PC 12 FO vs c172 PIC

[Kay1002]

I got the opportunity to fly a pc12 in northern Ontario and im not sure if its the right move, im currently doing survey work on a c172 logging 80 hours a month VFR and getting paid fairly well. The pc12 job has a no bond contract and thats why im considering it, they do 50-60 hours a month.

I currently have 550 TT and got my ATPL pic requirement.

The goal is the mainline as soon as possible should i wait 750TT for encore and then eventually join the mainline or should I do jazz even though Jazz takes for ever in their hiring and type training, I heard it might take 6 months to start flying in jazz.

Ive also applied to the charter companies but no luck, also they do 18 months bond contract (most of them)

The PC 12 is turbine, glass, IFR but in the end its single engine so that’s why im not sure.

[Heavy Rayn]

Go fly the PC12 with no bond, enjoy Ornge. Learn some stuff and see some stuff. Don’t sprint for a seniority number either, enjoy the ride, you only get to do it once.

[digits_]

Look at the job conditions. Night flying medevac will get old pretty quickly for example. But survey flying might be considered boring after a few years as well. PC12 time might make you a better candidate for airlines, but it's not PIC time. It sure is a tough choice.

The hiring frenzy won't last forever. In what job would you rather be 'stuck'? If they pay and treat you right, then who cares about the size of the plane.

[vanislepilot]

100000% Ornge PC12

That’s a sweet gig on an even sweeter plane. Turboprop>Piston

It’s single engine sure, but that engine is the same as the one on the 1900. It has all the capabilities of a King Air and will fly in the same conditions, any employer will see that.

[Ruger Princess]

The hiring frenzy won't last forever. In what job would you rather be 'stuck'? If they pay and treat you right, then who cares about the size of the plane.

+1

And as someone who used to be a Bulk Kitter for P&WC, I can appreciate the love of PT6s.

[Pratt X 3]

Are we really at this point in the timeline? And how is this even a question? Multi-crew, turbine, IFR, high altitude, pressurized, glass cockpit with automation versus a spam-can Cessna 172? Damn, I'm not sure if I can wrap my head around this.
I can see you are very hungry for time in the logbook but come on, enjoy the journey and stop trying to get to the finish line so quickly. But if you are in such a hurry to get to the boring life at the airlines, which job do you think will look better on the application? It isn't just a magic TT number that gets you the job, it's the experience that goes with that number.
And most airline jobs have some downtime at the beginning for training. If 6 months of no flying while learning the plane and company seems like an eternity, I think you might have a problem. But then again you are talking about mainlining and that can lead to lots of issues that you might need to share with the group.

[TeePeeCreeper]

To be fair,

Are you honest with yourself?

Although the PC-12 is an absolute sweetheart to fly she’s a high performance beast with systems that would be new to you.

If I were in your shoes, I’d ask myself “am I ready for this? Are my IFR skills real sharp? (Because the sim ain’t no place to polish up while doing initial training) How are my learning skills? (Going from a 172 to a -12 is a bit of a jump)”

If you can check yes to the above, you’ve got your answer.

All the best,

TPC

[Bede]

I got the opportunity to fly a pc12 in northern Ontario and im not sure if its the right move, im currently doing survey work on a c172 logging 80 hours a month VFR and getting paid fairly well. The pc12 job has a no bond contract and thats why im considering it, they do 50-60 hours a month.

It's a bit of a wash but personally, I'd get my ATPL as fast as possible, then get on somewhere where I can upgrade to captain (on something like a 1900) ASAP.

The goal is the mainline as soon as possible should i wait 750TT for encore and then eventually join the mainline or should I do jazz even though Jazz takes for ever in their hiring and type training, I heard it might take 6 months to start flying in jazz.

If your goal is mainline, I'd avoid those both. Both have some sort of "flow" to mainline but it takes forever. You're better off at some other 704/705 without a flow agreement. If you really want to go to a regional, go to Porter. It's a decent place from what I hear and you have an option at both AC or WJ if that's your thing.

[TurkeyFarmYQX]

The PC12 is an awesome plane to fly, there's a reason it's the best selling single engine turboprop on the market. Get some IFR turbine and two crew time and enjoy the ride. You'll learn so much flying that plane, I know I did.

