C337 - Skymaster

[Skcollin]

Hi all,

Trying to do my research but honestly there isn't much information available as far as this bird is concerned. For those who don't know, it's a multi-engine centerline thrust airplane. I would be logging multi PIC all summer long, but the caveat is that it is centerline thrust. Will a 705 operation still respect this multi PIC time or am I better off continuing with flight instruction & potentially teaching GROUP 1 MIFR this summer on a seminole?

All responses/advice appreciated and welcome, thanks!

[CL-Skadoo!]

It never weighed me down in my career and it was some of the most fun I have had in my flying career which is 26 years thus far. I met great people, learned a ton and got to see some beautiful places...it was summer camp for pilots. On the flying side, you're managing two engines and unless one is failed, it's all the same.

Now that I sit on the hiring side of things, I would be more interested in a candidate's experience flying fire patrol than instructing on a seminole. The 337 job is most likely in a northern location, with more dynamic and challenging flying. Not that instructing isn't challenging, it's just a different mindset. Most of the Skymaster team I worked with went on to great careers in airlines all over the world, so I don't believe it hindered them one bit either.

At the end of the day, do the one that lights you up the most, be passionate and flexible; the breaks will come from that attitude regardless of your decision.

[DanWEC]

Not even a question in my mind. Do you want to fly with a team around forest fires or sit in the circuit hoping for those dual IFR XC's?
I've done both, and nobody on the hiring side has ever asked about my Seneca time.

[shamrock104]

You can always return to Instructing once the contract ends.

[RockSalty]

Something something a bird in the hand... Sounds like you moving into teaching in the Seminole isn't a sure thing.

I've done both and without a doubt, flying the skydisaster on fire patrols was some of the most fun I've had (second only to flying floats). The company is great, the pay is excellent and its going to be some pretty valuable experience.

[NotDirty!]

I met a pilot years ago who left the Air Force in 1989. His entire career had been on fast jets based in Germany, first the CF104 then the CF18. He was told at the time that none of the Canadian major airlines would hire him, because all of his time was either single engine (104) or centre-line thrust (F18). So instead he went to Cathay and had a great career there.

I don’t think that these days anyone frowns on centre-line thrust. Flying the mixmaster will be a new type of operation, and probably a good compliment to your instructing experience. When I used to be involved in hiring at a reasonably large turboprop operator, that experience would have been looked upon quite favourably!

Good luck and have fun!

[Flight94]

I only recall ever seeing one job ad that specifically stated that centerline thrust multi time didn't apply to their multi requirement, but I can't remember who it was.

I agree with the others that flying the continental sandwich won't negatively affect your career.

[Turbolag]

One thing to consider. Which one is more likely to keep your group 1 MIFR current for future jobs. Losing currency on that maybe define your path. Same question came up for me years ago. To keep it current or to try something different within the same employer. Just something to consider.

[‘Bob’]

A ride in a Redbird is all you need to get it back. No big deal.

[RegionalPilot]

When you apply on the Jazz pilot portal, when prompted to add your multi time, it says center thrust doesn’t count for them as multi time.

They so recognize PC12 time as “equivalent experience” in their matrix for multi time tho.

[RockSalty]

I only recall ever seeing one job ad that specifically stated that centerline thrust multi time didn't apply to their multi requirement, but I can't remember who it was.

Believe it was Jazz

[Launchpad1]

To answer your question some airlines recognize it as multi time and some don't.

IMO though do the fire patrol, it is some of the most enjoyable and rewarding flying you will ever do. You'll still remember it fondly when you're in your sixties I'm sure.

[stef]

I can’t comment on knowledge gained on fire patrol, but can say the solidification of IFR knowledge I gained teaching IFR has served me well over my career.