Thanks! I was under a time limit for You Tube also, so I had to cut some, and speed some up to keep the time down.

I agree. Great no music. If I watch airplanes I want to hear airplanes and conversations. Not have to pull from the noise extraneous. ThAnks.

It was great for me

@@romanticsailor1952 I flew the Caravan in bethel back in the late 90’s .

Cool. Where are you living now? Are you still active duty?

@@romanticsailor1952 I retired in 2015, and I live in south Texas. I sold my 2nd ANC home in 2018.

Thanks Dan! I come from an airline background, and I operate the airplane as if it had a two pilot crew. I just perform the roles of both the Captain, and the First Officer, it only takes an extra minute, and I sometimes catch a missed item. ~Fred~

@@romanticsailor1952 Thank you for the response. If I was able to still fly I would be doing it the same way thanks to you. Your a very safe pilot !! I would fly with you anytime Sir. You have a wonderful holiday and please post more videos. Thanks

Portland! Empire Airlines has a crew base there. Send in a resume, Empire is often hiring for the Caravan, and the ATR. Empire also operates Ohana Airlines in Hawaii with the ATR. Here’s a link: empireairlines.com/careers/ Good Luck, ~Fred~

Less than 90 days for me now, until retirement. I may possibly never fly again due to living, and cruising on a sailboat, with my wife. Look for our new KZfaq channel, “Romantical Sailing” coming in July 2021

@@romanticsailor1952 - that explains the sailor part. Enjoy. A friend of mine cruised for years. All the way Northern California to Baja and then to South Pacific (Tahiti?). I think their boat is still somewhere in the South Pacific. Communication was an issue, super slow speed. Even email was painfully slow. I guess soon you can get Starlink for a boat soon so that problem should be solved.

Thanks Xavier! I hope you have a great New Year.

@@romanticsailor1952 thanks a lot..happy new Year..and fly safe captain 🤙😉

Sad for us, but we only fly to two destinations out of Anchorage. Kenai, and Homer, both also served by the road system.

Good Luck, I hope you get the job! Which feeder did you apply to? I have had such a great time flying the Caravan.

@@romanticsailor1952 Westair in California

@@medinacentral good luck. If only this type of operations exist in Europe

It is definitely something to strive for, if you just want to enjoy flying a great little airplane. FedEx feeders, are not a good place to build time, as we only fly 10 hours a week. Grant Air, or Bearing Air may get you more hours per month. ~Fred~

They might stick to ground vehicles, but it is not going to stay stuck to a wing. You and your GoPro will part ways. GoPro mounts are mounted on an inspection plate and screwed down to hold it on the plane. The Caravan is not that fast, but it does have air hitting it at 140 mph.

HondaGoldwingGL1800 can confirm, lost more than one action cam off my buddies carbon cub before we bolted that little bastard to the struts lol

@@xC4N4D14NB4C0Nx lolol

LOL 😂

@@HondaGoldwingGL1800 Ha Ha! LOL!

N S Good Luck! This is a great retirement gig. Not so great if you are trying to build hours, but an nice easy day, flying a pretty cool airplane.

I know right? I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it the first time. It is a Garmin 600 display, with a G-530, and a G-430 GPS. Not quite a G-1000, but pretty nice none-the-less.

D Pete , G, as in Garmin. G-600 PFD, MFD, G530 GPS/Nav/Com, G430 GPS/Nav/Com, G-200 Map/Radar Display. It’s not as integrated as a G-1000, but still pretty sweet. We are equipped with a pretty lame Bendix-King autopilot that has to have the signal converted from analog, to digital so the G-600 can read the commands from the autopilot, and vice-versa.

HackedEchan. It is an Inertial Separator. The engine air intake duct normally makes a smooth transition into the engine intake at the rear of the engine. When the inertial separator is set to bypass (pulled out). It re-routes the air, so it has to take a sharper turn to get to the engine inlet. In the bypass position any snow, ice, dirt, stones, and debris can’t make the hard turn, and therefore are “separated” from the air, by their own “inertia”. It does sacrifice a little horsepower, and makes the engine run slightly hotter. I keep it in bypass on the ground due to sand and gravel, then back to normal after lift off (if there is no snow or icing).

romanticsailor1952 thanks cap excelent explanation

I am also a retired 20,000+ hour pilot. Yes we fly in weather down to Cat I minimums, lots of ice, and whatever winds we encounter. Cross wind only if safe and within maximum demonstrated. I have done more low approaches in the past two winters, than in 18 years with the airlines. Several missed approaches, and a couple of diversions. Flying in Alaska is fun and challenging. Empire loves older, retired pilots. This is not a good place to build hours, but is a good retirement gig.