[joshmartin]

Not sure what company you are surveying at but having gone this route over the last 4 years, I would say build that TT up to regional minimums or beyond and then start applying. You would even be at minimums to get on with some 703 operators and get some experience doing turboprop work. I am still young but I don't see the race for a seniority number right now. I went from your position at 1400TT to right seat on a medium charter jet and 2 years later I am in the left. Enjoy the ride

[SE7EN]

To be fair,

Are you honest with yourself?

Although the PC-12 is an absolute sweetheart to fly she’s a high performance beast with systems that would be new to you.

If I were in your shoes, I’d ask myself “am I ready for this? Are my IFR skills real sharp? (Because the sim ain’t no place to polish up while doing initial training) How are my learning skills? (Going from a 172 to a -12 is a bit of a jump)”

If you can check yes to the above, you’ve got your answer.

All the best,

TPC

What’s an easier jump than a 172 to a right seat single turbine that’s designed for one pilot with nice avionics & AP?

[Bede]

Although the PC-12 is an absolute sweetheart to fly she’s a high performance beast with systems that would be new to you.

Lol

[TeePeeCreeper]

Although the PC-12 is an absolute sweetheart to fly she’s a high performance beast with systems that would be new to you.

Lol

I know right… but in this context a PC-12 compared to a 172 is pretty much that.

TPC

[Risenskyimmigration]

Flying the PC12 could be a solid move, especially with no bond contract and some decent hours. Consider how it fits into your goal of moving to mainline. The turbine, glass cockpit, and IFR experience could be valuable, despite being single-engine.

[cdnavater]

I got the opportunity to fly a pc12 in northern Ontario and im not sure if its the right move, im currently doing survey work on a c172 logging 80 hours a month VFR and getting paid fairly well. The pc12 job has a no bond contract and thats why im considering it, they do 50-60 hours a month.

I currently have 550 TT and got my ATPL pic requirement.

The goal is the mainline as soon as possible should i wait 750TT for encore and then eventually join the mainline or should I do jazz even though Jazz takes for ever in their hiring and type training, I heard it might take 6 months to start flying in jazz.

Ive also applied to the charter companies but no luck, also they do 18 months bond contract (most of them)

The PC 12 is turbine, glass, IFR but in the end its single engine so that’s why im not sure.

I like where your head is at, honestly you’re very close to being competitive for a spot at Jazz. There is going to be a pause on hiring for the summer and then they resume so either company will likely get you to Jazz in the fall.
Personally, I think you should take the PC12 job, it will help you with your initial training immensely, you’ve got some PIC but reality is, it’s VFR flying, not super complicated.
As for Jazz or Encore, the fact is Jazz would get you to WJ or Porter faster than straight to AC and Encore would get you to AC or Porter faster the straight to WJ. I’m not sure about Porter for the Q operation, is sure they are hiring lower time pilots but also, a long, long wait to the E2 op.
Many will say, enjoy the ride, why rush but seniority is everything and had I not waited to apply while enjoying the ride, I could have been left seat years before I actually did. Get in ASAP, I’m pretty sure the pc12 time will make you more competitive than all the other 172 pilots getting hired.
Good luck

[‘Bob’]

Although the PC-12 is an absolute sweetheart to fly she’s a high performance beast with systems that would be new to you.

Lol

The leap from 172 to PC-12 is far larger than the one from PC-12
to 737.

[TeePeeCreeper]

To be fair,

Are you honest with yourself?

Although the PC-12 is an absolute sweetheart to fly she’s a high performance beast with systems that would be new to you.

If I were in your shoes, I’d ask myself “am I ready for this? Are my IFR skills real sharp? (Because the sim ain’t no place to polish up while doing initial training) How are my learning skills? (Going from a 172 to a -12 is a bit of a jump)”

If you can check yes to the above, you’ve got your answer.

All the best,

TPC

What’s an easier jump than a 172 to a right seat single turbine that’s designed for one pilot with nice avionics & AP?

I seldom indulge but in this case I will, since you asked…

A G1000 C208?

Try again!

TPC

PS: You evidently did not understand the underlying message I was trying to politely pass along to the OP.

[SE7EN]

Although the PC-12 is an absolute sweetheart to fly she’s a high performance beast with systems that would be new to you.

Lol

The leap from 172 to PC-12 is far larger than the one from PC-12
to 737.

I hear it's comparable in leap to a space shuttle

[SpyPilot]

I tried to leap from a 441 to the Space Shuttle years ago. I was at the Kennedy Space Center having a go at their fixed based simulator. Never made it onto the runway.