Any Praetor drivers out there?

[Praetordriver]

Good morning.
I am rated on the Legacy 500, but unfortunately my rating has expired due to the owner selling the aircraft.
Since flying this beautifully designed aircraft I truly would like to get back on board, wondering about
the best options. So far I've had several interviews. But unfortunately they were not successful.
I firmly believe the reason was the lack of currency.
Any advice of how I could proceed?
Thank's

[TheAirMission]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I assume you've tried FlexJet?

[Praetordriver]

Good morning.
I've sent my application a couple of days ago. I would like to broaden my choices however. So any advice would be appreciated.
Although I am firmly against renewing my rating at my own cost, I am also considering that avenue, giving the experiences I've had during interviews
in the resent past.

[Globally Challenged]

How about approaching CAE / FSI to work as seat-support. It’s a great way to network and to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers

(I don’t know if you need to be fully current to operate as seat-support for training sims as I’ve never done it)

[Praetordriver]

Hey Globally Challenged, that is a great idea, thanks!! But I reside in Germany and we don't have any of the training companies even remotely close to my location.
When I flew in Canada, I used to hang around the airport to meet pilots and get connections. It was a great way to build a network. Currently, I am researching through old emails to see to whom I can send my CV.

[Boabity]

This has worked for a few friends of mine who have been in the same situation. the only downside is you need to live relatively close to the sim centre for them to call you. They will normally help you revalidate your rating in exchange for some seat support time.

I doubt a renewal would be crazy expensive as it’s an airline sim you’d be using for the legacy by comparison with the insane rates they charge for similar super mid sized biz jets.

[wondering]

This has worked for a few friends of mine who have been in the same situation. the only downside is you need to live relatively close to the sim centre for them to call you. They will normally help you revalidate your rating in exchange for some seat support time.

I doubt a renewal would be crazy expensive as it’s an airline sim you’d be using for the legacy by comparison with the insane rates they charge for similar super mid sized biz jets.

The thread opener is talking about a Praetor not Legacy.

[Boabity]

The thread opener is talking about a Praetor not Legacy.

and yet they said they’re rated on the Legacy 500

[global2express]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_Legacy_450/500_and_Praetor_500/600

[Boabity]

Well there you go, I had presumed that the legacy 500 was a variant of the erj like the legacy 600. Happy to be wrong, but this will of course make the recurrent costs eye watering.

in any case, doing sim support if possible and keep plugging away is all I can think of.

[alkor]

https://www.latestpilotjobs.com/jobs/view/id/17085.html

[Praetordriver]

Hey Boabity, I've looked into the renewal of my Praetor rating. The cost ranges from 33,000 to 37,000. Absolutely insane. Also, if I then don't secure a position or at least free lance gig, I'd be out of luck again, in regards the 90 day landing rule.

[Boabity]

yeah, it's rough as hell - the recurrent on the aircraft that I have been flying ranged from 30k to 50k and I freelanced for a year, which ended up covering the cost of another year but unless you live somewhere useful tthen freelancing isn't really an option. You could look at the cost of an Embraer 135 rating as I imagine it will be significantly cheaper than even a recurrent and there will be jobs and the occasional freelance gig on Legacy 600/650s

[Praetordriver]

Boabity, I fully agree. I wouldn't mind covering some of the cost for a recurrent. It gives a company some assurance that I wouldn't leave right after training. But to renew my rating in hope to find employment within a year, no way. The cost is just too steep.

[EatMyShorts!]

In terms of job-security I would look for a permanent position with the top players in the market. Netjets Europe and Flexjet Europe will or are recruiting. Especially in NJE the demographics point towards a surge of mandatory retirements in a few years from now. Even to keep the current fleet appropriately crewed, a steady stream of new intakes will be required and upgrades to captain won't be a thing of 10 years, but rather of 3 to 5 years, depending on previous experience/flight hours.