Originally Posted by
Mach E Avelli
Morno and Flying Bear offer good advice.
There is no point in spending money on some more advanced type that, even if the Operator would allow, the Insurers won't cover you to fly PIC.
Whatever you train on, doing it locally with a recognised and respected operator will enhance your chances of a job.
Georgee, not all turbines require a type rating per se. If below 5700 kg they fall into the MEA Class endorsement category. The devil, however, is in the detail, as most turbines do require specific training -e.g. a King Air won't allow you to fly a Conquest without some extra training. There is a CASA list somewhere.
Quite unlike the good old USA where in my day we flew anything and everything and somehow survived. Later the FAA did make the MU2 an exception requiring specialised training, but this was after my experience on that type. And I must say it was/still is the best small turbo prop of all time, but it is sufficiently 'different' to justify extra training.
I think I'll take Flying Bears option, I'll need the cash as I'm moving from NSW but I can spare some which I'll most likely spend on the familiarization flight he suggested. Some 206 time while not going in blind with the check flights are a win win in my book.