Hello all -

C

CaravanPilot

New Member
Well, I have made the decision to step into being a cargo pilot. I have over 20 years being a mechanic/IA inspector and have meet many cargo pilots as I have crossed the country fixing aircraft. I have finally built my flight time to the Part 135 min and then some by being at times a mechanic/pilot on the side of my real job. Also, I have been a skydiver pilot, banner tower, and VFR Part 135 pilot outside the country. I will be hanging up my mechanic's hat and looking to putting on the pilot hat.

I work a night shift job here in Atlanta and lately been talking with Airnet, Martinaire pilot's and have seen that this is what I want to do. (Talked with someone flying an Airnet Caravan with old faded out Martinaire logo from BHM, PM me about a RC helicopter field there in BHM)

I have many years as a mechanic with the Caravan and really love the aircraft. I have over 300 hours in a Caravan flying right seat and left seat (yes it was legal, the Op’s Spec called for it and I did do check rides). I have maintenance schooling and recurrent training on the caravan and I do not see a problem with flight training.

This forum has been the biggest help to me in saying I am looking at Martinaire or Paragon (been to BHM many times for a road trip to fix an a/c and really enjoyed talking with them) to start. Also I have been watch flightaware to see what a normal night is like.

So a few questions:

1. Do I have a chance on getting on as I have never had a full time job as a pilot? I have only had jobs where it was Mechanic and a Pilot.
2. Will my mechanic background in the Caravan help me?
3. I see that Martinaire has an opening for the Brownwood to AUS route. Question is, is that the only route you fly for the night? It is short route.

Thank you and looking forward to meeting more pilots in the freight line of work.

Ken
 
CaravanPilot said:

So a few questions:

1. Do I have a chance on getting on as I have never had a full time job as a pilot? I have only had jobs where it was Mechanic and a Pilot.
2. Will my mechanic background in the Caravan help me?
3. I see that Martinaire has an opening for the Brownwood to AUS route. Question is, is that the only route you fly for the night? It is short route.

Thank you and looking forward to meeting more pilots in the freight line of work.

Ken
Click to expand...
1. Yes
2. Possibly. All that does is show you have a working (quite literally in this instance) knowledge of the airplane.
3.I'm not sure about his one since I don't fly for them, but I do know that a lot of freight companies that have contracts with brown a.k.a. UPS just have out and backs which have long layovers. Some don't.
 
ackeight said:
1. Yes
2. Possibly. All that does is show you have a working (quite literally in this instance) knowledge of the airplane.
3.I'm not sure about his one since I don't fly for them, but I do know that a lot of freight companies that have contracts with brown a.k.a. UPS just have out and backs which have long layovers. Some don't.
Click to expand...

Send a PM to USMCMech - he is familiar with the nuances of this particular route. Matter of fact, I think he flew it a couple weeks ago...
 
killbilly said:
Send a PM to USMCMech - he is familiar with the nuances of this particular route. Matter of fact, I think he flew it a couple weeks ago...
Click to expand...
Gotta love JC! This place can be awesome. This is what it's about.
 
KillBilly - Thanks so much - I sent him a PM - Do you work for Martinaire?

Ian J - Yes you are right - this is a great forum - BTW - I spent alot of time reading your posting and really enjoyed them:rawk:

Ken
 
I don't have anything to say here except that I wish you good luck in your career switch, it sounds very feasible.
 
From someone that just botched the hell out of the sim portion of the Airnet Interview.... Be very current on instruments and multiengine systems, go find a Frasca and fly the hell out of it, most importantly, get shown what various systems failures look like in the Frasca.... it will help you beyond your wildest dreams. Even if you are a good pilot, if you aren't up to snuff on the instruments, it will all be for not..

Good luck
 
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