London Executive Aviation LEA Info
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London Executive Aviation LEA Info
Hello everybody!
I've been offered a position as Cessna Mustang F/O at London Executive Aviation.
I need to know as much as possible about LEA, specially from people flying Mustangs. I'm considering moving to the UK and and need to know many things about LEA before taking a decision.
Any help would be highly appreciated.
Regards
I've been offered a position as Cessna Mustang F/O at London Executive Aviation.
I need to know as much as possible about LEA, specially from people flying Mustangs. I'm considering moving to the UK and and need to know many things about LEA before taking a decision.
Any help would be highly appreciated.
Regards
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For a time it seemed like the Mustang was the most photographed aircraft at Farnborough...not a good accolade.
If nothing else you'll do lots of flying - not because it's in huge demand, just the damn thing is so slow...
If nothing else you'll do lots of flying - not because it's in huge demand, just the damn thing is so slow...
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Most companies are now starting to operate their aircraft at slightly slower and therefore more economical speeds and contrary to your statement the Mustang is in quite high demand and is hugely fuel efficient.
Have heard absolutely no complaints about its speed from either customers or Air Traffic only positive comments on how much cheaper it is to hire.
Have heard absolutely no complaints about its speed from either customers or Air Traffic only positive comments on how much cheaper it is to hire.
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20min blocks slower than a CJ on blocks, on what is probably a milk run for it (London - Nice)?
Kingairs have it over price on domestic UK flights as most of them are certified over 6 seats and thus no VAT - on a short sector the time difference is negligible but the extra 17.5% commission for the tax man slates it for a large chunk of people that can't claim it back - and in any case it's easier to sell 6 seats than 4. If the client is bent on a jet then it's easy to get a C II at a competetive price, then sell it on the price difference, longer range, larger cabin etc.
I also wasn't impressed with the build quality on the Mustang that I saw at Farnborough airshow.
It's very easy to turn this into a mustang bashing thread, which isn't the intention, so I will say no more on the subject...
Kingairs have it over price on domestic UK flights as most of them are certified over 6 seats and thus no VAT - on a short sector the time difference is negligible but the extra 17.5% commission for the tax man slates it for a large chunk of people that can't claim it back - and in any case it's easier to sell 6 seats than 4. If the client is bent on a jet then it's easy to get a C II at a competetive price, then sell it on the price difference, longer range, larger cabin etc.
I also wasn't impressed with the build quality on the Mustang that I saw at Farnborough airshow.
It's very easy to turn this into a mustang bashing thread, which isn't the intention, so I will say no more on the subject...
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X933, I think you may be mistaking the Blink Mustang for an LEA Mustang. I think LEA now have five Mustangs, and whilst it may still be in its "Honeymoon period" they are proving hugely popular and are flying everyday!
(at a higher speed and lower cost than the KingAir)
(at a higher speed and lower cost than the KingAir)
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Let's not get drawn down the current equity raising hype about the type. Good operators can make money out of just about any type, as long as they deliver the service. The question was about the operator.
Going back to the original question about LEA, rather than the "type".
LEA are a well run, well funded, very established operator, they run a tight ship and are very popular with their broker clients.
Phil
Going back to the original question about LEA, rather than the "type".
LEA are a well run, well funded, very established operator, they run a tight ship and are very popular with their broker clients.
Phil
More importantly, as Phil says, info on LEA was aked for...
You'll be rostered (but whilst under training you have to be flexible), pay is reasonable, and per diems too. The company is absolutely rigid on the subject of unauthorised exes on hotac bills (TV/films/bar etc.) and quite right too.
The flying staff are generally top notch, the CP is about as straight-down-the-middle chap as you'll ever find, training and procedures are to a high standard, and they expect very high standards of conduct from the crews. Cockpit discipline (on my fleet at least) is about the best I've experienced in 19 years in the industry.
tbh I think the uniform requirements are a little on the old-fashioned side, but hey, uniform is uniform.
Flight planning is all done by Ops, but you'll download the packs via CrewBriefing, and you will get to pay for the ink/paper and ScotchTape to do it - unless you wait until you get to the airport to do it!
