Zantop

[stick_pilot]

Is Zantop hiring?

If so, what are their minimums?

 

[leardrivr]

I believe they are. Not sure about the minimums though. Sorry!

 

[bafanguy]

Are you sure they're even in business ?

 

[vossdr1]

I thought they were out of business too or else very close to it.

 

[pilotyip]

Doubt Hiring

They have two crews and are flying three airplanes. If they were hiring it is $18K per year to start and you need a Turbo prop FE written and you start as an Electra FE. The 18K was starting pay under the old Teamsters union contract, it could be lower now. They laid everyone off in Feb 1997, and then renegotiated the contract to lower pay and fewer days off. I think they will fly until they run out of Electra parts whenever that might be?

 

[stick_pilot]

Do Zantop fly Convairs?

Who flies Convairs to KYIP?

 

[leardrivr]

No convairs at yip that I know of. Well acualy there is one but I think it is research plane. There is a outfit at kptk (pontiac airport) 19 miles north of yip that runs a fleet of convairs. It is called I.F.L./ Contract air cargo. They have 580' 5800's and 2 B727's. I used to work for them back in 98-99. If you want more specific info pm me and I'll tell you who to contact overthere. They are hiring right now. They just transfered the entire convair fleet to there 121 cert. So they had to let the old guys go. Kind of sad really. I learned alot from those old crusty freight dogs.

 

[T-Gates]

I think C&M out of ELP flys ole CV640's (RR Darts) with the old Zantop stripe on the side. That may be what your seeing. The only other Convair operators out there are IFL and Air Tahoma. I think Rhodes is dead now....

 

[pilotyip]

C&M CV-640

C&M keeps a CV-640 on the East ramp at YIP hoping to pick up trips. It is painted as it was when it left the Zipper fleet.

 

[bafanguy]

pilotyip,


Is it true the FAA is pushing Part 125 operators to move to a 121 certificate ? If so, it's bad for the old guys as you mentioned. Other than not having a max age, what's the advantage to a 125 certificate ?

 

[EX_CV580FR8Dawg]

Hey LearDrivr,

I miss the good ol days of flying the CVs up at IFL, I was there just after you in late 99. Were you there when Smokin Joe was flying? Sure do miss flying with Zerbe too. Those were some fun times!

 

[Clyde]

Do Zantop fly Convairs?

Who flies Convairs to KYIP?

Zantop used to have a fleet of CV-640's. C&M Airways bought about 4 of them. They also own one that is painted in a different color scheme. The outfit is base in ELP and they run several trips into KYIP on automotive charters. All but one of their 640's is painted in the Zantop paint minus the name.

 

[leardrivr]

Hey LearDrivr,

I miss the good ol days of flying the CVs up at IFL, I was there just after you in late 99. Were you there when Smokin Joe was flying? Sure do miss flying with Zerbe too. Those were some fun times!

Ya I was there then. Smokey Joe and I were in the same initial class. I ran into Spiller not to long ago. He is doing good. Pm me and tell me who you are and were you are at. We probably know eachother.

 

[han_solo]

Is it still possible to fly old turboprops with steam gauges and still get jobs with major airlines?

 

[wmudriver]

Zantop and part 125

Zantop has 1 or 2 L-188s still operating out of YIP. Another company, TMC, either operates or leases a few L-188s out of YIP as well. Don't know the exact relationship of TMC with Zantop. Judging by the number of discarded L-188s at YIP, doesn't look like they will be running out of parts anytime soon.

There are only a few part 125 operators left such as Murray, C&M, Geo Air, IFL and maybe a few more (Zantop, TMC?). The advantage of a part 125 certificate is the long (16 hours) duty day/flight time limit. So they can be on duty for 16 hours, drop off the cargo then part 91 it home empty...which can make for a long day. Then get 8 hours rest and do it again. A disadvantage of Part 125 is that we can't go into Canada.

 

[bafanguy]

wmu,


Why can't Part125 operators fly into Canada ? Can't be pilot's age as Canada doesn't have the age 60 thing.

 

[pilotyip]

Fedex, UPs, SWA, hire Turbo prop all the time

The L-188 is the same as the P-3, except the L-188 has better avionics than the P-3A I used to fly. P-3, C-130, C-2 guys are hired by the big boys all the time. It flies very similar to a jet, is faster than some jets down low, systems in many aspects are more complicated than a jet. You are flying a 116K MGTOW airplane. It is a great trainer to fly any big airplane. We have never had a Zantop Electra pilot fail training going into the DC-9. My favorite airplane.

 

[wmudriver]

good question

wmu,


Why can't Part125 operators fly into Canada ? Can't be pilot's age as Canada doesn't have the age 60 thing.

I really don't know why exactly but I speculate b/c of the lax rules (i.e. the 16 hour duty day) that are part of 125 operations. Maybe Pilotyip has a little better answer.

 

[pilotyip]

Common Carriage

Part 125 operators are private operators; they are not allowed to hold out to the public. They can only haul cargo for individual contracted companies. The Canadians do not want private operators who are not certificated as an air carrier in their native country engaging in commerce in the Canada. IFL knew of this back in 1997 when I worked there and was in the process of putting their 121 certificate together at that time.

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Is it still possible to fly old turboprops with steam gauges and still get jobs with major airlines?

Yes it is still possible to fly old turboprops with steam gauges.

And...

Yes you can still get jobs with major airlines.