JetSuite (SoCal Phenom 100 Operator) Updates?

[On Your Six]

Yep, we saw that performance really well a couple of days ago. I was flying a Phenom back from Brazil and had to climb from the low teens (IIRC) to the mid-30's with the Engine Ice and Wing/Stab protection on. I think from T/O to TOC (FL380 IIRC) it took us about 45 mins. Of course we were at Max Gross, and was insanely hot and humid. Today, back in the States, however, in clear air we were still doing between 1000-1250fpm all the way to FL360, again at MGTOW.

On a related note, how do you like the Garmin Prodigy on the Phenom?

 

[CaravanMan]

On a related note, how do you like the Garmin Prodigy on the Phenom?

Love it! If you've ever used a GNS 530, 430, or 1000 for that matter, the Prodigy system uses the same Garmin logic. Loading approaches, DPs/STARs, Flight plans, etc is still the same. The soft keys on the MFD take a few minutes to get used to, but after a flight or two finding systems info is easy.

I love the systems schematics that you can pull up on the MFD. I think my favorite part of the Prodigy, if you subscribe to it, is the plethora of XM weather available. NEXRAD, cloud tops, echo tops, AIR/SIGMETs, winds aloft, TFRs (and all TFR associated info)...it's all there. The ability to move the pointer over to a particular cell and see what the tops are is awesome.

The Prodigy has airways in the database and they will display on the screen. The one downside is that there is no option to create a user-defined hold. The autopilot will fly published holds, but that's it. If assigned a random hold, it's up to you to fly it. I was told in training, not sure if true, that Garmin's working on a patch for that.

 

[Texanflyboy]

Did they get the flap setting software problem fixed? I've heard that Embraer was having trouble with that.

Also, for those of you that haven't seen it, there's another website (www.jetbrief.com) that has a lot of great photos and blogs from owners and businesses that have taken delivery of their Phenom. Jim and Betsy Frost (they were the first to receive types) have their own website too with tons of blogs from their trips. There's a link to their web page on the site as well for anyone who's interested.

I sure hope they get the sim in DFW certified soon! I'm itchin' to get over there.

 

[CaravanMan]

The flaps still have issues here and there. Waiting to see if the latest fix works. Cross your fingers!

 

[MAJICJOHNSON]

Phenom 100

We just had our flap box replaced and it seems to work great.

 

[jmreii]

For the people who have been hired at Jetsuite, what's the outlook for single-pilot flying in the Phenom? Any indication from management? How often would you potentially fly it single-pilot?

Personally, I think flying single-pilot around SoCal would be fun (albeit a bit challenging at times with all the GA traffic on weekends).

Last time I checked the phenom is a GA aircraft, so it should fit right in with everyone else.

 

[johnsonrod]

Last time I checked the phenom is a GA aircraft, so it should fit right in with everyone else.

If you have ever flown around SoCal on the weekends (especially latter summer after June Gloom) you know what I am talking about. Everyone's flying including many inexperienced flight students, etc. It just adds to the challenge/excitement I guess - or, it can lead to faster ulcers... I spent a little time flying out of LGB, TOA and some VNY many years back. Good times.

 

[Texanflyboy]

It does get busy out here in SoCal! I was flying the CE-501 single pilot 135 and that thing had basic nav with an old GPS that doesn't even couple to the auto-pilot. It wasn't that hard flying the 501 single pilot here in SoCal, but it was fun. You're busier of course, especially on the ground when you have to get everything ready yourself, i.e, coffee, ice, papers, cooler, clearence, ect. If you've ever flown freight single pilot then it just comes back to you.

 

[Texanflyboy]

So...anyone else hear anything new at all?

 

[HighSpeedClimb]

What's the delay in at least starting GS? We were told a class in the 3rd or 4th week of June...anyone get a class date?

 

[johnsonrod]

How soon will you guys start getting additional aircraft? How many by the end of this summer and through the end of 09?

 

[Texanflyboy]

How soon will you guys start getting additional aircraft? How many by the end of this summer and through the end of 09?

From what we've heard, originally it was 12 by the end of the year in previous publications. At the interview they were on track for 7 by the end of the year with two per month in 2010. Now it seems not only was the certification of the sim pushed back to sometime in July, so has their second a/c delivery (which is completely an Embraer delay). But only JS know's whether or not all a/c deliveries have been pushed back or just the one. Are they taking delivery of two in July? Who knows.

From other online blogs I've read, Embraers training program at AFW can be a real nightmare to get scheduled, especially without the availability of the simulator...so that may be the delay on starting classes. They did say in the update that they were having trouble getting slots in the actual Phenom just like everyone else. There's still a lot of things that need to be done, like paperwork, background checks, wizz quiz, indoc, ect. all before anybody goes to CAE, and that does take some time and planning. Let's hope that the sim gets certified this time and on time. That will help everyone out a ton! I'm sure when the Phenom sim does get certified, some of us will have the pleasure of 2am sim sessions b/c it's going to be really busy!

None of us have received a recent update from JS (as far as I know) for over a week and a half. Maybe they only know as much as we do, which wouldn't suprise me as things change a thousand times daily. From my experience at the interview, they seemed very helpful and they seem very concerened about our well being. The last thing they want or need is to have a group of frustrated pilots that finally get on the payroll. This whole process is just as frustrating for them too. I'm sure they want to keep us more informed but, I'm sure they don't want to issue another update with out having solid intel.

The main issue I can see are with the pilots in the pool that currently have jobs and need to give the proper two weeks notice as opposed to some of us (suffering a layoff) that have the luxury of starting at a moments notice. They did ask us about our needs and availibility when we received the "you're in the pool" letter. With CAE/Embraer's classes being such a nightmare to schedule right now, one can only imagine what their stratagy will be on hiring pilots out of the pool. Will they take the pilots who are ready now first over the ones who need to provide two weeks notice, or have to move, commute, finish a previous obligation? I'm sure we'll have the answers to our questions in the coming weeks.

Tex

 

[jbone22]

Tex, can you define "Layoff" for me?

Jbone

 

[Shifty]

I think Tex means furloughed. And I would be surprised if there wasn't maybe a couple of the poolies that had to give 2 weeks. Most are furloughed and can start tomarrow.

 

[johnsonrod]

When will training begin for the latest newhire pilot group?

 

[Texanflyboy]

As soon as JetSuite can snag some training slots at CAE/Embraer or down in Brazil. Nobody knows yet.

 

[Shifty]

Anyone get the call from Frank yet? Still waiting....

 

[jmreii]

If you have ever flown around SoCal on the weekends (especially latter summer after June Gloom) you know what I am talking about. Everyone's flying including many inexperienced flight students, etc. It just adds to the challenge/excitement I guess - or, it can lead to faster ulcers... I spent a little time flying out of LGB, TOA and some VNY many years back. Good times.

I grew up in socal, no different than any other major metropolitan area. Just remain vigilant and you should be fine.

 

[heywatchthis]

Now the big question. What do Phenom 100 pilots get paid?

 

[Texanflyboy]

Now the big question. What do Phenom 100 pilots get paid?

Base Captain pay: 400/day at 14 days min guarentee. If you fly more days than that, you'll get some sort of overtime. I think 150% for 600/day, this isn't set in stone though. Base pay equates to 67,200/yr.

FO pay hasn't been established yet as they're not hiring FO's at the time. If it has, nobody knows what that pay will be yet outside of the company. They could be interviewing FO's the next time they hold interviews, who knows. They are planning to be ARG/US Platinum, so I'm guessing the mins for FO's will be similar to other fracs at 2,500TT.

The base pay was previously posted as well. I think it was several pages back. Hope this helps!

Tex