Virgin ATR 72 crew.....?
 

Im just curious to know where Virgin are going to find the pilots to crew the ATR72 aircraft that they are using to replace the 170's on there regional routes.

Im assuming they will be wanting a number of already endorsed and experienced Captains but as i understand it there arent any ATR's being flown in aus at this point in time.

Is there much difference for a pilot to go from one Turbo Prop to another, is it a simple enough conversion to do?

Or will they be looking at endorsing some pilots in order to meet demand?

And yes i am aware that this is being done in partnership with SkyWest and they have recently announced a cadetship program but i also know on good authority that the cadetship program has been organised completely seperately and unrelated to the Virgin SkyWest merger.

The aircraft will be operated under a wet leasing arrangement. Therefore, the aircraft will be crewed by Skywest pilots.

There are ATR42's being operated by Toll in Oz, however I don't know whether there is commonality between that and the endorsement on the 72.

Jarse,
I have been told all boats are the same, so if you have a Q400 endorsement it should be a simple process (apparently the EAA EBA is out and from what i have heard it's not popular especially compared to Skywest):ok:

Straightforward differences course only for the -500. (The 600 is a different ball game, but will be for -500 rated crews too.)

Newsensation, I've had a read of the proposed EBA. I know your PC has worked hard coming to an agreement (considering they were dealing with essentially morons), but it's just more of the same........ For example, sign on at 0500 after an RDO? How much do they want to own you?

However, the biggest threat is those "transient" FO's being allowed to vote on a document that essentially won't be their problem after they do their 2 years of penal servitude and move to Mainline, you long-termers (and keepers of standards (regardless of what Dr. Evil and his dipstick mate Mini-Me may tell you) have no hope of showing the company a true reflection of what is truly felt about the document, when you're being white-anted by these blokes.

Mate, I know little of the ATR. From what I've read, it has lesser performance than the -4, (more like the -300). So if you're handling the -4 okay, the ATR should be a walk in the park from a conversion point of view.

The key is to get in on the ground floor, and apply for the job at Skywest.

Better still, apply for VB. You know enough people who have come here that have done alright.

All in all, VB is a non-toxic environment compared to working anywhere in the QF group.:ok:

so what's happening to E170 crews? Would have thought there'd be a surplus of Ejet crews now. Over to the 737 or A330? The FO's will be happy to get above the poverty line.

LJS, they are all part of the VB resource plan.:) I can't comment on your assertion ;)

Not really with extra E190's coming.

Extra E190's are you kidding ?? Are they going to base them in Perth, I am sure that will be a success story in the making knowing how much the Australian climate treats them so gingerly !

The first of the extra 190's is already here with another 2 due before the end of June and there is some talk of another 3 next year.

Written by a person, truly knowledgeable about the type, and the VB network.

NOT!:8:}

What does the "Australian climate" have to do with these aeroplanes, Cactus? Considering I've been flying them for 2 years, I must be missing something that you know, and I don't :}

Spot on Jarse. The passengers love flying on them due to the wider seats and larger cabin windows and 99% of the pilots and cabin crew love flying them. If you look at the daily OTP the company puts out the 190 dispatch rate is equal to the 737.

Just a quick question about if anyone knows where the A/C and crew will be based on the E/seaboard? Would anyone like to mention some salaries for FO and Capt with "V - Link":D

Don't know where the first base will be but most of the 170 flying us out of Sydney and Canberra and the first group of ATR's are to replace the 170's, so you would think it would be one of the two.

ATR72 Crews for Skywest
 

Will Skywest get experienced crews to fly their ATR72s or will they look after the Aussie pilots and give them the training and the positions. They should, hope the union has this sorted. Would it not be a good idea to get some experienced crew from another airline to get this operation up and running. Air New Zealand ATRs must have pilots with as much as 10000hours on type so why wouldn't you get some of the experience and expertise from a bunch a Kiwi's who have been flying turboprops forever. Can't be too much difference between the turbo props if all the kiwis jumped out of HS748's straight into ATR72's or is there?

Over 20 years ago, I was given Command training on the ATR42 before being employed on contract, and only bonded for a year. Had just over 2,000 hours on Metro 2, 350 on Bandeirante, and about 300 on Nomad at the time - and that was in Single Pilot operation. Did my Multi-crew training during the endorsement and Check-to-line. And scored a 3 day refresher course at the factory simulator at Toulouse when I went back after a break for a second contract. Long way from the South Pacific to Toulouse just for three days.. But it was on French Government Aid money that had to used up by the deadline time or was lost, so it didn't cost the company anyway.
So don't think of them as complicated, or inferior to jets. They are just the logical progression for Regional and Outback connections from the Chieftains, 402's, Metros and Bandeirante's of yesteryear Commuters.
With training, any Aussie turboprop or piston twin pilot could get a look in if Company management had the policy, without resorting to selling out the locals and importing foreign drivers.

Now those 600's that are coming would be fun on the Regional routes. - As long as you don't have Jet P3nis envy, and can take the jibes from the Dash 400 drivers about speed. Won't matter much on the shorter, high frequency routes anyway.

Don't forget Macair successfully operated the 42-500 for nearly two years.
They had C+T help from Mt Cook and a couple of experienced kiwi engineers.
Toll have been operating the 42-320 for longer and doing their own maintenance, so really this is nothing new.
Although the 72 is a new model to Australia it is the same type (ie 42/72 same type rating) that is already here, we've been through this before here where i work as well.
Good reliable aeroplane.

That must exclude Karratha then...

According to the big boss the Ejets (190s) are making money. I do wonder if he could get his hands on more Boeings (700s) what would happen.

If you tell an engineer that the reliability of the Ejet is "apparently" the same as the Boeing they tend to laugh very loudly whilst leaving the cockpit shaking their heads. The Ejet OTP IS better than the Boeing but I wonder if thats a cultural thing who knows.

Personally I suspect that the 190s are making money and the reliability has come a long long way. I heard a rumour which contradicts my second sentence that the 700s will be phased out. This supports the argument of the 190 staying or maybe even increasing.

As for ATRs well some of the start dates are getting close and does anyone know what the package is has anyone been hired? JB sounds like a great guy but I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of him!

Interestingly enough there was another high profile departure yesterday. All very interesting to watch.

Enjoy.

Mr. Hat,

Have a look at the 190 fleet numbers compared to the 700. Currently there are 16 190's in service with 2 more to come this year compared to 18 700's. All bar 2 700's are leased and all the 190's owned. The oldest 700 VBA is approaching 10 years old and the rest are not far behind it. All new 737's coming are 800's so it would appear the 700's are on the way put behind the 170's.

Yep some important dates are fast appraoching and still nothing about the ATR package and where the first east coast base will be. So far I've heard TSV, BNE, SYD and CBR all mentioned as the first but depending on who you talk to they have reasons why any of the above would be the first or why they wouldn't.