SoCal 135 Turboprop Operators

Fly4Lyfe

Fly4Lyfe

Well-Known Member
Hey everyone, for reasons I won't bore you with here, I'm pretty obsessed with flying a turboprop at this stage in my career and so I'm trying to compile a current list of 135 operators in SoCal that fly them. Doesn't matter what kind of turboprop or whether it's single or multi. I'm of course already familiar with Encompass/Surf Air, Boutique Air, and Advanced Air Charters in HHR.

Thanks!
 
I have no idea if they're part 135, but I've flown with a lot of pilots that did a stint with Dynamic Aviation dropping fruit flies out of king airs. I think they're based at Los Alamitos. I can't tell you how it is to work there, but it might be worth a look.
 
launchpad said:
I have no idea if they're part 135, but I've flown with a lot of pilots that did a stint with Dynamic Aviation dropping fruit flies out of king airs. I think they're based at Los Alamitos. I can't tell you how it is to work there, but it might be worth a look.
Click to expand...
The pay is insanely low.

I'd try West Coast Charters at SNA. They have 5-10 King Airs on charter.
 
knot4u said:
I'm curious why SoCal, and why turboprop? I'm bored @Fly4Lyfe please share a bit more of your story.
Click to expand...
I'm sitting in the hotel, and also wondering why the boner for turbo props. I've got a lot of PT-6 time, and half the flying I do now in the jet should be done in a turbo prop, (shhhhhhh). But when it comes to a career, I certainly wonder why someone would target an air frame instead of a track. Most fun I've ever had was in a King Air, but I was also training people in the airframe, so it was a lot of fun.
OP, please expand upon your boner. #canisaythat
 
@knot4u @bucksmith SoCal because that's where I live (and I'm unfortunately not able to relocate). Turboprops because I'm planning to end up in 121 in the next few years and so now is likely the only time in my career I'll be able to fly them, not to mention most of my favorite airplanes are turboprops. Case in point, I've never seen a PC-12 I didn't love. In other words, I want to check turboprops off my flying bucket list before I become a robot airline pilot.

I'm fairly low-time, so I'm envisioning some sort of 135 SIC gig, but it's been surprisingly difficult to assemble a list of the 135 turboprop operators in my area that I could contact. Thanks guys for taking the time to read and respond to this.
 
Last edited:
Fly4Lyfe said:
@knot4u @bucksmith SoCal because that's where I live (and I'm unfortunately not able to relocate). Turboprops because I'm planning to end up in 121 in the next few years and so now is likely the only time in my career I'll be able to fly them, not to mention most of my favorite airplanes are turboprops. Case in point, I've never seen a PC-12 I didn't love. In other words, I want to check turboprops off my flying bucket list before I become a robot airline pilot.

I'm fairly low-time, so I'm envisioning some sort of 135 SIC gig, but it's been surprisingly difficult to assemble a list of the 135 turboprop operators in my area that I could contact. Thanks guys for taking the time to read and respond to this.
Click to expand...
That's cool, guess I forgot what it's like to dream about equipment instead of more time off and more money!
Some of the coolest flying I've done was my King Air gig. In addition to corporate and a smattering of charter, our primary mission was training guys to fly it. so we did a lot of cool VFR flying, steep turns and emergency descents down through holes in the clouds. (2000 feet away from any of them!)
I mostly flew a 300, which is the body of a 200 with the engines of a 350. Real kick in the pants, especially holding the brakes for a static take off and feeling that thing trying to rip itself off the landing gear!
Also lots of fun tooling around IN the weather instead of blasting up thru it. (Not that I really miss that part.)
I think someone mentioned Dynamic, if they are in your area, and you don't need the money, could probably do some interesting flying with them.
How bout a babysitting gig in a TBM? Know anybody getting ready to buy one? Are there any dealers in the area you could network with?
I see you've got all your instructor ratings, that might be a good fit for you and allow you to take some contract right seat work too.
Good luck!
 
West coast charters has a bunch of 350's and are always looking for SIC's with a quick upgrade at 135 mins. SNA based with a damn good schedule.
 
bucksmith said:
I'm sitting in the hotel, and also wondering why the boner for turbo props. I've got a lot of PT-6 time, and half the flying I do now in the jet should be done in a turbo prop, (shhhhhhh). But when it comes to a career, I certainly wonder why someone would target an air frame instead of a track. Most fun I've ever had was in a King Air, but I was also training people in the airframe, so it was a lot of fun.
OP, please expand upon your boner. #canisaythat
Click to expand...
If there was actually any sort of a career in turboprops, you wouldn't find me anywhere near a jet. They are by far the most fun you can have in an airplane.
 
Good for you. I mean probably terrible for your career, but if that was your first concern, you wouldn't have made this post. Flying one jet is pretty much like flying another jet, AFAICT. They put the buttons in different places, but as far as enjoying your machine, you're pretty much down to "we can (watch the autopilot) get to 510, bro!". Turboprops have character.
 
Fly4Lyfe said:
Hey everyone, for reasons I won't bore you with here, I'm pretty obsessed with flying a turboprop at this stage in my career and so I'm trying to compile a current list of 135 operators in SoCal that fly them. Doesn't matter what kind of turboprop or whether it's single or multi. I'm of course already familiar with Encompass/Surf Air, Boutique Air, and Advanced Air Charters in HHR.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm hiring King Air 200 PIC/SIC right now. send your resume to sam.s@dljets.com
www.dreamlineaviation.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top