Its Fractional King Air Time

[johnsonrod]

Clearly there are 200 ex-Avantair pilots with TP and ProLine 21 experience available right now who just stopped working. If I were Kenny, I would be reaching out to them first. The KA350 with PL21 would likely be a relatively easy transition and Avantair pilots understand both the model and customer-service requirements. Plus, the Avantair salaries are likely to be closer to the Wheels Up salaries in terms of pilot expectations.

After reaching out to Avantair pilots I would immediately turn to furloughed Netjets pilots who submit resumes and show interest in returning to the fractional world. Then I would open it up to pilots who are current on the King Air series and lastly anyone meeting minimums....

I presume FO hiring minimums will be 1500 hours and ATP. If so, let's hope the starting salary for FOs down the road is at least more than typical regional pay...

 

[NoJoy]

Typical reional pay is right around $25.00 an hr to start on average.
It will be interesting on what the sched will look like, as well as their bases. It's a whole big picture thing of course.

 

[acaTerry]

NetJets pilots are a lot better. they're THAT good...

Someone was in CMH listening to the general I see....

 

[brokeflyer]

Sounds like they need a union over there....

 

[CA1900]

Someone was in CMH listening to the general I see....

Yup... it sounded something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNf3ehFk4l8

 

[SharkRider]

Broke, I really hope you had your tongue in cheek when you typed that.

For what it's worth, we had several pilots leave Avantair to go to NetJets, and we weren't sad to see them go. Average at best skills, and couldn't hack 700+ hrs a year flying.

 

[acaTerry]

Yup... it sounded something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNf3ehFk4l8

SOMEONE will film him one day.
"Am I communicating?"

 

[fischman]

SOMEONE will film him one day.
"Am I communicating?"

It sooooo hard to not say, "Your message has been received LOUD AND CLEAR General."

 

[Helmsalee]

Originally Posted by BentOver
Can a 350 hold 8 passengers, luggage and 8 golf bags? That seems difficult for even a G or Falcon?

Did Augusta to Houston in a Sovereign with 8 big guys, 8 golf bags, 8 large wheeled suitcases and assorted coolers and misc. It was Tetras to the max but we got it all in. With 8 in the cabin, we were fine unless they tried to get up and move around. Love that CE-680.
Helm

 

[OPECJet]

Broke, I really hope you had your tongue in cheek when you typed that.

For what it's worth, we had several pilots leave Avantair to go to NetJets, and we weren't sad to see them go. Average at best skills, and couldn't hack 700+ hrs a year flying.

I'm sure it was tongue in cheek

If your Avantair guys who jumped to NJA could handle 700 hours a year there, they couldn't handle it at NJA either.

Hopefully this will turn into a good opportunity for the Avantair guys and we furloughed guys as well. Sounds like there will be enough flying within a couple of years to go around.

Am I communicating?

 

[SharkRider]

OPEC, I'm sure it was,,, hence the big grin in my post. A little tit for tat if you will.

 

[400A]

With the wing lockers, clubs and bags should not be a problem. (I assume the lockers)

The 200 was very successful for Travel Air. I flew many of the initial demo's. Acceptance was very good. There is still a loyal group who avoid jets due to perception. With the current hate spewed from the White House about private jets... It may be a good concept for regional travel.

 

[johnsonrod]

What's the latest with Wheels UP?

Have any Avantair or furloughed Netjets guys been called yet? Any movement beyond the initial PR or interviews a few weeks ago?

With the versatility of the B350 and its baggage capacity, no doubt there will be a lot of baggage to load/unload. I saw an ad for ProLine Fusion upgrades from PL21 on the King Air line recently in one of the industry rags - do you think the new B350s will get the Fusion or the standard PL21?

 

[rajflyboy]

I haven't heard if wheels up is hiring just yet

 

[rajflyboy]

Regional basing? Maybe home at night sometimes? Not day after day away
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