Paying for a PPC to get a job?

[PostmasterGeneral]

Long story short, about a year ago I was let go from my last job 2 days before my PPC on the PA-31. It was a first officer PPC, but left seat. I have all my training documents, and did about 14 hours of Navajo training with the company. They didn't hold me to my bond due to the circumstances of my release. This was my first job. I havent flown the Navajo in about a year, but in talking with my Training Captain, he mentioned it may be worth my while to go and buy a ride in someone's Navajo. He would act as PIC and do my ride with me. I currently have 287 hours total time. Now, if I did go this route, i know a PPC is a valuable thing to have in this economic climate, but is an FO ride really worth it? I'm sure for about $2K I could get the PPC done, see if Optimair or Central will rent me a Navajo for a few hours.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

[mbav8r]

You're sure to be jumped on here for wanting to buy a ppc, that being said I respectfully submit you may not be ready for a navajo ppc. I say this because a typical ppc has 4 hours of training, then the ride. I'm also confused because most places used to give a pcc for light twin FO spots. Has this Changed? PCC's are in house training and "ride" done with a training captain. Which was just a licence to learn back then.
No need to respond, but I'm curious, was the reason for your release the amount of training you had received, but were not ready for your ride?
I ask this because if that is the case you may want to budget alot more than 2000 dollars and a couple hours.

[PostmasterGeneral]

The conditions of my release had nothing to do with my ability to fly the airplane. It was a genuine PPC, not PCC. Conducted in house by a CCP. I recieved very high marks and excellent references from my training captain, and other peers who had flown with me. The 15 hours of training had nothing to do with my ability to fly, rather it was company policy to ensure complete competence on the aircraft. (The company is a very well established operator here.) The actual PPC would have been conducted with the CCP in the back, and me as FO with my training captain as PIC. This was not a single pilot PPC. Now, it was suggested to me that I attempt the same thing with a rented aircraft and a TC examiner instead of the CCP. I dont know what a single pilot PPC would entail, but Im sure it would be MUCh more beneficial to me in the long run.

Look, before anyone here flames away, I want to make something clear. I'm not out to just "buy a PPC." my only thinking is that I take advantage ofthe fact that the operator gave me time in the aircraft, and get a ride done so that all that time and training doesnt go to waste.

Be honest, is an FO PPC even "worth" anything on a Navajo anymore? Sure its better than nothing at all, but we all know the PA-31 is a single pilot aircraft, and FO on Navajo time doesn't add up for much except total time. Is it worth me trying to pursue this?

[mbav8r]

Well, it's good to know that there are operators who focus that much on training. I remember a C.P telling a guy not to worry about the pcc ride because he's going to pass anyway. As I said before a licence to learn was how those were treated.
To answer your original question, it may help you to get a job. But I think just the training you have already will help and may give you an edge for another ho operator.Some operators out there will capitalize on you. It saves them a couple grand, so it comes down to morals. The question is do you think it ok to BUY a job? If you do, go ahead and do it. You have to know it brings down the industry in general and maybe there's another guy with a shinny new PPC and he's willing to work for less than you.

Disclaimer: All of that being said if you are at the point that you need to renew your IFR and can afford it. It would not be a bad idea to do it in a navajo.

[PostmasterGeneral]

I hate the current state of the industry, and the whole "will fly for food" mentality. The last thing I WANT to do is pay for a PPC. That's kind of what I was wondering, if my training that I've already completed is an asset at all, or if I need the PPC to make it worth anything. I'm sure some operators will look at it and realize I can save them a few grand on training, but others might not think it's worth shit unless I've got the PPC anyway. What are your thoughts on that?

[Apache64_]

Hmm, here's a thought. The PPC is in fact tied to commercial and business aviation. It also requires that you be employed by an air operator and complete said air operators ground curriculum to get said ppc. If you do a ride with TC you would also have to be employed by the operator to get the PPC. Theoretically you would have to have the same requirements to do a ride with an ACP or CCP to get the ppc, but there are some that will give you the ppc whether or not your employed with an air operator. Not to mention that there are some operators out there who will do the required deed to get you a ppc, say your hired, give you the groundschool and then lay you off at the end, and take your cash. If your not employed with an air operator you in fact are just paying for a multi ifr on a navajo.

All said and done. A single pilot ppc on navajo will not help you as you cannot act as PIC single pilot IFR with your time. The FO PPC on a navajo will not in my opinion help help you very much. Some operators will use the time required to evaluate your skills. Some will just do min training and kick you out the door and hope you learn. Some operators view fo's as a cheap alternative to an auotpilot on navajo. Regardless, I think you are better to save your cash and use it for other means to gain employment in the aviation industry. Whether it is to do a road trip, renew an ifr, buy some fancy resume paper or upgrade your skills in another manner such as a float rating. etc.


cheers

Apache

[mbav8r]

Seems to be back and forth between us here postmaster. I have to admit I'm surprised the usual buying a job protesters aren't here, myself included. Like I said your time on the ho will set you apart from another 287 hr pilot. Being you will be easier to train. I would try to get a letter from the training Captain regarding your training. I wouldn't waste your money until you get to the point that you need to renew your instrument rating. Be honest about your release but don't volunteer info. Jobs will start to open up again soon, because WJ's hiring.

[PostmasterGeneral]

Thanks to everyone who has posted thus far with insight. I know I won't be able to act as PIC with my meager time however I was unaware that I needed to be employed in order to get a PPC. At least that's how I read Apache's post. I'm still personal friends with my old training captain so I don't think a letter would be hard to obtain. Before I left I was always sure to make copies of all my training records so that I've got hard copies of them should any future employer require them. So, looks like best course of action right now is just to do a normal IFR ride in a Seminole or something to keep current and at least my previous experience on the 'Ho might help push me ahead at least a few resumes in the stack...

[HORUNNER]

Hey,
I think it has been said clearly but I will comment now. If you have the money and need to renew your IFR and can find a ho by all means do your ride in one, if you can find a operator to do it. It might not get you a left seat job now but after 6-12 months you could be building PIC.
my2cents