King Air captains wanted, 1500 hours??

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:09 pm

" I don't understand where all you old school boys are coming from? back in your day was when the lowest time pilots existed, and got cut loose at crazy hours. I just don't think you guys want to pass on the Helm. "

I could maybe considered old school and I sure was not just turned out with low time and insufficient training on any airplanes I was hired to fly.

For instance in Austin Airways there was a firm rule that you were not even considered for upgrade to Captain on the DC3 or the PBY until you had one thousand hours co-pilot time.

Let me think for a moment....yeh..it was thirty nine years ago when I got my captain check ride on the DC3 and I can assure you there was no shortage of experienced pilots then.

In fact it was just like today, pilots would sodomize a goat on the city hall steps at high noon to get upgraded.

V1CUT · Post by **V1CUT** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:17 pm

Cat,

I think you took that wrong

i never said anything about cutting guys loose with a lack of experience, and besides back in the day you could fly 2000hrs a year so upgrade in 6mo not bad!

and not everyone worked for austin airways there were smaller companies out there spitting out low time guys/gals

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:23 pm

" i never said anything about cutting guys loose with a lack of experience, and besides back in the day you could fly 2000hrs a year so upgrade in 6mo not bad! "

You got me there...

....we used to fly up to 125 hours a month as co-pilots....sort of human robots.

But it sure gave you lots of opportunity to learn.

And considering the conditions we operated in and the lack of airports and reliable nav aids our safety record was astounding.

" and not everyone worked for austin airways there were smaller companies out there spitting out low time guys/gals "

Yes, you are correct, and their safety record was atrocious....nothing really changes does it?

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:02 pm

We did have a couple of fairly high time guys roll them up at Austin's. I remember hauling out most of a Twin Otter in the belly of the Racer. Both guys died. There was a 185 that had the pilot's seat slid back on take off. He didn't make it. That's probably why I get all wound up when I hear about accidents....they really piss me off.