Corporate Type Rating to Get?

AirVenture

AirVenture

Well-Known Member
An interesting, but good dilemma...

I've been right-seating at CAE SimuFlite - Dallas for over two years now. It's gotten me a Beechjet PIC type rating and SIC training on the Falcon 50/900. Now the time has come that I can choose a second type, but this time one of my choice (excluding some of the high dollar ones). I know in this market, a type rating without time in type is nearly useless, but none the less may be useful down the road. I'm also a low time guy with about 1000TT/40ME.

There seems to be two schools of thought:

Go big! It's not often you get this chance, so I might as well get my money's worth. Some type ratings these days can be purchased for under or around $10,000 (Citation, 737), so get something that would cost $20,000+. I could get a DA-50 type rating which would look good for the Falcon 50/900 clients I already right seat for in the simulators.

Be realisitc! Go with a Citation. Depending on what model you do it in, it may cover several different airframes and therefore would be more useful. With my low times it may be more practical thinking that a first FO job might be in a Citation. The training would also be a bit shorter, meaning less time away from work (flight instructing).

Any ideas or advice?

:beer:
 
The Citation Excel seems to be in demand these days. It seems like the biggest hang up for a lot of operators these days is their desire to get someone typed and current -- and thus save on training costs. Maybe this is the right time to contact someone at your "dream" job and lock in a contract saying: "Hey, I'll get my type and currency if you give me the job." Although, even coming with the type may not get you a right seat spot on the new G650 with your current hours. It does seem like some types are "a dime a dozen." I have a Citation 500 type along with everyone and their brother. I would definitely have an edge if I had that CE500XL! Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
AirVenture said:
An interesting, but good dilemma...

I've been right-seating at CAE SimuFlite - Dallas for over two years now. It's gotten me a Beechjet PIC type rating and SIC training on the Falcon 50/900. Now the time has come that I can choose a second type, but this time one of my choice (excluding some of the high dollar ones). I know in this market, a type rating without time in type is nearly useless, but none the less may be useful down the road. I'm also a low time guy with about 1000TT/40ME.

There seems to be two schools of thought:

Go big! It's not often you get this chance, so I might as well get my money's worth. Some type ratings these days can be purchased for under or around $10,000 (Citation, 737), so get something that would cost $20,000+. I could get a DA-50 type rating which would look good for the Falcon 50/900 clients I already right seat for in the simulators.

Be realisitc! Go with a Citation. Depending on what model you do it in, it may cover several different airframes and therefore would be more useful. With my low times it may be more practical thinking that a first FO job might be in a Citation. The training would also be a bit shorter, meaning less time away from work (flight instructing).

Any ideas or advice?

:beer:
Click to expand...
Go common type Citation. It fits your experience, and has a ton more clients. If you go heavy iron, there are way too many very, very experienced folks out here looking. It would be a tough market. You could be one of the 1-in-1,000,000 guys, but why take the chance?

Just my opinion. Good luck no matter what you decide. Just think, you will have more PIC type ratings than me, and you now have more than me including the SIC type.:D
 
Citation types are pretty solid as there are so many airplanes in the fleet. Maybe check out the Challenger series. As you said, the DA50 is a nice one to have.
 
Do the CE525S type. Try to do it in the Cj3 sim, the "straight" Cj sim up at MMU is kind of a dog. Seriously.

-mini
 
Interesting thought - Any cessna jet rating helps, though you have to look at the numbers being operated to see who to approach with your CV and how likely getting a job is.

With a cessna rating, even if you fly another cessna type, it's not like starting from zero as there will be some commonality.

If it was no object I'd say Lockheed Jetstar, cause that's way too cool, otherwise it's a choise between the common Cessna and a rarer Cessna.

Alex.
 
Wow the more I think about this the more I dispute with myself. I was originally saying CE500 type without thinking about it............BUT, the more I think about it that falcon type might be a better idea for a good SIC job you already state that your networking with these folks doing their instruction. So you are already working that angle. A lot of times the total hrs aren't the deciding factor it is that the company/owner just doesn't want to come off the money for an initial type.
Of course now I go back to the fact that there are probably 10x as many citations flying around than falcons. So of course there is simply a numbers game there. So I wish you good luck and tell you that this is indeed a wonderful problem to have you lucky SOB:beer:
 
Yup, some great points guys. You definitely pointed some good pros and cons.

You can get into the right-seat of a Falcon 50/900 if you happen to be in the right place, right time, and know people. One gentleman going through our training was a career changer in his late 20's. I rich relative with connections sent him through ATP and he got all his ratings in a couple of months. Right after that he got sent to school to get 900SIC qualified. He's now flying 900's in the Middle East. I'm guessing he had around 250hrs.

As of right now, big airplane, big suitcase is not a problem :) I'd love to do it while I'm young and able!
 
I'd say C-500 series, it allows you to fly the I, II, SII, V, Ultra, Bravo and Encore. Better chances of getting that jet PIC time starting out with a small company flying those with a type.
 
or, you could give me your spot!!!! :)
Man, what a great problem to have!! But I know you guys have earned it with having to be super flexible over there. That is a great program, I know one of the guys over at GTU that is doing that as well.
 
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