Smaller range a/c at NetJets QOL

[larrivee]

Will somebody provide some Quality of life insight on the various smaller range aircraft at NJ? i.e. The XL vs Hawker 400XP vs. Ultra vs. Encore vs. Encore plus? Thanks.

 

[Guitar Guy]

The Ultra is a fleet that is being retired. Lots of guys on it are reporting that they aren't flying very much anymore or at least as much as they used to. The Encore is a static flight but it seemed to not to be flying quite as much either when I left it last fall. The Encore+ is ramping with deliveries of one plane per month for the next 3-4 years. And the Encore+ is definitely the best of the 560 fleet, having FADEC and a Collins ProLine 21 setup. (Take that, Jafo73 - inside joke.)

I've not flown the 400XP so I can't comment personally. However from talking with some guys that fly it, they aren't flying nearly as much as some of the other fleets. The plane does lack some for takeoff and landing performance, so that contributes to the "QOL". But hopefully someone actually in that fleet can give you more insight.

 

[av8tor4239]

A P U.. I Say Again... A P U

 

[Jafo73]

The Ultra is a fleet that is being retired. Lots of guys on it are reporting that they aren't flying very much anymore or at least as much as they used to. The Encore is a static flight but it seemed to not to be flying quite as much either when I left it last fall. The Encore+ is ramping with deliveries of one plane per month for the next 3-4 years. And the Encore+ is definitely the best of the 560 fleet, having FADEC and a Collins ProLine 21 setup. (Take that, Jafo73 - inside joke.)

:crying:

And you know you miss setting the power on take-off instead of just 3 clicks up...
:beer:

 

[fischman]

Will somebody provide some Quality of life insight on the various smaller range aircraft at NJ? i.e. The XL vs Hawker 400XP vs. Ultra vs. Encore vs. Encore plus? Thanks.

I like it. I have a 2 hour a$$. Ultra works just fine for me. Having said that, I'm looking forward to the 560EP

 

[SKYLAWYER]

So how do you guys find life without the APU. Is it like the CJ1 where you could get A/C with a GPU hooked up so at least you were not boiling in the summer? How are the winters?

 

[Guitar Guy]

:crying:

And you know you miss setting the power on take-off instead of just 3 clicks up...
:beer:

I guess I just prefer it to be like some of that cheap kitchen gadgetry that gets pushed in those info-mercials: "Set it and forget it".
:beer:

 

[Guitar Guy]

A P U.. I Say Again... A P U

Huh?

 

[jtf]

Each aircraft at NJA has it's own advantages to the others. Every airplane a new hire can be assigned to will have the same pay rates so bigger isn't better for pay as a new hire. Most of the smaller aircraft do shorter legs and you will be happy to not be stuck in them for long. From what I've been told even the G200 has rather uncomfortable seats and isn't the most fun on a long flight, though I guess you could bring a cushion. The X is a cool airplane, but you pay for being in a cool airplane by being in a cramped cockpit for long stretches of time. The Ultra isn't as cool, but your work days will most likely be easier. The Excel works a lot (as do the X, Sovereign, and G200) but it can't do nearly as long of legs as any of the other 3 so you don't get trapped in the small cockpit as long and you also have an APU that the smaller airplanes that don't fly quite as much don't have. My guess is that only the Falcon (though it is very unlikely for a new hire now that upgrade is taking a long time) would have any better quality of life since they have a flight attendant to help out. I think almost everyone will be happy with whatever fleet they get when they think about what advantages their particular aircraft has over the others.

 

[flywest]

I'm on the Ultra and we definately don't work as hard as we used to. That airplane always seems to break at least once a tour, so if you are the type that needs to be on the "go" all the time, steer clear. For those that like some "FBO & Hotel Appreciation" time, then come on over!

That being said, I think the best fleet is the one that they offer to you with the first class date. I was hired here about 6 months after my buddy, and he upgraded over a year ago. I figure I have another 3-6 months before my number is up.

Good luck!

 

[captain007]

When I was called yesterday, I felt the best aircraft would be any a/c netjets offers me. I am just glad to be with NetJets.

 

[On Your Six]

When I was called yesterday, I felt the best aircraft would be any a/c netjets offers me. I am just glad to be with NetJets.

Exactly. There are plenty of people who would want to be in your position now. You can breathe again. The Beechjet will be an easy and fun airplane to fly. Enjoy!

 

[captain007]

Exactly. There are plenty of people who would want to be in your position now. You can breathe again. The Beechjet will be an easy and fun airplane to fly. Enjoy!

Thanks Bud

 

[Guitar Guy]

When I was called yesterday, I felt the best aircraft would be any a/c netjets offers me. I am just glad to be with NetJets.

