OK CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN....

[kings]

I am starting my Private on Monday and I plan on getting my instrument and commercial as fast as I can log the needed hours.

I want to become a Cargo / Freight pilot single engine at first. Flying something like a Caravan I am guessing. Does a Cessna caravan turbo prop fall under single engine, is there a special rating for single engine Turbo props? Or is the rating the same as for a piston engine?

What does this mean: "Must meet the FAR 135 PIC requirements" ?

Realistically how many hours will I have to log once I get my Instrument/Commercial rating before I can get a job as a commercial pilot flying freight?

Thanks,
Kingsley.

[Frodo]

Yes, the rating is the same, however, you will need a high performance sign off (and a high altitude sign off?). As far as I know, there is no type rating for a Caravan.

I would caution, however, that the companies that hire caravan pilots are actually pickier about qualifications than most piston twin operators.

Plan to have about 1,000 hours, 200 twin before you can even think about quitting your day job. More important than your flying hours are your net working skills. A close friendship with a chief pilot goes a long way.

[David Catta]

talking about this rating for the caravan I think that you need the Single Engine Turbine rating and you need to have done the type B qualification, some twin, and you'll have to pass a turbine type rating

[Chapster]

Ahhhh the Caravan has a turbine engine and is classified as a single engine land turbopropeller airplane. It has a maximum service ceiling of 25000 feet and does not require ground training in high altitude flight (see FAR 61.31) although it would benefit you.

The aircraft is not equipped with retracts and is thus not a complex aircraft by definition so no complex endorsement is needed although I would be surprised if operators do not consider the aircraft complex. The aircraft is not high performance either.

Unless I am mistaken, you would have to meet aeronautical experience requirements for this aircraft and posses a type rating with at least 500 hours in turbopropeller aircraft. Ref 61.157, 159

This would certainly be a nice aircraft to fly and in the meantime to become familiar with the aircraft check out Microsoft's Flight Sim 2002. They have a 208 Grand Caravan complete with floats and not.

[BOHIXON]

I don't think there is a type rating for the caravan. Only type-specific training.

[unknown user]

A type rating is only needed for large or turbojet aircraft. Unless the Caravan is over 12,500 lbs maximum certificated takeoff weight, it doesn't meet these type rating requirements. There's no such beast as a turbine-powered type rating. See below.

§ 61.31 Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements.

(a) Type ratings required. A person who acts as a pilot in command of any of the following aircraft must hold a type rating for that aircraft:

(1) Large aircraft (except lighter-than-air).

(2) Turbojet-powered airplanes.

Personal comment: While a type rating is not necessarily required, it is extremely important to receive the proper training prior to solo flight or flight with passengers.

[C208B]

In regard to the Cessna Caravan question's such time needed and type ratings, you DO NOT need a type for a Caravan and almost all 135 Operators require at least 1200hrs Total time with maybe one or two exceptions.
There are plenty of opportunities for Caravan(Part 91) time as a low hour(500+) dude, but in this market you will need tons of game.
What I'm saying is you must be ready to travel, accept token pay, be willing to sit right seat and always- always go the extra mile for whom ever it might be that gives your first big break!