@@romanticsailor1952 I have friends still flying the airlines and they tell me about some of their "sporting" times. Sometimes I think I would like to fly again on a part time thing, but when I really think about it...I dont have time. I am too busy chasing around riding my motorcycle with other friends going all over the country, boating and in in general, just enjoying life. I still fly, but I fly myself...sometimes going somewhere, but most of time just out for a ride. Fly safe and make good decisions. Go here to see all my adventures on the motorcycle... http:kzfaq.info

HondaGoldwingGL1800 I will check out your page. Thanks for the link. I know what you mean about the time. My wife and I have a sailboat in California, we try to spend all our spare time there, but live takes us many other directions. I am going to fly 2-1/2 more years, then we will go cruising on the sailboat full time. I am afraid, when that happens, I will never fly again. I can’t justify the cost to fly as a hobby.

First, I did the acceptance checklist, to verify all required documents are on board, and all switches are in a logical position. Then, I hook up the battery, and preflight the airplane. When that is done, I allow and observe aircraft loading. All this occurs prior to the “Before Start Checklist”, and takes about 90 minutes. Thanks for your observation, and comment. ~Fred~

The Caravan is a noisy beast. I love my Bose noise cancelling headset! ~Fred~

I will put it on my list of things to do. With the fires, we have not had any clear days for months😕

@@romanticsailor1952 I am leaving DFW Friday for Tokyo (NRT). Will be there for a few days with friends, then down to Manila (MNL) for friends and then on over to Singapore to hang out with a buddy that use to live down the road from me, but his job (AA) put him in Singapore 14 years ago. He loves it there but also says that it is major expensive. On the way back, I will have to look, but I make a stop in either Anchorage or Fairbanks instead of the 13-1/2 hour long haul back home from NRT to DFW. Have a small layover, then off again. Some of us retired geezers are planning a 2 to 3 month motorcycle adventure up there in 2020. Thinking about leaving the DFW area sometime in late May and returning sometime in early September. Waiting on the paperwork explaining the rules (sorta speak) when going thru Canada with our guns. As far as I know right now, we will have to enter at a certain spot, then declare our guns and either take them apart or stash them in the bikes. We cant wear them in Canada. I was also told that we have to leave at a certain spot to go into Alaska. Not sure about any of this yet, so it might get interesting. Some of my friends have been to Alaska riding and they all have said dont go without your weapon...you never know what you might run into on the back roads. Our other option is a ferry out of Seattle...looking into that also. When I get our trip plans and routes firm, I will holler back and maybe we could meet and do lunch or dinner somewhere.

Thanks for the critique, Phil. I am trying to learn to make an interesting video. I also am practicing cutting from one scene to the next, in the hopes of creating a weekly video blog (vlog) after I hang up my wings in 2022. ~Fred~

I liked the intro. Every flight for thirty years I drove to or was delivered to the airport. It's part of " A day in the life of" and adds context to that theme just like the paperwork and preflight.

They do have a “Purple Runway” program where you can move up to mainline FedEx. I retired from American Airlines, and moved to Anchorage, AK to fly for a few more years. This was a great job for me for 4 years. I have since retired from Empire Airlines, and am now living on my sailboat , presently on anchor in San Diego, CA. Check out our Sailing channel on KZfaq “Romantical Sailing”. kzfaq.info/love/9bnDNm2szJyasi8Qo4APpA

Thank you for the comment, Joseph. 31 days until I retire for good. I will be living, and cruising on a sailboat for my remaining good years. Starting in California. Follow our adventure at Romantical Sailing.

Owen Grace , yes, they do have a program called the Purple Runway, or something like that. I am not qualified as I am too old to fly under part 121. It would take a few years to get enough hours, since we only fly about two hours a day.

It is an Inertial Separator. The engine air intake duct normally makes a smooth transition into the engine intake at the rear of the engine. When the inertial separator is set to bypass (pulled out). It re-routes the air, so it has to take a sharper turn to get to the engine inlet. When it is In the bypass position any snow, ice, dirt, stones, and debris can’t make the hard turn, and therefore are “separated” from the air, by their own “inertia”. It does sacrifice a little horsepower, and makes the engine run slightly hotter.

