501261
Consigliere
- Joined
- May 27, 2002
- Posts
- 829
I go through Sky Trek quite regularly. While I don't have any first hand knowledge, it seems to be a very good quality King Air operator. Sky Trek is based in Modesto, CA; it’s an FBO, charter/management Company. MOD is about 30 nm to Oakland and 40 nm to SFO, but it’s about a 90 minute drive to OAK (120 to SFO), Consequently the cost of living is not bad considering that its only 40 miles from SFO.
Skytrek gets most of there business by repositioning to the Bay area and doing charters from SFO, OAK, SJC. A lot of trips to S. Cal and the desert, plus Reno and Vegas.
A lady named Penny, is the VP and seems to be the "person in charge", a lady named Debra works the front desk, Michael is the lead dispatcher (he's also a low time pilot, often hitching rides in the King Air), John used to be the line supervisor, but he’s now transitioning to evening dispatch. Obviously, there's a bunch of other people working there, but I don't know any of them.
As for pilot type information, I don't know exact numbers but they have about 3 B200's, 3 C90's, 1 F90, a Baron, and a Challenger. The Challenger has been worldwide, but it doesn't go out much; so I'd believe that the Challenger is managed and the owner only lets it take "good" trips. Don't plan on upgrading to the C601 since I'm pretty sure only the DO and CP fly it. Basically, just plan on flying a bunch of King Air trips, probably so many that the Baron will seem like a very welcome change.
The airplanes seem to be in real good condition, I never hear them having an Mx issue, then again it’s a King Air!
Most of the pilots that I see there have been there for a number of years (even during the good times) and seem upbeat and happy. That is a real good sign for charter companies, being able to keep turn over low and morale high. The only people that were leaving were going to the majors. Another sign that it is a quality charter company is that they don’t do any air-ambulance.
Like I said, I really don't know much about there operation, I just pass through quite regularly.
PS they have the coolest crew car around, they have 2 standard "beaters", but if they break down they role out "big green." Picture in your mind that station wagon that Chevy Chase drove around in that "Vacation" movie! The amazing thing is all the lights actually work!
Skytrek gets most of there business by repositioning to the Bay area and doing charters from SFO, OAK, SJC. A lot of trips to S. Cal and the desert, plus Reno and Vegas.
A lady named Penny, is the VP and seems to be the "person in charge", a lady named Debra works the front desk, Michael is the lead dispatcher (he's also a low time pilot, often hitching rides in the King Air), John used to be the line supervisor, but he’s now transitioning to evening dispatch. Obviously, there's a bunch of other people working there, but I don't know any of them.
As for pilot type information, I don't know exact numbers but they have about 3 B200's, 3 C90's, 1 F90, a Baron, and a Challenger. The Challenger has been worldwide, but it doesn't go out much; so I'd believe that the Challenger is managed and the owner only lets it take "good" trips. Don't plan on upgrading to the C601 since I'm pretty sure only the DO and CP fly it. Basically, just plan on flying a bunch of King Air trips, probably so many that the Baron will seem like a very welcome change.
The airplanes seem to be in real good condition, I never hear them having an Mx issue, then again it’s a King Air!
Most of the pilots that I see there have been there for a number of years (even during the good times) and seem upbeat and happy. That is a real good sign for charter companies, being able to keep turn over low and morale high. The only people that were leaving were going to the majors. Another sign that it is a quality charter company is that they don’t do any air-ambulance.
Like I said, I really don't know much about there operation, I just pass through quite regularly.
PS they have the coolest crew car around, they have 2 standard "beaters", but if they break down they role out "big green." Picture in your mind that station wagon that Chevy Chase drove around in that "Vacation" movie! The amazing thing is all the lights actually work!
