Alpha Flying/Planesense

Jimmy_Norton

Jimmy_Norton

Well-Known Member
Alpha is still actively looking for f/o's. Starting pay is $28k/year, the schedule is 7/7. Not gonna get rich here, but the quality of life is decent, and you'll build some pretty good experience. I'm not sure I'd recommend you come here if you don't have any multi time, cause you could end up getting stuck here after a few years, but its a good place to build turbine time and total time without having to deal with being a commuter pilot.

Apply here: Next Steps for Professionals Who Want to Join the PlaneSense® Team
 
I started back in May and I thoroughly enjoy it. I agree with everything Jimmy has to say, but perhaps with a slightly different perspective. Small correction though, starting pay is $27k.

I'll respond to any questions here or by pm.
 
I guess I'll be the first to ask. What is the typical timeline to get into the left seat? Company mins for upgrade? Thanks for the post.
 
The minimum hour requirement for upgrade is 1500 tt. Assuming you are a decent pilot, and play well with others, you could upgrade within a year, if things keep going like they are going. The company wants you to experience a winter first, assuming you don't have any winter weather experience.
 
During my application I was told that I would only be interviewing for the PSM base. PDK is relatively small with only 20 or so pilots. In my new hire class of 10, only 1 was assigned PDK. That said, it is possible to request a base-switch. If you chose to commute it will be on your dime with no company assistance - they expect you to be in Base by 4am on Day 1.
 
If you looking for a PC12 to fly try Seaport Airlines. What, you've never heard of them?? not surprised. Scheduled commuter instead of fractional but will hire with less than 1200tt. Upgrade is fast too and QOL is pretty hard to beat I think. Same deal though, have some multi time. But with the market moving the way it is over the next two years multi time requirements are going down in some cases to 0 already.
 
I have to agree with Jimmy when he says he is not sure he would recommend you come here if you don't have multi time. Though I never worked for Alpha, I did work for a very similar operator (Vans/PC12's) and it's hard to move on without multi PIC. Sure, it's great to have 3,000 Turbine PIC but when it's single engine, it's "usually" not going to get you anywhere. I left said single engine operator years ago and beg fought and stole whatever multi time I could get. Friends that stayed with said company may have thousands of more hours of "turbine pic" then myself, however they have no where to go, and I am PIC on a turbo jet. Just something to keep in mind. Not knocking Alpha at all, I've met a ton of their pilots and most are very cool people, just want to make sure everyone considers every angle.
 
averettpilot said:
Who is hiring with 0 multi time these days for a job that requires a multi?
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The last think I saw on Cape only preferred 50 or 100 but the cert was all that was required. There was one other. As pilots get harder to find for outfits like that, multi is the only requirement they can drop. I got my initial multi time at FLX with just the cert but i'm not sure i would suggest that these days. Loved the company but from what I hear the opportunity for baron is slim. Anyone know what airnet wants? Ameriflght has come down to 50 as well already.
 
Hi.

Would be very interested to fly pc12 after the 208. My dream plane.
How is life there. Can we survive in a 1 bed apartment.? What you mean 7/7? 7days on,7 off

Got 2000 h atp.500 multi and some jet .




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I used to work there a few years back. Its a pretty good operation overall, not perfect by any stretch but definitely a decent company and a good pilot group. The schedule rocks, and the experience is good, probably one of the few places where you can depart a grass strip for JFK. When I was there (pre crash of 09) they were losing captains to Citation Shares, Net Jets, Flexjet, and Avantair so the lack of multi-time wasn't that bad. OTOH we did lose a couple captains that only went to become regional FOs as well. Of course those guys that got hired at those places had PIC. The right seat time, although loggable isn't very well respected which I found out later after I left. Now I'm back in the grind in training at a regional myself. Its a good way to get some turbine low time though, I was hired at about 500 hours with an internal rec.

Personally though, the industry experience there was a hard lesson for me, when the economy slid the company lost a lot of its owners. They closed the FXE base and let loose a lot of its pilots (myself included). And with no union it wasn't a furlough... just a pinkslip unfortunately. One of the bigger reasons why I probably won't go back to the corporate side.

But still, its good experience in a great plane with a great schedule and okay pay for the first couple years or so. Just have a backup plan! Good luck to everyone! applying!
 
While everyone dreams about multi-engine turbine, this is a great job if you love flying alot and are in need of an introduction to the corporate flying world. You will fly alot with this company, >500hrs a year if you want, that's alot for a 7on/7off schedule. The plane is extremely versatile, and is the best single-engine experience out there. There's not a company/person out there that wouldn't hire a former PC-12 pilot to fly their PC-12, TBM, Malibu, etc. Yes most people don't come here for their careers, but if you still fly for the enjoyment/challenge, this is a good place to be
 
Vapor Lock said:
If you looking for a PC12 to fly try Seaport Airlines. What, you've never heard of them?? not surprised. Scheduled commuter instead of fractional but will hire with less than 1200tt. Upgrade is fast too and QOL is pretty hard to beat I think. Same deal though, have some multi time. But with the market moving the way it is over the next two years multi time requirements are going down in some cases to 0 already.
Click to expand...

lol. wait till you've been there a couple years till you say QOL is awesome. there's a reason people bail at the first regional they can
 
HVYMETALDRVR said:
I used to work there a few years back. Its a pretty good operation overall, not perfect by any stretch but definitely a decent company and a good pilot group. The schedule rocks, and the experience is good, probably one of the few places where you can depart a grass strip for JFK. When I was there (pre crash of 09) they were losing captains to Citation Shares, Net Jets, Flexjet, and Avantair so the lack of multi-time wasn't that bad. OTOH we did lose a couple captains that only went to become regional FOs as well. Of course those guys that got hired at those places had PIC. The right seat time, although loggable isn't very well respected which I found out later after I left. Now I'm back in the grind in training at a regional myself. Its a good way to get some turbine low time though, I was hired at about 500 hours with an internal rec.

Personally though, the industry experience there was a hard lesson for me, when the economy slid the company lost a lot of its owners. They closed the FXE base and let loose a lot of its pilots (myself included). And with no union it wasn't a furlough... just a pinkslip unfortunately. One of the bigger reasons why I probably won't go back to the corporate side.

But still, its good experience in a great plane with a great schedule and okay pay for the first couple years or so. Just have a backup plan! Good luck to everyone! applying!
Click to expand...

The FXE base was a clusterfluck, that's for sure, but no one was let go, everyone was offered to be based at PDK or PSM.

I don't think we furloughed more than 5 people through the slowdown, aside from some of the dead weight that was trimmed off, and all furloughed pilots were brought back on.
 
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