Falcon 20 and Lear SIC's / Kalitta charters

Cloud Surfer said:
Yup, couple more FOs are gone and one captain is about to leave also. One of them just wasn't interested from the beginning in sticking around, had somewhat of a troubled history with his last employer and left before six months into the job. He had some marginal past ties with Connie, though ergo why he likely landed the job. I'll vouch that his work ethic just wasn't there.... The interview folks really ought to find some way of better screening their applicants on suitability, otherwise they'll never find the right mold for this kind of gig.
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It's called average pay and a livable schedule.

Been there, done that - it was by far the worst company I have worked for.
 
Yes, it is no secret that both the compensation and schedule are substandard. I have no long-term plans on staying put, although some here do (mainly Michiganers who want to keep living here). I view it as an entry jet gig, which will with any luck lead to something bigger. But they'll get a least a year out of me just as a gentlemen's agreement for hiring me...plus it won't look good on a résumé to leave before my first six months have gone by. And there are places far worse than Kalitta! The last 135 operator that I worked for was worse in terms of situational QOL, benefits and pay if you could imagine that.
 
Cloud Surfer said:
Yup, couple more FOs are gone and one captain is about to leave also. One of them just wasn't interested from the beginning in sticking around, had somewhat of a troubled history with his last employer and left before six months into the job. He had some marginal past ties with Connie, though ergo why he likely landed the job. I'll vouch that his work ethic just wasn't there.... The interview folks really ought to find some way of better screening their applicants on suitability, otherwise they'll never find the right mold for this kind of gig.
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They could always pay them more.
Just an idea...
 
CrimsonEclipse said:
They could always pay them more.
Just an idea...
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They don't have to for FOs. People are still showing up to interview. It's the reason why they hire people at 1000 hours TT; they acquire low-time folks looking to move up from even worse jobs and to obtain some jet time (like me) to come for interviews, and they can be picky with them too. It's retention for me that is the key to staying here, since it will take three to four years to upgrade for what management thinks is desirable. Base salary for FOs is $31k, doesn't really go much up after for several years. There are places that are hiring right now that pay first year FOs more than Charters is paying ten year FOs! My personal situation can't allow me to live off that for so many years. As far as captains, many of them have recently left and all of them with whom I have flown plan on exiting as soon as they can. They're underpaid, and are worked pretty hard. It is not easy for management to find street captains, too: they're asking for over 5000 hours, Lear type already earned and substandard industry pay. Rather unrealistic expectations IMO: they want to have their cake and eat it, too.

The schedule here is another matter which many of the pilot group here finds more inconvenient than the compensation. I won't go into that since others have covered it in far greater detail than I. It can indeed suck at times. Even with all that, there are several FOs here that have upgraded, close to upgrading or plan on sticking around for whatever reason.

Could upper management make things better? Yeah, management could and should raise the pay, but it is being stubborn about it. They're addicted to cheap labor and still haven't adapted to the reality of the current shortage of pilots willing to fly for peanuts. I would say in about five years, they will be in a world of hurt if pay isn't raised and the schedule made more favorable.

That said, I do like the flying here (so long as I'm not awoken at 1:30 am and still flying until 3 pm...ugh). I came here to fly freight and get some jet experience, but the medevac stuff has grown on me more than I had anticipated. The Lear is a great plane to fly as well. I've no plans on sticking around if a better deal comes along, but I'll make the best out of it so long as I'm here.
 
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Capt. Chaos said:
Also pretty sure changing GPS database cards needs a A&P sign off.
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ppragman said:
That's what I've been aware of most of my career when it comes to Garmin boxes.
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No it does not and has not been required for many years.


43.3 Persons authorized to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations.
(k) Updates of databases in installed avionics meeting the conditions of this paragraph are not considered maintenance and may be performed by pilots provided:

(1) The database upload is:

(i) Initiated from the flight deck;

(ii) Performed without disassembling the avionics unit; and

(iii) Performed without the use of tools and/or special equipment.

(2) The pilot must comply with the certificate holder's procedures or the manufacturer's instructions.

