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YANN 532
29th Feb 2008, 08:49
Just a little question, when you fly like a second officer for an airline, have you got the type rating of the plane on your flight crew licence ? Or just a training on the plane.
Thanks for your answers.

potkettleblack
29th Feb 2008, 09:33
It will depend on a number of factors. Firstly the legal requirements set down by the airlines licensing agency (FAA, CAA etc). Secondly its comes down to the airlines own policy. An S/O in some airlines is merely a cruise relief pilot. They are trained only to operate when above certain FL's and do things like monitor the fuel, do the plog, liaise with ATC, request step climbs etc. Having them on board enables the crew to fly for longer and it reduces costs. They won't get to land or take off. Its worth noting that in the "old days" many skippers would let the better S/O's have a go at landing but for most airlines those days are long gone and everything is by the book. The closest they might get to landing is in the sim to cover for the rare occasion of a multiple incapacitation.

Some S/O's are fully type rated, some do abridged courses and only receive a full type rating when made up to F/O. Really depends who you are looking at.

YANN 532
29th Feb 2008, 09:43
If you work for Cathay, are you type rated ?

Cavallier
1st Mar 2008, 13:43
No. You will receive a P2x rating in your licence which is only recognised by Hong Kong CAD.


The Cav:cool:

BelArgUSA
1st Mar 2008, 13:50
Bonjour Yann -
xxx
The rank title "second officer" is not well defined. It varies airline to airline, country to country.
With United Airlines in USA, they called their pilot flight engineers "Second Officers".
Here in Argentina, a "Second Officer" is a "cruise co-pilot" in a crew of 3 pilots.
They occupy a pilot seat during the period of rest of the captain, and when the First Officer is in charge.
xxx
As to licencing, most countries will issue a type rating, but will specify the rating to be valid as P1 or P2.
Generally, the "First Officers" who fly as "cruise captain" are fully type rated.
xxx
Hope this helps - I dont know exactly how CX does...
:)
Happy contrails

BongleBear
2nd Mar 2008, 00:29
in low cost european carriers second officer means 'we work you into the ground and pay you less than a first officer'. so's will have a full type rating though, then the airline will specify how long/many hours till you become an fo, then a senior fo etc...