DJ Turboprops announced in Skywest tie up

[Mr. Hat]

Any word on Terms and Conditions?

[GAFA]

Virgin Australia pilots received an EOI email today for Check and Training positions on the ATR.

[kiwilad]

Sorry what is EOI?

Terms are the SkyWest EBA on the FWA website. Co still negotiating a possible increase to the F50 rate for the ATR.

[VH-ABC]

EOI = Expression of interest bro.

[kiwilad]

Cheers, that makes sense.
Are they struggling for trainers?
How do Virgin pilots feel about it displacing the Embraer?

[GAFA]

TL refueller tells me the EOI from within Virgin Australia for training and check secondment to Skywest on the ATR has exceeded what both companies thought it would be. Looks like more pilots are chasing lifestyle rather than big jet flying

[SKYCAMEL]

Good to see those pilots in VB who screamed blue murder when 2 DEC's came in on the E Jet, are now prepared to take other pilots chances of a command! Bit hypocritical me thinks! And don't tell me "but its a Virgin Operation"

[GAFA]

What commands are they taking SKYCAMEL? Skywest has run two adds in the Australian for Training and Check pilots on the ATR so they are looking at employing outside pilots into these positions. Not many of the current Skywest F50 and F100 pilots want to move over to the east coast to take up these roles. So what's wrong with Virgin pilots applying for the same positions via the EOI.

My guess is most of the EOI's would have come from Ejet FO's who were told when they joined the company they would have commands on the Ejet sooner rather than latter and their experience has regional turboprop pilots (many held training and checking roles on turboprops) was needed on the Ejet. So why shouldn't they apply for the ATR?

Regarding the 2 DEC's on the Ejet, did Virgin advertise they needed 2 Captains based in Brisbane, no they didn't. The add was for Ejet pilots (not captains). And at the time the 2 DEC's were employed there were 10 Captains in Sydney who had bids in for a transfer to Brisbane and don't forget 80% of the Ejet FO's had bids in for commands.

[Skystar320]

I heard that alot of applicants for the job are from current QF drivers both turboprop and mainline!

Says something

[KRUSTY 34]

I guess some pilots just can't handle not being in judgement of their peers!

Or am I being cynical?

[c173]

suprised this hasnt been posted...or have i missed it
Photos: ATR ATR-72-500 (ATR-72-212A) Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

[chuboy]

Very nice! Hadn't seen that prior to today. Ought to be a long trip for the pilots doing the delivery flight

[geeup]

Why would they not get ATR72-600???

[GAFA]

They are getting the -600 next year. First 4 aircraft are -500's.

[VBPCGUY]

Only difference between the -500 vs -600 is avionics upgrades in the cockpit.

Anyone know what rego block is being used for these?

[Dehavillanddriver]

And the engines

[VBPCGUY]

According to the EADS head of global sales the engines are identical, I spoke with him at Avalon Airshow..

[geeup]

-600 is light years ahead of the -500

[muII]

500 has PW127-F

600 has PW127-M

Not the same engines, check their web site.

[VBPCGUY]

500 has PW127-F

600 has PW127-M

Not the same engines, check their web site.

The latest -500 are generally fitted with PW127M in the new version, the orginal 1997 onwards variants are fitted with the PW127F powerplants, the difference being the si blades over five blades.

I have heard VA will initially get -500 until -600 are available and then the -500 will be returned.