(3) The holder of operating certificates must make available written procedures consistent with manufacturer's instructions to the pilot that describe how to:

(i) Perform the database update; and

(ii) Determine the status of the data upload.
 
Blackhawk said:
No it does not and has not been required for many years.


43.3 Persons authorized to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations.
(k) Updates of databases in installed avionics meeting the conditions of this paragraph are not considered maintenance and may be performed by pilots provided:

(1) The database upload is:

(i) Initiated from the flight deck;

(ii) Performed without disassembling the avionics unit; and

(iii) Performed without the use of tools and/or special equipment.

(2) The pilot must comply with the certificate holder's procedures or the manufacturer's instructions.

(3) The holder of operating certificates must make available written procedures consistent with manufacturer's instructions to the pilot that describe how to:

(i) Perform the database update; and

(ii) Determine the status of the data upload.
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That's what I though, but couldn't find the reference. Thanks!
 
I guess I'll revive it again, more interviews in Jan for a Feb class. I think they just finished interviewing for the Nov class this week. Plenty of info in thread. Schedule is changing to something similar to 2 weeks on 2 weeks off in coming months they're hammering out the details currently, but you didn't hear it from me. Mins at 1000 hours, CFI preferred, more time you have initially the faster you upgrade later. TL;DR Fly all over the continent and occasionally the world doing freight, air ambulance, and pax trips... good people, slowly conditions improving for QOL praise jeebus.

Application link:
http://kalittacharters.atsondemand.com/
 
I don't think this place will ever go to 2 on - 2 off...I know too many FOs and CAs who are both making their way out as soon as they are qualified to do so.

Also anyone coming in with 750 hours...will take a LLOOONNNGG time to upgrade to captain...making pretty low salaries that might make a few of the regionals proud. This decision certainly won't provide them a solution to remedy ANY of their problems. Until they pony up and raise FO pay, who the heck would want to stay here if they don't have to?
 
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Blackhawk said:
No it does not and has not been required for many years.


43.3 Persons authorized to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations.
(k) Updates of databases in installed avionics meeting the conditions of this paragraph are not considered maintenance and may be performed by pilots provided:

(1) The database upload is:

(i) Initiated from the flight deck;

(ii) Performed without disassembling the avionics unit; and

(iii) Performed without the use of tools and/or special equipment.

(2) The pilot must comply with the certificate holder's procedures or the manufacturer's instructions.

(3) The holder of operating certificates must make available written procedures consistent with manufacturer's instructions to the pilot that describe how to:

(i) Perform the database update; and

(ii) Determine the status of the data upload.
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What publication is this from. The FARs? Or the AIM?
 
If only I had $43.30 in my pocket...unfortunately it all went into buying ASA's 2016 copy of the FAR/AIM...so that I could look up part 43 when need be....

Don't forget about these cigarettes that I just bought for when I need to take a break from reading the FARs all day long.... :smoke: Those cost a lot, too. Man, being a pilot can be truly expensive at times!! Oh well, at least I get to wear this really spiffy uniform that chicks dig wherever I go. ;)
 
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BEEF SUPREME said:
There really isn't a need to be condescending. I don't make assumptions. So I asked for clarification. Thanks for clarifying.
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Sorry to be harsh, but I would hope that at the point where someone is flying commercially they would know the difference between regulations and the AIM. Off the top of my head I can't think of anything in the AIM related to maintenance.
Also, I would hope anyone flying commercially would be familiar with FAR 43. No, not have it memorized, but if you have a question about maintenance issues I would first look there.
Finally, while the ASA FAR/AIM is an ok for studying I would not bet my career on it. As an example if you look at the front of the 2015 ASA FAR/AIM you will see it was published in August 2014. Yes, almost a year and a half ago. The AIM is updated twice a year so there have been three changes to that already. The FARs change as much as the FAA changes them. I've seen some changes bite pilots who were using outdated FARs. In today's electronic age if you wish to be a professional pilot spend the $15/year on an electronic subscription.
 
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