Maintaining Flying Currency

[RandomBlah]

It is highly likely that I will be leaving the service at the end of a 2 year ground tour. Although my flying CV stands up to scrutiny, I could be in the position of attempting to apply to airlines without having flown in the previous year. Do any of you have any advice of any action I could take during my ground tour to negate this requirement? I'd be very interested to hear from any of you who have been in a similar position.

Thank you.

RB.

[Old-Duffer]

My immediate thoughts, from the brief info given, is:

Licences?

Are you making any attempt to fly? AEF, civil flying club - perhaps instructing, part time teaching of aviation subjects at local night school/college, even the air cadets.

Whilst an employer will probably understand some aspects of a system which gives you a ground job, they would probably want to see some evidence that you are doing your best to stay 'close' to aviation.

Is your ground tour aviation related or are you a flt cdr at the school for bean counters or some such? If the former, ask yourself what you can do to show some sort of 'value added' to a prospective employer.

Old Duffer

[Longhitter]

Your civvie license needs to be valid and current if you want to stand any chance of getting hired. Depending on what type you flew last in the services and what is actually on your license in the way of type/IR and other ratings, consider doing an MCC course on something like a 737 sim to get some hands-on experience that will come in handy when you have to do a sim grading.

Apart from that: have a Plan B. Getting into commercial flying coming from the military has never been a bigger challenge...

[kenparry]

Agree with the above. Decades ago I left after 5 years on the ground, but spent time scrounging as much flying as possible on types on which I was qualified. Probably the best opportunity these days is the Tutor at the AEFs - not the world's best aircraft, but you will be able to log P1 time, which is important. Yes, times are still tough in the airline industry, but it's improving and companies are hiring. One problem is you will be competing with young guys with new licences and large debts who are willing to fly for no pay for a while.

Good luck; if you get in to a good airline, it is still a good career despite the naysayers.

[Basil]

On an ATC ground tour, I flew AEF (Chips at the time) and, in my last year, did the Avigation ATPL course and then the IR at Oxford (most expensive bit). I'd flown 4eng turbo-props so ME wasn't a prob.
The Chipmunk handling recency was v useful when I flew the IR in the PA39 Twin Com.

Far too long ago for me to be aware of detailed current requirements.

Do recollect Stn Cdr & entourage entering my room for inspection:
SC: "Ah, studying for promotion exams?"
Bas: "No, Sir, studying for ATPL exams!"
SC: "Ah." exeunt

[BEagle]

A colleague was the PSO / ADC or somesuch bum-wiper for a multi-starred air wheel. One day The Man asked him "Tell me, young man, where do you see yourself in 5 years time?".

Came the reply "British Airways, with luck Sir!".

Which at least sprang him from his flunkey duties - so he was soon back to flying and thence the airlines!

[Herod]

When I applied for redundancy back in the seventies, my "reward" was instant grounding, despite a shortage of Hercules co-pilots at the time. With 15 months to go before my exit date, I went off and flew Chipmunks for the AEF. The AEF Flight Commander was more than happy; it was useful to him to have another regular alongside the VR(T) guys.

[A and C]

I would advise you to go to one of the RAF flying clubs, the flying will keep you current and there is a very good chance that some of the instructors will be in or only just out of the airline business.

Current advice from inside the airline world can be just as useful as the flying, the RAF can be very insular at times so getting a view from outside can be helpfull especially for those who don't work in the multi-crew environment.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafflyingclubs/

[Lima Juliet]

^^^^ +1 on above

Also, there is a National shortage of Flying Instructors at the moment, so if you get yoirself an FI ticket there are plenty of jobs about until you get that dream job that you always wanted - or if your pension is big enough you might just choose to stick aroind in the instructor world.

Good luck

LJ

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

I was on a flying station for my (punishment) ground tour. I kept working very hard, and the powers-that-be found a couple of jobs, including Station Flight Safety Officer, by which they could justify giving me hours. I left still Green rated and Limited Combat Ready, which was absolutely worth having when I left.

[ShotOne]

From an airline perspective, just being out of currency on your military type is unlikely to be a deal-breaker. You didn't tell us anything about your licence and commercial type-rating, experience and recency which is going to be what they are most interested in hearing about.

[thing]

I would advise you to go to one of the RAF flying clubs, the flying will keep you current and there is a very good chance that some of the instructors will be in or only just out of the airline business.

+1. Three of our guys are current airline pilots and two of our 'normal' club members have gone on to RH seat in the last couple of years.

[RandomBlah]

Shotone, fair point. I have a CPL/IR with ATPL theory credit and MCC. I am currently a QFI on a very modern glass cockpit Multi-engine aircraft. My experience is commensurate with a pilot leaving at his 38/16 point.

Regards

RB

[Brain Potter]

"very modern glass-cockpit muliti-engine aircraft" - do you have the type on your licence? If not, get it on. Maintain the validity by doing a LPC each year during your ground tour.

[BEagle]

...a very modern glass cockpit Multi-engine aircraft.

Is that a multi pilot aeroplane - or do you mean the King Air?

[thing]

Gamston is another place I fly from. Decent facilities and air to ground so no 'Request start' 'Request taxi' 'Request permission to fart' nonsense. Just get in and go. Everything from 152's to biz jets. It's getting an RNAV approach soon ready for when the VOR goes, next year or so I think.

Funnily enough I used to be a member at Sturgate too, do I know you Jenkins?

[thing]

Ah, the best kind of flying!