L-3 Flight International?

[Cat3C]

L3

You fly circuits over Hot zones and look for bad guys and hope they don't have any surface-air capability.
If you have an Emergency or have to land, you could be on your own for a while until they can come get you. If your a nervous type you won't make it past one rotation, so the vetting process is fairly complete. It's really got to be your thing and you have to have the background to prove it. Pay is just OK...it's a livin'.[/quote]

Kind of like flying into MDW after dark or driving the Dan Ryan...

 

[capnflyright]

Let's put the guts and glory aside here. They are flying King Air 300/350s. Alternates aren't a problem, you are flying as a military contractor so the world is your oyster. The mil will take you in and keep you comfy with PAR approaches, a DFAC and a shower. Also, bad guys shooting at you isn't going to be a problem. You are going to be really high making large orbits looking/listening for these people and you are going to get bored doing it. With two healthy pratts you aren't going to need a sidearm, you'll make it to an airport. Now if both donkeys konk out on ya, well, the paycheck was worth it right? That's why it's adventurous and worth telling your grandkids! If everything was copacetic then where's the fun?

Fly around these areas single engine and low level. That's when you worry about having an AK and/or MP5 and a runaway bag!

 

[Man-Ditch]

Actually- just had my second interview for this gig, not L3 but at another in VA.

Unpressurized BE90's, fly tight circuits over a SpecOp unit while they are on a field mission. You fly almost every night or day, four pilots and two mechanics go with each A/C.
One month training to include Procedures, weapons training and survival school at Ft. Benning, GA. Then gear issue. You are attached to a specific unit and you go to every pre and post-briefing. Weather is the only reason you don't fly.
There are systems on board to detect when your being painted with radar or taking fire. There is also an armor plate under the seat along with some other equipment "to keep you alive" as they put it, but which they could not give details because I wasn't cleared yet. These are highly modified A/C.
They issue two automatic weapons per aircraft for each and every op- required!

Hazard pay/hardship pay/per diem- 110 day rotations OCONUS and 98 days CONUS. You can live where ever you want. Upgrade to CA after two rotations.
FO- 13k per month
CA- 16k per month
And yes they care very much about your background! they want to be assured that you know what your getting into. They have had too many people go over and cry about wanting to come home after one month...or just not show up for the next rotation.
This is not easy work, trust me- 13k doesn't sound like much after a few weeks. I've been there making $1200/day and it gets old real fast, it is one of the most miserable places on earth.

 

[cams0820]

Man-Ditch: Who are some of the other outfits that do this type work overseas besides L-3. I'm an old Navy aviator and have the quals. I'm looking for something different than current job. I understand the austere conditions (lived on carriers for 6-8 months at a time and have been to some of the not-so-nice places around the world. I'm still in reserves and have TS/SCI clearances, just pondering my options...thanks in advance.

 

[kingairyahoo]

cams...hes referring to Dynamic Aviation, although his experience appears to be a low time guy who got placed in the 90. the other slot is for 200's and if you have lotsa 200 time, you can opt for that one. they fly lines and grids as opposed to basically turning circles, being a radio transmitter for the ground forces. also can be upgraded in your first rotation if the 200 time you have is significant. they have ads out all over the 'net as they plan on doubling their overseas fleet and are scrambling to fill the seats

 

[LNJPilot]

Yep, I have a phone interview next week with them (DA). I applied about two months ago and have had several "phone interviews" with Amy. I have about 500 in the KA's, mostly the 200 and an A&P, which seems what they are looking for. She asked me how much I knew about the different models of PT-6's, how much time in each aircraft I had, if I minded the 100 plus days on the road, that sort of stuff. We'll see what happens....

 

[Man-Ditch]

Kingairyahoo's got it right. I think L3 does the same thing but they bought all of the surplus Lear 35's and DA got all of the 90's

CAMS- apply and I'm sure you'll get a call. Also try Avenge Aviation- BE20's and 30's, they want MIL flight time. Blackwater is another, but a different mission.

I haven't flown there yet but have done a few rotations as High-risk diplomatic escort to all of the worlds garden spots. Just finally got enough hours to compete. All of this stuff is going to ramp up as they start drawing down troops-just to be replaced by contractors to some extent. Then it will all shift to Afghanistan. There will be work for awhile.

LNJPilot- PM me and I'll give you the gouge on the sim, sounds like your in the running as well.

 

[cams0820]

Guys, are there any major differences (pay, benefits, rotations, etc.) between Dynamic, L-3 and Avenge or are they basically different companies doing the same type mission?

 

[Man-Ditch]

I'll have more info on Avenge in a few weeks.

No intel on L-3, they are a huge company though.

 

[cams0820]

Man-Ditch: Roger that, I sent an app to L-3, we'll see what happens, let me know what you find...thanks.