Challenger 604 copilot wanted, Luton based.

Jetsteff Aviation

Jetsteff Aviation

Well-Known Member
We're looking for a dedicated copilot for our Luton-based CL-604. To be very honest, this is not an attractive position for anyone with good experience already in a similar aircraft. The pay is low and you have to get the type rating on your own if you don't already have it. On the flip side, though, the job itself is fun, the airplane is really nice and the owner is fairly easy to get along with.

Some more details: if hired, you would be the third pilot, sharing a rotation with two Captains. The aircraft is operated strictly for private use - no charter flying and it is not on any certificate. Salary and per diems are paid in US dollars - another down side when you consider the airplane is normally based in the UK. Another thing: if you get past the first interview, you'll then have to pass a pre-employment proficiency check at the nearest FSI or CAE training center. The check will most likely be conducted in a Citation simulator and will be a test of your flying skills, especially with regard to instrument flying and handling engine failures. Although we are willing to consider low time pilots, we won't consider you if you do not demonstrate a requisite level of knowledge and pilot skill. If you pass the sim check, you will then meet the aircraft owner, and with his approval, you'll be offered a 2 or 3 year contract.

Not the best of jobs, I know, but for the right person this is a rare opportunity. As a minimum, you must have at least a CPL, Multi-engine and IR (and multi-crew certification if offered in the country your license is issued).

If interested, send a CV / Resume, with cover letter, to: keithskye@hotmail.com
 
So here's my guess...you are one of the captains and not happy about this arrangement. Best of luck to you. Spoken with experience in this same type of issue.
 
Last edited:
Jetsteff Aviation said:
The pay is low and you have to get the type rating on your own if you don't already have it.
Click to expand...

I don't imagine a 604 type ride is cheap...especially if there's still a 3-stage interview process ahead which may result in you going home with a 604 type and no job. Is anything being offered to credit towards the type rating if the person gets hired?
 
Jetsteff Aviation said:
Not the best of jobs, I know, but for the right person this is a rare opportunity. As a minimum, you must have at least a CPL, Multi-engine and IR (and multi-crew certification if offered in the country your license is issued).
Click to expand...

Rare opportunity how? A rare opportunity to get low pay AND pay for training? I am trying my best not to hijack but I am curious how this is a rare opportunity.
 
Inverted said:
Rare opportunity how? A rare opportunity to get low pay AND pay for training? I am trying my best not to hijack but I am curious how this is a rare opportunity.
Click to expand...
It's different on this side of the pond...and no it's not a good thing. Story time over beers some time...
 
LOL... with your avatars, I thought Inverted was carrying on a thread with him, himself, and him!
 
Define low pay... Low pay for the area, compared to NBAA averages, or compared to US regionals? Why does the applicant pay for their training if the pay is already low? If the company isn't paying for the training would it be fair to assume that the applicant is also required to pay their own relocation expenses?
 
Stone Cold: yup, I'm the senior Captain. It's a one-airplane flight department. When I started with the company 6 and half years ago, we didn't fly that much, and though the owner had authorized 3 pilots back then when I took over managing the airplane, we flew so little that I told him that a third guy was not necessary and that why not just pay the current 2-man crew a little more and we'd be happy. That worked for several years, with lots of time off in big chunks several times a year. But in the last couple of years we have started flying a heck of a lot more, and I rarely get home to see my home and my family.

The owner of the aircraft has agreed now to let me hire a third pilot, but with not much of a budget. To be very open about it, the position will pay about $5,000 USD per month. For some of you, as an F/O, that would be a lot of money. It's low for the airplane type, though, hence my comment. Having said that, however, with 3 pilots, working something like 6 weeks on, 3 weeks off, that's not bad, especially if you already live in the area or within a short commute distance on EasyJet, etc. And by the way, the job is offered as permanently based at Luton, so if you want to live somewhere else and commute, you do so at your expense. You can expect a raise at the end of each year during the term of the contract.

For every day on actual duty away from base, we pay $120 USD/day, except in North America where the per diem is $60USD. You get that money whether you spend any of it or not, and that per diem is for food only (okay - and laundry, too). Hotels, taxis and internet are paid for directly by the Captain, using the company credit card. If you are careful with your food spending on the road, you can pocket a fair amount of money each month.

As for spending money to get the type rating, if you are not already typed, here's how it works: you interview with us first, if we like what we see and feel you are a strong candidate, then you go through a sim check at Flight Safety, with me pulling gear (and engines!) for you, so I can see whether or not you truly have the pilot skills we are looking for. If you make it past that, you then interview with the owner. If he gives his blessing, you get a 2 or 3 year contract, and THEN, if you don't have the rating, you go off to school, and pay for the type at the rate we've negotiated with FSI. Our cost at FSI for the 604 type is lower than most, though it may not be as low as some places. The point is that you would have the job before you invested the cost of a type rating. I paid for my first two types on my own, with no promise of a job, so I'm not that sympathetic if anyone thinks this is not a good opportunity for someone who doesn't have a type or any jet time.
 
@Jetsteff Aviation ,

It truly is a different world over in Europe then. As far as I can tell, your job opportunity does look excellent for the right person. Stateside folks may be taken aback by your paying for a type, since we consider that "PFJ" or "pay for job" or numerous other acronyms indicating a personal out of pocket cost for what we Americans perceive to be part of the cost of doing business and hiring.

Just to give you an idea of where I come from, I would consider $5000/mo and an included type a pay raise, and I have almost 4500 hours.

This all being said, thank you for your candor, and I hope you find the guy or gal you wouldn't mind spending weeks on the road with, who will also be a good stick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top