I put the inertial separator in bypass during my acceptance checklist. I always use it on the ground due to so much sand and gravel on the ramps and runways. This is not company policy, but my personal technique.

On a hot day in Phoenix, it might not be a good idea to start with the Inertial Separator in bypass, but it never seems to be a problem in Alaska.

R.K. O'Neil Jr No max, as long as you can pass your physical.

Yes, what Buck said. As long as the cargo operation operates under Federal Regulations part 135. If it is a part 121 operation, the maximum age is 65.

Go to lift Academy if you want a flight school, it where im going when i graduate high school

I think that's for the inertial separator.

@@downc212 thanks!

Brian Sims, downc212 is correct. It is an Inertial Separator. The engine air exhaust duct normally makes a smooth transition into the engine intake at the rear of the engine. When the inertial separator is set to bypass (pulled out). It re-routes the air, so it has to take a sharper turn to get to the engine inlet. In the bypass position any snow, ice, dirt, stones, and debris can’t make the hard turn, and therefore are “separated” from the air, by their own “inertia”. It does sacrifice a little horsepower, and makes the engine run slightly hotter.

Stewart, hi! Check out the comments under Brian Simms below. I made a detailed explanation of the Inertial Separator. Thanks, Fred

Unfortunately, FedEx only allows a few authorized jumpseaters. Those, and Empire pilots are the only ones allowed.

@@romanticsailor1952 understood Sir. Thank you very much for replying. Keep the hard work and the good videos so many people can learn from them.

No, FedEx employees load all the cargo in Anchorage, and at the out stations. You have to observe the loading, from beginning to end, but not the offloading.

I work for Empire Airlines, one of the nine contracted FedEx feeders.

Cool gig. Back in the day, I did the same thing in a B 18 tri gear model. Flew contract UPS cargo out of MSY for Airlift Transport. N117ME. Loved flying those twin radials out of south LA. Retired from insurance claims now, but after watching this great video, makes me wonder if I should go and start again....

I am sure they will, if you are legal to fly in the U.S. They are hiring like crazy. Especially for the O’hana operation in Hawaii.

@@romanticsailor1952 I'm actually stuck between Empire and Mountain Air Cargo. For now i'm not sure which to choose. What do you recommend? I'm an ATR pilot for 3 years now, that's why I'm interested in flying FedEx feeders.

cruxader27 I can highly recommend Empire Airlines, they are well run, and safe. They treat me well, and do not push to make you fly if you feel it is unsafe. Great maintenance, and great company to work for. I really do not have any information about Mountain Air Cargo. Empire also own and operates ATR’s in Hawaii, under the O’hana Airlines livery. They code share with Hawaiian Airlines. We also have an Aerospace, and an Unmanned branch, so their may be other opportunities in the event of a lost medical or some other life changing event.

@@romanticsailor1952 Thank you for the input captain! Actually FedEx ordered around 50 new ATR freighters . Not sure if Empire or MAC gets them all or they take half. But I'm looking forward to it. Safe flights captain!

Thanks Jirdo! The FAA requires retirement from part 121 (Transfort Catagory Aircraft) at the age of 65. I was not quite ready to hang up my wings, and I had always wanted to try some flying in Alaska. Under part 135 of the regulations, I can fly as long as I can keep my medical. My next adventure is to sail away into the sunset when I retire from this gig sometime in the year 2022. In the meantime, I am enjoying these last few years of flying. I do not think I will fly as a hobby after I go to reside full time on our sailboat, with my wife. ~Fred~

Keep it up sir you have my fully support keep safe flight and waiting you video sir

Just a guess, I've never flown the Caravan. I think it's the inertial separator. Makes the air take a crooked path to get to the engine. Keeps foreign objects from being sucked into the compressor.

Clinton Andrews. It is an Inertial Separator. The engine air intake duct normally makes a smooth transition into the engine intake at the rear of the engine. When the inertial separator is set to bypass (pulled out). It re-routes the air, so it has to take a sharper turn to get to the engine inlet. In the bypass position any snow, ice, dirt, stones, and debris can’t make the hard turn, and therefore are “separated” from the air, by their own “inertia”. It does sacrifice a little horsepower, and makes the engine run slightly hotter. I keep it in bypass on the ground due to sand and gravel, then back to normal after lift off (if there is no snow or icing).