As F/O you are expected to do the housework in the cabin - and do it to a high standard. Most Capts will muck in too but I can think of at least one now departed chap who would make the paperwork last as long as the cleaning (not on your fleet). There are some oddities - expected to go buy the newspapers and do our own hot water/coffee/ice on occasion 'cause the agents are too expensive
- but meh, I can live with that (mainly cause it's sorta the F/Os job, lol)
All in all, it's a good company and it ain't gonna fall over any time soon. Promotion prospects in/across fleets are good, and as a bonus you'll get to fly with JD (hello, you!!), you lucky b************
You'll be rostered (but whilst under training you have to be flexible), pay is reasonable, and per diems too. The company is absolutely rigid on the subject of unauthorised exes on hotac bills (TV/films/bar etc.) and quite right too.
The flying staff are generally top notch, the CP is about as straight-down-the-middle chap as you'll ever find, training and procedures are to a high standard, and they expect very high standards of conduct from the crews. Cockpit discipline (on my fleet at least) is about the best I've experienced in 19 years in the industry.
tbh I think the uniform requirements are a little on the old-fashioned side, but hey, uniform is uniform.
Flight planning is all done by Ops, but you'll download the packs via CrewBriefing, and you will get to pay for the ink/paper and ScotchTape to do it - unless you wait until you get to the airport to do it!
As F/O you are expected to do the housework in the cabin - and do it to a high standard. Most Capts will muck in too but I can think of at least one now departed chap who would make the paperwork last as long as the cleaning (not on your fleet). There are some oddities - expected to go buy the newspapers and do our own hot water/coffee/ice on occasion 'cause the agents are too expensive
- but meh, I can live with that (mainly cause it's sorta the F/Os job, lol)All in all, it's a good company and it ain't gonna fall over any time soon. Promotion prospects in/across fleets are good, and as a bonus you'll get to fly with JD (hello, you!!), you lucky b************
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Its not endless showering of praise for company or type,just rather tired of your negative attitude towards both,most particularly the aircraft.
Now I see your even going to lend your negative thoughts towards VLJs to a well known aviation publication next month,you obviously see yourself as some expert on the matter.
It has its place in the market like any other aircraft,it's built to a price and none that I know are falling apart as yet!!!!!
As far as LEA are concerned I agree it's a good company with a mix of private owner flying,corporate and varied fleet,nice crews, an Ops team that are about the best in the business and the usual moans and gripes like every other company in existence.
Now I see your even going to lend your negative thoughts towards VLJs to a well known aviation publication next month,you obviously see yourself as some expert on the matter.
It has its place in the market like any other aircraft,it's built to a price and none that I know are falling apart as yet!!!!!
As far as LEA are concerned I agree it's a good company with a mix of private owner flying,corporate and varied fleet,nice crews, an Ops team that are about the best in the business and the usual moans and gripes like every other company in existence.
Last edited by Highflight420; 5th Aug 2008 at 12:48.
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Highflight,
We've been here before, I don't think we need bore everyone by revisiting old ground.
Would be interested to know which publication has been sensible enough to promote me to an expert. Only one has asked my opinion, months ago and already printed.
For the record, I quite like the mustang, however, as a business model I can't get it to compete with a CJ operation, believe me, if I could we would have purchased a few. The fact is that we will have one at the end of the year to soak up some of the work we have to turn down based on availability.
Phil
We've been here before, I don't think we need bore everyone by revisiting old ground.
Would be interested to know which publication has been sensible enough to promote me to an expert. Only one has asked my opinion, months ago and already printed.
For the record, I quite like the mustang, however, as a business model I can't get it to compete with a CJ operation, believe me, if I could we would have purchased a few. The fact is that we will have one at the end of the year to soak up some of the work we have to turn down based on availability.
Phil
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Sepp,
Thanks you for the information. This sounds like a great opportunity for newer pilots interested in charter and private jet flying. I have heard very good things about LEA (although no operation is perfect). With 5 Mustangs in operation and more coming, where are the Mustang pilot bases? Are all pilots based at one base or are they distributed?
