Calling DU pilots...

[Robb]

...Am I ever going to see my girlfriend again? :D

She just phoned, the (big) company she's been doing (small) work for has designs on paying for her to get rated in the Learjet they're planning on buying. Then of course she would be the one to fly it. :wow:

Bearing in mind she's only got her private pilot's license, and has flown little larger than a lawnmower with wings... what they heck? I mean, I've met some of these guys and I know they're serious. They want her to go to Wichita to learn stuff. :shrug:

What's my little life in for? Can people actually go take courses and make the leap from puddle jumper to big ol' corporate jet? I know, not surprisingly, nothing about this. I strongly suspect a reduction in "she's at home" time, as well as an increase in random, expensive gifts to look at while she's away. x(

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. She can be trained to fly a little Learjet, probably won't take too long

for the basic stuff. She'll go through a simulator training program and can get a Lear type rating. She will also need a commercial pilot certificate to legally fly for her company, and their insurance company won't let her fly it as pilot in command without a fair amount of time in type, so I assume she will trained for the right seat (copilot). I don't think any of the Lears are certified for single-pilot operations, so she would always be flying with another pilot.

It's a great opportunity for her, but she will probably be away from home quite a bit. I think it's possible to get a Lear type rating in 2-3 weeks, but how much she's gone after that depends on how much flying the company wants. Usually those corporate gigs are on-call, so you fly when the company executives and their customers want to go somewhere.

[yvr girl]

2. She'll also need to be certified for multi-engine and IFR

And Jet if applicable, which I think it is.

[Robb]

3. Would she need that commercial cert for the right seat?

...'Cause I expect that's more than three weeks. :)

She's rather thrilled. Her dad's an old -- but still flying -- ferry pilot with more hours and insane stories...bringing those tiny planes in short hops around the world.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Yes, although the commercial certificate isn't too difficult.

I assumed she already has instrument and multi-engine ratings as well on her private pilot certificate; otherwise she will also need to get those. If her company wants her to fly the Lear, they'll take care of that as well, but it will take more time.