This seems to be the most asked question. I am going to see if I can make a training video just regarding the inertial separator.

Ya' know... if it's a part for either an airplane or a boat, the price is triple that of the same part for an automobile. If you can put an esoteric name on it, like 'Inertial Separator" instead of 'deflector' you can charge *ten times* as much. ;-)

pk kp, Ha! That is the most asked question about my video. I recently posted a new video explaining the “inertial separator”. If you watch that, it should explain in detail.

Not exactly. There are nine FedEx Feeder operations worldwide. Empire Airlines is one of them. FedEx owns the airplanes, and leases them to the feeders. It kind of depends on what area of the country that you would like to live, and work in. Empire Airlines leases 38 Caravans, also ATR’s. We have at least a dozen bases from Texas, to Alaska.

@@romanticsailor1952 thank you for the information!!!

I have a short video of each part of the checklist. I am going to post the entire bunch, one at a time as I have time.

FedEx has the “Purple Runway” program just for FedEx Express pilots that wish to move up to “Mainline”. Have you checked into that program?

romanticsailor1952 no sir , I’m currently a courier that’s been interested over the last 3 years

Oh, I see. If you are not a pilot, you would have to have a single-engine commercial pilots license, and enough flight hours to meet the minimum hiring requirements to fly a Caravan for a Fedex feeder. To go to “Mainline” Fedex, you would also need a multi-engine commercial certificate, probably an Airline Transport Certificate, and most likely some pilot-in-command time on a twin engine turboprop aircraft, you could fly the ATR at a Fedex Feeder, to get the multi-engine time. It would take some years to do all that, but I started at 39 years old. If you are younger than that, and you can afford the flight training, at todays rates, I would estimate at least $30,000-$45,000, maybe more to get the ratings, then a few years of flying, sight seeing tours, banner towing, parachute jumping flights, or flight instructing (flight instructor certificate required) to get the minimum flight hours, to find a cargo flying job.

It definitely hones the flying skills!

I retired from American Airlines, then I moved to Alaska to pick up a retirement gig. I am doing this because it is fun! Empire Airlines has a 401K, but it is up to you how much you would put away for retirement, just like most of corporate America these days. I am retiring again in three weeks, so June 25th will be my last flight.

I was pulling in a whopping $65,000/year. I am now retired.

Rick, I have not need Martins videos, I will check him out. I am interested in learning how to put the cockpit communications into the film, or do you mean to overdub?

romanticsailor1952 You can buy an audio jack that will pick up your radio talk.. it just runs through your headset. Thanks for sharing, really like the single pilot ops videos, not much of them out there on the cargo side. Hope to be flying like that in a few years

The airplane that I fly has the TKS system. It is very effective, however, whether one is flying TKS, or a booted Caravan, it is NOT designed to slog along in icing conditions for hours. The purpose of the de-ice/anti-ice equipment is to allow the aircraft to shed ice while you make an immediate effort to return to non-icing conditions, eg. climb, descend, 180° Turn, or land. I, personally have had to execute a 180° Turn, and make an unplanned landing, two timed due to severe icing conditions. I thank the FAA for requiring the icing training, so I had the proper knowledge for how to handle the conditions which the airplane could not. Early Caravan pilots were not properly trained in handling icing conditions, and many accidents occurred. Today, there is mandatory icing training, one class for the booted aircraft, and one for the TKS equipped aircraft. All Caravan pilots MUST complete the training for their system every year in order to fly a Cessna 208 Caravan. If you fly both types, you would be required to take both classes (on line). It never really was a death trap, it just had improperly trained pilots trying to make the airplane fly into, and through conditions that it was not designed for. This may have been the fault of the manufacturer, the operators, and/or the pilots themselves.

No, I do not have a college degree. I also flew for the majors. Retired at American Airlines. I think it depends on how badly they need pilots.

@@romanticsailor1952 so you need to complete your flying school to be cargo pilot and dont need college degree just senior hs diploma?💯🔥like fed ex cargo pilot dont need college degree?♥️

That is correct! Most cargo operations will have a minimum number of hours required. Perhaps 1000 hours, 1500 hours, some may require as much as 2500 hours. Just having a single engine commercial pilots license will only allow sightseeing flights within 25 miles of the airport of takeoff, fish spotting, pipeline patrol, etc.