View Full Version : years/hrs to become a 747 pilot?
RandomIrishGuy
2nd May 2006, 19:04
Hi Everyone,
Just wondering on average how many flight hours and years does one have to put in to get to the status of eg. 747 pilot/1st officer? What is the demand in the marketplace like and whats the best course/direction to take to fulfill the dream? Any feedback would be great. Have been eager to break out of my current career and engage in a career that really interests me. Thanks
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=131649
buzzc152
3rd May 2006, 11:56
How long's a piece of string ?? Depends entirely on the operator but I would think most want at least 2000 jet hours in an a airline environment. However, I know of 1 guy who went to 747 with about 2000 hours instructing on SEP and MEP's.
scroggs
3rd May 2006, 12:24
Took me 22 years, but I was enjoying myself in the RAF for that period! It is entirely possible to get into some 747 jobs with 1500 hours or less, for those who are in the right place at the right time, and don't care too much who they work for or what they get paid. To fly 747-400s in UK, you have to be working for either Virgin or BA. Virgin don't take people with less than 2500 hours (and realistically the minimum is 4000 hours) and BA won't put ab-initios on longhaul. I understand there is a 5-year freeze on changing types at BA, which suggests that the earliest you'd get to a 744 in BA is about 4000 hours in the company, plus whatever you had on entry.
There are a few foreign companies that have UK-resident (though not necessarily UK-based) 747 pilots - Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Cargo and Air Atlanta Icelandic are some. These all require considerable experience from applicants.
Scroggs
Started flying at 15, PPL at 17 and (F)ATPL at 19. Flying BAe 146 from 20, then B737 at 23 and finally B747 at 25. Now 26 and starting to feel over the hill.....