAR's . . . . . yet!

PS- I go tmy first type at 2100TT but I had 200 hours in type, so it was challenging but doable . . . .

Good Luck