Additionally, any idea on:
a. potential starting salary range for a new Mustang FO and
b. a "typical" schedule for a new Mustang FO in terms of days on/off?
Thanks for any additional info. PMs welcome too.
Cheers
Thanks you for the information. This sounds like a great opportunity for newer pilots interested in charter and private jet flying. I have heard very good things about LEA (although no operation is perfect). With 5 Mustangs in operation and more coming, where are the Mustang pilot bases? Are all pilots based at one base or are they distributed?
Additionally, any idea on:
a. potential starting salary range for a new Mustang FO and
b. a "typical" schedule for a new Mustang FO in terms of days on/off?
Thanks for any additional info. PMs welcome too.
Cheers
Last edited by Iver; 5th Aug 2008 at 14:37.
Iver,
No probs, mate, look fwd to seeing you at one of the socials should you jump on board! I won't comment on salary scales, that's for the CP, CEO and Fleet Mgr to discuss with you - I'm surprised that it hasn't been already, if you've been offered a position. Ditto the roster - in this game some weeks you're busy, some not so.... but I do gather that the uptake has been very encouraging.
No probs, mate, look fwd to seeing you at one of the socials should you jump on board! I won't comment on salary scales, that's for the CP, CEO and Fleet Mgr to discuss with you - I'm surprised that it hasn't been already, if you've been offered a position. Ditto the roster - in this game some weeks you're busy, some not so.... but I do gather that the uptake has been very encouraging.
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Does anybody know what they pay their Legacy left-seaters? Or am I mixing them up with another company...?
Additionally, any idea on:
a. potential starting salary range for a new Mustang FO
a. potential starting salary range for a new Mustang FO
info on the link below. Go to Europe, all factfiles, the charter section and then the LEA link
www.pilotjobsnetwork.com
Last edited by rightbank; 6th Aug 2008 at 09:45. Reason: original link wouldn't work
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BoeingMEL
It is now possible to do a Mustang type rating in the UK at Flight Safety Farnborough approx £10000 I think,other sims are Florida and Wichita.
I expect the Farnborough sim to be very busy in the forseeable future though as it's the only one in Europe and only a few instructors on type to date.
Iver,
LEA have one Mustang at Farnborough,Luton,Stanstead and I believe the plan is to have one at Biggin Hill and London City but don't quote me on that.You will be allocated a base but I would imagine you will be expected to go wherever the aircraft are or end up at the end of the day.As for roster 6 on 3 off with an expectation of flexibility on your part.
It is now possible to do a Mustang type rating in the UK at Flight Safety Farnborough approx £10000 I think,other sims are Florida and Wichita.
I expect the Farnborough sim to be very busy in the forseeable future though as it's the only one in Europe and only a few instructors on type to date.
Iver,
LEA have one Mustang at Farnborough,Luton,Stanstead and I believe the plan is to have one at Biggin Hill and London City but don't quote me on that.You will be allocated a base but I would imagine you will be expected to go wherever the aircraft are or end up at the end of the day.As for roster 6 on 3 off with an expectation of flexibility on your part.
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Qvixote,
Have just re-read your first post.....are you seriously telling me that you've been interviewed, sim-ridden and been offered a position, and it's only NOW that you decide to find out a little more about the company?????
I'm sure LEA will be really happy to know that you've given this opportunity careful consideration...
Have just re-read your first post.....are you seriously telling me that you've been interviewed, sim-ridden and been offered a position, and it's only NOW that you decide to find out a little more about the company?????
I'm sure LEA will be really happy to know that you've given this opportunity careful consideration...
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Arkwright,
It never hurts to ask more questions so that you feel good about a decision. The fact that he is asking these questions now indicates that the information offered in the interview might have been lacking (although he should have asked more questions in the interview too).
It never hurts to ask more questions so that you feel good about a decision. The fact that he is asking these questions now indicates that the information offered in the interview might have been lacking (although he should have asked more questions in the interview too).