BroncoBird

Your opinions please...

It looks as if I'm going to be able to get a type rating funded by the No Worker Left Behind Act in Michigan. I have a few questions that I'd like to hear some thoughts on. First off, they offer full PIC types on the CE-500, CE-525, HS125 (800), and LR-JET. Without any job offers in either of these as of right now, my first thoughts are to go with the 500 series. Not only does it cover many types within the series, it is also a very common type to see in the corporate/135 world. Agree? Disagree?

Number two...there are a couple different training facilities to choose from. As far as the 500, they offer an outfit called EAC Jet Training Center Inc, which happens to be located about 20 minutes from where I live at KYIP. From what I can see, the flight training and checkride is done in the actual airplane. The CJs, Hawker, and Lear are offered at FlightSafety and SimCom. Would it be better to do the training in the 500 at the less popular place and get the time in the actual plane, or go with one of the other types that is at the more reputable name facility and rock it out in the box. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

grimmdj

I have heard if you have a C-500 type and a LR-JET type you can fly over half of the Corporate fleet. FSI, Simuflite, Sim Com will actually teach you something.
Not much chance of that with one hour in the airplane and the examiner on staff. If you want to save living costs (motel, food, rental car, etc) come to Toledo FSI for a 500 type.
Dave

8nSand

Yes the CE-500 and such would benefit you well, but if they are willing to pay for the whole type, I'd go for the Hawker. A Hawker type will cost at least double that of a Citation so if they are footin' the bill...... You'll learn more in a sim than the plane no doubt. There are are quite a few Hawkers out there so I feel it is an overall more valuable type.

Yeager08

You can go and get whatever type rating you want, but if you don't have time in type, nobody is going to care. Unless, of course, you already have a job offer pending on type rating.
I have been through that already. Save your money until you have something more concrete.
Right now, I'm sitting unemployed with 5 type ratings (2 of them with 0 time in aircraft (long story)). Every day I check the job websites out there, and every posting, they require time in type. One of my types is a CL-601 with 1000 hrs PIC in it. I apply for a job looking for a CL-604 pilot with 100 hrs in type. (the 601 and 604 are basically the same aircraft, different avionics) I contacted the company and told them I was willing to pay for my 604 type if they offered me the job. They declined the offer since there are so many typed pilots out there anyways.

Times are hard right now, but don't put yourself through training unless you have something concrete.
Good luck to you.

Y.

BoilerUP

Cessna has ended (or will end within the next couple months) the Encore+ line, ceasing the manufacture of new airplanes using the CE-500 type rating.

Manufacture of types using the CE-525 type, on the other hand, is still going strong with somewhere north of 1500 airframes already produced and the CJ1+/2+/3 being cranked out every week.

Between the two, the CE500 has more available airplanes today but I suspect the CE525 will outpace that within the next couple years. If you go 525, definitely pursue the single-pilot type rating...

ComairFO

Any suggestions on where to find some of the more inexpensive CE-500 type ratings (initial) out there? I fully plan on calling around, but if anyone has any recommendations, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and fly safe!