That's how I felt, too. And I think it's best to get on the seniority list at the first opportunity if you are interested in upgrading as soon as you can. Sometimes a delay of just a week or two can spell several months of waiting for an upgrade.

Congrats again, capt.

 

[johnsonrod]

When I was called yesterday, I felt the best aircraft would be any a/c netjets offers me. I am just glad to be with NetJets.

007,

Trust me, you are going to like the Beechjet fleet. From what I hear, the crews are cool and the flying is not the ba!!-busting flying you might find in other fleets (transcons every other flight). Both the Beechjet and Ultra fleets are pretty laid back and their performance differences are not that great.

Like others have said, I have heard that each fleet has its positives and negatives. You got great speed and ramp appeal with the Citation X but you fly all the time and you have to sit in a cramped cockpit for 5-6 hours at a time. The Excel, Sovereign and G200 fleets are all super busy as well. With the Beechjet you will not experience the heavy-duty flying and you will fly shorter distances but you will still see most of the same destinations that you would see on other fleets - Aspen, Scottsdale, Boca Raton, Jackson Hole, Santa Fe, Martha's Vineyard, Napa, etc. will all become very familiar in time.

Besides, you have an entire career to go explore the other fleet types which tend to be busier - so, relax and enjoy your time on the Beechjet while you can.

 

[Guitar Guy]

Both the Beechjet and Ultra fleets are pretty laid back and their performance differences are not that great.

Really? Go look at takeoff and landing performance. The 400XP and Ultra are noticeably different in terms of performance. The 400XP can't get into places like 73J or FHR, for instance. The minimum runway lengths listed in the FOM for both of those planes differ by several hundred feet.

I do agree with your assessment that both fleets seem to be laid back in terms of workload.

 

[On Your Six]

Really? Go look at takeoff and landing performance. The 400XP and Ultra are noticeably different in terms of performance. The 400XP can't get into places like 73J or FHR, for instance. The minimum runway lengths listed in the FOM for both of those planes differ by several hundred feet.

I do agree with your assessment that both fleets seem to be laid back in terms of workload.

I guess it is all relative. Perhaps J-Rod was comparing the difference between a Beechjet and an Ultra to the difference between a Beechjet and the Sovereign... Who knows...

 

[Bronco Buster]

Been on the Beechjet since I was hired 10 months ago and love it. It's definitely the easiest job at NJA. Due to our range and load limitations we generally only fly recoveries for ourselves and the Ultras. A hard day is generally 4 short legs. A lot of days we sit at the hotel or FBO so it's great if you like to read, surf the net, or workout at the gym. The avionics is outstanding and the performance is more than adequate for our normal mission. Most of our owners are business people so we have very few early morning goes and they generally bring little or no real luggage. Not having an apu can be a problem in the summer, but if you're aggressive about getting a gpu hooked up, pull the shades, shut the door, and run the AC at max blower you can generally keep it bearable to quite comfortable depending on the outside temp and humidity. In the winter shutting the door, opening the blinds on the sunny side, running the defog blowers, avionics and lights makes it OK in real cold weather. The longest leg I've flown is TEB to Orlando and I know its done KPGD to HPN. Many of the captains I fly with came from the Citation X where they were getting worked to death. Oh yeah one other benefit I forgot: we don't have single point refueling so you can always justify a 1/2 hour minimum "quick turn" which gives you time to eat or take care of any other necessities

 

[captain007]

Been on the Beechjet since I was hired 10 months ago and love it. It's definitely the easiest job at NJA. Due to our range and load limitations we generally only fly recoveries for ourselves and the Ultras. A hard day is generally 4 short legs. A lot of days we sit at the hotel or FBO so it's great if you like to read, surf the net, or workout at the gym. The avionics is outstanding and the performance is more than adequate for our normal mission. Most of our owners are business people so we have very few early morning goes and they generally bring little or no real luggage. Not having an apu can be a problem in the summer, but if you're aggressive about getting a gpu hooked up, pull the shades, shut the door, and run the AC at max blower you can generally keep it bearable to quite comfortable depending on the outside temp and humidity. In the winter shutting the door, opening the blinds on the sunny side, running the defog blowers, avionics and lights makes it OK in real cold weather. The longest leg I've flown is TEB to Orlando and I know its done KPGD to HPN. Many of the captains I fly with came from the Citation X where they were getting worked to death. Oh yeah one other benefit I forgot: we don't have single point refueling so you can always justify a 1/2 hour minimum "quick turn" which gives you time to eat or take care of any other necessities

Sounds like a cool airplane, I am real excited!!

 

[IDEtoNJA]

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