Caravan pilot requirements
 

G'day,
I would like to know usually what are the minimum requirments for being offered employement on the Cessna 208. I have got a CPL and NVFR, all single engine without MECIR, can it be a problem?. I am a charter pilot on the wonderful C210 and I was wondering how many hours on the Centurion I will need before hopefully upgrade to the Van.

Depends on the operator.

Insurance usually gets considerably cheaper at 1000hrs and/or 100hrs on type. They're easier than a 206 to fly, much more like a bigger faster 182.

Most operators would require some turbine time as this is the bigest problem , cooking the turbine. Right seat time is what would normaly happen .

Don't waste your time on a C208 in this environment twin time is where it's at. No operator in Australia, Airline or RFDS cares about Single Engine Turbine. They want to see that Multi Engine column filled. Not saying that's right however it is reality.

multi-multi
 

I agree. 500 Multi-CMD is the first thing to aim for:ok:

Seen 50 hrs minimum on type before command. As ab33t said, insurance gets cheaper once they'e sure you won't melt it. Should be easier to progress to other turbine types once that's up.

A pair of those clip on mirrors and a hat, would be a prequisite I would think...:}

i've seen 350tt, zero turbine, with a MEIR get up front in the 208

I've seen 250tt with no CIRME nor previous turbine up the front of a 208... as I said, big 182, as long as the operator is happy and willing to take the insurance risk and is satisifed he knows the answer to the $64,000 hot section inspection question. I got on to it at 400 with a CIR/ME.

toolowtoofast - 11 others and I on RAAF Pilot's course, had 140 hrs TT, no IFR rating or turbine experience and flying solo sorties on PC-9. Army dudes doing the same on turbine helos ie. Kiowa.
C208 Caravan time is nice, but twin stick time is what you should be chasing! :ok:

Thanks for the very useful replies. Another question: being a turbine I guess you need a type rating. What does it involve (ground school, a certain amount of dual time...) and what is the cost for that (just for curiosity, hoping that the employer is paying the bill)? Usually is the operator itself that can train you or you have to go in specialized structures?
I know multi engine time is much more valuable, but I am really fashinated by the legendary Van! Moreover I am still pretty young, I suppose I have plenty of time ahead of me to upgrade to twins, and I would like to do as much experience as possible on GA planes.

Sounds like you have a really great attitude. An endo on the 208 is usually around the 4k mark. I was lucky enough to get on one for my first job with 250hrs when i was let loose. If you have a good attitude and head, she ain't a hard plane to fly, and is nothing like a 182. I got back into a 206 after 400hrs on the van, and that thing was a dog compared to it. I used to say they are a big 182, but they are just so much more refined and quiet than the 182.

To those who say twin is the be all and end all for all jobs, i have just started a job PIC on the C90 with only 150hrs twin, but 1000hrs of van time. Hours aren't everything, it's who you know and how you act that gets you by in this industry along with that experience.

Good luck with it all, and the person who said the 206 is harder to fly than the van is spot on!

btw try seair on the GC as they have 3 vans, and i know have or may be losing some pilots soon. worth a try.

If you have 210 time and want to move on to the Van, Try Broome aviation. the have a fleet of 5 208s and a bunch of 210s and a few multi's.Progression onto the van can be pretty quick for the right sort of pilot.Endo available through the company. 4K for a van endo is a rip off. I paid $1300 for mine (self arranged though). systems are simple and easy. The Van is a great ship to fly. simple rugged, comfortable and reliable. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in it, and far more than the whole piston twin fleet I have rattled about in.
may not be looked at as favorable time by the airlines, but who gives a stuff....... we're not all headed there.

Nibbio86, I hope you get your endorsement on the Caravan. I love the Caravan – it is a very simple and reliable machine. If you send me an address I will post you a copy of my Caravan DVD (see here). Hopefully it will encourage you to go ahead with an endorsement to fly this magnificent machine.

Dick, that looks like a great DVD! When did you do that trip?

Lasiorhinus, the trip took place between May and September 2002. It was my second trip around the world with the Caravan. During the first trip I flew via South America, Antarctica, and southern Africa. The flight on the video took me north across the Pacific and Atlantic, thence to Timbuktu and home via India.

hey Mr.Dick Smith...i've just watched your preview.
What you are doing is really great.
My respect sir:D

LITTLE BIRD - WELL DONE DUDE, YOU WANT SOME REFLECTIVE AVIATORS WITH THAT YA WALLY!!!!!!!!!

This is a GENERAL AVIATION FORUM, not a 2FTS Forum. Im sure we could ALL fly a PC9 at 140 hours if we had the same amount of taxpayer funds spent on us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:: ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

Neville Nobody, couldnt have said it better myself!!!!

The van is simply beautiful, anyone that tries to tell you it is difficult to fly is sniffing too much kero, just dont ever firewall it on go around or takeoff, then you get that crispy turbine smell and the trend monitor prints your resignation for you

j3

Unless the BFTS/2FTS course has changed, you flew numerous IF sorties in the CT4 (to my knowledge actually getting your IFR rating), and you fly at least 5-10hrs in the PC9 before being let loose solo. So you do have IFR and turbine experience ??

Its easy when you do not pay for it....

Bwaaaahahaha........ Aint that the truth. :} Gotta love that shadin.

Dick, I met you at YPJT one wet and cold morning. we were both doing a fuel drain. you were reaching up to yours with the almost meter long drain bottle and I was crawling around on the wet ground trying to get fuel from my three hundred drains on my old C310. I knew I would love the van right then. :} I am certainly not disappointed with it now I have a few hundred hours in them........ In fact, I love em. I agree with you, they are a magnificent machine. :ok:
(just going off to have a look at your video now......... OK I looked. you need more than a 30 second preview I reckon.)